Tartan Waterfall Koh Samui (Tartain): Hike, Fee, Directions

Overview

Tartan Waterfall on Koh Samui (also spelled Tartain) is a nine-level jungle waterfall in the island’s mountainous interior, reached by a steep, rope-assisted hike. It costs about 100 THB to enter, takes roughly 2-3 hours including the drive from the coast, and is run by a local family rather than the government. It suits fit hikers who want a wild, quiet waterfall; it is not a roadside stop like Na Muang. If you only want an easy swim, pick Na Muang 1 instead.

Tartain is reached by following the signs for the Secret Buddha Garden and then a few kilometers further up the same mountain road. The hike is short on the map and hard on the legs: the middle levels are close to 45 degrees in places, and most visitors use their hands as much as their feet.

A Private Jungle Oasis

Unlike the more commercialized falls on the island, Tartain sits on private land. The family that manages it collects the entry fee at a small bamboo hut at the entrance, and the fee goes toward upkeep of the ropes, railings and platforms carved into the hillside.

• Hospitality: The owners typically hand out a bamboo walking stick, which you will want on the steep climb and the slippery descent.
• Amenities: At the base there are shaded bamboo pavilions and hammocks, and a small stall selling cold coconuts, water and basic snacks.
• Payment: Cash only. There is no card reader this far up the mountain.

The Hike: Level 1 to 9

The hike is a vertical climb through dense, humid forest, divided into nine numbered levels. Hand-painted signs mark each one, so you always know how far you have come.

• Lower levels (1-3): The easiest stretch, with small cascades and pools for cooling off. Numbered markers appear roughly every 50-100 meters.
• Middle levels (4-6): The incline increases. You climb over rocks and use tree roots as handholds, and this is where the walking stick earns its keep.
• Upper levels (7-9): The steepest part, with thick ropes tied to trees, narrow ledges and tight gaps in the vegetation. Only for people with good fitness and grip. The path is slippery after rain.

Timing depends on fitness. Our Tartain trek guide clocks 20-30 minutes up and about 25 minutes down; other listings quote 60-90 minutes each way, so allow up to 90 minutes if you are slow or the ground is wet. Budget an hour at the top.

What to Expect

The waterfall itself is a series of sliding cascades over dark, mossy granite boulders. There are no big lagoons like at Na Muang 1, but the pools are deep enough for a proper cool-down.

• Swimming: At the top, the main drop is about 10 meters into a basin around 2 meters deep, enough to submerge but not to dive. The water is cold after the climb.
• Facilities at the top: Wooden platforms, hammocks, swings and small bamboo huts overlook the valley.
• Nature: Expect bamboo groves, banyan trees, butterflies, lizards and, now and then, monkeys in the canopy.
• Crowds: Few visitors make it up, so you often have the place to yourself. The sounds are water and forest.

Getting There

Tartain is in the island’s interior, near the Secret Buddha Garden, and the drive is part of the adventure. Allow about 30-40 minutes by scooter from Chaweng or Lamai and about 20 minutes from Nathon.

Open the full map

1. Start at Wat Khunaram. Take the road opposite Wat Khunaram (the mummified monk) and follow the signs for “Magic Garden” or Secret Buddha Garden.
2. Keep climbing. Continue past the garden turn-off for another 2-3 km and look for hand-painted signs reading “Tartain Waterfall” or “Jungle Gym”.
3. Park at the base. There is a small dirt area below the entrance hut. The last stretch is dirt and can be hard going after heavy rain.

The road is paved but exceptionally steep, with hairpin turns. A 4WD or a powerful scooter (at least 125 cc) with good brakes is the safe choice. Novice riders should not attempt this drive; take a taxi or a mountain tour instead. See scooter rental for rules and insurance.

Best Time to Visit

Like most of Koh Samui’s interior falls, Tartain runs on seasonal rain, so flow and footing change through the year.

Months	Water level	Footing	Verdict
Oct-Dec	Strong	Very slippery, leeches possible	Most dramatic, hardest climb
Jan-Feb	Good	Firmer ground	Best balance for swimming and climbing
Mar	Low	Dry, easiest	Fine for the climb, thin pool
Apr-Jun	Dry or a trickle	Firmest	Go for the trek, not the water
Jul-Sep	Low, rising to good in Sep	Moderate	Lush and green, cooler dip

If the climb is the main draw rather than the swim, December to February gives firm footing and reliable water. Go in the morning, when the forest is cooler, and skip it after heavy rain.

Rain above, the fall below

Jan 125 Rushing Swim Feb 65 Rushing Swim Mar 115 Trickling Apr 85 Silent May 130 Silent Jun 135 Silent Jul 115 Trickling Aug 100 Trickling Sep 120 Rushing Swim Now Oct 295 Roaring Nov 445 Roaring Dec 265 Roaring

Island rain, mm, above the line This fall's flow below it: strong, good, low; dotted is dry Swim month

January The swim months: water to swim in

• Flow: Rushing
• Swim OK
• 125 mm over 8 days
• Island crowds high

February The swim months: water to swim in

• Flow: Rushing
• Swim OK
• 65 mm over 4 days
• Island crowds high

March A thin line of water, wade in the pools

• Flow: Trickling
• Too low
• 115 mm over 5 days
• Island crowds moderate

April Bare rock: come back after the rain

• Flow: Silent
• Too low
• 85 mm over 6 days
• Island crowds moderate

May Bare rock: come back after the rain

• Flow: Silent
• Too low
• 130 mm over 11 days
• Island crowds low

June Bare rock: come back after the rain

• Flow: Silent
• Too low
• 135 mm over 10 days
• Island crowds low

July A thin line of water, wade in the pools

• Flow: Trickling
• Too low
• 115 mm over 11 days
• Island crowds moderate

August A thin line of water, wade in the pools

• Flow: Trickling
• Too low
• 100 mm over 10 days
• Island crowds moderate

September The swim months: water to swim in

• Flow: Rushing
• Swim OK
• 120 mm over 11 days
• Island crowds low

October Most dramatic, admire it from the rocks

• Flow: Roaring
• Too strong
• 295 mm over 16 days
• Island crowds low

November Most dramatic, admire it from the rocks

• Flow: Roaring
• Too strong
• 445 mm over 16 days
• Island crowds low

December Most dramatic, admire it from the rocks

• Flow: Roaring
• Too strong
• 265 mm over 12 days
• Island crowds high

Tartain vs Other Koh Samui Waterfalls

Na Muang is the island’s most famous waterfall, and the easiest to visit. Tartain is the pick when you want effort and solitude. The right choice depends on how much walking you want.

Waterfall	Effort	Cost	Best for
Tartain	Steep, ropes, 9 levels	About 100 THB	Fit hikers, quiet
Na Muang 1	Easy, a few minutes	Free; parking 20-60 THB	Swimming, families
Hin Lad	1.2 km trail, 20-40 min	Free	Temple setting, uncrowded
Wang Sao Thong	0.5-1 km hike	Parking 20-30 THB	Short jungle walk

For the full list and seasonal flow, see the waterfalls and hikes guide.

• 

  You are here

  Tartain

  Roaring

  Walk

  30-60 min

  Gate

  100 THB / 150 THB

  Kind

  Steep hike

  Flow rank

  No. 8 of 11
• 

  Na Muang

  Roaring

  Walk

  5-40 min

  Gate

  60 THB, parking only

  Kind

  Roadside

  Flow rank

  No. 6 of 11
• 

  Lat Wanon

  Rushing

  Walk

  20-30 min

  Gate

  Free

  Kind

  Jungle walk

  Flow rank

  No. 10 of 11
• 

  Tarnim

  Roaring

  Walk

  Not stated

  Gate

  80 THB / 100 THB

  Kind

  Managed park

  Flow rank

  No. 9 of 11

The full list and the year of every fall

Half-Day Plan: Tartain With Wat Khunaram and the Secret Buddha Garden

Tartain sits in a cluster of interior sights on one mountain road, so they combine into a morning without backtracking. Start early, before the heat and before other visitors arrive.

1. Wat Khunaram: a short stop at the temple of the mummified monk, directly opposite the turn-off for the mountain road.
2. Tartain Waterfall: climb first, while your legs are fresh and the forest is cool, then swim and rest at the top.
3. Secret Buddha Garden: the hillside statue garden a few kilometers back down the road (about 80 THB for foreigners, some listings say up to 150). The setting is shady and the walking is gentle, a good way to end a hard climb.

Lunch is easiest back on the coast or at one of the viewpoint restaurants on the mountain road. Fuel up the scooter before you start, and check the weather: a morning shower turns the upper levels slick.

Maps can mislead here, because the site is spelled “Tartan” on many map apps. Search for either spelling, and treat the hand-painted roadside signs as the final word. A user-submitted trail entry exists on AllTrails if you want a GPS reference.

Practical Tips

• Footwear: Leave the flip-flops at home. Wear hiking shoes with strong grip; sandals are not safe on the rope sections.
• Gloves: Light gardening gloves help with rope friction.
• Insect repellent and leeches: Mosquitoes are relentless, and leeches can be present in damp leaf litter in October-November. Check ankles at the top.
• Water: Bring at least one large bottle per person. The owners sell drinks, but humidity dehydrates you quickly.
• Phone signal: Coverage is spotty. Tell someone where you are going, and treat your phone as a camera.
• Descent: It is often harder than the climb because of slippery mud. Use the stick.
• Who should skip it: Toddlers, young children, and anyone with mobility problems or a fear of heights.

FAQ

How much does it cost to enter Tartan Waterfall? Most sources give 100 THB per person, paid in cash at the entrance hut; a few say 100-150 THB. It usually includes a bamboo walking stick, and some listings add a small bottle of water. Confirm at the hut.

Where is Tartain Waterfall on Koh Samui? It is in the island’s mountainous interior, a few kilometers past the turn-off for the Secret Buddha Garden, on the mountain road that starts opposite Wat Khunaram. Allow 30-40 minutes by scooter from Chaweng or Lamai.

Can I visit Tartain without a 4x4? Experienced riders can make it on a powerful scooter (125 cc or more) with good brakes, but the road is very steep and the last stretch is dirt. If unsure, hire a 4WD taxi or join a mountain tour.

How long does the hike take? Plan 2-3 hours in total. Fit hikers climb to the top in 20-30 minutes; slower groups or wet conditions can stretch each leg to 60-90 minutes. Add an hour at the top for the swim.

Is Tartain safe for children? Only for older children who are experienced hikers. The trail is steep, muddy and has rope sections with no safety railings. It is not suitable for toddlers or young children.

Is there a restaurant at Tartain Waterfall? No. There is only a small family-run kiosk at the entrance with cold drinks and basic snacks. For a meal, stop at one of the viewpoint restaurants along the mountain road.

Which is the best waterfall in Koh Samui? Na Muang is the most famous and easiest, with an 18 m fall and a swimming pool. Tartain is the best for a wild, quiet climb, Hin Lad for a temple trail. See the comparison table above.