Surat Thani, Thailand
Still water.
Limestone walls.
Open days.
Tideglass runs guided kayak days and floating bungalow stays on a calm reservoir in Khlong Sok — the kind of place you plan around for weeks and then keep meaning to go back to. Three simple ways to spend time on the water; nothing more complicated than that.
About Tideglass
A small operation on a large lake
Tideglass grew out of a simple observation: the reservoir at Khlong Sok is one of the quieter corners of southern Thailand, and most visitors never find it. We set up in 2021 to make it easy to spend a day or two on the water without any of the noise you'd expect closer to the coast.
The team is based at the Khlong Sok landing — two guides who have paddled these routes through wet and dry seasons and know where the water sits still at midday. Routes are chosen on the morning of each trip; the lake reads differently week to week, and we adjust rather than run a fixed circuit.
Three experiences cover most of what people come for: a guided kayak day, a two-night floating bungalow stay, and a straightforward daily rental for those who prefer to set their own pace.
Three ways to be on the water
The Tideglass Pillars
Guided Day
Rainforest Lake Kayak Day
A morning and afternoon on the water with a guide who knows the quieter inlets. Lunch is included; the pace is set by the group.
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Overnight Stay
Floating Bungalow Stay
Two nights on the lake, full board, a porch over the water, and mornings that start with a short paddle before the heat arrives.
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Self-Guided
Kayak & Dry-Bag Rental
A stable sit-on-top kayak with paddle, buoyancy aid, and dry-bag, rinsed and fitted each morning before you set off.
Enquire →The setting
What makes Khlong Sok worth the detour
The reservoir sits in a fold of the Khao Sok range, about three hours from Surat Thani town. It doesn't get the same numbers as the islands, which is more or less the point.
Limestone karst scenery
The ridgelines around Cheow Lan rise sharply from the water — forested, unbroken, and home to hornbills and gibbons. Paddling through them early in the morning is a different experience from anything on the Andaman coast.
Year-round access
The lake sits inland and at elevation, which softens the extremes of the rainy season. May through October is greener and less busy; November through April is drier and clearer. There's a version of the trip worth doing in any month.
Genuinely quiet water
Motorboat traffic on Cheow Lan is low and regulated. You can paddle a full morning without seeing more than a handful of other craft, which is rare on any body of water in southern Thailand at this time of year.
On the water
Routes chosen for the day's conditions
Every guided day starts with a conversation about where the water is calmest and where the light falls best. Sombat, who has led trips on this lake since 2017, adjusts the route based on wind and recent rainfall rather than running the same circuit every week.
Stops are chosen for shade, stillness, and whatever the forest offers that morning — a bank of reeds, an inlet the long-tailed boats don't visit, a lunch spot beside a narrow channel.
Ask about guided days →
Overnight experience
Two nights, full board, a porch over the water
The floating bungalows sit away from the landing, each with a small platform directly over the lake. Early mornings are the best argument for staying: the mist lifts slowly, birds move through the forest edge, and the water is flat before the sun clears the ridge.
Meals are prepared by the hosts on-site. The hosts also share a short guide to nearby trails — the walk to the Ton Kloi waterfall takes about two hours and is well worth the time if you have a morning free.
Ask about bungalow stays →How we work
Straightforward, well-equipped, and easy to reach
A few things that are worth knowing before you book — not a sales pitch, just a plain account of what to expect.
Safety gear included
Every rental and guided trip includes a buoyancy aid fitted at pickup. Guides carry a first-aid kit and a radio on all day trips.
Flexible scheduling
Trip start times and bungalow check-in are arranged at booking. We work around ferry schedules from Surat Thani where we can.
Small groups, lead guide
Guided days are capped at eight paddlers. One lead guide and one support guide are always on the water for day trips of five or more.
Reachable by phone
We're a small team with a direct line: +66 91 248 5736. Questions get answered by the people who run the trips, not a booking system.
Our approach
Unhurried. Observant. Practical.
Read the lake first
Routes, timing, and lunch stops are decided on the morning of each trip. The lake behaves differently after rain, in strong wind, and at different water levels, and the plan should reflect that.
Keep the footprint light
Small groups, no single-use plastic in the gear kit, and a standing arrangement with the Khao Sok Park staff for any debris found on the water. The lake is the asset; treating it accordingly isn't complicated.
Local knowledge, not a script
The guides have been working this stretch of water for years. Questions about the forest, the wildlife, or where to eat in Khlong Sok village get a straight answer rather than a rehearsed one.
Experiences
Three ways to book time on the water
All prices are per person. Bungalow stays are priced per room for two guests sharing. Contact us to check availability and arrange a date.
Guided Day
Rainforest Lake Kayak Day
A full day on the water with a guide — quiet inlets, a shaded lunch stop, and a boat transfer across the open stretch of the lake. Includes kayak, buoyancy aid, and all meals for the day. Routes are adjusted each morning for current conditions.
- Guide, kayak, and buoyancy aid included
- Lunch and drinking water provided
- Boat transfer across the main lake
Overnight Stay
Floating Bungalow Stay (2 nights)
Two nights in a floating bungalow with full board and a small porch over the lake. Morning paddles are included before the day warms. Hosts provide a guide to nearby trails and viewpoints — the bungalow works well as a base for a couple of half-day walks.
- Full board for two nights
- Morning paddle sessions included
- Trail and viewpoint guide provided
Self-Guided
Kayak & Dry-Bag Rental (Daily)
A stable sit-on-top kayak with paddle, buoyancy aid, and a sealed dry-bag for a full day. Gear is rinsed and checked between hires. Pickup includes a short handling walk-through and fitting — useful if you haven't paddled a sit-on-top before.
- Kayak, paddle, buoyancy aid, and dry-bag
- Fitting and handling walk-through at pickup
- All gear rinsed and checked before hire
How it works
Four steps from enquiry to first paddle
Send us a message
Use the form below or call us directly. Let us know which experience you're interested in and your preferred dates.
We confirm availability
We check the schedule and reply within one working day to confirm the date or suggest alternatives if the first choice isn't open.
Agree the details
Group size, pickup logistics, dietary needs for the guided day — we sort these by message before you travel so there's nothing to resolve on arrival.
Arrive and go
Meet the team at 142 Khlong Sok Road. Gear is ready; the guide runs through the day's plan; you're on the water within the hour.
From recent visitors
What people say
"The morning paddle before breakfast was the part I keep thinking about. Very still, very quiet, hornbills crossing the water. Worth the whole trip for that one hour."
Nadia R.
Amsterdam · May 2025
"We did the rental day — two of us with no previous kayak experience. The walk-through at pickup was clear and we felt comfortable quickly. The dry-bag held everything."
James T.
Melbourne · April 2025
"Two nights on the bungalow. Food was good, the team was helpful without being intrusive, and the Ton Kloi walk on the second morning was a very good suggestion."
Siriporn P.
Bangkok · May 2025
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need kayaking experience?
No prior experience is needed for the guided day or the rental. Both start with a brief handling and fitting session. The reservoir is calm and the kayaks are stable sit-on-top designs.
How do I get to the Khlong Sok landing?
We're at 142 Khlong Sok Road in Phanom, Surat Thani — about three hours by road from Surat Thani town or two hours from Krabi. Minibuses from both run daily. We can advise on the best connection when you book.
What happens if it rains?
Light rain is normal and doesn't stop a trip. The guide carries wet-weather gear, and paddling in a warm shower is genuinely pleasant. We postpone only in the case of sustained heavy rain or wind that makes open-water crossings unsafe.
Can children join the guided kayak day?
Children aged eight and above can paddle their own kayak with a parent on the same route. Younger children can ride as a passenger in a tandem kayak. Please mention this when you enquire so we can prepare the right gear.
Is the bungalow stay suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. The room price is the same for one or two guests. Solo travellers sometimes book with other visitors already on the water, which makes the morning paddles more sociable — we can let you know if that's the case.
What are the payment and cancellation terms?
A 50% deposit is paid at booking; the balance is settled on arrival. Cancellations more than 72 hours before the start date receive a full deposit refund. Within 72 hours, the deposit is retained but can be applied to a rescheduled date within 90 days.
Contact
Get in touch
Tideglass
Rainforest lake expeditions, Surat Thani
142 Khlong Sok Road, Khlong Sok,
Phanom, Surat Thani 84250
Working Hours
Mon – Sat: 07:00 – 18:00
Sunday: 08:00 – 14:00
Arrival co-ordination by phone
Send an enquiry
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