Rayong attractions

Attractions in Thailand

Open Days: Every day

Opening Hours: 06:00 – 18:00

Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park is one of Thailand’s most beautiful and ecologically important marine national parks. It sits along the eastern Gulf of Thailand in Rayong Province and covers both land and sea, totaling more than 81,875 rai (about 131 sq km). With roughly 94% of the park being ocean, it plays a crucial role in protecting marine resources, coral reefs, coastal wildlife, and natural shorelines that are vital to the wider ecosystem.

The park’s landscape blends granite mountains, rolling hills, and a long coastline that stretches out toward many small islands off Rayong. Notable peaks include Khao Plet, Khao Thian, and Khao Laem Ya, averaging about 108 meters above mean sea level. The shore alternates between rocky headlands and fine white-sand beaches, especially at Mae Ramphueng Beach which runs for over 12 kilometers—both scenic and a natural buffer between land and sea.

Ko Samet, the park’s main island, features low hills and gentle slopes interspersed with flat areas. It measures roughly 6,500 meters from north to south and is up to about 2,500 meters wide in the north. The island’s west is steeper and rockier, while the east offers long stretches of white sand ideal for swimming and relaxing. Well-known bays such as Ao Wong Duean, Ao Phai, Ao Phrao, and Ao Nuan each bring their own mood and mix of water activities.

Beyond Ko Samet, the park oversees more than 11 satellite islands, including Ko Kudi, Ko Thalu, Ko Kruai, Ko Chan, Ko Makham, Ko Plai Tin, Ko Kled Chalam, Ko Tai Khangkhao, Ko Yung Kluea, and Hin Khao. Each island differs in form—rocky, sandy, or coral-based. Ko Kudi and Ko Thalu are prime nature-study spots with rich shallow reefs, while Ko Chan and Ko Plai Tin serve as coastal nurseries for marine life and rookeries for a variety of seabirds.

The climate is tropical monsoon, with average annual rainfall around 1,500 mm. From May to September, the southwest monsoon often brings strong winds and heavy rain, sometimes making boat travel to certain islands unsafe. From December to March, the northeast monsoon can also bring occasional strong winds or heavy showers. Average temperature is about 29 °C, with the hottest months from March to June and the coolest, most comfortable period from November to January—generally the best season to visit.

This geography and climate support exceptional ecological diversity on land and under the sea. Terrestrial habitats include dry evergreen forest and strand forest shaped by soil type and salt exposure, while offshore are extensive, healthy coral reefs that act as nurseries for many coastal and reef-dwelling species.

Dry evergreen forest is the most common community across the mainland and islands, especially around Khao Laem Ya, Khao Plet, and Khao Thian. The canopy tends to be open because of historical logging. Dominant trees include Lagerstroemia spp., Pterocarpus macrocarpus, Wrightia tomentosa, various Ficus and Syzygium species, Ixora spp., wild lime, and the zebra orchid. Strand forest lines sandy coasts where vegetation tolerates salt spray—key species include Thespesia populnea, Terminalia catappa, Casuarina equisetifolia, Pandanus tectorius, and Ipomoea pes-caprae. These plants help stabilize dunes, prevent erosion, and provide habitat for small fauna.

Wildlife is varied. Surveys record at least 144 vertebrate species, such as long-tailed macaques, multicolored squirrels, large flying foxes, shikra hawks, Pacific reef egrets, racket-tailed drongos, common hill mynas, and banded rat snakes. Reptiles and amphibians commonly seen include water monitors, Malayan monitors, red-headed flying lizards, Asian common toads, and microhylid frogs—evidence of a terrestrial ecosystem that remains comparatively intact and well-managed.

Underwater, shallow coral reefs flourish around Ko Samet, Ko Kudi, and Ko Thalu. You’ll find table corals, branching and massive corals, brain corals, and many soft corals. Marine life includes sea anemones, clownfish, eight-banded butterflyfish, regal angelfish, parrotfish, long-spined sea urchins, and giant clams—bioindicators of good reef health and water quality.

Beyond ecology, the park is a flagship travel destination for Rayong and the eastern seaboard. Favorite activities include walking the wooden cliffside boardwalk at Khao Laem Ya for panoramic sea views, catching sunset from the headland, snorkeling around Ko Kudi and Ko Thalu, kayaking along the shoreline, and simply unwinding on Mae Ramphueng Beach near the park headquarters.

Getting There You can reach the park by road and by sea. From Bangkok, take Highway 3 (Sukhumvit) through Chonburi and Pattaya to Rayong, about 220 km total. Alternatively, take Highway 36, which splits from Sukhumvit at KM 136 and cuts roughly 35 km off the trip. From Rayong city, continue about 12 km, then turn right at KM 231 into Ban Phe. Go straight for about 2 km to reach the park headquarters.

To get to Ko Samet, passenger boats depart from Ban Phe Pier multiple times daily between 06:00–17:00 and take about 30 minutes each way. Boats may dock at the island’s northern pier or at bays like Ao Wong Duean and Ao Phrao. For a faster, more flexible option, hire a private speedboat from local operators around Ban Phe.

The park provides essential facilities: parking areas, restrooms, a visitor center, camping grounds, park-run accommodations, and well-marked nature trails. Tourism here emphasizes conservation: visitors are required to follow regulations—no littering, no disturbing wildlife, and no damaging coral reefs.

On conservation, the park continually monitors and rehabilitates marine ecosystems, especially restoring reefs impacted by tourism and pollution. It controls boat numbers to stay within carrying capacity, organizes fish and invertebrate release programs, and runs beach cleanups with local communities—key collaborations that balance tourism with long-term resource protection.

The park also serves as an open-air classroom for students and nature enthusiasts. Rangers provide guidance and run educational programs on coastal ecosystems and environmental stewardship. Visitors can learn both on the trail and at the information center, which exhibits the park’s history and natural resources.

With beauty above and below the water—and management that pairs conservation with sustainable tourism—Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park is a worthy escape on Thailand’s eastern coast. It’s also a living example of developing a destination without losing the balance between nature and people.

Name	Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet National Park
Location	Mueang Rayong District, Rayong Province, Thailand
Characteristics	Marine national park spanning coastlines and islands, with rich shallow reefs, strand forest, and the long sandy arc of Mae Ramphueng Beach.
Period	Declared a national park on 1 October 1981.
Key Evidence	Information from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation and academic sources on marine ecosystems.
Name Origin	“Khao Laem Ya” refers to a grass-covered headland and hill by the sea; “Mu Ko Samet” denotes the island group within the park.
Travel	From Bangkok, take Hwy 3 or 36 to Rayong, then turn toward Ban Phe; total distance about 220 km. Boats from Ban Phe to Ko Samet take ~30 minutes.
Current Status	Open daily with core facilities; a leading conservation-focused destination in Rayong.
Nearby Tourist Attractions	Mae Ramphueng Beach (2 km), Ban Phe Pier (2 km), Ko Samet (30 minutes by boat)
Contact Number	0 3865 3034