“Promthep Cape”, which literally means “God’s Cape” is considered a spiritual haven by many. The rocky hill offers spectacular views during the day but it’s the sunset that turns it into one of the most spectacular events on the island – one not to be missed! The cape sits 60 metres above sea level, with its high cliffs providing uninterrupted views of Nai Harn Beach, Ko Kaew Island and is the perfect spot to watch the sun as it slowly descends into the ocean. At night, the cliffs are lined with visitors all waiting for the show to the start. There are plenty of places to sit and witness the magic of the glorious sunset and it’s an experience best shared.
When you arrive by road, the first thing you’ll see is a rather unassuming car park. But a short walk away, you’ll come across a lighthouse, a shrine and huge lookout area. The lighthouse was built in 1996 to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of King Rama IX. Inside it, there’s small museum containing maritime artifacts. Head upstairs to a viewing platform and enjoy a bird’s eye view across the smattering of islands, including Koh Kaew with its Buddhist monastery.
Beneath the lighthouse, there’s a winding dirt track down the hill to the water below. It’s a bit loose under foot and you’ll have to scramble down and the hike back up is pretty steep, but it’s worth the effort to see the views from a different view point.
There’s a small temple at the top of the hill, where locals come to pray. It contains a shrine dedicated to elephants and it includes hundreds of small carved depictions of this magnificent animal. If you want to hunt for souvenirs of your visit, there’s also a market that sells shells, sarongs, beachwear and snacks.
At dusk, before the sun starts to set, buskers start to arrive to join the hordes of visitors coming to witness the spectacle and add to the party atmosphere. Enjoy the music, the fire twirlers and other entertainers before turning your attention to the setting sun. Once the show’s over for another day, head to the Promthep Cape Restaurant for a seafood basket and enjoy the refreshing ocean breeze as it rolls across the hill.
Promthep Cape is a 30-minute drive from Patong Beach. Consider catching a bus or hiring a tuk-tuk to avoid the stress of finding a parking space, especially if you plan to arrive late.
