Two balancing rocks
The Overlap Stone on Koh Samui is a balancing rock, situated on another big rock providing grand views of Koh Samui’s east coast.
Since about 2023, there are two places called Overlap Stone: Overlap Stone 1 (the original) and Overlap Stone 2 (located higher up the same road).
There is also a third option nearby called Cobra Stone, which is more of a hidden gem than a balancing rock.
When we visited in early 2019, we had the original Overlap Stone entirely to ourselves.
By the time Alex returned in 2024, things had already changed quite a bit – and they’ve continued to shift since.
Our current recommendation is to skip Overlap Stone 1 entirely. Sadly, chained elephants have been introduced as a paid attraction, which we can’t support.
Overlap Stone 2 has developed significantly as well. It still offers what we think is the best viewpoint on the island, but it now also includes a petting zoo that we’re not thrilled about.
Here’s our guide to visiting the Overlap Stones, including what to expect, practicalities, how to find the stones and more.
Where to stay in Koh Samui:
- Luxury: Cape Fahn Hotel Samui – A private island. Enough said.
- Value for money: Crystal Bay Yacht Club – Direct access to one of Samui’s most exclusive beaches, close to the Overlap Stones!
- Budget: Samui Green Hotel – A cheap option on Chaweng Beach.
Search for the best value accommodation in Koh Samui here.
Table of contents
- What to expect from Overlap Stone 1
- How to get to Overlap Stone 1
- Overlap Stone in 2019 vs in 2024
- What to expect from Overlap Stone 2
- How to get to Overlap Stone 2
- Cobra Stone
- The future for the Overlap Stones
- Where to stay near Overlap Stone 1, 2 and Cobra Stone
- What to bring when visiting the Overlap Stones
What to expect from Overlap Stone 1
The original Overlap Stone is located at “Overlap Stone Camp View“.
Currently, we recommend fully skipping Overlap Stone 1.
Since Alex’s visit in 2024, chained elephants have been introduced as a paid feeding attraction.
Multiple recent visitors have described the experience as deeply upsetting. The view is lovely, but not worth supporting this.
If you do choose to visit: arriving at the entrance, there’s free parking. The entrance fee is 300 baht (~ 9.1 USD / 7.9 EUR), which includes a soft drink.
Walking up to the big rock is a relatively steep but short (and paved) hike.
Overlap Stone 1 facilities
There is both a toilet and a bar at Overlap Stone.
There are also quite a few places from which to sit and admire the view.
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Read moreHow to get to Overlap Stone 1
Overlap Stone is located up in the hills relatively close to Lamai Beach on Koh Samui’s east coast.
Driving directions to Overlap Stone 1
Turn off Koh Samui’s main ring road by the red temple (Wat Sila Ngu), towards the mountain.
The road is paved, so most scooters should be able to handle the trip up.
However, the road does get very steep towards the top. If you’re not comfortable on hills, park further down and walk the last stretch. It isn’t too far.
Driving back down requires extra care; take it slow and watch for sand and loose gravel on the road surface.
Walking from Lamai Beach
While it is possible to walk all the way to the Overlap Stone, we would recommend hiring a scooter instead.
Getting around the island is so much easier on two wheels.
And if you hike in the burning Samui sun, you will get hot – not great for those Overlap Stone selfies!
If you do decide to walk, just take it slow up the hill and remember to drink plenty of water.
Overlap Stone in 2019 vs in 2024
We made this carousel post on Instagram showing the development of Overlap Stone from our visit in 2019 to Alex’s revisit in 2024.
Things have continued to change since then – and not for the better, in our view.
Our favourite shots from one and a half months on the island
Read moreWhat to expect from Overlap Stone 2
Just like Overlap Stone 1, Overlap Stone 2 has changed significantly since Alex visited in early 2024.
What was once a rustic, almost secret spot has now developed into a proper tourist attraction.
The entrance fee has been raised from 20 baht to 200 baht (~ 6 USD / 5.3 EUR), there’s a restaurant and bar at the top, and a free shuttle service runs from the parking area near the red temple.
There is also a small petting zoo, which we don’t like at all.
Note: There are no price signs at the bottom of the trail. You’ll only encounter the entrance fee once you reach the top, so don’t be caught without cash.
How to get to Overlap Stone 2
The easiest and most sensible way to get to Overlap Stone 2 is to take a taxi or Grab to the parking area near the red temple (Wat Sila Ngu) on the main ring road, and then hop on the free shuttle from there.
The shuttle service (BestSamui) runs roughly every 20 minutes and takes you most of the way up, from where it’s a short walk to the entrance.
The road gets extremely steep and rough towards the top, so hold on tight in the back of the truck.
You still pay the 200 baht entrance fee at the top regardless of how you arrive.
There are no price signs at the bottom, so again, make sure you have cash on you.
Driving yourself
It is possible to drive up to Overlap Stone 2 on a scooter, but we wouldn’t particularly recommend it.
The road is very steep and becomes rough and loose towards the top. If you do drive, park at the scooter parking area further up the hill (20 baht fee) and hike the remaining distance.
As far as we know, two hiking routes still exist from the scooter parking area – though things may have changed since Alex’s visit in early 2024:
The short way is around 200 metres but very steep. It’s well signposted and takes roughly 5-10 minutes. Proper shoes are strongly recommended.
The long way is around 550 metres and follows the same road as the shuttle. It’s less steep but considerably longer.
Either way, bring water and go early – it gets very hot by midday!
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Read moreThe experience at Overlap Stone 2
As mentioned above, the entrance fee for Overlap Stone 2 is now 200 baht, paid at the top.
When Alex visited in early 2024, the fee was just 20 baht, paid directly to a friendly gentleman who turned out to be the original owner of the Overlap Stone 1 house.
As far as we understood it, he had sold that land to the new Overlap Stone 1 project and simply started again higher up the hill. It was a charming setup, but things have moved on since then…
Once at the top, the views are as spectacular as ever. Walking out to the balancing rock gives you amazing jungle views, and the views towards Lamai from the other viewpoints are equally impressive.
That said, go early. After 10am it gets busy, and there can be a queue for the new and popular hand photo spot.
There is a toilet at the top, as well as a restaurant and bar – though prices are on the high side.
There is also a petting zoo on site, and we’d encourage you to think carefully about whether you want to support that.
Honestly, it’s enough of a concern that we wouldn’t visit ourselves anymore – and we say that as people who have a lot of affection for this place.
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Read moreCobra Stone
We haven’t visited Cobra Stone ourselves, but based on recent reviews it has shot up to become our top recommendation in the area.
Entrance is just 50 baht and includes a bottle of water.
Reviewers describe it as quiet, authentic and adventurous, with amazing views – and none of the tourist infrastructure that has come to define the Overlap Stones.
The climb is reportedly quite demanding with proper shoes being a must, but those who make it up seem universally enthusiastic.
Given how quickly OS1 and OS2 have changed, we’d say: go soon!
The future for the Overlap Stones
Back in 2019 we predicted that Overlap Stone (1) would increase in popularity. It certainly has, beyond anything we imagined at the time.
We’ve watched this place change from a rock in someone’s backyard to a full tourist operation with restaurants and chained elephants. It’s been a strange thing to witness.
Overlap Stone 2 has followed more or less the same path. No elephants (yet…), but a damn petting zoo instead.
Can’t we just leave the poor animals alone and enjoy the views??
Cobra Stone may well get busier too. Without a dramatic balancing rock as the centrepiece, it’s unlikely to attract the same scale of development. Fingers crossed.
Where to stay near Overlap Stone 1, 2 and Cobra Stone
Lamai Beach
Lamai Beach is the second most popular beach in Koh Samui following Chaweng.
It’s less crowded than Chaweng Beach but you can still find lots of hotels, restaurants and bars lined next to each other on the beach.
In other words; it’s a great option if you don’t need that many party and shopping options, but still prefer to have a wide variety of restaurants, massage parlours and big supermarkets to choose from.
The beach is lovely and long enough to never feel completely packed.
It can be a bit difficult to access the beach if you don’t stay at a beachside hotel though.
Staying near Lamai makes day trips to the waterfalls of the south a breeze and also offers you a quick getaway to the less developed parts of Koh Samui.
The best hotels in Lamai:
- Budget: Marina Beach Resort – Beachside pool with direct access to a lovely part of the beach at a great price. We stayed here for 11 nights in 2024.
- Luxury: The Lamai Samui – Intimate 5-starred luxury resort with different pool options.
- Value for money: Samui Jasmine Resort – A good value 4-star hotel at Lamai’s northern end.
- Budget: Samui Sense Beach Resort – Stay centrally in Lamai by the beach in a cheap, clean room.
Search for the best value accommodation near Lamai Beach here (adlink).
Budget: Marina Beach Resort
We stayed for 11 nights at Marina Beach Resort in 2024 and had a great time.
It has direct access to the beach, a beachside pool and perhaps most importantly: it’s budget-friendly.
While we stayed in a standard room near the road, it’s also possible to get your own bungalow closer to the beach.
The people working at the reception were very kind, and all in all we felt like we got a great deal here.
Check prices and availability at Marina Beach Resort (adlink).
Luxury: The Lamai Samui
The Lamai Samui is situated a few hundred metres south of Silver Beach on the far end of the Lamai area, nestled between the mountains.
This means you’ll be about a 20-minute walk away from most of the tourist options, but if you’re staying at The Lamai Samui, they probably won’t be needed.
The private beachfront location has stunning ocean views and the resort offers great facilities, including a beautiful seaside pool, full-service spa and a gym.
For visiting Koh Samui’s other beaches and towns, The Lamai Samui offers complimentary shuttle services.
Check prices and availability at The Lamai Samui (adlink).
Value for money: Samui Jasmine Resort
Check out Samui Jasmine Resort if you’re looking for a good value 4-star hotel in Lamai.
Situated on the northern end of the beach’ action, you’ll have access to plenty of restaurant options while still being away from some of the noise.
Choose between garden view or sea view, and then hop between the pool and the beach.
Check prices and availability at Samui Jasmine Resort (adlink).
Budget: Samui Sense Beach Resort
For staying centrally in Lamai by the beach on a budget, Samui Sense Beach Resort is a great choice.
With free wifi, a private bathroom and air conditioning you have your bases covered.
Choose between lounging by the pool or on the beach – and then use the money you’ve saved on accommodation at Lamai’s many restaurants or by getting a relaxing massage.
Check prices and availability at Samui Sense Beach Resort (adlink).
Silver Beach
Between the beaches of Chaweng and Lamai, you’ll find this little gem surrounded by large rocks.
Silver Beach, or Crystal Bay as it’s called as well, has pure white sand and clear water.
It probably had the prettiest, most saturated turquoise water of all the beaches we visited in Koh Samui. A real treat for beach lovers.
Here you can avoid most crowds while still being just a short drive away from the many options of Chaweng and Lamai (including the Overlap Stones).
Search for the best value accommodation near Silver Beach here (adlink).
Everything you need to know about the best places to stay in Koh Samui with specific hotel recommendations
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Value for money: Crystal Bay Yacht Club
Located behind the rocks on Silver Beach’ south end, Crystal Bay Yacht Club holds amazing views over the bay.
There’s a pool, the rooms look very nice and according to our research, this is the best value accommodation on Silver Beach.
Check prices and availability at Crystal Bay Yacht Club (adlink).
What to bring when visiting the Overlap Stones
- A good camera – here’s our guide to lightweight photography gear for high-quality travel content.
- Thai baht in cash for the entrance fee(s).
- Sun protection; a hat, sunglasses, light covering clothes and an eco-friendly sunscreen.
- Proper shoes aren’t strictly necessary but are recommended if you plan to hike the short route to Overlap Stone 2
- Plenty of water.
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Read moreTravel tips
To minimise your impact when visiting the Overlap Stones, try to follow these guidelines:
- Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle (adlink).
- Avoid single-use plastics and Dispose of waste properly.
- Think carefully about animal attractions. We’d encourage skipping any petting zoo or animal feeding experience you encounter – at any of the Overlap Stones or elsewhere on Samui.
- Go early or late in the day. Smaller crowds mean less impact on the site and a better experience for everyone.
Planning a trip to Thailand? Don’t miss our guide with tips for visiting Thailand packed with must-know travel advice, local customs and important things to avoid for a lovely vacation and a respectful visit.
Must-know travel tips for a successful visit to Thailand (and what to avoid)
Read moreThanks for reading
We hope this guide has been useful (and honest). Things have changed a lot at the Overlap Stones since we first visited in 2019, and not much for the better.
If you’ve visited any of the Overlap Stones or Cobra Stone, we’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Especially if things have changed since we last updated this article.
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for hotels and apartments.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- GetYourGuide for great tours everywhere.
- Airalo for reliable eSIM.
- Discover Cars for transparent car hire.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like True Traveller. Compared here.
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Hi! Just wanted to flag that this article is really not reflective of reality anymore. The number 2 stone now has a free shuttle service running from the main road and charges 300 baht. There’s a third option which is called Cobra stone and costs 50 baht, but doesn’t have any balancing rock.
Hi Wim, thanks so much for letting us know! The article has now been updated to better reflect the current reality. However, from reviews online it seems like Overlap Stone 1 charges 300 baht, while Overlap Stone 2 charges 200 baht?