Phraya Nakhon Cave
Phraya Nakhon Cave
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- terrynev257 contributionsStrenuous but worth it.Arrived expecting to take the boat but were disappointed that it was not running on the day of our visit. This meant a climb up and over the first escarpment but views were pretty spectacular. Encountered a monkey on our way up to the cave and despite the arduous climbs and descents we were rewarded with the glorious sights of the cave and its wonderment . Extraordinary fascinating. Both the climbs to and from the cave were extremely strenuous for me and my wife but we were very glad we completed the trip. To us, it’s essential to wear sturdy shoes but some people wore flip flops (???). Some small children too visited- well done the parents. Bring plenty of water!! Great trip but not for the unfit although the boat would have made our day a lot easier!! Highly recommended.Visited December 2022Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 December 2022
- bwd19571 contributionInteresting day tripWe loved the boat trip to the beach, the walk up to the cave was strenuous but there were several stopping points. The view inside is just as the photos suggest. A very pleasant day trip with lunch afterwards at a nearby beach restaurant.Visited January 2022Written 23 December 2022
- Justin Han29 contributionsEnjoyable and manageable hike with a reward at the endHike to the cave was relatively steep. But it was manageable for us although we were not the most outdoor-sy people around. Proper footwear for the hike would be best. Hiking the the cave and seeing the temple inside was great! I really like the fact that there are many information boards during the hike to share facts about the place. We could have hired a guide for 200tbh at the main restaurant area but only realised this after the hike. Aside from the temple, there are also inscriptions on the cave walls and also natural earth formations like stalagmites and stalactites as well as a dry waterfall. Will definitely recommend this attraction to everyone if you are fit to hike. Fee to enter is 200tbh. Refreshments can be bought at the restaurant at the start of the hike at Laem Sala beach.Visited February 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 26 February 2023
- Les MBangkok, Thailand73 contributionsWonderousI have visited many wonderful sites throughout Thailand but this sits at the top of the list. Worth taking the boat as it brings you in at a beautiful beach where you can relax and swim after visiting the cave. Also zhere is a good local restaurant beside the beach. Advise going early to avoid the heat later in the day. You have to experience zhe main cave to see just how wondorous it is. It is a 430 mtr climb from the beach and takes around 50 minutes to do it, good footwear advised, no flip flops or sandals.Visited March 2023Travelled with familyWritten 30 March 2023
- Cherry P36 contributionsAmazing viewsReally amazing day, we booked a tour from a trip advisor review to see this cave and it did not disappoint. The long boat over to the national park and then did the 430m hike up to the cave. Take water if you go the same time we did as it was hot. The cave was spectacular and we saw monkeys along the way. Great day out and you can have lunch and a swim before getting back on the boat. I found the walk tough as I am not that fit however with 4 or 5 breaks on the way up and coming down was easierVisited April 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 4 April 2023
- emeraldxxPerth, Australia102 contributionsTough climb in the heat but worth itNot an easy climb for someone not very fit like me but you take as many breaks as you need and it is worth it. The temple in the cave is beautiful and so serene. Make sure you have water and good walking shoes. We started at the bottom about 10am and it was very hot by then but most the steps were in the shade. The lunch in the restaurant after was simple but very tasty. We were lucky the boats were taking us across to the beach otherwise it would have been too hard for anyone who is not fit. You can call and check day before if the tide is high and boats aren’t running.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 4 April 2023
- John SureemeeLakewood, Ohio4 contributionsExtremely physically demandingMinimum requirements are: you must wear at least proper shoes or hiking shoes. You must be able to run 2 km and/or you must be able to walk 4 km. If you can’t do that, you’re in for some serious torture. This is an extremely strenuous activity. Need 1/2 - 1 liter water per person. Don’t try this during rainy days. By boat or hiking in, it’s 2km hike each way. They tell you it is only a 500 meters hike if you take the boat. It is not true. The truth is that it’s 2 km distance each way regardless of hiking or by the boat. Also, either method it is a very steep elevation gain of 500 meters, then a very steep elevation loss of 300 meters. Then, do it again to return to the starting point. Plan to arrive by 11am for the most light in the cave from above and to be able to complete the task before dark. It can take up to 4 hours if you are not athletic. If you can’t pass the fitness test, happily wait at the starting point restaurants or go swimming at the beach while waiting for your loved ones. My wife and I are in our 60’s and didn’t make it all the way, but we hiked in 1 hour, for a total trip of 2 hours of aerobic exercise. We took the boat, but heed my warning it’s not a 500 meter walk in from the boat like they all will tell you. Also, I believe the boat trail is significantly more physically challenging. It 2 km distance each way regardless of hiking in or by the boat. Also, either method it is a very steep elevation gain of 500 meters, then a very steep elevation loss of 300 meters. Then, do it again to return to the starting point.Visited April 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 5 April 2023
- Misty Jones18 contributionsA must see!Definitely worth the relatively short walk and going in the early morning to avoid the heat and crowds. We got there about 9.30am and in April the sun was still not close to the shrine but was entering the cave. Personally that was better for us than walking in more heat from Bang Pu. It is well signposted if driving there and the parking area (20 baht) is obvious. It was almost empty when we arrived but full when we returned from the cave. Explore the full cave in all its corners - magical!Visited April 2023Written 13 April 2023
- chockycbSunbury, Australia197 contributionsWorth the trek.This would have to be one of those ‘wow factors’ . But not for the faint hearted. We got the boat around to where to trek starts to the cave. There is a large restaurant there so if there is someone in your group that doesn’t want to do the cave they can wait there. I wouldn’t say you’d have to be fit but it is a hard slog, it’s about 500 metres up the mountain and down the other side , walking up and down uneven steps . Just take lots of water and take your time because it is sooooo worth it.Visited April 2023Travelled with friendsWritten 14 May 2023
- RandomlychiliMeiringen, Switzerland11 contributionsMust see, even with toddlers!What a beautiful thing to do! We were told to plan at least two hours for the trip. Average time is 40 minutes up, then you spend 40 minutes around the cave, then 40 minutes back down. We took the boat around making the hike shorter. I carried our two year old on my back in the baby carrier and my husband carried our 3 1/2 year old on his shoulders. Our tour guide had repeatedly asked us if we were sure that we wanted to do this with young kids since it’s a difficult climb. We decided that we really wanted to experience this place and therefore we went for it. We wore our hiking sandals and started to climb. We reached the top, or better said the cave in just 15 minutes walking. We both don’t do any sports and were surprised by how fast we reached the top. I am saying this to encourage people with young children to go on this adventure. Yes, it is difficult, but totally worth it. So it actually only took us an hour to go up, walk the tour and walk back down.Visited July 2023Travelled with familyWritten 14 July 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Kerri2801
Toowoomba, Australia17 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
This is a very hard walk. The walk in through the beach was beautiful with monkeys in the trees. You have to walk up a steep hill for about 500m and then have to walk down the other side to get to the cave. I only made it about 200m up the hill and stopped. Very hard going and very hot. Need to have some fitness to visit.
Written 26 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John K
Costa Mesa, CA1,394 contributions
Sep 2023 • Solo
I came here from Hua Hin on a weekday morning. Drive time was about an hour by car. I honestly wouldn't recommend coming by motorbike, as the day is pretty tiring and riding a bike all the way back to town is a lot. Plus I recommend seeing some of the other sights within the national park while you're there, so having a car makes sense.
So first off, skip the toilets by the parking lot. They're gross. Toilets at the beach where the speedboat drops you off inside the park are much better. And there are no toilets at the cave, so plan accordingly.
Secondly, consider skipping the speedboat, save the 400 thb boat fee, and make the first part of the hike instead. The views are fantastic and the hike is not that difficult. The boat only saves you about 1/4 to 1/3 of the hike, with the toughest part by far yet to come. If you do go by boat, be aware that on the day I was there people had to walk out into the water to board the boats, so plan your footwear accordingly.
Once you reach the beach, whether by foot or by boat, the steep climb begins. Take it slowly, and take lots of water. I drank over 2 liters. Once you reach the cave, you can wander all around inside, with many interesting vistas. And once you get back to the beach at the bottom of the mountain, there's a restaurant serving food and drinks. No alcohol is allowed in the national park.
A note on footwear. I did make the hike wearing flip flops, but it was dry, and I'm an experienced flip flop hiker with my Hawaiian "locals" on. Don't try this in the pair you just bought from the hotel gift shop. Otherwise just wear regular running shoes or hikers. Footing is tricky in spots, and if it does rain while you're on the hill it could get slippery really fast.
So first off, skip the toilets by the parking lot. They're gross. Toilets at the beach where the speedboat drops you off inside the park are much better. And there are no toilets at the cave, so plan accordingly.
Secondly, consider skipping the speedboat, save the 400 thb boat fee, and make the first part of the hike instead. The views are fantastic and the hike is not that difficult. The boat only saves you about 1/4 to 1/3 of the hike, with the toughest part by far yet to come. If you do go by boat, be aware that on the day I was there people had to walk out into the water to board the boats, so plan your footwear accordingly.
Once you reach the beach, whether by foot or by boat, the steep climb begins. Take it slowly, and take lots of water. I drank over 2 liters. Once you reach the cave, you can wander all around inside, with many interesting vistas. And once you get back to the beach at the bottom of the mountain, there's a restaurant serving food and drinks. No alcohol is allowed in the national park.
A note on footwear. I did make the hike wearing flip flops, but it was dry, and I'm an experienced flip flop hiker with my Hawaiian "locals" on. Don't try this in the pair you just bought from the hotel gift shop. Otherwise just wear regular running shoes or hikers. Footing is tricky in spots, and if it does rain while you're on the hill it could get slippery really fast.
Written 19 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
933mat
7 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Get there early to beat the crowds. We took a speedboat around to the bay to save time - it was also very hot!!
Written 21 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Co Y
116 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
Thailand is sometimes regarded as a paradise for shopping and massage. It is indeed also a paradise for nature lovers. The Cave is just one of the finest examples. Located in an island with an hour drive from Hua Hin city center, a 5-minute boat trip, and 30-minute hiking (mainly uphill), you will see an amazing temple inside the huge deep Cave. If you can, go there before noon on a sunny day. You would witness how amazing the temple bathing in the sunlight pouring from the top of the Cave. Spare time for sitting in a quiet corner inside the Cave, enjoy the sunlight, the tranquility, and the peace of mind.
Well-quipped yourself: shorts, tees, sports shoes but no flip flop (dangerous when going up the hill), Be prepared, you have to climb on the boat in the beach.
Well-quipped yourself: shorts, tees, sports shoes but no flip flop (dangerous when going up the hill), Be prepared, you have to climb on the boat in the beach.
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chrislan
Perth, Australia102 contributions
Aug 2023
This is a tough walk (perhaps more so coming back down on aging knees) but well worth effort. The caves are spectacular! Recommend doing it early in the morning - before 10am, or later in the afternoon, as you won't want to share this magic place with noisy kids!
Written 5 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Randomlychili
Meiringen, Switzerland11 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
What a beautiful thing to do! We were told to plan at least two hours for the trip. Average time is 40 minutes up, then you spend 40 minutes around the cave, then 40 minutes back down. We took the boat around making the hike shorter. I carried our two year old on my back in the baby carrier and my husband carried our 3 1/2 year old on his shoulders. Our tour guide had repeatedly asked us if we were sure that we wanted to do this with young kids since it’s a difficult climb. We decided that we really wanted to experience this place and therefore we went for it. We wore our hiking sandals and started to climb. We reached the top, or better said the cave in just 15 minutes walking. We both don’t do any sports and were surprised by how fast we reached the top. I am saying this to encourage people with young children to go on this adventure. Yes, it is difficult, but totally worth it. So it actually only took us an hour to go up, walk the tour and walk back down.
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lucy m
Worcester, UK5 contributions
Jun 2023
in the heat this hike is rather demanding due to the incline however, once you reach the cave it makes the trek worth it. an unforgettable experience
Written 13 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Augie March
Sydney, Australia239 contributions
Jun 2023
As many others have commented here getting to the cave is not a walk in the park!
I would wear thongs for the boat ride and take walking shoes for the trek up to the cave. It is steep, it is strenuous, and it is exhausting. Take your time. There is no one at the top handing out 1000BHT notes for the quickest ascent. Take plenty of water, a backpack and a towel to wipe the sweat off your face. I would reconsider the walk if it has recently been raining as the trail can be slippery when wet, especially climbing down. But it is worth it and the inside of the cave is spectacular.
Buy a ticket, walk down to the water, the boatmen will direct you as to which boat is leaving next. Ten-minute boat trip. Follow the signs to the path up the hillside to the cave.
The light enters the cave best at mid-morning so I would try to arrive between 9am and 10am.
I would wear thongs for the boat ride and take walking shoes for the trek up to the cave. It is steep, it is strenuous, and it is exhausting. Take your time. There is no one at the top handing out 1000BHT notes for the quickest ascent. Take plenty of water, a backpack and a towel to wipe the sweat off your face. I would reconsider the walk if it has recently been raining as the trail can be slippery when wet, especially climbing down. But it is worth it and the inside of the cave is spectacular.
Buy a ticket, walk down to the water, the boatmen will direct you as to which boat is leaving next. Ten-minute boat trip. Follow the signs to the path up the hillside to the cave.
The light enters the cave best at mid-morning so I would try to arrive between 9am and 10am.
Written 15 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chockycb
Sunbury, Australia197 contributions
Apr 2023 • Friends
This would have to be one of those ‘wow factors’ . But not for the faint hearted. We got the boat around to where to trek starts to the cave. There is a large restaurant there so if there is someone in your group that doesn’t want to do the cave they can wait there. I wouldn’t say you’d have to be fit but it is a hard slog, it’s about 500 metres up the mountain and down the other side , walking up and down uneven steps . Just take lots of water and take your time because it is sooooo worth it.
Written 14 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OMO
Hope Island, Australia137 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
This is not for the young the old or the unfit!
Steep uneven steps makes it hard work but well worth it in the end.
There is an easier way by catching a boat around the bay which cuts down about half of the climb.
One of those places where the photos don’t do it justice!
Steep uneven steps makes it hard work but well worth it in the end.
There is an easier way by catching a boat around the bay which cuts down about half of the climb.
One of those places where the photos don’t do it justice!
Written 14 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maudie
7 contributions
Hello! We will visit the cave tomorrow and as we are travelling by bicycles, we were wondering if it is safe to lock our bikes at the start of the hike. Is there anyone there at the parking lot? Thank you in advance :)
Ana267
Toronto, Canada170 contributions
I haven’t seen the security officer at the parking lot, but I hope you leave ur bicycles locked at the parking. Enjoy the cave and get to be inside of the cave at 11 am when the light is the best. :)
Hi. Is is feasible to get to the cave from Bangkok? Or is this too far? Anyone have a suggestion for the best way to do this?
NL_DINKS
Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands190 contributions
Would recommend to stay overnight in area and go early to the cave. We arrived just after 9:00 AM and stared walking slowly. There were no boats when we there and the walk is quit intense
Sun is perfect around10:30 11:00
If you leave from Bangkok in morning you will not see the beautiful sun light
Densio G
Bangkok, Thailand4 contributions
Hi, are we required to take a guide to the cave? And will it be easy to get a taxi from Hua Hin? Thanks!
Emmanuel C
Paris, France31 contributions
No guide needed there s a map from the parking lot. Best is to.rent a car from hua hin, coz the park.is huge and there is a must climb view.point in the park overlooking.karstic peaks and the sea. But it s 20kms away.
Hello. What is cheapest way to get to this cave from Prachuap Khiri Khan ? Thanks
etquah382
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia3 contributions
Is the trail easy to walk and have signage ? How long does it take ? You wont get lost right ?
Warren K
Bangkok, Thailand61 contributions
There are two ways to get to the temple/cave. You can take the path from the parking lot, which apparently takes around 2 hours. Or you can take a boat around to the other path (the one we took) and it takes about an hour. You won't get lost as the paths are well traveled.
Louise A
Reggio Emilia, Italy17 contributions
ciao, è fattibile la camminata con una bimba di quasi 3 anni? Faremo un tour in macchina, è facile trovare l'ingresso al parco o abbiamo possibilità di sbagliare?
AntJa2704
Mainz, Germany168 contributions
Hi. It is much too steep and rugged for a child of under 3 to walk. Nevertheless, you should take a boat trip from the ticketing booth to the lovely beach just below the escarpment to the cave. There are many trees to sit under and a restaurant. It’s a nice day trip even though you don’t make into the cave.
É possivel chegar até a caverna nos dias de chuva?
Erik R
Uden, The Netherlands2,738 contributions
Yes, you can go to the cave with a boat, it will only be a little bit slippery on the last track because of the rain, but if you have good shoes this is no problem.
Lee_nig
Ko Samui, Thailand11 contributions
Do you have to crawl on your stomach to get through caves thanks
Phil M
Bangkok, Thailand43 contributions
No crawling necessary.
It's a fairly steep path up the hill but plenty of older people and children manage without problems (just regular trainers / walking shoes are fine).
Once you reach the caves, they are large caverns that are mostly open to the skies. So it's not like going down into an underground cave complex.
You'll enjoy it if you like walking.
KRoseW
United States86 contributions
I am in Pranburi at a hotel. We are kind of secluded so it seems hard to get a car or taxi. We wanted to just hire a taxi to take us to the National park to see the cave but the hotel is telling us we need to take a car and it will wait for us. They are pricing it at around $77. That's without entrance fee or guide. Is that too much? Seems kinda high but maybe not? Any help or advice on getting there and back from Pranburi? Should I try to get more into town somewhere?
BRIAN G
Bangkok, Thailand148 contributions
Hi As to question about how to get there, I live here in Thailand and have my own car so no problem for me. if I was you try and hire a car if you can not then get a taxi from in town and see how much he will charge you for the day, I did that when I first came here a year ago and I paid 2,000 Baht for the day
As there are not many tourist around now you can knock him down on price don't pay more than 3,000 Baht for the day which is about 8 or 9 hours
Hope this helps and enjoy your stay
Brian
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Frequently Asked Questions about Phraya Nakhon Cave
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Phraya Nakhon Cave:
- Hua Hin National Park & Laem Sa La Beach Guided Day Trip (From ₹ 9,169.72)
- Hua Hin National Park & Laem Sa La Beach Guided Day Trip (From ₹ 9,169.72)
- Hua Hin Sam Roi Yod National Park & Laem Sa La Beach Guided Day (From ₹ 9,169.72)
- Explore Khao Sam Roi Yod National Park (From ₹ 10,955.32)
- Explore the majestic cave of Sam Roi Yod (From ₹ 11,310.44)
- Hotels near Phraya Nakhon Cave:
- (5.82 km) Long Beach Inn
- (5.83 km) Dolphin Bay Resort
- (5.76 km) The Beach Village
- (2.05 km) La Isla Pranburi Beach Resort
- (3.58 km) Stella Resort
- Restaurants near Phraya Nakhon Cave:
- (4.19 km) Phen Thai Restaurant
- (1.95 km) Yok Saut Seafood
- (4.98 km) Six Palms Saloon
- (6.26 km) Thai Thai Restaurant
- (5.98 km) Meaw Seafood Restaurant
- Attractions near Phraya Nakhon Cave:
- (0.93 km) Laem Sala Beach
- (4.72 km) Kaeo Cave
- (5.94 km) JIB Massage & Nail
- (6.10 km) Park Life
- (10.28 km) Bueng Bua Nature Observation Center