Ang Thong

Pristine Islands Near Koh Samui

Ang Thong is a national marine park of Thailand, located in the province of Surat Thani in the Gulf of Thailand of the South China Sea. The Marine park consists of 42 islands with a total area of about 102 km². The park was established on 12 November 1980. The name Ang Thong means 'bowl of gold'. Most of the islands are located close to each other, creating a picturesque panorama of islands scattered across the blue horizon. The best time to visit the park is from December to October. The monsoon season lasts from October to December. Average air temperature +28 °C, water +25 °C.

Ko Sam Sao

Ko Sam Sao is located almost in the center of the marine park. The island is attractive with a stone bridge, which was created by nature. The snow-white beach is in the shade of tropical trees. Clear waters and beautiful coral reefs adorn this island. Deep on the island, there is a secret path. It leads to the observation deck, which overlooks the majestic island of Koh Mae Ko and offers stunning views of the nearby islands of Ang Thong Marine Park.

Koh Wua Ta Lap

This island is the second-largest marine park. It is located in the heart of the Angthong National Marine Park. Koh Wua Ta Lap in Thai language means Sleeping Cow Island. The island has a clean white sand beach. In the depths of the beach has a steep path leading to a cave of fluttering lotuses. Inside the cave, there are stalagmites and stalactites that look like lotus flowers. Near the beach, there is a hiking trail leading to the observation decks on the top of the mountain. The distance to the highest platform is about 500 meters. Climbing to the highest observation deck will allow you to see the islands of the Ang Thong Marine Park from a bird's eye view. The island has a restaurant, a campsite, a bungalow, a first-aid post and an environmental control center for the Angthong Marine Park. The right time to visit koh Wua Ta Lap is from December to October every year.

Koh Mae Ko

Koh Mae Ko means mother island in Thai. According to one of the legends: "There was a dormant volcano on the site of the island. When the volcano woke up, islands formed around it, and the volcano fell asleep, and a lake formed in the mouth of the volcano - the Emerald Lagoon." Most of the island is occupied by heaps of limestone rocks, overgrown with wonderful, diverse vegetation. A labyrinth of stairs was built between natural crevices and caves in these rocks. They lead to several viewing platforms. On the top platform, a wonderful view of the amazing lake, hidden inside the island, opens up. Seawater is in the lake. Emerald lake communicates with the sea through underground tunnels.

Description

Location: Surat Thani Province, Thailand
Coordinates: 9°37′22″N 99°40′30″E
Square: 102 km2
Opening date: August 14, 2002
Average water depth: 10 m
Islands: 42 small islands including sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, coral reefs and young mangrove forests
The important island: Koh Wua Ta Lap, Ko Phaluai, Ko Wua Chio, Ko Mae Koh, Ko Samsao, Ko Phai Luak, Ko Ka, Ko Hin Dub, Ko Wua Kantang
Inhabited islands: Koh Wua Ta Lap, Koh Phaluai
To neighboring islands: Koh Samui 28 kilometers, Koh Phangan 32 kilometers.
Entrance fee: Adult ฿300, Child ฿150

How to get to Ang Thong

There is no public boat service to Ang Thong Park, you can’t get here by regular regular ferries, that run between Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and the mainland. Only private carriers carry to Ang Thong. You You can visit the park on a private boat or as part of an excursion group. There are several ways how to get to Ang Thong: on a tourist boat, on a speedboat, as well as on a yacht or on rented boat. They differ in price and travel time.

Flora and fauna

According to the Marine Park Administration, approximately 16 species of mammals live on the islands, 14 species reptiles, 5 amphibian species and about 50 bird species, but it is very likely that most species registered on the islands of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan also live in the park. Some of the mammals on islands - leopard cats, fishing cats, dark-leaved monkeys, long-tailed macaques, wild boars and smooth-haired otters. Some of the bird species are collared kingfishers, brahmin kites, white-bellied sea eagles, black base, eastern pied hornbills, pacific reef herons, eurasian woodcocks and common mountain lanes.

Dusky leaf monkey - lemurs that live around the office area on the Wau Islands Talap. The hair on the back, on the sides of the face, on the tips of the arms and legs is dark gray, almost black. White around the eyes glasses-like circles. Newborn cubs are golden in color. Lemurs live in large families, from 4 to 30 individuals in forests with steep cliffs to the edge of the forest. The main food is leaves, fruits and seeds, and in as a snack - insects.

Hornbill symbol of true love. When hornbills are paired with each other they will be together for the rest of their lives, "one husband, one wife." Hornbills play an important role in distribution of plants in the forest. They eat more than 300 types of ripe fruits, spreading fruits with seeds throughout throughout the forest, playing an important role in the reproduction of plants. Since 2004, February 13 has been declared Love Day. hornbills.

Bride's whales - frequent visitors to the marine park. Whales can be found both in the Gulf of Thailand, as well as in the Andaman Sea. Whales live in pairs or small groups, the length of an adult osby is from 12 up to 14 meters, and weight from 16 to 25 tons. The diet of Bryde's minke whales consists almost exclusively of fish, primarily from sardines and mackerels, but also from crustaceans and cephalopods.

Ang Thong Lady's Slipper is an endemic species found only in Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park in Thailand. Leaves are linear-oblong, petals are thick, white with dots scattered from the base of the petals. Blooms from April to August, usually found on limestone hills in Ang Thong National Marine Park. around the island of Wua Ta Lap, Faluai Islands, Mae Koh Islands and Sam Sao Islands.

Mu Ko Ang Thong

Pristine beaches, turquoise water, emerald a lake, a lotus cave, a special type of orchid - these are just a small part of the beauties of the marine park. Big some of the islands are covered with lush vegetation and have their own character. On the major islands evergreen deciduous trees predominate, tropical shrubs on limestone islands, cacti and specially planted mangrove forests on beaches and bays. In the north of the archipelago there are several rocky islands, submerged by rugged grottoes in which hundreds of multi-colored sea fish, ideal place to snorkel. Coral gardens are inhabited by green tortoises, yellow spotted tortoises and the rare and endangered hawksbill tortoise.

Ang Thong Reserve can rightly be considered the main natural attraction in the vicinity of Koh Samui and Phangan. If you are relaxing on one of these islands, you simply must visit Ang Thong as well. moreover, that from here it is easiest to do it. Angthong Park is not only a walk on the sea and watching islets and rocks. Ang Thong is also a great beach holiday away from civilization, blue lagoons, interesting caves, opportunities for snorkeling, diving and kayaking. This is an opportunity to feel to be a discoverer, to live like a Robinson, completely immersed in nature. It's silence and solitude this is a starry sky and luminous plankton, these are absolutely wonderful rare monkeys.

Book an excursion

Angthong can be visited in several ways. If you want to see as many places as possible, you choose a speedboat. If you like a calm, leisurely walk, without too much pitching, a great tourist ships or sailboat your choice. Leave a request and we will help you choose the best option.