Ang Thong National Marine Park is located northwest of Koh Samui island – in the province of Surat Thani. This archipelago of 42 emerald islands is known for its sheer cliffs, hidden lagoons, pristine white beaches, and breathtaking viewpoints. Here, you can enjoy solitude surrounded by nature or take part in activities like snorkeling and kayaking. The park is accessible only by boat or tourist speedboat, but the stunning views make the journey well worth it, as it’s one of the best parks on Samui.
We’ve prepared a detailed guide for visiting Ang Thong National Marine Park in Samui. In this post, you’ll learn how to get to the park, which piers boats depart from, where to book a day tour, how much it costs, what to see, and what activities to enjoy in the park, as well as essential information to know before your visit.
How to Get to Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park
Ang Thong National Marine Park (Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park) is located in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 35 kilometers west of Koh Samui, in Surat Thani Province, southern Thailand. The park is a protected area and serves as a nature reserve.
The closest island to Ang Thong Marine Park is Koh Samui. You can reach the park from there by speedboat or a larger cruise vessel.
By Speedboat
Speedboats are the fastest way to reach Ang Thong from Samui, getting you there just 45 minutes after departure. The ride is comfortable when the sea is calm, but during rough waters, the ride can be quite bumpy.
Departures are from the Nathon or Bang Rak piers, depending on which tour you choose. You can book a tour to Ang Thong online through Klook, or GetYourGuide, or arrange a day tour at one of the local travel agencies.
Typically, the tour includes hotel transfer, a light breakfast, the boat ride to the park, entrance fees (confirm this when booking), visits to the most popular spots in the marine reserve, as well as kayaking or snorkeling. Prices vary depending on additional options, but on average, they start at around $50 per person.
By Ferry
If you get seasick or are traveling to Samui with a child and plan to bring them on the trip, it’s better to take a ferry to Ang Thong Marine Park. The journey will take longer than by speedboat — about an hour and a half —but the boat ride will be relaxed and comfortable, without any jolting.
Tours to Ang Thong National Marine Park by ferry, like those by speedboat, include hotel transfer to the pier, a light breakfast, kayaking or snorkeling equipment, and other additional options depending on the chosen tour.
As for the price, it’s slightly lower than for the same tour by speedboat. You can compare tour options and find the best one by visiting Klook or GetYourGuide.
Can You Visit the Park Without a Tour?
It’s not possible to visit the marine park independently by purchasing a ticket for a speedboat or regular ferry. There are no daily departures on the Samui to Ang Thong route, and all vessels operating to the park are part of group or private tours.
If you’re traveling with a group, you can rent a boat or speedboat exclusively for your party. This option will be significantly more expensive than a day tour but will offer more flexibility in planning your trip.
Entrance Fees for Ang Thong Marine Park
An entrance fee is charged to all visitors of the marine park: 300 Thai baht for adults and 150 baht for children under 12 years old. Generally, the entrance fee is not included in the tour price and is paid on-site, so it’s advisable to have the necessary amount in cash.
Best Time to Visit Ang Thong Marine Park
The best time to visit Ang Thong National Marine Park, just like the ideal season for visiting Koh Samui, is from December to April.
During this period, the weather is usually clear with little rainfall, lower chances of showers, and calmer seas, making it perfect for exploring nearby islands, such as Pig Island near Samui. It’s also the best time for underwater visibility, ideal for diving and snorkeling.
Every year, with the onset of the monsoon season, the national marine park closes to visitors for about a month, typically from November to mid-December. This measure is necessary for the safety of tourists and to allow the park’s ecosystem to recover.
What to See and Do in Ang Thong Marine Park
Ang Thong Marine Park (Ang Thong) is an archipelago of 42 islands formed by a volcanic eruption. Today, these islands are covered in greenery and tropical plants, with bungalows and observation decks for visitors to enjoy.
Only one of the islands is inhabited. Koh Paluay is home to the sea gypsies, who continue to live a traditional lifestyle.
The islands are home to dozens of species of exotic birds and animals. You can encounter langurs (long-tailed monkeys), small egrets, Pacific reef herons, iguanas, pythons, and sea eagles.
Wua Ta Lap Island
During most visits to Ang Thong Marine Park, tourists are taken to Wua Ta Lap Island. This island is the main tourist spot in the park, featuring an observation deck and a small cave.
The observation deck is located at the top of the island, 500 meters above sea level. The trail to the top is steep, so be prepared for a challenging climb. Despite the moderate difficulty of the hike, the stunning views of the nearby islands are definitely worth the effort.
The island is also home to the Bua Bok Cave, where you can view stalactites and stalagmites. It’s recommended to bring a flashlight, as the cave is quite dark. Visiting the cave is included in the day tour program, which can be booked via the link. The descent to the cave is also steep, so for your safety and comfort, make sure to wear suitable footwear.
Mae Ko Island
This island, known as “Mother Island,” is famous for its Talay Nai Lake, located in the Emerald Lagoon. The lake was formed in the crater of an extinct volcano. While the lake is not connected to the sea on the surface, numerous small streams feed into it.
If you’d like to view the lake from above, you can climb to a wooden observation deck. If you were looking for one of the best photo spots on Samui, this is definitely it. Swimming in the lake itself is prohibited. You can, however, enjoy kayaking around Mae Ko Island, which is included in some day tours (you can book one of them via the link).
Snorkeling
Ang Thong Marine Park has plenty of spots where you can snorkel and see marine life in the crystal-clear waters: vibrant fish, sea urchins, and uniquely shaped coral reefs. One of the most popular locations is Koh Wao, where most tourists are taken during the excursion.
Some speedboats head to Koh Tai Plao, a less frequently visited spot, known for its fascinating rock formations. One reason it’s not as popular is the considerable water depth, but thanks to the excellent visibility, you’ll still be able to see plenty of marine life.
The itinerary of some day tours includes a visit to Koh Sam Sao Island. This shallow, calm bay is perfect for even young children. Ang Thong National Park is also one of the best diving spots close to Samui.
Beach Relaxation
After a rather strenuous hike to the observation deck, why not take a swim in the clear, warm waters? Typically, the excursion programs to Ang Thong Marine Park include up to an hour of free time, which you can spend relaxing on the beach.
Of course, the most visited beaches are those on Koh Wua Talap. This is the only island in the marine reserve with tourist infrastructure.
Overnight Stay in Ang Thong Marine Park
To make your experience in Ang Thong Marine Park even more unique, you can stay overnight in the park. You can choose to stay in simple bungalows or rent a tent. It’s important to note that this isn’t luxury hotel accommodation — it’s just a small house designed in modest Thai style, and the bungalows don’t even have hot water.
The park’s lights go off at 11:00 PM, and while the bungalows don’t offer a sea view, the beach is within walking distance due to the small size of the island. Since there are only six bungalows, it’s best to book in advance. The price for one night starts at 800 baht.
Tents are half the price, and the camping area is located near the restaurant, which is open until 8:00 PM.
Around 4:00 PM, the last groups of tourists leave the island, allowing you to enjoy the solitude of nature. The night brings bright stars, glowing plankton along the shore, and the sounds of exotic birds singing.
There is no electricity or Wi-Fi at night in the park. But there are beautiful sunset, bright stars, luminous plankton near the shore and the singing of exotic birds. In other words, this is one of coolest places to visit in Koh Samui during honeymoon.
