The main attractions of Ang Thong Park:

• Bua Bok cave, beach and observation deck on Wua Ta Lap island;
• the islands of Sam Sao, Taiplao and Wua Kangtang with beautiful beaches and excellent snorkeling opportunities;
• Lake Thale Nai on Mae Ko Island.

When is the best time to go?

Ang Thong National Park is influenced by the monsoon and receives about 2,000 mm of rainfall annually, with the bulk falling in November and December. Actually, during these months there is no sea communication with the islands.

The best time to travel is from late January to April, when there is little rain and the sea is calm.

Video about the trip

How to get there

You cannot get to Ang Thong Park on your own. But daily excursions are organized here with, which can be booked at travel agencies on the street. The sea journey takes place on high-speed boats, slow ferries or sailing ships; you can choose what to go on.

A one-day tour usually includes transfer from the hotel and back, travel between islands, sightseeing, kayaking, snorkeling, relaxing on the beach, and meals.

The cost depends on the type of tour and averages 2,000 baht per person. You can also stay overnight in the national park.

Thailand, Koh Samui, 145/1, Talat Lang rd, Talat Sub-district, Amphur Muang, Surat Thani 84000, Thailand

Show on map +(66 77) 288-992 adult ticket – 6.5 $, children’s ticket – 2.3 $In Thailand, only baht is accepted.

General information

More than 40 islands of the Ang Thong archipelago, covered with lush greenery, spread out in the azure waters of the Gulf of Thailand (100 km 2), like a living emerald necklace. Time and sea water have given these volcanic rocks the most bizarre shapes, reminiscent of the outlines of animals, people and mythological characters.

It was these islands of Thailand (and not those filmed later in the film) that served as the prototype for the “ideal beach” where the hippie colony settled in Alex Garland’s legendary novel “The Beach”. Here, indeed, you can completely renounce the bustle of life, completely merging with the heavenly harmony of tropical nature.

The beaches of Ang Thong are one of the most popular destinations on the Siamese coast of Thailand.

Attractions of Ang Thong Park

The archipelago received its name (“Golden Bowl”) thanks to a salt lake that arose in the rock mass of the island of Ko Mae Ko. The largest island and, at the same time, the administrative center of the park is the “Sleeping Cow Island” (Ko Wua Talab), from the top of the highest rock of which a beautiful panoramic view of the surroundings of Ang Thong opens.

Another famous attraction of Ang Thong Park is “Mother Island” (Koh Mae), famous for its luxurious beach and the Emerald Lake (Thale Nai) lagoon located in the depths of the island.

You can get to Ang Thong Marine Park by booking a day tour ($49 - $59) on the islands of Koh Samui or Koh Tao. If you want to stay in this Samui resort for longer than a day, you can rent an inexpensive bungalow or tent from the park administration on Wua Talab island ($13 - $39 per day). Here you can also book a boat tour of the National Park.

Companies on Koh Samui where you can book a day tour of Ang Thong Park

Tour company Highway Tour

Address: 11/15 Moo 3, Angthong, Samui 84140
Phone: +(66 77) 421-285

I wanted to visit the Angthong National Marine Park back in 2009 when we first visited Samui, but the trip was postponed due to the fact that my wife developed seasickness, and I didn’t want to go alone. Angthong Marine Park - located 20 kilometers northwest of Koh Samui, includes 42 islands that occupy 102 square kilometers of area. All the islands are uninhabited and only one is home to the park administration and a small museum.

This year I found company - my mother came to us, and Vanya was already grown up, and the three of us finally decided to visit this attraction. Several companies supply tourists to Angthong Marine Park, but all prices are approximately the same. A speedboat excursion will cost 2,100 baht per adult and 1,500 baht per child over 4 years old. On a Thai boat 1850 baht for an adult and 1000 baht for a child in a program with kayaking or 1300 and 750 baht respectively without kayaking. We chose the most economical option, because firstly we wanted to save money, and secondly, I was already on a speedboat, so the choice fell on a Thai boat

We were lucky with the weather - the sea was very calm and the sun was not very hot. Even though we were traveling on a boat and not a boat, the arrival time was the same - 10:00. This is due to the fact that we set sail 30 minutes earlier (at 8:30, and those on the boat depart at 9:00), and secondly, we sailed from the pier in Nathon, from here the shortest path to the park, and those who boats depart either from Maenam or from Big Buddha, depending on the company.

The hour and a half of travel went by quite quickly, and you could also drink tea, coffee or water and cola along the way.

We swam to the first island, those who had a program with kayaking switched to kayaks and swam to our first stop, but we got there on our boat. All the people in kayaks swam 500-700 meters.

Our first stop was "Mae" Island in Angton Marine Park. The long boat in the photo is sailing behind us. The famous lake Talay Nai is located on this island. The lake is located in an extinct volcano and is connected to the sea by underground channels. It is from the sea that water flows into the lake, so it is salty. There are stairs to the lake, very steep ones by the way, along which you can climb to the top and look at the lake from above, or you can go down to the lake itself. True, you won’t be able to bathe in it; it’s prohibited. You won’t have to climb for long; it takes about 10 minutes to do this activity.

We moored to the island, the boat in the background is ours

We started climbing towards the lake, turned around, and there was such beauty

View of the lake from above

View of the lake from below

The water near Mae Island is clear, if you quickly run to the lake and go back down, you can have time to swim

While we were running around the island, kayaks were loaded into our boat

On the beach you can refresh yourself with a shake; I was pleasantly surprised that the prices here are the same as on Samui; in our country, drinks in such places usually cost an order of magnitude more.

Every time we were transported on a long boat to our boat, we were wearing life jackets

We loaded up and headed to the main island of the park - Wua Ta Lap. We had a snack on the way. Lunch is not fancy, but quite tasty

And so we are on the island of Wua Ta Lap.

Here you can 1 - go up to the observation deck from where you can see all the islands of the park, visit the Bua Bok cave and just relax on the beach and go snorkeling. We wanted to visit everywhere, but we were given only 2 hours of free time, this time was only enough for one thing. It’s not very clear why it’s so short, because the departure time is 15:00, it’s quite possible to stay here for up to 4 hours, walking.

I chose viewpoint, and my mother and son stayed on the beach. According to the sign, the viewpoint is only 500 m away, but these meters will have to be overcome along a very steep climb. The journey there and back took me an hour and a half.

The start of the climb and these are just the beginnings. To avoid falling, there is a rope stretched along the entire trail.

Having risen 100 meters you get to the first observation point, from it you can see the beach and several islands

You overcome another 100 meters and come to another observation point, the view is already better, but still low

And the last 50-70 meters are absolutely brutal, I don’t recommend climbing here in slippers

It is quite difficult for an unprepared person to climb, but from here there is such a gorgeous view that you forget about fatigue.

It is this picture that is used in advertising the tour to Angthong Marine Park. The descent is easy, except for the first 50 meters, although this is provided that you have good shoes. In total, the ascent and descent took me a little less than 2 hours. We only had 2.5 hours of free time, so I didn’t have time to visit the cave. I dived with a mask, the view underwater here is so-so, on Koh Tao it is much better. It’s a pity that we weren’t allowed to stay here for at least 4 hours. On the way home we could have a snack with a banana, drink tea, hot chocolate or water.

I liked the trip to Angthong Marine Park, I would recommend this excursion as a must for everyone who visits Koh Samui.

Our video (better to watch in full screen in HD quality)

You can book your tour to Angthong Marine Park directly from our website. Ecotel will be happy to organize your trip, and they speak Russian, which means there will be no language barrier.

beach forest, a narrow strip, encircles the largest islands. Tree species include: Terrminalia catappa, Thespesia populnea, Carophyllum inophyllum, Scaevola taccada, Erythrina fusea, Pandanus monotheca and Crinum sp.

Limestone forest, grows in open areas of rocks, at the highest points. Most of the plants here are small, very adapted to survive in harsh conditions. Plant species include: Dracaena loureiri, Euphorbia antiquorum and Morinda sp.

mangrove forest, as a rule, grows in the most sheltered place where mudflats form. This type of forest is best represented near Mae Ko Island and on the eastern side of Phaluai Island. These forested areas are well structured, with a large number of trees, large and small, the dominant species being Rhizophora apiculata.
On large islands, where the forest has retained its original appearance, various species of animals live. These include langurs, otters, bats, Pacific reef heron, white-bellied sea eagle, sandpiper, swallows, eastern pied hornbill, southern pied hornbill, ashy drongo, monitor lizards, turtles and pythons.

The maximum depth of the territory where the islands are located does not exceed 10 meters. This means that the water here is largely influenced by turbid river water from the mainland, the flow of river water does not intersect with deep water, which in turn does not allow sediment to settle. Thus, the water around the islands is quite murky all year round. The coral reef on the islands is not developed, and is limited to a narrow strip around each island close to the coast, especially on the southwest and northeast sides. Despite the fact that the northwestern side of the islands is most exposed to the influences of the monsoon, a fairly developed coral reef can be found in protected areas. These corals are inhabited by a variety of species including butterflyfish, angelfish, parrotfish, stingrays, blacktip sharks, sea bass and cowrie shells.

In areas where the water is less clear or subject to strong currents, species diversity is quite poor, dominated by marine worms, crabs and brown algae of the genus Sargassum and Turbinaria.
In places with steep, rocky coastlines or where the water is very murky, coral reefs cannot survive. These areas are dominated by sedentary species including sea fans, oysters, clams and mussels, which can be seen on exposed rock surfaces.

The water in the Gulf of Thailand is very rich in nutrients and is a valuable resource in which a wide variety of animals and plants can thrive. Plant and animal species collected commercially: soft corals, sponges, squid, seaweed and shells, various types of fish including mackerel and anchovy.

Traveling on a comfortable speedboat, you will be able to appreciate the incredible beauty of the Ang Thong Marine National Park, consisting of 42 islands. The first stop on your adventure will be the island of Wau, home to an amazingly rich world of marine life. Armed with a mask and snorkel, an unimaginable underwater world with its numerous inhabitants will open before you. Parrot fish, sea urchins, stingrays, neons, colorful corals will amaze your imagination.

Wua Talap Island

The next stop on our excursion will be the island of Vua Talap, inhabited by wild monkeys. The golden beach and untouched nature will create the atmosphere of comfort of a real Bounty paradise. You can climb to the observation deck located at an altitude of 500 meters, which offers a unique view of the Ang Thong Marine National Park with its magnificent islands. Here you will also be invited to go kayaking. (kayaking included in price), along hidden bays, rocky grottoes and wild beaches. After a delicious lunch at the island’s restaurant, you can take a breather from new impressions and emotions, relax on the beach or visit the Lotus Cave with unique stalactites and stalagmites.

Emerald Lagoon

But that's not all! The next stop on your adventure is Mahe Island, which means "Mother Island" in Thai. According to legend, an eruption from the crater of this ancient volcano formed the islands of the Ang Thong Marine National Park. Today the volcano is considered extinct, and in its crater there is Lake Talay Nai, better known as the “Emerald Lagoon”. Climbing to the observation deck, you will have a magnificent view of the lake and Ang Thong National Park. You can also go down to the foot of the lake, along convenient steps, and admire it up close.