🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Plenty of people know the name "Mu Ko Samet," but not many realise the mainland side facing the island is part of the same national park. That's Khao Laem Ya — a low hill covered in scrubby forest, about 680 rai (roughly 109 hectares), in Phe sub-district, Mueang Rayong. It's only about 3 kilometres from the Ban Phe pier. The best part: you don't need to take a boat across to the island to stroll by the sea and look out at Ko Samet at your own pace.
The Skywalk — the reason most people come
The Khao Laem Ya skywalk is a nature trail built as a raised wooden boardwalk running along the sea, with sections of clear glass floor. The whole route is about 500 metres. As you walk you'll reach a glass terrace that extends out over the rocks, where you can look down at the sea hitting the stone below, with Ko Samet filling the view ahead. The path isn't steep, so kids and older walkers can manage it fine. Taking your time to walk and shoot photos, expect about 30–45 minutes.
- Cliffside boardwalk — shaded stretches alternating with open sections, with a cool sea breeze almost the whole way
- Glass-floor terrace — the most popular photo spot, reaching out over the rocks at the water's edge
- White lighthouse — a white tower that makes a nice landmark to photograph against the sky and sea
Wear the right shoes
The rocky sections and the glass floor can get slippery when wet. Go for sneakers or shoes with a grippy tread, skip flat-soled flip-flops, and keep a firm hold on your camera or phone while you're standing on the glass.
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Viewpoints and sunset
Up on the ridge there's a viewpoint with a panoramic outlook, sweeping across the long stretch of Mae Ramphueng Beach on one side and Ko Samet on the other. Late afternoon into evening is when most people show up, since it's a sunset spot where the light over the water looks great. If you want the golden hour, come about an hour before sunset to leave time to find your angle and wait for the light.
Ridge viewpoint
See Mae Ramphueng Beach and Ko Samet at the same time. The open outlook is good for wide-angle shots.
Clifftop glass terrace
Stand out over the rocks with the sea below — the angle most people line up to photograph.
Mae Ramphueng Beach — the quiet mainland beach
Before or after the skywalk, swing by Mae Ramphueng Beach right next door. It's a long mainland sand beach with a much quieter feel than the beaches on Ko Samet — good for sitting back, walking along the water, or finding a seafood restaurant by the sand for lunch. No boat to catch, no jostling with crowds of tourists. It suits anyone who wants the sea at a calm pace.
- A long sand beach, less crowded than the island side — you can walk it all day
- Seafood restaurants and beachfront cafes dotted along the way for a break
- Easier parking, and no boat fare to cross to the island
Entry fees, opening hours and how to get there
The park charges entry per person: Thai adults 40 THB, children 20 THB, and seniors 60 and over enter free. Foreign adults are 200 THB and children 100 THB, with a separate vehicle fee — around 30–70 THB per car and 20 THB per motorbike. This entry fee also covers the Ko Samet side. Prices can change, so it's worth checking with the park again before you go.
- Opening hours — open daily roughly 08:00–18:00 (some sources say 06:00–17:00), so give yourself time to arrive before closing
- How to get there — about 3 km from Ban Phe pier; roughly a 20–30 minute drive from Rayong town, via the Mae Ramphueng–Phe road
- Park transport — songthaews (shared pickup trucks) run between the car park and the shore (often free on weekends and holidays)
- Contact the park — call 0 3865 3034 to confirm the latest fees and hours before you go
Best time to visit
Come late afternoon into evening for the nicest light and cooler temperatures. Midday the sun is strong and there's little shade, so if you come during the day, bring a hat, drinking water and sunscreen.
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