The tour in a nutshell
Some of Koh Samui's best scenery hides in the mountains above Maenam — and the most fun way up is on your own machine. With our partner X-Quad Samui you ride automatic ATV quads (or a 4x4 side-by-side buggy) along wide dirt tracks to the island's highest viewpoints, all the way up to the Big Buddha panorama, then push through the jungle to a hidden mountain waterfall for a swim.
Two formats to choose from: the 2-hour Beginner Waterfall tour — a taste of the trails and the secret waterfall, soft drinks included — or the 4-hour Full Mountain tour, which adds a proper Thai lunch and the full climb to Samui's wildest viewpoints. Both are genuinely beginner-friendly: the machines are automatic, a guide rides up front, and the pace follows the group.
Highlights
🏍️
ATV or 4x4 buggyAutomatic quads or a Polaris / CFMoto buggy — beginners welcome.
⛰️
Samui's highest viewsMountain viewpoints all the way to the Big Buddha panorama.
💦
Hidden waterfallA jungle mountain waterfall with a refreshing swim.
🍜
Thai lunchA relaxed mountain lunch on the 4-hour tour.
Itinerary — the 4-hour Full Mountain tour
- 09:30Hotel pick-up and transfer to the X-Quad camp in Maenam
- BriefingSafety briefing, helmet fitting and a practice loop
- Part 1Wide mountain tracks and panoramic viewpoints — up to the Big Buddha lookout
- LunchThai lunch break at a mountain restaurant
- Part 2Jungle trail to the hidden mountain waterfall — swim and photos
- 16:00Ride back and return transfer to your hotel
Prefer something shorter? The 2-hour Beginner Waterfall tour runs twice daily (morning ~09:30 and afternoon ~14:00), reaches the secret waterfall and includes soft drinks.
Prices
| Option | What you get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ATV — solo | One automatic quad, one rider | ฿5,400 |
| 1 ATV — duo | One larger quad, driver + passenger | ฿8,600 |
| 4x4 buggy | Polaris RZR / CFMoto Z8, 2 side-by-side seats | ฿9,800 |
| Child under 10 | Passenger seated with an adult | ฿330 |
| Private tour | Just your group, flexible pace | +฿5,400 |
Prices are per machine, not per person. The 4-hour tour includes a Thai lunch; the 2-hour beginner tour includes soft drinks.
🤝 Operated by X-Quad Samui
This adventure is run by our friends at X-Quad Samui, the original ATV & buggy camp in Maenam, North Koh Samui — well-maintained machines, insured trails and guides who know every viewpoint on the mountain. Book through us and you ride with their team.
Visit X-Quad Samui ↗✅ What's included
- Return hotel transfers (Maenam basecamp)
- Your ATV quad or 4x4 buggy
- Helmet, goggles and safety briefing
- English & French speaking guide
- Thai lunch (4h tour) or soft drinks (2h tour)
- Hidden waterfall swim stop
- Insurance
❌ Not included
- Personal expenses & souvenirs
- Extra drinks & snacks
- Tips (optional, appreciated)
What to bring
- Closed shoes and clothes you don't mind getting muddy
- Swimwear and a towel for the waterfall
- Hat or cap, sunglasses and sunscreen
- A little cash for personal purchases
💡 Good to know
🌦️ Weather policy: outdoor tours are confirmed the evening before, based on the forecast. If we cancel, you choose between rescheduling and a full refund.
👶 Children: kids under 10 ride as passengers with an adult (฿330); driver age follows X-Quad Samui's on-site policy.
🏊 Non-swimmers: the waterfall pool is shallow and optional — no pressure to swim.
In pictures
ATV or 4x4 buggy — which should you choose?
Both machines follow exactly the same trails, so the choice is about how you want to ride. The ATV quad is the classic Koh Samui quad-bike experience: you sit astride the machine, you feel every bump and every stream crossing, and you can take it solo (฿5,400) or two-up on a larger frame (฿8,600). The 4x4 buggy — a Polaris RZR or CFMoto Z8 — seats two side by side with a roll cage, seatbelts and a roof, which makes it the easier pick for couples who want to ride together and chat, or for anyone who would rather stay out of the dust (฿9,800).
If you are hesitating: solo travellers and groups of friends usually take quads, while couples and families more often go for the buggy. Everything else — the viewpoints, the waterfall, the lunch, the guide — is identical.
Why ride a quad in the mountains of Koh Samui?
Most visitors only ever see Koh Samui's ring road and its beaches. The interior of the island — the mountain jungle rising behind Maenam — has no public road network, which is exactly why an ATV or buggy is the way in. In half a day you climb from sea level to the island's highest viewpoints, with the whole north coast and the Big Buddha panorama laid out below, then drop into the forest to a waterfall that no tour bus will ever reach.
It also happens to be one of the few Koh Samui activities that works in almost any season and suits complete beginners: the machines are automatic, there is nothing to learn beyond throttle and brake, and a guide sets the pace at the front of the group the entire way. If you are still planning your days on the island, the ride pairs perfectly with a sea day — see our Ang Thong Marine Park tour or the Koh Tao snorkeling trip — or with the gentler, minivan-based 4x4 Jungle Safari if you would rather be driven than drive.
Frequently asked questions
Is the price per person or per machine?
Per machine. A solo ATV is ฿5,400, a two-seater ATV (driver + passenger) is ฿8,600, and a 4x4 buggy for two is ฿9,800. Children under 10 ride as passengers with an adult for ฿330.
What's the difference between the 2-hour and 4-hour tour?
The 2-hour Beginner Waterfall tour is a taste of the trails up to the secret waterfall, with soft drinks. The 4-hour Full Mountain tour adds a Thai lunch, more riding and the full climb to Samui's highest viewpoints and the Big Buddha panorama.
Do I need experience to ride?
No — the machines are automatic, a guide rides up front, and the pace follows the group. Most riders have never driven an ATV before. No licence is required on X-Quad Samui's private trails.
Where does the ATV tour start and is hotel pick-up included?
The ride starts at the X-Quad Samui basecamp in Maenam, in the north of Koh Samui. Return hotel transfers to the basecamp are included in the price — tell us your hotel when you book and we arrange the pick-up time.
Do I need a driving licence for the ATV or buggy?
No driving licence is required, because the tour runs on X-Quad Samui's private trails rather than public roads. The minimum age to drive follows X-Quad Samui's on-site policy — ask us before you book if you are travelling with teenagers.
What happens if it rains on the day of the tour?
Outdoor tours are confirmed the evening before, based on the forecast. If we decide to cancel, you choose between rescheduling to another day and a full refund — you never lose your money to the weather.
Can I do the ATV tour with children?
Yes. Children under 10 ride as passengers seated with an adult for ฿330. The waterfall pool is shallow and the swim is entirely optional, so the stop works for non-swimmers and younger kids too.
How do I book and do I have to pay in advance?
Send the booking form or a WhatsApp message with your date, group size and hotel. We confirm availability within 24 hours, a deposit secures your date, and cancellation is free up to 48 hours before the tour.
📖 From the blog: Top 10 things to do on Koh Samui · Best time to visit Koh Samui
