🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Phraya Nakhon Cave sits inside Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park, in Sam Roi Yot district, Prachuap Khiri Khan. The spot everyone comes to photograph is Kuha Karuhas, a four-gabled pavilion built when King Rama V visited in 1890. It stands in the middle of a large cavern with an opening in the ceiling that lets sunlight pour through. When the light lands on the pavilion mid-morning, the result is the reason people are willing to climb all the way up here.
Getting there — hike or boat
The starting point is Bang Pu Beach — everyone parks here first. From Bang Pu you have two ways to reach Laem Sala Beach, which is where the climb up to the cave begins.
- Longtail boat — across the bay from Bang Pu to Laem Sala Beach, about 10–15 minutes, roughly 300–400 THB per boat (it seats several people). This is the easiest on your legs and the better choice if you're bringing kids or older travelers.
- Walking over the hill — a footpath over a low ridge from Bang Pu to Laem Sala, around 30 minutes. It's a mix of steps and steep sections, with sea views along the way as a bonus.
- The final climb is the same for everyone — from Laem Sala Beach you still have about 430 meters of stone steps up to the cave, taking 30–40 minutes. It's steep and the air in the forest is fairly humid.
Which way to choose
If you want to save your energy for the climb up to the cave, take the boat on the way there and walk back over the hill — you stay fresh going up, and you get the views on the way down once the sun has softened.
Want more out of Prachuap Khiri Khan? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
The best time for the light
The highlight here is the beam of light that drops through the ceiling opening straight onto the pavilion. The window when it lands just right and looks its best is roughly 10:30–11:30 a.m. To catch it you need to allow enough travel time to reach the cave itself before then, which means leaving Bang Pu Beach early — around 8:30–9:00 a.m. is about right.
- Best season — late rainy season through early hot season, roughly November to March. The sea is calm, the walk is comfortable, and you have a better chance of clear light.
- Pick a clear day — the beam depends on sunshine. If it's overcast or raining, the light fades or doesn't appear at all, so checking the forecast before you go helps.
- Avoid long weekends — Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays get busy, with long lines for the boats and for the photo spot at the pavilion. A weekday is far more relaxed.
Entry fees and hours
- National park entry — Thai adults 40 THB, children 20 THB · foreign adults 200 THB, children 100 THB.
- Boat fare — around 300–400 THB per boat (round trip), split among several people, charged separately from the park entry.
- Hours — open during the day, but cave access may close for maintenance at times. Calling the Khao Sam Roi Yot park office before you set out is the surest way to check.
Being honest
This isn't a stroll. The 430-meter climb to the cave is genuinely steep, hot, and humid. If your knees aren't great or you don't exercise much, plan to rest along the way and take your time — there's no need to rush.
What to bring
Sneakers or hiking shoes
Some of the stone steps are slick and uneven, and flip-flops won't hold. Shoes with decent grip are much safer.
Water and tissues
There are no shops up top, so carry your own water. The cave air is muggy, and tissues help for wiping sweat.
Start early
Leave Bang Pu Beach around 8:30–9:00 a.m. to catch the light beam mid-morning and avoid the strong sun on the way back.
Allow extra time
Between the climb and taking photos up top, set aside about 2–3 hours for the cave portion so you don't feel rushed.
More to see nearby
Khao Sam Roi Yot has other stops you can fit into the same day — beaches, the Sam Roi Yot marshland, and viewpoints around the area. From Hua Hin it's a little over an hour's drive down, so it works easily as a day trip, or you can stay a night around Pranburi–Sam Roi Yot to take it slower.
Plan a full trip around Prachuap Khiri Khan
See the Prachuap guide →