SAMET NANGSHE VIEWPOINT THAILAND – The Complete Guide
Samet Nangshe viewpoint is one of the most impressive views we’ve seen in Thailand. Facing east, Samet Nangshe offers a stunning 180-degree sunrise view overlooking large mangrove forest and Phang Nga Bay with its hundreds of fantastic, limestone karst formations and small islands. Samet Nangshe viewpoint is a must visit when you’re in Phuket, especially with sunrise. Read in this blog post everything you need to know about Samet Nangshe viewpoint.
Best tours to Phang Nga Bay
Located in between Krabi and Phuket, there are plenty of tours to book to Phang Nga bay. Going on a boat tour is the best way to explore the islands of Phang Nga bay and see the impressive limestone cliffs from up close. Below some of the best tours I recommend. All of these tours include air conditioned transport with hotel pick up and drop off, certified guides and sometimes also lunch and the entrance fees. You can reserve now and pay later, with cancellation up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.
- James Bond Island Phang Nga bay day trip by speedboat
- Krabi city tour including climbing the Tiger Cave temple
- Emerald pool, Blue Lagoon and ATV tour full day tour
- Krabi hotsprings Spa package
- Private sunset boat trip to Khao Khanap Nam Cave & Night Market Tour
- Krabi islands exclusive sunset Catamaran sightseeing tour
- Visit the mangrove jungle and village Koh Klang and Khao Khanap Nam mountains
- Krabi street food market tour
- Private Four islands boat tour
- Dragon Crest hike, ATV and kayak tour
- Elephant Care House visit and Tiger Cave temple tour
- Railay beach rock climbing with lunch from Krabi or Ao Nang
- Thai cooking class in Krabi
How to get to Samet Nangshe viewpoint
The viewpoint is located in the Phang Nga area, 75 km from Khao Lak, 40 km from Phang Nga Town and 70 km from Phuket. So depending on the place where you stay, you can get there yourself with a rental moped or car. If you’re not comfortable driving yourself, you can always get a taxi, but they are pretty expensive. Samet Nangshe viewpoint is easy to find with Google Maps. Be prepared for a bumpy road the last 15 minutes if you drive yourself.
When you’re planning for a sunrise mission, make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before sunrise. This gives you the time to walk to a good spot, set up your camera and see the first colours in the clouds. It is a 10 – 15 minute trek up a hill at a 90 degree angle before you will get to the actual viewpoint. So make sure to wear proper footwear! No flipflops or sandals, you will thank us later 
You can also choose to stay in an accommodation at Samet Nangshe so you can see the sunrise over this incredible view from your bed. The options are Samet Nangshe Boutique and Ao Tho Li viewpoint.
Entrance fee Samet Nangshe viewpoint
Once you’ve arrived at the parking lot, you will see the ticket booth where you have to pay 50 Baht entrance fee per person. If you’re short in time or you just don’t want to walk up the steep hill, there is a pick up truck that can drive you up the hill for 60 Baht.
A short drone shot of Phang Nga bay during sunrise
What to expect at Samet Nangshe viewpoint
The viewpoint opens from 5 AM to 10 PM which allows you to arrive before sunrise. The walk up the hill is very strenuous for 10 – 15 minutes, so make sure to put on comfortable shoes.
The first platform where you arrive is not the official viewpoint, but we choose to set up our gear there. We wanted to fly the drone and had a nice open space there with no one else around.
If you walk further up the hill for another 5 – 10 minutes, you will arrive at the “official” viewpoint with probably more people around.
The view is about two kilometres of mangrove forest and a chain of islands that stretches as far as the eye can see in both directions. It’s such an impressive sight to see the islands appear out of the dusk. Absolutely worth the trip, and especially photographers will enjoy all the opportunities there are. If you have a drone you definitely need to bring it with you! The patterns of the river and islands from above are wonderful to capture with your drone!
Read here what the best travel drone is.
Phang Nga Bay achieved world fame in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. There is even an island in Phang Nga National Park named after the film; James Bond island! It has a beautiful beach and is famous for it’s unique limestone rock formation. You can see this island and many more during a day trip to Phang Nga Bay.
Camping at Samet Nangshe viewpoint
If you want to stay over night at Samet Nangshe viewpoint, you can rent a tent at the campsite. There is a small campsite and resort called “Samet Nangshe Boutique resort” where you can book one or more night if you want to admire more sunrise and sunset moments at this wonderful view. The Milky Way is very well visible at night, so for stargazers or lovers of night photography, this is the perfect spot to capture the Milky Way and an epic sunrise the next morning!
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Hello Ilse, thanks for sharing your info about the viewpoint of Samet Nangshe in Thailand. How beautiful to have a view overlooking Phang Nga Bay, it’s breathtaking ! The pink colors in contrast with the dark rocks in the water…….wow.