Ang Thong Marine Park in Koh Samui and Koh Tao
Part of the Koh Samui and Koh Tao travel guide — see every topic in All Koh Samui and Koh Tao Guides.
Ang Thong is a national marine park of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand. It lies about 30 km west of Koh Samui. The islands are steep and green, with limestone cliffs, small beaches and caves. There is no hotel or town here, only a park office and some simple park bungalows. Most people visit on a full-day boat trip from Samui. It is one of the best nature trips in this part of Thailand.
What you will see
The park covers about 102 square km of sea and islands. Two places are the main stops on most trips. On Ko Wua Ta Lap, where the park office is, a steep trail of about 500 metres climbs to a viewpoint. From the top you can see many islands spread across the sea. On Ko Mae Ko, a short walk with steps leads to Thale Nai, a green salt-water lake inside a ring of cliffs. You cannot swim in the lake, but the view is very good. Between the islands you can swim, snorkel and kayak along the cliffs. The water is not always very clear, so this is more a scenery trip than a top snorkel trip.
Day trips from Samui
You can only visit the park with a licensed tour operator. Tours leave from piers on Samui in the morning and come back in the late afternoon. There are two main kinds of boat. Big, slow boats take longer but are cheaper and more stable in waves. Speedboats are faster and smaller, so you spend more time at the islands. Some trips include kayaking. Most include lunch, snorkel gear and hotel pickup. Ask if the park entry fee is included, because it is often paid separately. Trips also run from Koh Phangan and sometimes from the mainland. Book a day or two ahead in the busy season.
The yearly closure
Ang Thong usually closes from about 1 November to 15 December each year. This is the time of the north-east monsoon on the Gulf side. The sea is often rough and boat trips are not safe. The break also gives the reefs and the islands a rest. The exact dates can change with the weather, and the park can also close on other days when the sea is too rough. If you plan to visit in late October or late December, check with your tour company. The best months for calm water are usually from about February to September.
Staying overnight and tips
It is possible to stay a night on Ko Wua Ta Lap. The park has simple bungalows and a camping area, and you can rent a tent. You need to arrange the boat with a tour operator. An overnight stay lets you see the islands at sunrise, after the day boats leave. For a day trip, bring good shoes for the viewpoint trail, because it is steep and rocky. Bring sun cream that is safe for reefs, a hat and plenty of water. Take a dry bag for your phone if you plan to kayak. The climb is hard in the midday heat, so go slowly.
Ang Thong Marine Park at a glance
| Getting there | Licensed day tours from Koh Samui, about 30 km away; speedboat or slower big boat |
|---|---|
| Hours | Park open about 8 am to 5 pm; tours leave in the morning and return late afternoon |
| Cost | Tour price plus a national park entry fee; ask if the fee is included |
| Best time | About February to September |
| Closed | Usually about 1 November to 15 December, and on rough days |