Cheow Lan Dam
Cheow Lan Dam
4.7
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- frasercameronLondon, United Kingdom246 contributionsYou do not need an expensive tour to visit the lake. Just turn up at the pier and either book a longboat for yourself or team up to share costs. It’s 2,200 TB for a two hour trip which is enough time to give you a good view of the splendid scenery.Visited January 2025Traveled as a coupleWritten January 17, 2025
- ArneTienen, Belgium554 contributionsWe booked a 4 hour trip through GetYourGuide. Through the hotel we were dropped off at the pier. At first it was a bit strange because hardly anyone spoke a word of English. But after a few minutes we had found our captain. Please note that you still have to pay 300+40 Baht per person on the spot (tax and a ticket for the pier). The cruise is beautiful, what a beautiful nature. We had taken a private boat for us 2. Super nice! The captain also takes you into a cave with stalagtites and stalagnites. The boat also stops on a floating raft with a shop and houses. Here we would be allowed to stay 1.5 hours free and swim in the lake. After 1 hour we were okay there and we were allowed to get back in our boat towards the Pier. The captain also takes pictures if you want, highly recommended!Visited January 2025Traveled as a coupleWritten January 20, 2025
- AndiheyMunich, Germany23 contributionsSuper National Park which was well organized and relatively clean and well maintained. The park offers many great places to explore, such as the Hell Tour. You can also just grab a canoe and explore the lake on your own.Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 12, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Juju
Lausanne, Switzerland27 contributions
Mar 2025 • Family
We were very disappointed by that last day of vacation there. We took like everyone else the day to visit a cave, see the 3 stones, do a trekking in the forest, swim etc...
So yes of course it’s very pretty and fortunately the landscape is there!
First you arrive and you have to pay 340 baht / person on top of the day’s fee so to plan it increases the bill! Then we all leave in their boats that pollute and smell like not possible, they take us to the floating restaurant that is supposed to be top and where we can swim... the water was disgusting it does not make you want, there is no paper provided in the toilet so you should know before, the pool area is a rectangle where all the boats come to dock all the time.
Trekking is not one, the guide explains different things in the forest (interesting but it is not at all a walk) the cave is very pretty but it is 15 minutes in the day, everything else we sit on boards in a boat, it is very hot and no possibility to swim all day so hot, backache at the end and very long, to finish accessible toilets at the end are paying (but not those in the morning) in short it is a business that really disappointed us for our last day.
So yes of course it’s very pretty and fortunately the landscape is there!
First you arrive and you have to pay 340 baht / person on top of the day’s fee so to plan it increases the bill! Then we all leave in their boats that pollute and smell like not possible, they take us to the floating restaurant that is supposed to be top and where we can swim... the water was disgusting it does not make you want, there is no paper provided in the toilet so you should know before, the pool area is a rectangle where all the boats come to dock all the time.
Trekking is not one, the guide explains different things in the forest (interesting but it is not at all a walk) the cave is very pretty but it is 15 minutes in the day, everything else we sit on boards in a boat, it is very hot and no possibility to swim all day so hot, backache at the end and very long, to finish accessible toilets at the end are paying (but not those in the morning) in short it is a business that really disappointed us for our last day.
Automatically translated
Written March 5, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Suratrichard
Surat Thani, Thailand2,680 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
There can be few better experiences in Thailand than spending most of a day here.
Breathtaking…stunning…incredibly beautiful…unforgettable. A long tailed boat trip on the lake is all of these.
There’s a large car park which costs only a few baht and various cafes and toilets close by.
Before you can sail on the lake, you have to pay an entrance fee for the National Park and bear in mind, as so often is the case in Thailand, a dual pricing policy is used so if you’re not Thai ( it doesn’t matter even if you live in Thailand) you will pay considerably more than a Thai National.
Once in the National Park, you can arrange a boat trip around the Lake. There are two possibilities: hire a boat for a private tour or join others in a boat which will be cheaper. It’s worth negotiating if you’re hiring a boat for a private tour - we succeeded in bringing the quoted price down considerably.
The trip itself was absolutely fantastic. Our boatman knew all the best locations for photographing and was really helpful. The scenery is magnificent. You literally will be looking in every direction as the scenery changes continually. Steep
cliffs, rocky outcrops, unspoiled rain forest all come into view as you sail along.
It can obviously become busy and we always try and arrive at the Lake relatively early…it’s cooler and more boatmen are available.
You are guaranteed an experience which will remain in your memory for a very long time.
Breathtaking…stunning…incredibly beautiful…unforgettable…don’t miss out on this experience!
Very highly recommended.
Breathtaking…stunning…incredibly beautiful…unforgettable. A long tailed boat trip on the lake is all of these.
There’s a large car park which costs only a few baht and various cafes and toilets close by.
Before you can sail on the lake, you have to pay an entrance fee for the National Park and bear in mind, as so often is the case in Thailand, a dual pricing policy is used so if you’re not Thai ( it doesn’t matter even if you live in Thailand) you will pay considerably more than a Thai National.
Once in the National Park, you can arrange a boat trip around the Lake. There are two possibilities: hire a boat for a private tour or join others in a boat which will be cheaper. It’s worth negotiating if you’re hiring a boat for a private tour - we succeeded in bringing the quoted price down considerably.
The trip itself was absolutely fantastic. Our boatman knew all the best locations for photographing and was really helpful. The scenery is magnificent. You literally will be looking in every direction as the scenery changes continually. Steep
cliffs, rocky outcrops, unspoiled rain forest all come into view as you sail along.
It can obviously become busy and we always try and arrive at the Lake relatively early…it’s cooler and more boatmen are available.
You are guaranteed an experience which will remain in your memory for a very long time.
Breathtaking…stunning…incredibly beautiful…unforgettable…don’t miss out on this experience!
Very highly recommended.
Written January 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara C
Minneapolis, MN454 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
A highlight of our trip! We decided it was worth it to get a private Longtail boat to experience this beautiful place. We arrived early, before all of the tour boats set out. It felt like we had the whole lake to ourselves. Beautiful, peaceful, serene, and oh the color of the water!!! Didn't have to take photos around other people in the boat, could decide our own plan (we did 3 hour, with stop at raft house to swim, skipped caves). The scenic overlook after your excursion is definitely worth a stop!
Written March 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BangkokJock
Bangkok, Thailand504 contributions
Jun 2022
"Guilin of Thailand", these words don't do justice to the breathtaking beauty of this place. The lake is actually a man-made reservoir in the middle of dramatic limestone mountains. You can access at the reservoir dam which is an hour's drive from Surat Thani city. There are a number of tour operators there, offering from short 2-3 hour boat rides to overnight stays in one of the floating resorts on the lake. We took a short boat tour by Chieolan Holiday, their desk is near the pier opposite the ticket area. The owner's son was our guide and boatman, and really good at taking photos too! When we started the boat ride it was drizzling and a bit misty, which added to the atmosphere. Our stops included the สามเกลือ ("3 buddies") rock formation and a short stop at a floating resort and fish farm. Once the boat engine stops, the silence in this huge lake with towering mountains around is very peaceful.
Written September 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S&O
Zurich, Switzerland29,954 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
A fantastically beautiful trip on a rented longtail boat with a skipper across this huge reservoir. Rock formations, bays, flying fox colonies, simply worth seeing. It feels like you are on the sea.
Written December 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TequilaPepita
Bangkok, Thailand3,252 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
On our recent trip to Khao Sok National Park, we decided to go to the very scenic Cheow Lan Lake but made the mistake to include an overnight stay. It would be good if the type of accomodation available would be in keeping with the serene environment. Ours was not and it spoiled the destination which is otherwise beautiful. We did a sunset and a sunrise cruise which were very pleasant and scenic. The rock formations add so much drama to the landscape!
Written March 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carlosmbcn
30 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Take a boat and go arround the dam is amazing experience. The boats if you do t want go with big groups are little expensive for just 2 or 3 hours. And you have to pay for go inside the national park too, so finally is expensive place for be in the middle of national park.
Written February 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shreya Saha
Phitsanulok, Thailand919 contributions
Mar 2019
Cheow Lan Lake or Ratchaprapha Dam is one of the most interesting areas in Khao Sok. Boat tours to the lake can be done in a day. You would be taken to Cheow Lan Lake by aircon minivan. Later, a boat will take you around the lake and to your accommodation on the lake. It is highly recommended to do spend a night in floating raft houses or luxury tents on the lake.
Written February 21, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ani 🌸
London, UK109 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Such an amazing experience. We had such a lovely tour group of a mixture of people from all over the world. And our tour guides were also very great, friendly and informative.
The boat ride was around 40mins, it was beautiful, great footage to capture. We stopped at the tourist point to learn some history about the dam, which was so interesting. Then got some pictures before heading to the smiley lakehouse
Overall this was such an unreal experience, I would definitely recommend anyone visiting near Khao sok to do this. My favourite day in Thailand
The boat ride was around 40mins, it was beautiful, great footage to capture. We stopped at the tourist point to learn some history about the dam, which was so interesting. Then got some pictures before heading to the smiley lakehouse
Overall this was such an unreal experience, I would definitely recommend anyone visiting near Khao sok to do this. My favourite day in Thailand
Written May 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fitzcarraldo
Ko Samui, Thailand246 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Absolutely magical place. We drove from Surat Thani to the marina and hired a private boat for 2 hours. Prices were all set and clearly displayed so no need to haggle. 2 hours was plenty to see the beautiful rock formations and still have time for a quick swim in the water. Unmissable.
Written February 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
У нас был организованный предоплаченый тур
Written November 21, 2019
Bonjour, je voudrais,moi et mon mari passer 3 jours et 2 nuits sur kao sok ( dans le lac ) en arrivant de sura thanie sachant qu’il est obligatoire de passer par un guide . Pouvais vous me conseiller une agence ? Un guide ? Nous pouvons très facilement nous joindre à un groupe. Merci de vos conseils et suggestions.
Written October 8, 2019
Hi! We are going to rent boat from Ratchaprapa dam to see the lake for around 2 hours. Are there any other activities that we could do around Ratchaprapa dam? Any trekking or hiking trails?
Written October 2, 2019
want to do a longtail boat trip on cheow lan lake in august.
We don't want to do hiking or visit caves.
We are staying in Surat tani. What is the best way to get to the lake and back?
I've read that it's difficult to find a taxi with reasonable prices at the pier.
What is the price for the boat trip and the taxi drive for a family of 4?
Thanks in advance!
Written June 21, 2019
Chill out Andamam Local Travel
Phuket, Thailand
A longtail boat trip on cheow lan lake for sightseeing cost 2000 Baht for 2-2.30 Hours. Long tail boat can take maximum 10 passangers.
Private taxi round trip transfer 3000-4000 Baht.
Local bus by minivan from Kaset 2 market in Surathani town cost 200 Baht per person per way takes 1.30 Hours to get to the peir at cheow lan lake.
Written June 22, 2019
Hi, I stayed at 500Rai resort. They are also travel company.
Written December 30, 2018
Hi , do you have book bu hotel or agency ? price ? thanks I will be on place on February at the same hotel.
I have a 3 years old child.
Written December 29, 2018
i booked through the hotel, and paid the money for the tour to the driver. 1500 baht sounds about right.
You will also need to pay an entry fee to the National Park, about 60 Baht from memory.
We were told to take the trip to the Coral Cave if possible, better scenery, and not as far to travel via boat.
Written December 30, 2018
Es-ce qu'il est possible de prendre un long boat pour aller sur le lac sans passer par une agence?
Written December 4, 2018
Bonjour. Je ne sais pas. Il y a pas mal d animation à l’embarcadère. Je suppose qu’on peut louer à titre perso un long boat avec son « chauffeur » mais je n en suis pas sure. Désolée.
Written December 5, 2018
Bonjour,
Est-il nécessaire de réserver l'excursion avant de voyager ou bien peut-on la demander le jour même à notre hôtel à Khao Sok par exemple ?
Merci par avance de votre réponse !
Written November 22, 2018
Bonjour
Nous avons pris l excursion une fois sur place à notre hôtel. C était hors saison en juin et il fallait un certain nombre de participants pour que l excursion puisse se faire.
Bonnes vacances.
La Thaïlande est un pays tellement attachant.
Sylvie
Written November 22, 2018
hello we are planning to go there by our car so is there parking space in there? and how much it costs? also we want to do lake tour, do you know how much are the long tail boat tours?
Written September 10, 2018
Hi,
What is the best transportation company that will pick me up from my hotel in Krabi and take me to Cheow Lan Lake?
Can I rent a private longtail boat for 2 people at the pier? How much?
Written May 17, 2018
Hi,
I have no idea about the transportation company because we’ve got a car from family there, which we use to get everywhere.
You can rent a longtail boat alone or with as much people as you like. The price will depend on your negotiation skills and the amount of people that are there at that moment. If the captain is in danger of having no passenders it’s easier to get a good price. If you sprak some Thai it helps as well. In the worst case it can be about 6000 baht, in the best case about 2000 or even a bit less. We’ve paid 1800, but the captain is a friend of my wife’s family (she’s Thai).
Hope that’s somewhat helpfull.
Written November 16, 2018
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