The short answer: yes, but not on any day and not in any month. Samet Nangshe is a viewpoint above Phang Nga Bay where, at sunrise, you see karst islands in the mist. It isn't in Phuket but in the neighbouring province, about an hour and a half's drive from the island. You have to leave at three or four in the morning, and on a cloudy morning you get grey sky instead of the panorama.
Where Samet Nangshe viewpoint is
Samet Nangshe is in Takua Thung district of Phang Nga province, on the mainland just past the Sarasin Bridge. Formally it's no longer Phuket, although every local agency sells the trip as an excursion from Phuket.
The drive from Patong takes about 1 hour 20 minutes; from Bang Tao and Laguna it's shorter, about an hour; from Nai Harn and Rawai it's 30–40 minutes longer. Count from your own hotel: the difference between the north and the south of the island can reach an hour.
When to leave for the sunrise
The rule of thumb is simple: be on the platform 30–40 minutes before sunrise. The sun comes up over the bay at around six, and depending on the month that shifts by half an hour either way — so the wake-up is at three or four in the morning.
You need the margin for two things. First, getting up the hill itself takes time. Second, a spot at the railing: in high season the platform gets crowded, and the back row ends up photographing other people's heads.
How to get up the hill
Open four-wheel-drive pickups run from the car park to the top. The track is dirt, steep, and washes out after rain. You can also walk up, but it takes 30–40 minutes, and climbing in the dark with a torch is a dubious pleasure.
The pickup ride is paid separately from entry, usually on the spot and in cash. The amounts change, so ask your guide for current prices before you set off — in our sunrise adventure tours, entry and the ride up are already included in the price.
What you see from the platform
Phang Nga Bay with karst islands rising straight out of the water. In the morning there is mist between them, the islands emerge from it in layers, and that's the picture that makes it into every review. The same rocks, seen from the water, are what you get on a trip to James Bond Island.
Mist depends on the weather. It isn't there every morning; it's thickest in the dry season from November to April and after a cool night. In the rainy months the cloud more often sits below the platform, and instead of the panorama you get a white-out.
When to go
November–April is the main season, and the chance of a clear sunrise is higher. From May to October the viewpoint is open, but the chance of coming back with nothing grows noticeably.
Checking the forecast the evening before helps, but guarantees nothing: the weather over the bay changes locally. We warn clients in advance that the sunrise is a lottery, and the money for the trip is refunded only if the organiser cancels because of the weather. The refund terms are in our refund policy.
Samet Nangshe and the glass bridge are different places
Beyond Skywalk Nangshi with its glass bridge operates on the same hill. It's a separate private attraction with its own ticket, its own opening hours and its own car park.
The confusion arises because both places look out over the same bay and both have the word Nangshi in their names. The classic Samet Nangshe viewpoint is an open platform on the summit where people go for the sunrise. The Skywalk is a complex with a bridge and a restaurant that you can also visit during the day. A detailed breakdown is in our article on the Beyond Skywalk Nangshi glass bridge.
What to bring
- A sweater or windbreaker: it's cool and windy at the top before sunrise
- A torch, or a phone with a charged battery
- Shoes with non-slip soles: the ground is sticky after rain
- Cash for entry and the pickup if you're going on your own
- Insect repellent
Is it worth going
If this is your one and first trip to Phuket, and you have a free morning with a good forecast — yes. It's a view you won't find anywhere else in southern Thailand.
If you have only one morning and don't fancy getting up at four, there is a gentler option: visit the Skywalk during the day. Same panorama, no mist, but no climb in the dark either. Another compromise is to combine the viewpoint with another tour: for example, "AMAZING PHANG NGA + the Samet Nangshe viewpoint" covers the bay and the viewpoint in one trip.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Samet Nangshe viewpoint?
In Takua Thung district of Phang Nga province, on the mainland past the Sarasin Bridge. The drive from Phuket is about an hour and a half, depending on where you're staying.
What time do I need to leave for the sunrise?
Between three and four in the morning. The exact time depends on where you're staying and the month; aim to be on the platform half an hour before sunrise.
How much does it cost to go up to the viewpoint?
You pay for entry and the pickup ride up, usually in cash on the spot. On excursions with a hotel transfer both are already included in the price.
Can I walk up?
Yes. The track is dirt and steep, and the climb takes 30–40 minutes. In the dark you need a torch and non-slip shoes.
In which months is the mist best?
From November to April. In the rainy season the viewpoint is open, but a clear sunrise happens less often.
Are Samet Nangshe and the glass bridge the same thing?
No. They are two neighbouring attractions on the same hill with separate tickets. Samet Nangshe is an open viewpoint for the sunrise; Beyond Skywalk Nangshi is a private complex with a glass bridge.
Samet Nangshe excursions
A sunrise departure with a hotel transfer; entry tickets and the pickup ride up are included. Back at your hotel in time for breakfast.
- Sunrise adventure: Samet Nangshe • James Bond • elephants • plane beach — 2,200 ฿, 8 hours
- AMAZING PHANG NGA + the Samet Nangshe viewpoint — 2,050 ฿, 12 hours
- ELEPHANT BEACH + SAMET NANGSHE + MANTRA SPA — 3,350 ฿, 9 hours
- All land excursions and sightseeing tours around the island
