TL;DR: Koh Samui’s main waterfalls are Na Muang 1 (an easy 18-metre roadside falls with a swimming pool), Na Muang 2 (the island’s tallest at around 80 metres, reached by a steep 30-40 minute rope-assisted scramble), Hin Lad near Nathon (a quieter jungle-and-temple hike with a roughly 30-metre falls) and the smaller ‘secret’ Wang Sao Thong near Hua Thanon. Entry to the falls themselves is free; Na Muang and Wang Sao Thong charge about ฿20 for scooter parking (฿60 for a car). They flow hardest in the wet months of roughly October and November and can run thin from February to April, which clashes with the best-weather window of December to April, so there’s a real trade-off. Na Muang 2 is genuinely dangerous above the base: five tourists have died there since 2019, all from slipping on wet rock at the upper tiers. All prices ฿33 = US$1 (July 2026).
If you’ve searched “Koh Samui waterfalls,” you’ve got a handful of options that range from a roadside swim to a properly steep jungle climb. This guide covers the four that people actually visit, Na Muang 1, Na Muang 2, Hin Lad and the “secret” Wang Sao Thong, with straight answers on fees, the best season, how to reach them, which is worth your time, and a serious safety note about Na Muang 2 that first-timers need to hear. Every figure below is checked against current 2026 Samui guides and news reporting, cited at the end. Prices are in Thai baht with US dollars at ฿33 = US$1 (July 2026).
Koh Samui waterfalls compared
| Waterfall | Height | Access | Parking fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Na Muang 1 | ~18m | Easy, short walk from car park | ~฿20 scooter / ฿60 car | A quick, easy swim |
| Na Muang 2 | ~80m (island’s tallest) | Steep 30-40 min climb, ropes near top | Same lot as Na Muang 1 | The big hike (base only) |
| Hin Lad | ~30m | Jungle trail ~1-2km past a temple | None listed | A quiet, uncrowded walk |
| Wang Sao Thong | Smaller | ~1km jungle walk, two tiers | ~฿20 | A bonus “secret” stop |
Heights, access and fees compiled from 2026 Samui waterfall guides; see Sources. Prices at ฿33 = US$1 (July 2026).
Na Muang 1 and 2
Na Muang 1 is the easy one and Na Muang 2 is the tall, hard one, and they share the same valley and car park in the island’s central-south interior. Na Muang 1 (the name means “purple,” after the rock) is about 18 metres, roadside-easy, and has a swimming pool a short walk from the parking area, which makes it the family-friendly pick. Na Muang 2, higher up the valley, is Koh Samui’s tallest waterfall at around 80 metres, and reaching the upper viewpoint means a walk to the base followed by a steep 30-40 minute scramble with rope-assisted sections near the top. Entry to both is free; parking is roughly ฿20 (~US$0.60) for a scooter and about ฿60 (~US$2) for a car. There’s a refreshment and food stall area at the car park, and the Na Muang Safari Park (elephant camp and activities) sits alongside it.
Na Muang 2: a serious safety warning
Enjoy Na Muang 2 from the base only. The upper tiers have killed five foreign tourists since 2019, all from slipping on wet rock, most recently in January 2026. This is not scaremongering: it’s documented in Thai and international news reporting. The victims fell while climbing or taking photos on the slick upper levels, there is no rescue infrastructure up top, and local officials have repeatedly warned that the rocks get more dangerous in the rainy season. The lower falls and base pool are fine to enjoy. Do not climb past the marked viewpoint for a better photo, wear shoes with genuine grip rather than flip-flops, and keep well back from the edge of any tier when the rock is wet. No picture is worth the risk that spot has proven to carry.
Hin Lad Waterfall
Hin Lad is the quiet alternative near Nathon, a jungle-and-temple walk rather than a roadside stop. The trail starts at Wat Namtok Hin Lad, a Buddhist temple a few kilometres from Nathon town on the west of the island, and runs roughly 1-2km through rainforest to a waterfall of about 30 metres, with several swimming pools along the way. It’s consistently described as far less crowded than Na Muang, which is its main appeal. The path has slippery rocks, fallen trees and a bit of scrambling, so wear proper shoes, and carry your own water since the last shop is well below the trailhead. Entry is free. If you value peace and a proper walk over a quick photo, this is the one to prioritise.
Wang Sao Thong: the “secret” waterfall
Wang Sao Thong is the smallest and least impressive of the four, worth it only as a bonus stop if you’re already nearby. It’s tucked off the ring road near Ban Hua Thanon and Wat Khunaram (the mummified-monk temple) in the central-south, reached by about a 1km jungle walk to two signposted tiers, with a small natural pool for a dip. Parking is around ฿20 (~US$0.60), and there’s a small refreshment shop but no restaurant. Guides are honest that it doesn’t match Hin Lad or Na Muang for scale, so don’t make a special trip for it; fold it in if you’re passing. Watch your footing on the tree roots, and check water depth before swimming.
Best season to visit
The falls flow hardest in the wet months of roughly October and November, but the nicest weather is December to April, when the water can be lower, so pick your priority. Unlike Thailand’s Andaman coast, Samui’s rainiest stretch is late in the year, when the north-east monsoon hits the Gulf side directly. That’s exactly when the waterfalls are at full force, but also when the weather is least reliable for a trip. By February to April the island is dry and sunny, but the falls (especially Na Muang 1) can slow to a trickle. The practical compromise is to visit late in or just after the wet season, when the water is still strong and the rain is easing. Either way, expect the rocks to be slippery. For the fuller picture, see the best time to visit Koh Samui.
How to get to the waterfalls
Na Muang sits roughly 25-30 minutes from Chaweng and 10-15 minutes from Nathon, signposted off the main ring road; scooter, car, taxi or a guided tour all work. A rented scooter is the cheapest and most flexible way to reach all four falls, but only if you’re a confident rider, since the interior roads to Na Muang 2 and the “secret” falls get steep. Taxis work but are pricey for the distance, and many island tours bundle Na Muang with other stops if you’d rather not drive. Wear shoes you can walk and grip in, not flip-flops, and start early to beat both the heat and the tour groups. For getting around the island generally, see getting to Koh Samui.
Honest downsides
- Dry-season flow can disappoint. Turn up in February to April and Na Muang 1 in particular may be a fraction of its wet-season self.
- Na Muang 2’s upper tiers are dangerous. The base is fine, but the climb has a real, documented death toll; treat the warning above seriously.
- Rocks are slippery everywhere. Every one of these falls involves wet, uneven rock; proper footwear is not optional.
- The “secret” falls under-deliver. Wang Sao Thong is small; manage your expectations or skip it.
- Na Muang has an elephant camp. The adjacent Safari Park offers elephant activities that fail some operators’ animal-welfare standards, so it’s easy to give a miss if that matters to you.
Bottom line
For most visitors, Na Muang 1 for an easy swim plus a careful look at Na Muang 2 from the base makes the best half-day, with Hin Lad the pick if you’d rather have a quiet jungle walk near Nathon. Go late in or just after the wet season for the best water, wear grippy shoes, keep off Na Muang 2’s upper tiers, and pair the trip with the rest of the island using outthailand.com’s things to do in Koh Samui and Koh Samui beaches guides. Check what’s on to build your day around anything else happening while you’re here.
Sources
- Na Muang Waterfall 2 Viewpoint Travel Guide - Northabroad: Na Muang 2 height (~80m), hike timing and difficulty, slippery-rock safety
- Namuang Waterfall - ForeverVacation: free entry, parking fee, opening hours, facilities and Safari Park
- Discover Lamai’s Waterfalls: Na Muang & Hin Lat - The Lamai Samui: Na Muang 1 (~18m) and Hin Lad (~30m) heights, difficulty comparison, parking ฿20
- Koh Samui waterfall takes fifth life as French man falls to his death - Thai Examiner: five deaths at Na Muang 2 since 2019, January 2026 fatality, cause and official warnings
- French tourist falls to his death at Koh Samui waterfall - Bangkok Post: corroborating report on the Na Muang 2 fatality pattern
- Hin Lad Waterfall - Wanderlog: Hin Lad trail length, temple trailhead, pools, facilities and safety notes
- Wang Sao Thong Waterfall - We Love Koh Samui: Wang Sao Thong location, ~1km walk, ฿20 parking, “less impressive” verdict, safety
- Best Time to Visit Koh Samui - Inside Samui: reversed Gulf-coast rainy season (wettest Oct-Nov), waterfall flow vs weather trade-off