Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
Limestone "three hundred peaks" hiding a cave where a shaft of sunlight lands on a royal pavilion
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- About 2 hours return, including the boat crossing and the climb to the cave
- Summit elevation
- 130 m
Khao Sam Roi Yot takes its name, "Mountain of Three Hundred Peaks," from the jagged limestone hills that define its coastal skyline south of Hua Hin. Its best-known feature is Phraya Nakhon Cave, reached by boat and a short, steep climb from Laem Sala Beach, where a collapsed section of roof lets a shaft of sunlight fall directly onto a small royal pavilion built inside the cave for around an hour each late morning.
Highlights
- The light shaft inside Phraya Nakhon Cave illuminating its royal pavilion
- A short boat crossing past limestone karst islets to reach Laem Sala Beach
- Freshwater marshland further inland, a major stopover for migratory birds
- Sea caves and coastal viewpoints along the wider park
Getting there
The park is about an hour south of Hua Hin by road. Bang Pu pier, the boat departure point for Laem Sala Beach, is reached by the park’s own access road; most visitors arrive by rented car or a day-tour transfer from Hua Hin.
Safety tips
The climb to Phraya Nakhon Cave is short but genuinely steep and rocky, and the rock stays slick after rain; grippy footwear matters more than fitness here. The boat crossing is short but runs in open water, so a rough-sea advisory should be taken seriously rather than pushed through.
What to bring
- Grippy sandals or water shoes for the boat landing and cave climb
- A dry bag for cameras and phones during the boat crossing
- Water and sun protection; there is little shade on the climb
- Cash for the park gate and the boat fare