Khao Laem Ya

Khao Laem Ya is the headland at the western tip of Hat Mae Ramphueng, on the Rayong mainland rather than Koh Samet itself — but it’s the headquarters of the Khao Laem Ya-Mu Ko Samet National Park, the same 680-rai park that covers the island. Entry is 200 THB for foreign adults (100 THB for children) and 40 THB for Thai adults, covering the same ticket used across the wider park.

A short path climbs through scrub forest and low cape vegetation to the viewpoint at the top, maybe 15-20 minutes of easy walking from the car park. From there, the coastline curves away in both directions: Mae Ramphueng Beach stretching north, and across the strait, the low hills of Koh Samet. On a clear afternoon you can pick out the ferry boats working the crossing to Na Dan pier. There’s no railing drama here — it’s a broad, grassy headland rather than a sheer cliff, which makes it an easy spot to sit and wait out the light.

Insider Tip: Come for the last hour before sunset rather than midday. The haze that sits over the Gulf through the middle of the day usually clears by 5pm, and the headland faces roughly west-southwest, so the sun drops directly over the water toward Samet.

Weekday afternoons are quiet — a handful of local families and the odd photographer. Weekends and Thai public holidays bring day-trippers up from Ban Phe, since the headland is an easy add-on to a ferry pier visit. The park keeps a few bungalows and rental tents near the headquarters for anyone who wants to camp under the casuarina trees rather than just pass through.

Watch out: There’s little shade on the exposed part of the path, so the midday sun here is harsh — bring water and a hat if you’re not timing it for late afternoon.

Getting here is straightforward by car or motorbike: follow the coast road through Hat Mae Ramphueng toward Ban Phe, past Ban Kon Ao, and the park entrance is signposted at the end of the headland road. It’s roughly a 20-minute drive from central Rayong town, or 15 minutes from Ban Phe pier if you’re heading here before or after a Koh Samet ferry. There’s no songthaew route directly to the headland, so a rental car, motorbike, or taxi is the practical option.

For beach time before or after, Hat Mae Ramphueng runs along the same stretch of coast, and Ao Mae Ramphueng covers the bay itself. The park headquarters also serves as a jumping-off point for trips across to Koh Samet.