Koh Samui: Jungle ATV Adventure with Waterfall & Pickup

Summary

Explore Koh Samui’s wild side by quad bike with local guides

You’ll ride an ATV through Koh Samui’s jungle trails with a local guide, splash across rivers, pass coconut groves, and reach a hidden waterfall if you choose the longer route. Expect muddy fun, hotel pickup included — and maybe even a quiet moment by cool water you’ll remember later.

What’s the experience like?

“You sure you’ve done this before?” our guide grinned at me as I fumbled with the helmet strap. I laughed — honestly, I hadn’t, but figured how hard could it be? The air smelled like wet leaves and gasoline, kind of sharp and earthy. We were somewhere in northern Koh Samui, not far from the main road but it already felt like another world. There was a group of us — a couple from Bangkok, two German guys who kept joking about “jungle traffic,” and Li, our guide, who had this way of making everyone relax. He showed us how to handle the ATVs (I stalled mine twice), then we did a few loops around the dusty lot before heading out.

The first part was easy — just bumpy trails winding through coconut groves and little flashes of sunlight between the trees. I could hear birds somewhere above us, and every so often you’d catch the sweet smell of coconuts mixed with mud. Then we hit the river crossing. Honestly, I thought I’d tip over right there; water splashed up my legs and Li shouted something encouraging that I only half understood. My hands were shaking but in a good way. If you’re looking for an ATV tour on Koh Samui that actually gets your heart going, this is it.

If you pick the longer route (which we did), you get deeper into the jungle — thicker vines, darker shade, everything quieter except for the engines. At one point we stopped at this waterfall hidden behind a wall of green. It wasn’t huge or anything but felt secret somehow; cool mist on my face, slippery rocks underfoot. We all just stood there for a minute not really talking — even the German guys went quiet for once. On the way back my shirt was soaked (river + sweat + rainclouds rolling in), but I didn’t care at all.

I still think about that moment by the waterfall sometimes — maybe because it felt like we’d stumbled into someone else’s story for an afternoon. Anyway, if you don’t mind getting muddy and laughing at yourself a bit, this day trip is worth it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — ATV quad biking on Koh Samui

• Travel to northern Koh Samui
• Receive ATV riding instructions
• Practice riding the ATV
• Start 1- or 2-hour ATV tour
• Ride through jungle and river
• Pass scenic coconut groves
• Visit secret waterfall (2-hour tour)
• Return to starting point

Top questions

How long does the Koh Samui ATV tour last?

You can choose either a 1-hour or 2-hour ATV tour when booking.

Is hotel pickup included for this ATV adventure?

Yes, round-trip hotel transfers are included in your booking.

Can children drive their own ATV on this tour?

Children under 12 must ride as passengers; those 12 and older can drive solo.

What should I wear for an ATV tour in Koh Samui?

Wear clothes you don’t mind getting muddy or wet; closed shoes are best.

Does the tour include visiting a waterfall?

The 2-hour route includes a stop at a hidden waterfall deep in the jungle.

What’s included

Your day includes round-trip hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere on Koh Samui, full use of an ATV with safety gear provided onsite, plus guidance from friendly local staff who’ll show you how to handle off-road tracks before heading into the jungle together.