Green limestone islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park in a turquoise sea

Koh Samui · Surat Thaniหมู่เกาะอ่างทอง

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park

42 limestone islands in the Gulf of Thailand, 28 km west of Koh Samui: a saltwater lake hidden inside an island, a viewpoint over the whole archipelago, coral reefs, langurs and empty beaches. Everything you need to plan the day, and the tours that take you there.

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Day trips from฿1,100hotel pickup included

  • 42Islands
  • 28 kmWest of Koh Samui
  • 102 km²Protected since 1980
  • ฿300Park fee, adult
  • Jan–SepCalm sea season
01 — The park

A bowl of gold in the Gulf of Thailand

Ang Thong means "bowl of gold". The park protects 42 islands of limestone, coral and jungle, a national park since 1980. Only two islands are inhabited, and there is no public ferry: you come on a day tour from Koh Samui.

Location
Gulf of Thailand, Surat Thani province; 28 km west of Koh Samui, 32 km from Koh Phangan
Islands
42 islands with beaches, limestone cliffs, coral reefs and young mangroves; people live only on Koh Phaluai (a fishing village) and Koh Wua Ta Lap (the park headquarters)
Area
About 102 km², average water depth around 10 m
Established
National park since 12 November 1980; the name Ang Thong means "bowl of gold"
Entrance fee
฿300 per adult, ฿150 per child (3-12 years, under 130 cm; taller children pay the adult fee; children under 3 go free), paid at the park (already included in the VIP speedboat and Red Baron prices)
How to get there
No public ferry: only by tour boat, speedboat, sailing cruise or private charter from Koh Samui
Annual closure
The park is usually closed every year from 1 November to 15 December to let nature recover; no tours run during this time
Best time
January to September; October and late December are the rainy season with rougher sea
Weather
Warm all year, average air temperature around 28 °C

Facts and prices checked:

02 — The islands

Five islands you will see

Most tours visit three or four of them. Pick an island to see what is there and which tours stop.

Thale Nai, the Emerald Lake inside Koh Mae Ko The Emerald Lake

Koh Mae Ko and the Emerald Lake

"mother island"

Mae Ko means "mother island". Its limestone walls hide Thale Nai, the Emerald Lake: a green saltwater lagoon that is connected to the sea only through underground tunnels, so it rises and falls with the tide but you never see the opening.

A stairway with handrails climbs through the rocks to a viewing platform above the lake. The climb is short but steep in places. Swimming in the lake is not allowed. A local legend says the lake sits in the mouth of a sleeping volcano.

ClimbShort, steep stairway with handrails
SwimmingNot allowed in the lake
On toursEvery tour stops here
  • Viewpoint
  • Photography
  • Saltwater lake
The Emerald Lake guide →
View over the archipelago from the viewpoint on Koh Wua Ta Lap Park headquarters

Koh Wua Ta Lap, the park headquarters

"sleeping cow"

Wua Ta Lap ("sleeping cow") is the second largest island and the park headquarters, with a ranger station, a restaurant, bungalows and a campsite. It has a long white beach where dusky langurs come down from the trees.

A steep trail of about 500 meters climbs to the top viewpoint: the most photographed view of Ang Thong, with the whole archipelago below. Behind the beach a path leads to Bua Bok, a cave with stalactites shaped like lotus flowers.

ClimbAbout 500 m steep trail to the top
StayPark bungalows and campsite
WildlifeDusky langurs near the beach
  • Top viewpoint
  • White beach
  • Bua Bok cave
Koh Wua Ta Lap guide →
Natural rock arch of Koh Sam Sao Kayaking

Koh Sam Sao

the stone arch

Almost in the center of the park, Sam Sao is often called Tripod Island. Its best-known sight is a natural stone arch that curves out of the cliff into the sea, one of the classic photos of Ang Thong. The island has a shaded white beach and clear water over a coral reef that stretches for about a kilometre along its shore.

The calm water along the cliffs is a favourite kayaking route, and kayaks can pass close under the arch on a quiet day. A hidden path behind the beach leads to a small viewpoint facing Koh Mae Ko. On the VIP speedboat tour you stop here for kayaking; on the other tours you usually see Sam Sao from the boat on the way between the stops.

Known forNatural rock arch
Best forKayaking along the cliffs
BeachShaded white sand
  • Kayaking
  • Swimming
  • Hidden viewpoint
Kayaking in Ang Thong →
Snorkeling over the coral reef in Ang Thong Marine Park Best snorkeling

Koh Wao and the reefs

the northern reefs

The rocky islands in the north of the park have shallow reefs and small grottoes full of fish, the best snorkeling spots of Ang Thong. The speedboat, VIP and private tours snorkel at Koh Wao, where a sheltered bay with hard corals lies just a few meters below the surface. Parrotfish, sea urchins and rays are common, and green turtles and the rare hawksbill turtle live in the coral gardens.

Masks, snorkels and life jackets are handed out on the boat, and the reef is shallow enough for beginners. The water is clearest from January to September, when the sea is calm; after rain or strong wind it can be cloudy. Please do not stand on the coral or feed the fish: the reefs of the park recover slowly.

WaterShallow reef, small grottoes
Look forGreen and hawksbill turtles
On toursSpeedboat, VIP and private tours snorkel here
  • Snorkeling
  • Coral reef
  • Turtles
Quiet white sand beach of Ang Thong Fishing village

Koh Phaluai

the largest island

Phaluai is the largest island of the archipelago and the only one with a village. The village of a few hundred people lies in the south and lives mostly from fishing; the northern part is inside the national park and still covered with forest. Its shores are lined with some of the best mangroves in the park.

Life here is slow: a small village by the sea, fishing boats in the bay and quiet beaches. The VIP speedboat tour stops here for a buffet lunch, and on a private boat you can have lunch at the fishing village. It shows a different side of Ang Thong from the cliffs and viewpoints of the other islands.

SizeLargest in the park
PeopleSmall fishing village
On toursVIP and private tours
  • Buffet lunch
  • Village
  • Quiet beach

A typical day in the park

Speedboat tour · the order can change with the tide
  1. Hotel pickup on Koh Samui
  2. About 40 minutes across the open sea
  3. Snorkeling on a coral reef
  4. Stairway to the Emerald Lake on Mae Ko
  5. Buffet lunch and kayaks on Tamarin Beach
  6. Viewpoint or beach on Wua Ta Lap
  7. Back on Koh Samui, drop-off at your hotel
03 — Plan your visit

What to know before you book

Best time to visit

Best from January to September

Usually closed every year from 1 November to 15 December to let nature recover

Calm seaRainy seasonPark closed

FebruaryDry season: calm sea, clear water and the most sunshine. All tours run on schedule, book a few days ahead.

Entrance feeCash only
฿300Adult
฿150Child

Paid per person at the park, on the day of the tour.

What to bring8 items
  • Swimwear and towel
  • Sunscreen
  • Hat and sunglasses
  • Shoes for the stairs
  • Cash for the park fee
  • Photo of your passport
  • Water
  • Waterproof phone pouch

Passport: operators ask for your passport number for the insurance, so keep a photo of it on your phone.

ViewpointsOptional
The Emerald Lake seen from the viewpoint on Koh Mae Ko
Emerald Lake stairwayKoh Mae Ko · short, steep, with handrails Moderate
The Wua Ta Lap viewpoint above the islands
Wua Ta Lap summit trailAbout 500 m · steep rocks, take water Hard

Shoes: wear shoes with grip, not flip-flops. You can skip both climbs and stay on the beach.

04 — Wildlife

Who lives in the park

The forested limestone islands, the coral reefs and the sea around them have been protected as a national park since 1980.

16mammal species
14reptile species
5amphibian species
~50bird species
Dusky langur Wua Ta Lap

Dusky langur

The park's best-known residents live in families of 4 to 30 around the headquarters on Wua Ta Lap. Dark grey fur with white rings around the eyes; babies are born golden orange.

Oriental pied hornbill Forest canopy

Oriental pied hornbill

Hornbills pair for life and spread the seeds of hundreds of fruit trees through the forest. About 50 bird species are recorded in the park, including white-bellied sea eagles and kingfishers.

Bryde's whale Open sea · rare sight

Bryde's whale

Regular visitors to the Gulf of Thailand, 12-14 meters long and 16-25 tons. They feed on sardines and mackerel and are sometimes seen from the boats on the way to the park.

Ang Thong lady's slipper Limestone cliffs · Apr–Aug

Ang Thong lady's slipper

A rare orchid of the limestone islands of the southern Gulf and the symbol of the park: white petals with dark dots, growing on the cliffs of Wua Ta Lap, Phaluai, Mae Ko and Sam Sao. It flowers from April to August.

Also in the park
  • Long-tailed macaques
  • Otters
  • Leopard cats
  • Fishing cats
  • White-bellied sea eagles
  • Kingfishers
Please respect the park
  • Do not feed the monkeys
  • Do not touch or stand on the coral
  • Take your rubbish back to the boat
05 — Ways to go

Five ways to Ang Thong

Every tour includes hotel pickup on Koh Samui. Prices are per person unless stated otherwise.

Side-by-side comparison

TourPriceDaysPark feeBest forDetails
Speedboat Tour Shared speedboat ฿1,890per adult Daily +฿300 extra Most islands in one day →
VIP Speedboat Tour Small group, max 16 ฿3,890per adult Tue, Thu, Sat Included Small group, park fee included →
Big Boat Tour Large tourist boat ฿1,100per adult Daily +฿300 extra Lowest price, relaxed pace →
Red Baron Sailing Cruise Traditional sailing junk ฿3,700per adult Wed, Sat Included Sailing under red sails →
Private Speedboat Charter Your group only, max 15 ฿39,000per boat Any day +฿300 extra Your own boat and route →
Reviews

Reviews of our Ang Thong tours

5.0 out of 5 89 reviews

Tina Burmiston

The Red Baron Sunset Cruise was simply incredible! The crew was absolutely amazing. Everyone was constantly working, always attentive and making sure every guest had a great experience. The food was delicious, and the ice cream was a wonderful surprise. Thank you for such a fantastic evening and unforgettable memories!

Red Baron Sailing Cruise
Ksenia

Everything went great, thank you very much, we really enjoyed the tour. I especially loved the snorkeling, and the guides did a great job, very responsible and with a good sense of humor 🙌🏽 The lunch was also wonderful, a very pleasant surprise in terms of variety and quantity. It’s the first time I’ve seen such a tasty and generous meal with so many options. Overall, I’m very satisfied, thank you very much)

Speedboat Tour
Dari Bel

I want to say a huge thank you for this excursion I'm still impressed and absolutely thrilled! Everything was incredibly well-organized, and I felt like the guys truly cared about everyone. I'll start by saying that the driver arrived on time, exactly at 7:30. After a quick snack, we headed to the boat, where we met the guide. These guys were fantastic! Everyone was so welcoming, enthusiastic, cheerful, and good-natured. Throughout the entire trip, they constantly encouraged us and offered us refreshments—it was a wonderful experience. We stopped at a bunch of locations. First, we went snorkeling in a gorgeous bay with crystal-clear, incredibly colorful water. Then we stopped at the lagoon, and afterward, a wonderful lunch awaited us: the guys organized everything, fed us, and cleaned everything up no hassle at all. I'd also like to mention the climb to the observation deck. The trail was quite challenging, especially in the heat, and only a few of the group dared to climb it. I went, and it was worth it! The view of the bays and islands that opened up was simply incomparable. But the most important thing was the guide. He climbed with me, supported me the whole way, offered me water, accompanied me, and took tons of photos and videos. For me, this was a huge plus I don't think every guide would be so attentive on such a challenging climb. This was the most exciting and memorable trip. I had a wonderful experience and am still deeply impressed. You guys are great! Thank you for this day.

Speedboat Tour
Alexander Manulov

The tour was absolutely amazing! The trip wasn’t tiring, the snorkeling was enjoyable, kayaking was great, and the lunch by the sea was delicious. Most importantly, the view of the archipelago was stunning. The Similan Islands in Phuket didn’t impress us as much as Ang Thong did, even though the price there is 3.5 to 4 times higher, and the road to get there is just awful. In short, Ang Thong - one love!

Speedboat Tour
Zdatchenko Valeria

The tour was just super. We had a very eventful time. A sea of impressions from the views, kayaking and sandy beaches🥰 and also, what is no less important, excellent service, lunch and snacks) your team is excellent) as a bonus we got into a small storm on the way back) also a plus to the impressions😀

Big Boat Tour
Irene Kissel

On May 9, I went on a tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park. It was truly unforgettable! The snorkeling was incredible, and the underwater world amazed me with colorful fish of all shapes and sizes. I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I even managed kayaking, which turned out to be a fun and accessible way to explore the islands. The water was such a stunning shade of emerald green, absolutely mesmerizing. We were on a speedboat with just 16 people, which made the trip feel very personal. The crew was extremely attentive to every little detail. Our guide Ruby was cheerful and talkative, with such great energy! Thank you for such a wonderful experience! 🏝️

VIP Speedboat Tour
Paul Ulchenko

Today we had a full-day program at Ang Thong National Marine Park. We chose the VIP tour and were very glad we did. A small group always makes for a more fulfilling experience. We were picked up from our hotel at 7:30 AM. There were only 16 people, and we were brought to the pier in two separate vans. The staff welcomed us warmly, registered everyone, and offered tea and coffee. Throughout the day, they provided drinking water and soft drinks like lemonade. It took about 30 minutes to reach the first stop. We sat at the front of the boat and enjoyed the stunning ocean views. The first activity was snorkeling. We were given masks and life vests, and we saw a variety of fish and beautiful corals. At the next stop, we hiked to a viewpoint. The tour guides from the boat led the group, took photos for everyone, and were always there to help, offering a hand when needed. At the third stop, we went kayaking. We paddled around the rocks and back, which was just enough to enjoy the water. After that, we swam near the boat. The fourth stop was lunch, and afterward, some people chose to hike up a hill while others stayed by the sea. The hike was tough, about 500 meters, but we climbed 150 meters, took some great photos, and went back down to swim. It was a packed and exciting day. I highly recommend this trip. Everything was well organized and stress-free.

VIP Speedboat Tour
Emma

Thank you so much for the incredible journey on the amazing vessel. We felt like we were in a fairy tale, sailing under crimson sails. The experience was unforgettable. Huge thanks to the guides for their outstanding organization - everything was TOP-NOTCH. Highly recommend it to everyone who loves the sea, sails, sunshine, and palm trees.

Red Baron Sailing Cruise
Rina

We went to Ang Thong National Park with my daughter. We were really impressed with the organization of the tour! They responded quickly on messenger and gave us detailed information! In the evening, they informed us about the transfer. They picked us up on time in a comfortable minibus. Everything on the boat was well-organized as well, with water, coffee, and cookies for the whole trip. The islands were beautiful! We climbed up to the viewpoint (it was tough, but the views were amazing). The only thing we wished for was a bit more time to enjoy the pristine beauty, maybe another half hour for swimming! The lunch on board was excellent - hearty and tasty! The crew was very friendly and skillfully helped us transfer to the small boats. We returned to Samui on time, and as soon as we disembarked, the transfer was waiting for us! We left very quickly. I highly recommend this company, they are reliable!

Big Boat Tour
Elena

We took a delightful sea trip around the neighboring island of Phangan on a wooden schooner with red sails. The voyage was a bit long, but we enjoyed plenty of sea views. Through my spyglass, I could clearly see the rocks, beaches, palms, and even birds. One large, black bird persistently flew alongside the ship over the sea for quite a while. It was almost blown away by the wind, but it heroically battled against it and kept flying. We also witnessed a rapid change in weather, which happens very swiftly here - scorching sun, strong wind, black clouds next to the stunningly turquoise sea, tropical downpours, large round raindrops on the sea's surface, everything uniformly gray and misty, sunbeams breaking through the clouds, reflections, sunspots on the water, and then blue skies and sunshine all over again. The snorkeling stops were fantastic. The first was at a small island near Phangan, connected to it by a sandy spit that is completely submerged during high tide. In the water, there is a living coral reef and a multitude of fish. For the first time, we saw royal carp in the sea. There were also amazing striped fish, black and white, but they were flat and pearlescent! Beautiful anemones and dangerous underwater mouths were just waiting to snap up an unwary fish. There were also larger fish, with various spots, resembling leopards and giraffes. The second stop was at a restaurant on a rocky cape jutting into the sea. There were plenty of striped fish that you could feed! Usually, in Thailand, feeding fish and other marine life is prohibited, especially in reserves, where there are hefty fines for it. But here, it was allowed. During the excursion, they gave out bread for everyone to feed the fish. This was a very amusing activity - you had to break off a piece of white bread, dip it into the water, and wait a bit for the fish to recognize the bread as food and not a threat. When the bravest striped fish opened its mouth and took a bite, all the others would swim up, and the bread would quickly disappear. Larger yellow-gray fish would swim up from below, menacingly opening their mouths and aiming for the bread. Sometimes, they would catch your finger instead of the bread! It wasn't painful, but it was startling. I never expected the fish to tear at the bread with such force; you could really feel it. When all the bread was gone, we had nothing more to delight the fish with, so we swam off to explore the surroundings. The water was shallow, with both live and dead corals on the bottom. You swim carefully, trying not to touch them, and it feels like you're dipping your head into an aquarium. There were many different fish, but the water was a bit murky, not great for filming. Another highlight was the delicious food on the ship, as if we had gone to a restaurant. We were fed three times - a light breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. We ate so much that we thought we wouldn't eat again for the next couple of days! On the way back, we were treated to a fantastic sunset! At first, the sun descended traditionally towards the sea horizon, then, a bit earlier than expected, it was swallowed up by a dense dark gray cloud over the sea and completely disappeared. But then the sun sank even lower and found a break in the cloud... And through this gap, the Eye of God looked at us. Its pupil was a perfectly round orange Sun.

Red Baron Sailing Cruise
Alex

We went on a tour to Ang Thong National Park, and on the way to the islands, a miracle happened – we encountered whales. The beaches had incredibly white and powdery sand, with picturesque views just like in paintings. The most important thing was to find the strength to climb to the 500-meter height on the last island.

Speedboat Tour
Daniela Giese

It was a wonderful trip, well organized and structured. The most impressive part was the view over the whole marine park after the difficult 500-metre climb. It started to rain, and we saw a beautiful rainbow!

Speedboat Tour
Carlos Lafoz

Everything was OK. The staff were always helpful, and everything on the boat was well organized. They came with us to the viewpoints. We had a really great time! We have already returned home, but we will recommend you to our friends planning to visit Koh Samui. We wish you all the best!

Speedboat Tour
Muskan soni

My experience on this tour was amazing. The team members were helpful and well coordinated. Hiking was the most difficult part, but I enjoyed both the hike and kayaking. It was a memorable experience for me, especially Mae Ko Island, which stayed in my heart. Thank you so much for your services!

Big Boat Tour
Vadi Kiranov

Everything went great 👌🏼 We enjoyed the party on the boat the most 🙌🏼 The highlight was the sunset 🌅 Unexpected places, like the mountain in the sea from the short film Lava 🏝️

Red Baron Sailing Cruise
06 — Questions

Ang Thong: questions and answers

Not answered here? Write to us on WhatsApp, we reply within the day.

How much is the entrance fee to Ang Thong National Marine Park?

฿300 per adult and ฿150 per child aged 3-12 and under 130 cm; taller children pay the adult fee; children under 3 go free. It is paid in cash at the park and is already included in the VIP speedboat tour and the Red Baron cruise; on the other tours you pay it separately.

How do I get to Ang Thong from Koh Samui?

There is no public ferry. You go on a day tour: speedboat (about 40 minutes each way), big tourist boat (about 1.5 hours), the Red Baron sailing cruise or a private speedboat. All tours include hotel pickup on Koh Samui.

How far is Ang Thong from Koh Samui?

About 28 km west of Koh Samui and 32 km from Koh Phangan.

Which Ang Thong tour is best?

For most people the speedboat tour (฿1890): fast, daily, four stops with lunch and kayaks. For a small group with everything included, the VIP tour (฿3890). On a budget or with small children, the big boat (from ฿1100). For your own schedule, a private boat (from ฿39,000).

Can you swim in the Emerald Lake?

No. Swimming in Thale Nai on Koh Mae Ko is not allowed to protect the lake; you see it from the viewpoint at the top of the stairway.

When is the best time to visit Ang Thong?

January to September, when the sea is usually calm. October and the second half of December are the rainy season; tours still run, but on rough days the captain can change or cancel the program.

Is Ang Thong open all year?

No. The national park is usually closed every year from 1 November to 15 December to let nature recover, and no tours run during this time. The exact dates are announced by the Department of National Parks each year, so check with us when you book a tour for late December.

Is Ang Thong worth visiting?

Yes, it is the main natural sight around Koh Samui: the Emerald Lake, the view over 42 islands from Wua Ta Lap, snorkeling, kayaking and beaches you cannot reach by public transport.

Can I stay overnight in Ang Thong?

Yes. Koh Wua Ta Lap has park bungalows and a campsite run by the national park. Day tours from Koh Samui do not include an overnight stay.

Is the climb to the viewpoints difficult?

Both are steep. The Emerald Lake stairway is short. The Wua Ta Lap trail is about 500 meters and much harder, so take water and good shoes; you can stay on the beach instead.

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