Hua Hin, a popular tourist destination just 3 hours from Bangkok, is home to some of Thailand’s most incredible beaches and mountains, with various things for travellers to enjoy, from swimming in the sea to climbing a mountain. Due to its proximity to Bangkok, this small coastal town is a popular spot for foreigners and locals looking for a good beach vacation spot to visit and escape the busy capital. I’ve spent almost a week exploring this seaside town and decided to put together a list of amazing things to do in and around Hua Hin. From the amazing Sam Roi Yot National Park to all the hidden beaches on Thailand’s east coast, here are the top 10 things to do in Hua Hin.
Admire The Beauty of Sam Roi Yot National Park From A Viewpoint
Sam Roi Yot is genuinely one of Thailand’s most famous coastal mountains. The Thai name “Sam Roi Yot” can be translated as “300 peaks”, and as soon as you see it with your own eyes, you will immediately know why the Thais called it that. Wetlands and lotus ponds surround Sam Roi Yot Mountain, and with almost no obstacles, you can find many fantastic vantage points to see this iconic mountain from afar. One of the best viewpoints I have discovered just off the road towards the north side of Sam Roi Yot National Park is this Sam Roi Yot viewpoint which gives you an unobstructed view of the vast lake that forms the park surrounds. And the mountain looming in all its glory beyond.
Enjoy A Quiet Beach Walk At Sam Roi Yot Beach
If you drive down the road to Sam Roi Yot Park from the north, you will come to a small town called Sam Roi Yot. There you will find Sam Roi Yot Beach, a tranquil and secluded white sand beach where you can relax.
The town of Sam Roi Yot only has a handful of small resorts, but the beach is long and wide, and there are several mountains and islands that you can easily explore by kayak. There’s plenty of shade to cool off after a swim, and you’ll only find a handful of tourists here. I didn’t see any when I was there, which is fantastic.
Go Camping At Sam Phraya Beach
You can also go camping at Sam Phraya Beach, a beautiful white sand beach in Sam Roi Yot National Park. The camp is located under a shaded area on the coast, and you have access to the usual facilities, such as toilets and showers, that you would expect from Thai national parks. They also have a restaurant there which is pretty good and cheap.
Swim And Relax At Khao Kalok Beach
The beach is located in Thao Ko Sa Forest Park in the Pranburi district, which is a little closer to Hua Hin. Then Sam Roi Yot. Khao Kalok Beach has some of the softest, finest white sand beaches. The sand is soft, making it a great place to lay on the beach and get some of that tropical tan everyone’s been looking for.
The beach takes its name from a small mountain next to it called Khao Kalok or Skull Mountain, which looks like a skull. At night the mountain acts as a shaded area, and you can rent a beach chair and have a front-row seat to enjoy the stunning sea views of the Gulf of Thailand.
Walk Around A Mangrove Forest At Pran Buri Forest Park
Not far from Khao Kalok Beach and Hua Hin, you will find a very nice hiking trail in Pran Buri Forest Park, a forest park established to protect the nearby mangrove swamp. Forests and educate the locals about their importance as front-line protection against tsunamis and storms. Pran Buri Forest Park’s opening hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. until 6 p.m. It’s a nice quiet walk and a good place to hide from Thailand’s midday heat.
