Na Muang (interior) · Waterfalls & Nature
Na Muang 1 Waterfall
Purple Waterfall
Koh Samui's most visited waterfall. An approximately 18-metre cascade (some sources say up to 30 m) falls over purple-tinted rocks into a large natural pool that is good for swimming. A paved path of about 5 minutes leads from the car park. Entry is free; parking costs about 20 THB.
- Free
- Na Muang (interior)
- Checked 25 Sept
Insider tips
- Arrive early to avoid tour groups
- Wear swimwear under clothes - no changing rooms
- Water shoes help in the pool
- Combine with Na Muang 2 hike if fit
The story
Na Muang 1 is the lower and easier of the two Na Muang waterfalls, in the forested centre of Koh Samui. The fall drops roughly 18 metres (sources disagree; a few say 20-30 metres) over rock with a purple-violet tint, caused by minerals in the stone, which gives the falls their 'Purple Waterfall' nickname. Below the fall is a wide, deep natural pool where visitors and local families swim; the pool is deeper than it looks in places, so watch children closely.
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The walk from the car park is short, mostly paved, and takes about 5 minutes. There are snack stalls, toilets, and paid parking (around 20 THB). Entry to the waterfall itself is free.
It is busy on weekends and with tour groups in the middle of the day; mornings are quieter. Water flow is strongest during and just after the rainy season (roughly October to January) and much lower in the hot dry months (March to May), though Na Muang 1 usually keeps some flow year-round. The rocks are slippery all year, so wear shoes with grip, not flip-flops.
Note: an elephant camp and safari park operate between the two Na Muang falls; this is a commercial attraction and animal-welfare concerns have been reported by visitors.
Good to know
- 09:00–17:00 daily
- Free
- Early morning before 11:00 for fewer people; best water flow November-February
Plan a visit
Free route: you go by your own scooter, car or on foot and we work out the order. Private tour: a local driver picks you up and takes you.
Checked 25 Sept 2026 · 7 sources
Sources and last check
- Last checked
- 25 Sept 2026
- What was checked
- Details checked 25 Sept 2026
- Next check due
- September 2027
Official sources
No official source published yet for this page.
Plus 7 other references and local research.
