You’ve been booked. You’re excited. And now you’re standing in front of your luggage trying to figure out what to actually wear. The good news is you don’t have to buy anything. However, there are some strict rules each park has about what they consider acceptable dress code, so please review these before packing your bag for the day. Don’t have tickets yet? We’ll help you decide on the right park here →
Must Haves
These are mandatory. Each park on Koh Samui takes them seriously.
No matter where you go, no sandals, flip flops or bare feet. Your shoes need to enclose your toes and stay securely attached to your foot. This means trainers, hiking boots or sturdy water shoes would be suitable. Sandals being the only option in your luggage? Pick up a pair of low-cost canvas shoes at Tesco Lotus or Big C stores on the island. A few hundred Baht later, and you’ve resolved the issue.
It’s going to be an unpleasant experience wearing something too loose or sloppy under a harness as it will likely snag on the equipment. Choose a well-fitting T-shirt or sports top with either short pants, leggings or lightweight trousers. Steer clear of clothing with large pocket areas, chunky zippers or fabric hanging loosely.
Before starting you should secure any long hair. Otherwise, it will become entangled in the cable system. Please bring a hair tie. Most likely the staff members operating the equipment won’t have a hair tie available.
Things to Leave Behind at the Hotel
- Jewelry and watches. All jewelry including rings, bracelets, necklaces and dangly earrings are potential hazards as they could snag on the harness clips. Store them safely in the hotel safe.
- Sandals and flip flop shoes. Even good quality ones. No exceptions at any park.
- Loose clothing, scarfs, sarongs and shirts. Any clothing that flows freely or drapes over your body will create problems while traveling through the cables.
- Expensive sunglasses. Bring them to the park and hand them over before you start. They will certainly fall off during high speed runs.
What to Pack
- Small bag or dry bag. Each park typically has a bag drop area at the beginning. Only bring essentials such as water, sunblock and snacks into the park.
- Sun block applied prior to arrival. Applying sun block prior to arrival will prevent greasy fingers from making it difficult to hold onto safety grips. Best to apply at the hotel rather than at the park.
- Buff or head band. Optional. A great way to keep sweat and hair off your face during warmer days.
- Light rain jacket. In case you’re planning a trip between May and November, bringing a compact rain jacket is advisable. For more on Koh Samui weather, check our monthly guide →
- GoPro or action camera on a wrist or chest mount. Most parks permit this. Cellphones and cameras held by hand cannot travel down the zip lines. Be sure to confirm with your chosen park first.
Swimwear
Some visitors choose to include a trip to a nearby waterfall or beach after completing their zipline tour for the day. If you plan on doing this, then you may want to wear swimwear underneath your clothes. Bikini tops underneath T-shirts work just fine. Men can also wear board shorts underneath lighter weight trousers. The key is to avoid bulky items such as wet suits that will cause discomfort under the harness.
Heat Issues
Koh Samui is generally warm and sticky throughout the entire year. Ziplining morning tours tend to be cooler than those in the late afternoon hours, so booking an early time slot is recommended. Light material does make a difference in comfort level. While cotton is acceptable, it tends to feel very heavy once you begin sweating. Have plenty of water prior to arriving and continue drinking at each resting platform during your tour.
Packing List
Zipline day: what to pack
- Closed-toe shoes
- Well-fitting T-shirt or top
- Shorts or lightweight pants
- Hair tie if necessary
- Sun screen applied before leaving
- Bottle of water
- Action camera and mount
- Compact rain jacket (shoulder season)
- Small dry bag for valuables
That is it. Keep it simple and you will have a great day.
Ready to book your Koh Samui zipline?