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Hin Ta and Hin Yai, Koh Samui

Granite boulders of Hin Ta and Hin Yai at the south end of Lamai Beach, waves breaking on the sand
Photo: Balou46, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free; a small donation is sometimes asked
Hours
Daytime; best in the morning or late afternoon
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
30 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Where
South end of Lamai Beach, off ring road 4169
The way in
A souvenir lane with kalamae sweet stalls
Take care
The rocks are slippery, especially at high tide and after rain
From Chaweng
≈ 12 km, about 20 minutes
Red Temple
≈ 1 km, 2–3 minutes
Coordinates
9.45200, 100.03970YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

Hin Ta'Grandfather's rock' — 'ta' means grandfather in Thai
Sourcetravel guides
Hin Yai'Grandmother's rock' — 'yai' means grandmother
Sourcetravel guides
Graniteboulders shaped by sea and wind
Sourcetravel guides
Legendlocals see the rocks as an elderly married couple
Sourcetravel guides
Kalamaea coconut and rice sweet sold on the way to the rocks
Sourcetravel guides
LamaiSamui's second-biggest resort beach — the rocks are at its south end
Sourcetravel guides
≈ 1 kmto the Red Temple (Wat Sila Ngu)
SourceOSRM
0 bahtto get in
Sourcetravel guides

What are Hin Ta and Hin Yai?

Hin Ta and Hin Yai — 'Grandfather's rock' and 'Grandmother's rock' — are granite boulders on the shore at the south end of Lamai Beach. Sea and wind have worn them into shapes that suggest male and female forms. Thais treat this with humour but also respect.

In local legend the boulders are an elderly married couple, Grandfather Ta and Grandmother Yai, who stayed by the sea for ever. Today it's one of Samui's most visited spots: people take photos, watch the waves and buy sweets.

How it works

From the car park on the ring road, a souvenir lane leads down to the shore: stalls of clothes, magnets and the local sweet kalamae, made from coconut and sticky rice and often cooked in front of you. Beyond it are a small viewing area and the rocks by the water.

Entry is free; a small donation is sometimes asked. Tour groups arrive by day, so it's quietest in the morning and late afternoon. The rocky shore isn't for swimming — swim on Lamai beach itself.

What to see

  • Hin Ta — 'Grandfather'.
  • Hin Yai — 'Grandmother'.
  • Waves crashing on the granite boulders.
  • Views of Lamai Beach from the rocks.
  • The souvenir lane and its stalls.
  • Kalamae — a local sweet made on the spot.

How to get to Hin Ta and Hin Yai

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on footdestinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.

On foot

More tips

  1. From Chaweng — ≈ 12 km south on ring road 4169, about 20 minutes by taxi or scooter.
  2. From Lamai — 5 minutes by car, or walk along the south end of the beach.
  3. From the airport — ≈ 17 km, about 25 minutes.
  4. By songthaew — the blue shared trucks on the ring road; get off at the Hin Ta Hin Yai turn-off.
  5. Parking may be free or paid — keep some change.

Morning or midday

Morningyou are hereFewJust openingSoftOften damp
MiddayMany groupsAll openHarsh and hotDry at low tide

How long do you need?

Allow 30 minutes for the rocks, or about an hour with the souvenir lane and kalamae. It's an easy stop on a loop of the island's south with the Red Temple 1 km away, Wat Khunaram and the Na Muang waterfalls.

Afterwards, swim at Lamai beach or have lunch at a café along its front.

Are Hin Ta and Hin Yai worth visiting?

Yes, if you're nearby: it's an amusing local landmark with fine waves and views of Lamai, and entry is free.

The YesGo take: the spot is small and crowded by day, and the lane to it is all souvenirs. Stop by on the way south, in the morning, and try the kalamae — it's the most local thing here.

Before you go: checklist

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Koh Samui nature and beaches: compare and choose

Natural sights and viewpoints on Koh Samui rated by YesGo. Tap a column heading to sort.

Big Buddha4445 minFree13.4 km
Wat Plai Laem4440 minFree13.6 km
Hin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)you are here3030 minFree—
Secret Buddha Garden241 h≈ 80 baht6.0 km
Ang Thong National Marine Park164 hpark fee ≈ 300 baht; tour extra44.3 km

Southern Samui in half a day

The Na Muang waterfalls in the morning, then Wat Khunaram, the Red Temple and the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks. Add them to your route — YesGo fits in the timing and transfers.

  1. Na Muang Waterfalls1 h 30 min · Na Muang 1 free; Na Muang 2 ≈ 30–50 baht
  2. 27 min walk from the previous stopWat Khunaram (Mummified Monk)20 min · free
  3. 58 min walk from the previous stopRed Temple (Wat Sila Ngu)30 min · free
  4. 16 min walk from the previous stopHin Ta and Hin Yai (Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks)you are here30 min · free

4 places · about 4 h 31 min with walks · 101 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby — add to your day

Red Temple (Wat Sila Ngu)

Koh Samui, Thailand

30 min · free · 16 min walk

How to do it right

  • Sandals with grip are a must.
  • Try freshly made kalamae.
  • Don't climb on wet boulders.
  • It's quietest in the morning.
  • Nearby: the Red Temple, 1 km.

Questions

How much does it cost to see Hin Ta and Hin Yai?

Entry is free; a small donation is sometimes asked.

Where are the rocks?

At the south end of Lamai Beach, next to the ring road.

What do the names mean?

'Ta' is grandfather, 'Yai' is grandmother: the rocks are seen as an old couple from legend.

Can you swim there?

Not by the rocks — swim on Lamai beach.

Is it safe?

Yes, with care: the rocks are slippery at high tide and after rain.

What should I try?

Kalamae — a sweet made from coconut and sticky rice.

How long do you need?

30 minutes, or about an hour with the lane.

Is it good for children?

Yes, but hold their hands on the rocks.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • Travel guides (Love Thailand, Forever Vacation, Phuket Ferry, Banbanjara and others) — rocks, legend, entry, slippery rocks, kalamae (unofficial)
  • OSM — coordinates (natural=rock 'หินตาหินยาย'); OSRM — road distances
  • YesGo general facts for Thailand — payment, transport
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 08.11.2026 ·
How we checkedThere's no official website, Wikipedia article or Wikidata item. The description, entry and warnings are from guides. We give the legend only in outline. Sources disagree on hours (24 hours, 6:00–19:00, 8:30–18:30), so we give no fixed times. Distances are from OSRM: 11.9 km from Chaweng, 17 km from the airport, 1 km to the Red Temple.

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