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A practical, honest look at the ATV tour on Koh Samui: what the jungle trails are really like, which vehicle to pick, what it costs and who should skip it.
The minivan turns off the ring road, climbs a concrete lane past rubber trees, and stops at a dusty yard full of quad bikes. Ten minutes later you are holding a throttle for the first time, wondering if you really signed up for this. That is the honest start of almost every ATV tour Koh Samui guests book, and by the first viewpoint most of them are grinning.
I have sent a lot of friends and guests up into the hills on quads. Some came back wanting to do it again the next day, a few came back saying once was enough. This guide is about the difference: what the trails are actually like, which vehicle to choose, and how to avoid the mistakes that spoil the day.
It is a guided ride in a small group on quad bikes or buggies, through the jungle and up the hills in the middle of the island, with stops at a viewpoint and a waterfall. You do not ride on public beach roads all day: most of the time is spent on dirt tracks, rough lanes and forest paths that you would never find on a rented scooter.
The interior of Samui surprises people. From the beaches the island looks flat and built up, but behind Chaweng, Lamai and Maenam the land rises fast into steep green hills, coconut plantations and patches of thick forest. The tracks follow ridges, drop into small valleys and cross shallow streams. A Thai guide rides with the group the whole time, sets the pace and stops whenever someone needs a moment.
The ride is not a race. On the steeper parts the group crawls in low speed, one after another, and on the flatter tracks you can open the throttle a little. Expect bumps, ruts, loose stones and a few climbs that look scarier than they are. The quads are checked before every safari, and the guide watches who is nervous and who is getting too brave.
The feeling is closer to a jungle walk with an engine than to motocross. You see a side of the island that most beach visitors miss: small farms, old wooden houses, dogs asleep in the shade and the sea suddenly appearing between the trees.
For most first-timers the 2-hour programme is enough, and for anyone who already loves driving off road the 3-hour programme is better value for the time spent getting there. Both include hotel transfer both ways, so the pickup and drop-off are the same either way.
The 2-hour route goes to a viewpoint and a secret waterfall. It is a good taste of the jungle without wearing you out, and it fits easily into a half day, leaving the afternoon for the beach. The 3-hour route adds a mysterious temple to the viewpoint and the secret waterfall, with more trail in between. The tour page also lists longer programmes up to 4 hours, so ask when booking if you want the full day feel.
| Option | Route | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATV Quad, 2 hours, 1 driver | Viewpoint + secret waterfall | ฿2190 | Confident solo riders, friends who each want their own quad |
| ATV Quad, 2 hours, driver + passenger | Viewpoint + secret waterfall | ฿3190 | Couples, a parent with a child |
| Buggy, 2 hours, max 2 people | Viewpoint + secret waterfall | ฿4990 | Nervous riders, people who want a seat belt and a steering wheel |
| 3-hour programme | Temple + viewpoint + secret waterfall | from ฿3290 | Riders who want more trail and one more stop |
My personal view: if it is your first time on any off-road vehicle, take the 2-hour ride in the morning. Your arms and your concentration get tired faster than you expect, and two hours of real jungle trail feels longer than two hours on a beach. If you already ride motorbikes at home, go for three hours, you will not regret the extra time.
Full details of each programme, with the current options, are on the ATV quad bike and buggy safari page.
A single quad means one driver per vehicle, a double quad means a driver with a passenger behind, and a buggy is a small two-seat off-road car. The quad is designed for two people or an adult with a child, so riding double is normal, not a squeeze.
Riding solo is more fun if both of you want to drive. You control your own speed, you are not bouncing on the back seat and you can swap stories at every stop. The downside is that a nervous rider is on their own, which is fine on the flat but stressful on a steep, rutted descent.
Riding double works well when one person is a confident driver and the other just wants the views. The passenger holds the grab handles, takes photos and complains about the bumps. Be honest though: the back seat feels every rut, and on a long ride it is less comfortable than the front.
The buggy is the calm choice. You sit side by side, steer with a wheel, wear a belt and do not have to balance anything. It is more expensive, but for people who drive cars but have never touched a motorbike, it removes most of the fear. It also throws up a lot of dust for the car behind, so try not to be last in line.
Before anyone goes into the jungle there is a full briefing and a short training session on easy ground. This is where beginners learn the throttle, the brakes and how to lean through a turn, and it is the most important ten or fifteen minutes of the day.
The quads use automatic transmission, so there are no gears to learn. You press the thumb throttle to go, release it to slow down and use the brakes for the rest. The instructor shows you how to sit, how to stand slightly on the footrests over bumps, and how to keep distance from the quad in front.
The test ride is a few laps around a practice area. Use it properly. If something feels wrong, if the throttle is too jumpy or you are not sure about the brakes, say so now. This is also the moment to decide to switch to riding double or to a buggy if you really do not feel safe. Guides would much rather change the plan at the start than deal with a frightened rider on a slope.
A few tips from watching many groups start out:
Yes, usually one of the three. In dry weather it is dusty, after rain it is muddy, and around midday it is hot whatever the season. None of this ruins the tour, but it does change what you wear and when you go.
In the dry months the tracks turn to fine red-brown dust that coats your arms, your clothes and the back of your neck. The package includes a face mask for the dust, along with a helmet, and you will be glad of it. Wear sunglasses or goggles if you have them, and choose clothes you do not care about. White T-shirts do not come home white.
After rain it is a different ride. The trails turn slippery, puddles hide holes, and you will finish splashed with mud up to the knees. Many riders actually prefer this, because it feels like a proper adventure and the forest smells fresh. It does need more care on the slopes, and beginners should go slower. If there is a real storm, check with the team the evening before about the conditions.
The heat is the part people underestimate. You are wearing a helmet, working the controls and sitting in the sun on open stretches. Soft drinks are included, but bring your own water too, eat breakfast, and choose a morning start if you can. The 2-hour ride in the middle of the day is fine for most people, but by the end of three hours in full sun, you will feel it.
The tour page does not list a driving licence as a requirement for the guided ride, and the training at the start is designed for complete beginners. If you have a specific worry about your insurance or a licence, ask in the booking request and the team will confirm before you pay.
For children, the rule on the tour page is clear: children from 12 years old can drive a quad on their own, subject to ability. That last part matters. A tall, sporty 12-year-old who rides bikes at home will probably be fine, while a smaller or anxious child is better off as a passenger. The guide has the final say on the day.
Younger children ride as passengers with an adult, since the quad is built for an adult with a child. The tour page does not give a minimum age for passengers, so tell the team the age of your child when booking and they will advise. Honestly, very small children often find the noise, dust and bumps more tiring than fun, so for toddlers I would choose something else.
A buggy is a good family option for one parent and one child: belts, a steering wheel, and the child can sit next to you instead of holding on from behind.
The ATV tour suits people who like a bit of physical effort, do not mind getting dirty and want to see the jungle side of Samui. It is one of the most booked activities on the island for a reason: it is active, social and different from yet another beach day.
It is a great choice for groups of friends, couples where at least one person enjoys driving, and families with teenagers. It is also a good rainy-season activity, because mud makes the ride more fun, while the same weather can cancel boat trips. It is not a good choice for people with back or neck problems, since the trail is bumpy for the whole ride, or for anyone pregnant.
If you want an adrenaline hit without driving anything, the Hawk Adventure zipline park is the better pick: you are clipped to a cable and the instructors do the thinking. If you want speed on the water instead of dust on land, read the jet ski tour guide before you choose. And if you just want to see the hills, temples and viewpoints from a comfortable seat, the jeep safari around the island covers a lot more ground at a slower pace.
Many guests combine two of these on different days. The quads and the zipline make a very good pair, as one is about control and the other about letting go.
Here are the options people usually compare, the quads for drivers, the zipline for those who would rather fly than steer, and the jet ski for sea lovers:
Dress for dust, sun and a waterfall. The list is short, but getting it wrong makes the day less comfortable.
What is already included: round-trip hotel transfer, health insurance, soft drinks, the full briefing and training, a safety helmet and a face mask for the dust. You do not need to bring any protective gear yourself.
One last practical tip: book a day or two ahead in high season, because the morning slots go first. You can send a request on the tour page or message the team on WhatsApp, and if you are still deciding between activities, the list of the 10 best tours in Koh Samui puts the quads next to everything else the island offers.
Speed is set by the guide and the terrain, not by the machine. On steep or rocky sections the group moves slowly in a line, and on flatter tracks you can go a bit faster. Nobody is pushed to ride faster than they feel comfortable.
Yes, round-trip hotel transfer is included in every programme. A car picks you up at the scheduled time and brings you back after the ride. Tell the team your hotel name when you book so they can plan the pickup.
Yes. The quads have automatic transmission and every tour starts with a briefing and a short training session for beginners. If you still feel unsure after the test ride, you can ride as a passenger or choose a buggy.
Health insurance is included in the tour price, together with a helmet and a dust face mask. If you have specific questions about what it covers, ask in your booking request before the day.
Yes, the quad is designed for two people or an adult with a child. A quad with a driver and a passenger for 2 hours costs ฿3190. The passenger sits behind the driver and holds the grab handles.
Almost certainly. In dry weather you will be covered in dust, and after rain you will get splashed with mud. Wear old clothes and closed shoes, and bring a spare T-shirt for the ride back.
For many riders it is even more fun, because the mud makes the trail feel like a real adventure. You need to ride more carefully on slopes. In very heavy storms, check the conditions with the team the evening before.
Hotel pickup, insurance and a licensed local operator. Ask us anything on WhatsApp before you book.
Updated 26 October 2026.
