Last Updated on November 17, 2025 by Sam
Located within Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park, Cheow Lan Lake is a must-visit for nature lovers. The lake is famous for its extraordinary scenery, with magnificent limestone karst cliffs surrounded by aquamarine waters. Tours of Cheow Lan Lake are among the best things to do in Khao Sok, and you can even stay overnight at one of the lake’s unique floating bungalows. Although it’s growing in popularity, Khao Sok is still one of Thailand’s top hidden gems, so make sure to visit before it gets too crowded. From the top accommodation options to the amazing wildlife, here’s everything you need to know before visiting Cheow Lan Lake.
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Cheow Lan Lake Information
Cheow Lan Lake is the main attraction of Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand. This artificial lake was created in 1987 as part of the Ratchaprapha Dam and covers an area of around 185 square kilometres. The creation of the lake submerged several villages, forcing their residents to resettle.
What makes Cheow Lan Lake so special is its dramatic scenery, with more than 100 limestone karst cliffs towering above the emerald-green water, much like Vietnam’s Halong Bay. At its deepest point, the lake reaches a depth of approximately 94 metres.
Thankfully swimming is permitted at Cheow Lan Lake, which is a nice contrast to the iconic Maya Bay Beach in the Phi Phi Islands, where swimming is no longer allowed.
Entry Fee
There are two separate entry fees required to visit Cheow Lan Lake. The first fee is the Khao Sok National Park entry fee, which is 300 baht for adults and 150 baht for children for foreigners. For Thai nationals, the Khao Sok entry fee is 40 baht per adult and 20 baht per child.
Cheow Lan Lake also requires a separate entry fee of 40 baht for adults and 20 baht for children. Since your Khao Sok National Park entry ticket is valid for 24 hours, you can combine your visit with a night safari either the day before or the day of your visit without having to pay twice.
How To Get to Cheow Lan Lake
First things first, you need to get to the national park, so check out our guide on how to get to Khao Sok. The easiest way to get to Cheow Lan Lake is to start from near the national park HQ in Khao Sok Village. To access the lake, you’ll need to head to Cheow Lan Pier (also known as Ratchaprapha Pier), which is around a 60-minute drive away
From the village, you can either arrange a taxi, book a tour, or drive yourself there if you’ve rented a car. If you’re planning to rent a car, the best places to do so nearby are Surat Thani Airport and Phuket Airport, and you’ll find some great deals through Discover Cars.
When you get to the pier, you can arrange a boat trip of Cheow Lan Lake on the spot. Alternatively, if you’re staying at one of the overwater bungalows, you’ll likely need to arrange a boat transfer through your accommodation.
We personally suggest booking a tour in advance, whether that’s online or through your accommodation in Khao Sok, as that way you can be sure of the exact itinerary.
Cheow Lan Lake Tours
The best way to arrange tours of Cheow Lan Lake is either through your hotel or guesthouse in Khao Sok or by booking online via Get Your Guide. Tours include return transport from hotels near the Khao Sok National Park HQ, or from further afield if you book a day trip from Phuket, as well as a boat trip on Cheow Lan Lake.
Itineraries vary between tours, but will typically include a long-tail boat trip past the lake’s stunning karst scenery, a chance to explore a cave, a jungle hike, and some free time for swimming and water activities. Popular stops include the Three Brothers cliffs, a collection of three striking limestone formations rising out from the lake, and Coral Cave, where you can see incredible stalactite and stalagmite formations.
If you want more time to fully appreciate the lake’s spectacular scenery, consider an overnight tour, which will typically include a stay in a floating bungalow, jungle treks, free kayaking, wildlife spotting, and more. Alternatively, you can arrange an overnight stay directly with a hotel, which we cover a few sections below.
Whether you opt for a day trip or an overnight stay at Cheow Lan Lake, there are options for both group and private tours. Group tours can start from as little as 1,500 baht per person, while private trips start from around 5,000 baht.
We suggest booking with Get Your Guide, as it’s easier to arrange in advance. Most of their tours even offer free cancellation and date changes as long as you give 24 hours notice, so it’s best to book ahead and then change the dates if you need to.
Click here to see the amazing tours available through Get Your Guide!
Best Time To Visit Cheow Lan Lake
The dry season in Khao Sok National Park runs from around December through to April, and is the best time to visit the lake. The weather is generally sunny, which means dry conditions that are much better for hiking. It’s also the best time to see wild elephants in Khao Sok National Park, as they come out from the jungle to find water.
Peak season in Khao Sok coincides with the drier months, so it’s essential to book tours and accommodation in advance, particularly if you want to stay at one of the floating bungalows surrounded by the lake’s beautiful scenery.
The park’s rainy season runs from around May to November, so expect daily downpours and be aware that some caves may be closed due to high water levels. Even in the rainy season, the scenery is breathtaking, and the rainforest is at its most lush. You can still see some impressive wildlife too, such as gibbons, hornbills, and kingfishers.
If you’re hoping to see the unique rafflesia (the largest flower in the world) in Khao Sok, time your visit between November and April. Unfortunately there’s no guarantee you’ll get to see one, as they only bloom for around five days, but this is when they’re most commonly seen.
Floating Bungalows at Cheow Lan Lake
For a truly unforgettable experience, consider staying in one of the floating bungalows on Cheow Lan Lake. There are several options to choose from, and they all offer a unique opportunity to wake up to the spectacular nature and give you more time to enjoy the incredible scenery.
Bungalow stays typically include meals and free water sports like kayaking, and options range from basic bamboo huts to luxurious floating villas with air-conditioning.
Most accommodations on Cheow Lan Lake rely on generators for their electricity, and Wi-Fi tends to be limited, so it’s a good idea to get an eSIM if you want to stay connected. Reception will vary depending on exactly where you stay, but it’s still worth getting one of the good value Thailand eSIMS through Airalo.
Although you can book overnight tours, we recommend booking accommodation yourself so that you can pick exactly where you stay. Panvaree Resort is one of the most affordable options on the lake, while 500 Rai Floating Resort is the way to go if you’re looking for luxury.
Click here to find the best overwater bungalows on the Booking.com website!
Where To Stay in Khao Sok National Park
If you don’t want to stay on the lake, you’ll also find plenty of great places to stay in Khao Sok near the national park HQ. From there, you can easily join day trips to Cheow Lan Lake, and it’s a great base for other activities like jungle trekking, tubing, and night safaris.
The accommodation is generally much more affordable than the floating bungalows, and you’ll have more reliable Wi-Fi and electricity compared to staying on the lake.
One of the best budget options is Chillax Hostel, which offers comfortable air-conditioned dorms and private rooms within easy walking distance of the village’s restaurants. Or, if you’re looking for something a bit more comfortable, we recommend the Bliss Khao Sok Boutique Lodge, which has spacious, air-conditioned rooms with private balconies and is just a 15-minute walk from the park HQ.
There are plenty of other great options available on Booking.com to suit all budgets, so take a look to find the right place for you.
Click here to find the perfect place to stay on Booking.com!
FAQs: Cheow Lan Lake
Is it safe to swim in Cheow Lan Lake?
Swimming in Cheow Lan Lake is perfectly safe and is a great way to cool off while enjoying the dramatic karst scenery. The lake is also perfect for water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding, and many overwater bungalows provide kayaks and paddleboards free of charge to their guests.
What wildlife can you see around Cheow Lan Lake?
It’s possible to see a number of different animal species around Cheow Lan Lake, including, gibbons, langurs, and if you’re fortunate even wild elephants coming to the lake for a drink or swim. There are also a number of different bird species you can see, such as drongos, hornbills, kingfishers, and brahminy kites.
What is Khao Sok National Park best known for?
Khao Sok is known for the remarkable scenery of Cheow Lan Lake, as well as the park’s amazing nature, which you can experience through jungle hikes, river tubing, and wildlife spotting tours. Along with Kui Buri National Park, it’s one of the best places to see wild elephants in Thailand.
What are the top things to do in Khao Sok?
Besides visiting the lake, a night safari is one of the top things to do, giving you the chance to spot snakes and nocturnal wildlife like civets. Other great options for exploring the park’s nature include canoeing, bamboo rafting, and hiking to waterfalls.
Can you take a day trip to Khao Sok?
While it’s possible to take a day trip from Phuket or Krabi, we recommend staying in Khao Sok for at least a night so you can do a night safari and other activities that you won’t have time for on a single-day trip.
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