Koh Samui Waterfalls

Samui's a small island and you won't see the same staggering scale of natural attractions that you'll discover at The Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls. But, as every European is aware, not all delightful things come in gigantic packages! And this holds true of Samui's waterfalls. There are several scattered around the island but the two main attractions are Namuang 1 and Namuang 2. These are both to be found in the southern half of the island.

Namuang 1 is accessed from the Ring Road on the west coast near to Lipa Noi and its sister, Namuang 2 is more inland and quite a bit further south.

Namuang1 Waterfall

Namuang 1 is the one that most people choose as it is easily accessed, has plenty of car parking, several quaint and rustic wooden huts selling Thai food, snacks and drinks and it's enjoyable for bathing and dipping, too.

Not only is the elephant trekking based nearby, offering the rare glimpses of elephants on Samui (albeit with squealing tourists on their backs) but there is also the chance of an appearance by "Pi Yai". Pi Yai is a semi-tame and ancient giant monitor lizard who has his home somewhere in the rocks near the pool. Nobody knows how old he is or how he got here but the grandfathers of the cafe owners remember seeing him when they were boys.

Since the advent of tourism and the addition of the cafes, Pi Yai has discovered an additional source of food and wanders out of the bushes now and then to see what's happening. He's not dangerous or unpredictable - just old - but turning to see a 4-foot-long dragon staring at you from a couple of metres away can give you quite a fright!

Namuang 2 Waterfall

Namuang 2 has not only fewer attractions but it's harder tofind and there's no pool or chance of a dip. It's a ten minute hike fromNamuang 1. But if it's peace, solitude and the natural unspoiled beauty of a tropical paradise you're seeking, then you might find more pleasure in the less-popular waterfalls.

Wang Saotong Waterfall

Wang Saotong Waterfall is the latest one to be open to the public and is signposted about 2 kilomteres south of Namuang 1 on the ring road.

This one is a bit of a day-trip, as it's a 1 kilometre hike through the jungle from the road but, once there, the un-exploited beauty of Samui's highest waterfall forms an idyllic backdrop to a lazy afternoon picnic lunch.

Hin Lad Waterfall

The award for the most remote waterfall on Samui goes to Hin Lad Waterfall, 2 kilometres south of Nathon. This is another one for nature-lovers as it's 2 kilometres into the jungle - so bring emergency rations and refreshments - plus a towel and swim-wear, as this one you can dip in!