Hin Ta Hin Yai (Grandmother & Grandfather Rocks) is Koh Samui's most famous natural attraction, set on the rocky southeast coastline between Lamai and Hua Thanon, just off Ring Road 4169. The wind- an
Hin Ta Hin Yai (Grandmother & Grandfather Rocks) is Koh Samui's most famous natural attraction, set on the rocky southeast coastline between Lamai and Hua Thanon, just off Ring Road 4169. The wind- and wave-sculpted granite formations famously resemble male and female genitalia and are linked to a poignant local legend of an elderly couple who drowned at sea. Entry is free, and the site offers a short walk from paid parking, souvenir market stalls, and panoramic views over the Gulf of Thailand.
The story
A little history
The rocks were sculpted over millennia by wind, waves and coastal erosion into granite forms that strikingly resemble human genitalia, and locals have named them Hin Ta ('grandfather rock') and Hin Yai ('grandmother rock'). According to the legend posted at the site, an elderly couple, Ta Kreng and Yai Riem, sailed from Nakhon Si Thammarat to Prachuap Khiri Khan to ask for a bride for their grown son. Their boat was caught in a storm off the coast of Lamai and both drowned, and their bodies washed ashore and turned into the rocks as proof of their good intentions. The rocks remain a symbol of parental devotion and fertility and are regarded by locals with reverence.
What to look for
Why it stays with you
- Granite rock formations sculpted by wind and waves into shapes resembling male and female genitalia
- Local legend of the elderly couple Ta Kreng and Yai Riem who drowned at sea
- Panoramic viewpoints over Lamai Bay and the Hua Thanon coastline
- Souvenir market stalls with local handicrafts, coconut ice cream and snacks
- Nearby Lamai Viewpoint and the Rock Bar perched above the rocks
Before you go
Plan your visit
Entrance fee
Free (small parking fee may apply)
Opening hours
Open 24 hours daily (shops and parking active during daylight hours)
How long
30-45 min
Best time
Early morning (before 10:00) or late afternoon to avoid tour-bus crowds and the midday heat
Parking
Paid parking near the rocks (around 10-20 THB)
Accessibility
Short walk from parking; some steps over rocky terrain
From the field
Tips & notes
- Go early (before 10:00) or late afternoon to beat the tour-bus crowds; the site gets very busy from mid-morning.
- Watch your footing - the rocks are slippery, especially when wet, and the area is not suitable for swimming.
- Browse the souvenir market lining the entrance path for coconut ice cream, scarves and handmade items - bargaining is expected.
- Bring sunscreen and water; there is little shade on the rocks and it gets very hot at midday.
- Don't miss the elevated viewpoint behind the shops/toilets for panoramic views over Lamai Bay, Hua Thanon and the rocks.
The place