- Koh Mae Ko is an uninhabited limestone island in the north of Ang Thong, and every group tour from Koh Samui stops there.
- A short but steep stairway with handrails runs from the beach to a viewing platform above the Emerald Lake.
- Swimming in the lake is not allowed, so the view from the platform is the whole lake experience.
- The time ashore depends on the boat: about an hour on the speedboat schedule, up to about two hours on the big boat and the Red Baron.
- The park is usually closed from 1 November to 15 December, and no tours run to the island during that time.
The boat slows down, everyone reaches for their shoes, and the guide points at a green wall of limestone and says the lake is up there. Most people climb, take the photo, come straight back down and could not tell you one thing about the island itself. Koh Mae Ko deserves slightly more attention than that, and knowing how the stop works helps you spend your time better.
What is on Koh Mae Ko apart from the Emerald Lake?
Koh Mae Ko is a limestone island in the north of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, with a beach at the bottom, a stairway through rock and forest, and a saltwater lake in the middle. Nobody lives here: in the whole park, people live only on Koh Phaluai and Koh Wua Ta Lap.
The name means "mother island". From the boat it looks like any other green island in the archipelago. Only from above do you see that its walls form a ring around a hollow, and that the hollow is full of green seawater.
This article is about everything around the lake. For how Thale Nai works and which tours see it when, read the Emerald Lake guide, and come back here for the practical side of the island.
Think of Mae Ko as a nature stop, not a resort stop. With no village on the island, do not plan your day around buying anything here. Bring what you need from the boat, above all water.
How do you get ashore on Koh Mae Ko?
You land on the beach, and how you get there depends on the boat. On the big boat, a longtail takes you ashore unless you booked the kayak option, in which case you paddle there yourself.
Speedboats and the Red Baron handle the landing in their own way, and the exact routine changes with the tide and the sea. Listen to the crew before you stand up, because they know how close the boat can get on that day.
Expect wet feet on most landings. A few habits make this easier:
- Put your phone in a waterproof pouch before you leave the boat, not after.
- Carry your shoes in your hand and put them on once you are on dry sand.
- Take your water bottle with you, because it does no good left on the seat.
- Leave anything you do not need for the climb on the boat, if the crew says that is fine.
The beach is also where the group spreads out. Some head straight for the stairs, others stop to take photos of the boats. If you want the stairs at a calm pace, start early and let the fast walkers overtake you.
How hard are the stairs on Koh Mae Ko?
The climb is short but steep in places, on a stairway with handrails that runs through the rocks and the forest. Most people manage it at their own pace. Shoes with grip matter more than fitness: some steps are steep and high, and flip-flops are the wrong tool for them.
The heat is the real difficulty. On the speedboat schedule you climb around 11:00, and the big boat comes in the afternoon, so on either one you are working in strong sun. Drink before you start and take it slowly: nobody gets a prize for arriving first.
Honestly, this is the easier of the two climbs in the park. The trail on Koh Wua Ta Lap is about 500 meters and much harder, so if you are saving your energy, this is the one to do. There is a separate honest answer on how hard the Wua Ta Lap climb is if you are weighing up both.
For clothes and footwear on the day, the article on what to wear on an Ang Thong tour covers it. The short version: a swimsuit with something over it, and proper sandals or trainers.
What do you see from the top, and is it worth the climb?
Yes, for almost everyone who can manage the stairs. From a wooden platform you look straight down at Thale Nai, a green saltwater lake closed in on all sides by cliffs and jungle.
Swimming in the lake is not allowed, so do not carry your towel up with any hopes. The lake is seen from above, and that is the whole deal. Most people spend a few minutes taking photos and then walk down the same way.
The colour shifts with the light and the season, from jade to turquoise. Do not worry too much about getting the perfect hour, because you do not choose it on a group tour. Any clear moment works.
There is a local legend that the lake sits in the mouth of a sleeping volcano. It is limestone, not a crater, but from the platform you can see why people tell the story.
How long do you get on Koh Mae Ko on each tour?
It depends on the tour: roughly an hour on the speedboat schedule, and up to about two hours on the big boat and the Red Baron. On the speedboat, the hour includes the climb, so there is not much spare time for wandering the beach afterwards.
| Tour | Reaches Mae Ko | What comes next | What this means for you |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat | About 11:00 | Tamarin Beach at 12:00 | Climb, photos, back to the boat; little free time |
| VIP speedboat | About 09:15, first stop in the park | Koh Wua Ta Lap | The early start means cooler stairs |
| Big boat | About 13:30 | Leaves for Koh Samui at 15:30 | The longest stop, shared with kayaking if you paid for it |
| Red Baron | About 10:30 | Lunch on board at 12:30 | Viewpoint and lake with no rush |
| Private speedboat | About 12:00 on a typical day | Koh Wua Ta Lap at 13:00 | You decide when you arrive and leave |
All of these times can move. The program can change with the tide and the weather, and the captain makes the final call, sometimes changing the order of the stops as well.
My opinion: the speedboat is still the best all-round day in the park, but Mae Ko is not where it spends its time. If the island itself matters to you, and not only the photo, look at the longer stops.
What else can you do on Koh Mae Ko?
The best thing to do beyond the viewpoint is to get on the water around the island in a kayak. The big boat's kayak option costs ฿1500 per adult instead of ฿1100, and it means you paddle to Mae Ko and along its coast before you climb.
Kayaking in the park is allowed from 5 years old, with no exceptions, and no experience is needed for a calm-day paddle along the shore. The kayaking guide explains where each tour paddles, because they use different parts of the park.
A few smaller things are worth your attention if you have time left:
- The cliffs themselves. The limestone walls drop straight to the shore, and you see more of them from the beach than from the top.
- The rare orchid. The Ang Thong lady's slipper grows on the limestone cliffs of Mae Ko and a few other islands, and flowers from April to August. You may not spot one, so treat it as a bonus.
- The beach. Stay on the sand and let the others climb if the stairs are not for you, and check with the guide first.
What to skip: do not plan on snorkelling here. The tours do their snorkelling elsewhere, at spots such as Koh Wao, and they bring you to Mae Ko for the lake and the walk.
Which Ang Thong tour is best if you care about Mae Ko?
For time on the island, choose the big boat with kayaks or the Red Baron. For a cool, early climb, choose the VIP speedboat, which arrives at about 09:15.
The speedboat at ฿1890 still suits most people, as long as you accept that this stop is short. The VIP tour at ฿3890 has no more than 16 guests and includes the park fee, and the Red Baron at ฿3700 includes the fee as well and sails only on Wednesday and Saturday. On all the others, the park fee of ฿300 per adult and ฿150 per child is separate.
The speedboat suits a full day with little waiting, the big boat suits a budget and a longer stop, the VIP suits a small group with an early start, and the Red Baron suits anyone who wants a slow day under sail.
- Days
- Daily
- Time
- 07:40-16:30
- Boat
- Shared speedboat
- Park fee
- ฿300 extra
- Days
- Daily
- Time
- 07:30-17:00
- Boat
- Large tourist boat
- Park fee
- ฿300 extra
- Days
- Tue, Thu, Sat
- Time
- 07:00-17:30
- Boat
- Small group, max 16
- Park fee
- Included
- Days
- Wed, Sat
- Time
- 07:30-19:00
- Boat
- Traditional sailing junk
- Park fee
- Included
Families with small children, or anyone worried about the stairs, should think about a private boat. It costs far more and is not a way to save money, but you can skip the climb or do it when you want. Pregnant women cannot join the group speedboat tours for safety reasons.
What should you know before you go to Koh Mae Ko?
Pack for a short, hot climb and a wet landing, and check your dates. The park is usually closed every year from 1 November to 15 December, and no tours run to Mae Ko during that time. The article on the November to December closure explains what that means for your plans.
- Wear shoes with grip, and keep them dry until the beach.
- Bring water from the boat and drink before you start the stairs.
- Wear a hat and sunscreen, as the climb is often in strong sun.
- Keep your phone in a waterproof pouch for the landing.
- Bring cash for the park fee, unless you are on the VIP tour or the Red Baron.
Listen for the time the guide gives you before you walk off, and be back on the sand a few minutes early. The boat cannot wait long, and on a group tour other people's day depends on you.
Questions and answers
Does Koh Mae Ko have a shop or a restaurant?
Nobody lives on Mae Ko, so do not count on buying food or drinks on the island. Lunch on the tours is served elsewhere: on Tamarin Beach, on Koh Phaluai or on board, depending on the tour. Take your water with you from the boat.
Can children do the Koh Mae Ko stairs?
The stairway is short and has handrails, but some steps are steep and high, so small children may need help or carrying. Go at their pace and start early in the stop. On a private boat you can leave the stairs out altogether.
Can you visit Koh Mae Ko without a tour?
There is no public ferry to Ang Thong, so you reach the island on a day tour or a private boat from Koh Samui. All the tours include hotel pickup and drop-off on Koh Samui. A stop at Mae Ko is part of every group tour.
Do you pay extra to go up to the Emerald Lake viewpoint?
The viewpoint is covered by the national park fee of ฿300 per adult and ฿150 per child. It is already included in the VIP speedboat and Red Baron prices, and on the other tours you pay it separately in cash.
Can I swim at the beach on Koh Mae Ko?
The ban covers the lake, not the sea, but the stop is built around the climb and swim time is not guaranteed. Ask the guide how much time there is on the day. The longer swim stops are on other islands, such as Koh Wua Ta Lap.
What happens to the Mae Ko stop in bad weather?
The captain decides what is safe and can change the route or the order of the stops. October and the second half of December are the rainy season, and the sea can be rough. From January to September the water is usually calm.
Is Koh Mae Ko the same as Koh Wua Ta Lap?
No, they are two different islands, and each has its own climb. Mae Ko has the Emerald Lake and a short, steep stairway. Wua Ta Lap is the park headquarters, with a harder trail of about 500 meters to the view over the archipelago.
Facts checked against our tour pages on 14 November 2026. Prices and days can change: your manager confirms them when you book.
