Just around an hour’s drive from Hua Hin and even closer to Pak Nam Pran is one of Thailand’s most beautiful national parks. Sam Roi Yod has it all—spectacular limestone cliffs, beautiful beaches, magnificent caves and it is home to a staggering array of wildlife, from crab-eating monkeys to more than 250 species of birds. The sprawling park is great to explore at your leisure, but here are our three must-see highlights:

Unlike the other major sites in the park, Tung Sam Roi Yod is accessed through a different gate. Coming from Hua Hin, look for the sign “Rong Je Sam Roi Yod” or “Rong Je (vegetarian shrine) Lui Im Yee” at the 275 km mark and then follow the signs to the temple. About seven kilometers from the main road (past the shrine) you’ll meet the national park check point. A short and very pleasant walk from the car park will take you to a vast stretch of wetland (beung bua), said to be the largest remaining in Thailand. This 70-square-kilometer area is dotted with lotus flowers, and wooden walkways enable you to head out over the water and get up close to the bird life.

It might be the best-known highlight of the park, but Phraya Nakhon cave is still well worth the visit. The easiest way (and no way is that easy) to reach it is to catch a longtail boat (around B300) from Laem Sala Beach next to Bang Pu village, though you can also take the nature trail from the village and hike all the way. Then it’s a case of scaling the rocky and steep path before you enter a succession of two caves. The second one is immense, with a temple pavilion built inside and another section topped by a circular hole through which the sun shines to suitably dramatic (and photogenic) effect.

As a marine park, Sam Roi Yod is also blessed with a couple of lovely sandy beaches. The easiest to reach (and the quietest) is Hat Sam Phraya, which is close to the southern check point and visitor center. A bumpy track off the main road takes you to the car park and campsite. There’s also a small restaurant, washrooms and a few concrete gazebos amid the pine trees overlooking the curving beach. One end is home to a small fishing fleet, but turn the other way and start walking and you’ll soon come to some truly empty coastline and another totally deserted bay. There’s not much else to do except listen to the waves breaking and let your mind unwind.
If you do want to experience waking up in paradise, then you can camp at Hat Sam Phraya. It costs B30 per person with your own tent or you can hire a four-person affair for B250. There are also cottages available, that start from B2,500. Call the visitor center at 032-603-571 for bookings and more information.

Essentials

Price: Entry to the park is B40 for Thais and B200 for foreigners. Count an extra B30 for your car.
Top tip: If you like birds, then the best time to come is between November and April and March and May, as that is when migratory birds stop by for a rest on their way to and from Siberia, Northern Europe and China.