Skip to main content
Visit Thailand Today
Temples & Culture
Koh Samui

Hin Lad Waterfall

4.4(524 reviews)

Tucked into the forested interior of Koh Samui, Hin Lad Waterfall offers a genuine escape from the island's busier coastal attractions. The site comprises multiple waterfall tiers connected by a hiking trail, with freshwater pools where visitors can swim and cool off. Notably, the adjacent Hin Lad Waterfall Temple adds a cultural dimension to the visit, making the experience more than a straightforward nature walk. Compared to other waterfalls on the island, visitor numbers here remain relatively low, lending the site a quieter, more personal atmosphere.

The hike itself is a meaningful part of the experience. Visitors should expect approximately 30 to 45 minutes of walking between the waterfall stages, with sections that are steep and uneven underfoot. The trail passes through dense tropical vegetation, providing shade but also requiring care and appropriate footwear. Those short on time should note that the waterfalls themselves can be taken in fairly quickly — the hike is where the bulk of the time is spent.

Book tours & tickets in Koh Samui

Day trips, skip-the-line entry, and guided experiences around Hin Lad Waterfall — book ahead and skip the on-the-ground markup.

We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Experience hints

Reviews from Google

Awesome 45 minute hike up to the waterfalls. Bring your swim suit to jump into the water to cool off at the top and wear shoes with support. Enjoy!

It’s like a 30 mins hike to get from one waterfall to the other it’s nice and worth it. There is parking for cars and motorcycles so you are good and the road there is good too. Bring water.

It’s worth watching if you have time, but if you’re short on time, you can skip it. I would say you can watch it all in 10 minutes.

A sample of visitor reviews from Google. Read all 524 reviews on Google.

Also Popular in Koh Samui

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui (Soi 1 Branch)
Sponsored

Elephant Jungle Sanctuary Samui (Soi 1 Branch)

4.8(472)$$$$
Soi Maenam 1, Maenam, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84330, Thailand

Ethical elephant sanctuary in Maenam offering daily hands-on encounters with rescued elephants in a jungle setting.

Central Samui

Central Samui

4.4(11,280)
209 209/1-2 หมู่ที่ 2 ตำบล บ่อผุด Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand

Air-con when you need it, open-air wings when you don't, and a food court worth the trip on its own.

Hin Ta Hin Yai

Hin Ta Hin Yai

4.2(11,240)
92 84310 126/92 Moo 3 Tambon Maret, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84310, Thailand

Two rude-shaped rocks, free to visit, worth twenty minutes and a coconut ice cream on the way out.

THE COCOON - SAMUI VIEWPOINT

THE COCOON - SAMUI VIEWPOINT

4.7(10,565)$$$$
33, 67, Tambon Bo Put, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84320, Thailand

Hanging nets over the jungle canopy, sunset timed right, and a live band once it gets dark.

Hin Lad Waterfall: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hin Lad Waterfall worth visiting?

Hin Lad Waterfall holds a 4.4★ rating from 524 Google reviews — a strong rating for temples & culture in Koh Samui.

When is the best time to visit Hin Lad Waterfall?

The best months to visit Koh Samui are January – August, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in July – August & December — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon).

Where is Hin Lad Waterfall located?

Hin Lad Waterfall is at GXC4+668, Hin Lad Waterfall Path, Tambon Ang Thong, Amphoe Ko Samui, Chang Wat Surat Thani 84140, Thailand, in Koh Samui. Getting around Koh Samui: Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road); Motorbike or scooter rental.

Visitor Information

Best time to visit

January – August

Avoid: October – December (Gulf Coast monsoon)

Rainy season

October – December

Avg. temperature

24°C – 32°C(75°F – 90°F)

Crowds

High

Peak: July – August & December

Getting there

Koh Samui Airport (USM) has direct flights from Bangkok and regional hubs (Bangkok Airways monopoly). The ferry from Surat Thani takes ~1.5 hrs and it's cheaper.

Getting around

  • Songthaews (fixed routes around the ring road)
  • Motorbike or scooter rental
  • Taxis (metered or negotiate upfront)
  • Grab available in main areas

Where to stay near Hin Lad Waterfall

Find hotels in Koh Samui on the booking sites travellers trust most.

  • Compare prices across sites
  • Filter for free cancellation
  • Secure checkout on the partner site

We may earn a commission from bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Tips for Visiting Temples & Culture

Dress Modestly

Cover shoulders and knees at all temples. Carry a light scarf or sarong — some temples lend wraps, but not all. Shoes come off before entering any building with a Buddha image.

Mind Your Feet

Never point your feet at a Buddha image or a monk — it's considered deeply disrespectful. When sitting inside a temple, tuck your feet behind you or to the side.

Ask Before Photographing

Exterior photos are almost always fine, but some interior halls prohibit photography. Look for signs, and never pose irreverently with Buddha images — it's a legal offense in Thailand.

Nearby Places

Wat Namtok Hin Lad

Wat Namtok Hin Lad

4.3(346)
Moo 2, Tambon Ang Thong, Amphoe Ko Samui, Surat Thani, 84140, ตำบล อ่างทอง อำเภอเกาะสมุย สุราษฎร์ธานี 84330, Thailand

A working Buddhist temple on Koh Samui set beside Hin Lad Waterfall, blending spiritual calm with natural scenery.

Coconut Museum Samui

Coconut Museum Samui

4.1(141)$$$$
GWGW+6FH, Ang Thong, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

A small coconut museum and shop in Ang Thong offering a peek into Koh Samui's coconut industry and local oil production.

Dusit Dheva Cultural Center

Dusit Dheva Cultural Center

3.9(756)
GW5Q+6F7, Lipa Noi, Ko Samui District, Surat Thani 84140, Thailand

A quiet cultural and Buddhist temple site in Lipa Noi, offering a more peaceful alternative to Koh Samui's busier attractions.

Nathon Hainan Shrine
Hidden Gem

Nathon Hainan Shrine

4.5(49)
Таиланд, GWMP+PW6 ตำบล อ่างทอง อำเภอเกาะสมุย สุราษฎร์ธานี 84140, Thailand

A hidden Hainanese community shrine near Nathon Pier, free to visit and rarely crowded.

Similar Temples & Culture Across Thailand

Wat Phra Kaew
Featured

Wat Phra Kaew

4.7(43,722)
Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200

Go at 08:30 or don't bother, the Emerald Buddha's courtyards fill up fast and stay full until closing.

Doi Suthep Temple
Featured

Doi Suthep Temple

4.7(12,029)
Doi Suthep, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200

Go at first light, before the tour vans arrive, and the golden chedi and the whole Chiang Mai valley are yours.

The Grand Palace

The Grand Palace

4.6(79,769)
Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok 10200, Thailand

Go at 08:30 sharp, cover your shoulders and legs, and give it three hours rather than one.

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum

The Sanctuary of Truth Museum

4.7(46,481)
206, 2 Soi Na Kluea 12, Muang Pattaya, Amphoe Bang Lamung, Chang Wat Chon Buri 20150, Thailand

A hand-carved wooden giant still under construction, and watching the carpenters work is half the point.