Spectacular Waterfalls To Visit On Koh Samui Island in Thailand, From Tartain To Tan Rua, Here Are 5

Most people arrive on Koh Samui with beach clubs on the agenda and leave without ever realising the island has a jungle interior worth getting lost in. The waterfalls here, Tartain, Lat Wanon, Hin Lat, Hin Lad, and Tan Rua, are that interior's best argument. They're not polished tourist attractions. They're the real island, the one that exists behind the palm-fringed resort strips. Check out these five jungle waterfalls that reveal a quieter, wilder side of Koh Samui.

Waterfalls In Koh Samui, Thailand

Tartain Waterfall

Getting to Tartain is the kind of experience that makes you feel like you've earned something. Hidden in the island's south, the trail cuts through bamboo groves and patches of dense tropical undergrowth before revealing a cascading fall that drops into a natural swimming pool below. The hike runs around 90 minutes each way, long enough to shake off anyone who didn't mean it. What you get at the end is near-total solitude, which on a Thai resort island is rarer than it sounds.

How To Reach: Located in southern Koh Samui near Taling Ngam. Drive or take a taxi/scooter to the trailhead, then follow a jungle path for around 60–90 minutes. The route can be overgrown, so sturdy footwear is recommended.

Lat Wanon Waterfall

Lat Wanon doesn't make it easy, and that's precisely the point. The trek is genuinely challenging, dense jungle, uneven ground, the kind of trail that requires attention. But the waterfall itself is multi-tiered and dramatic, with pools at different levels that reward those who take the time to explore rather than just photograph and leave. The birdsong on the walk back is worth the aching legs.

How To Reach: Situated in the Lipa Noi jungle in central-west Koh Samui. Reach the starting point by taxi, private car, or scooter from Nathon or Lamai. A moderately challenging 30-minute hike through the forest leads to the waterfall.

Hin Lat Waterfall

Hin Lat is where the island takes visiting families and first-timers, and it's easy to see why. The trail is well-kept, the pools are cool and inviting, and the surrounding greenery is lush enough to feel genuinely immersive without requiring serious effort. Come early, by mid-morning, the word is out.

How To Reach: Located near Nathon Town on the west coast. It's around a 10-minute drive from Nathon Pier and easily accessible by taxi, rental scooter, or private transfer. A well-marked walking trail takes visitors to the falls.

Hin Lad Waterfall

Just up from Hin Lat, Hin Lad adds something its neighbour doesn't: Wat Nam Tok Hin Lad Temple sitting quietly nearby, giving the visit an unexpectedly contemplative dimension. The cascades themselves are multi-levelled and generous, feeding into a wide natural pool. It's the kind of stop that ends up taking twice as long as planned.

How To Reach: Also found near Nathon and close to Hin Lat Waterfall. Drive to Wat Nam Tok Hin Lad Temple, where the walking trail begins. The waterfall can be reached after a relatively easy jungle walk.

Tan Rua Waterfall

Tan Rua, tucked into the Maenam area, is the most unhurried of the five. The hike is short, the cascades are gentle, and there's a small café perched above the jungle canopy nearby, the sort of detail that turns a waterfall visit into an actual afternoon. Stay longer than you think you need to.

How To Reach: Located in the Maenam area of northern Koh Samui. Visitors can drive or take a taxi directly to the entrance area. From there, a short and straightforward hike leads to the waterfall and the nearby café overlooking the jungle.