Pran Buri Forest Park

The mangrove at the Pran Buri river mouth was heavily degraded by shrimp farming and clearance through the later twentieth century, and this forest park is the result of a replanting programme that has brought back around a square kilometre of it. Raised wooden boardwalks with red handrails run for about a kilometre through the trees and out over tidal channels, with an observation tower at one end, and interpretation on how mangroves stabilise coast, nurse fish and hold carbon. Birds use it - kingfishers, herons, egrets and waders on the mudflats - along with mudskippers and fiddler crabs visible from the walkway at low tide. It is free, well maintained and takes an hour or two, which makes it a straightforward stop between Hua Hin and Khao Sam Roi Yot rather than a destination. Mosquitoes are present in numbers at dawn and dusk, and there is little shade despite the trees.

What you actually see

• The boardwalks - about a kilometre of raised walkway through the mangrove.
• The replanting - a square kilometre restored after shrimp-farm clearance.
• The mudflat life - mudskippers, fiddler crabs and wading birds at low tide.
• The observation tower - the view out over the canopy and channels.

When to go

November to February. Low tide shows the crabs and mudskippers; high tide shows the water. Dawn and dusk are best for birds but worst for mosquitoes.

Honest expectations

Mosquitoes are serious at dawn and dusk - bring repellent. Little real shade on the boardwalks. It is a short visit; an hour or two covers it. Free, with minimal facilities.

Nearby

Pak Nam Pran beach is alongside; Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is south.