- Koh Sam Sao sits almost in the center of Ang Thong National Marine Park and is known for a natural stone arch that curves from the cliff into the sea.
- The VIP speedboat tour (฿3890, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) stops at Koh Sam Sao for the beach, photos and kayaking.
- On the speedboat, big boat and Red Baron tours you usually see Sam Sao only from the boat between the stops.
- A coral reef runs for about a kilometre along the shore, and a path behind the beach leads to a small viewpoint facing Koh Mae Ko.
- Kayaking in the national park is allowed from 5 years old, without exceptions.
The paddle dips, the kayak slides into shadow, and for a few seconds there is solid rock above your head and open sea on the other side. That is the moment people remember from koh sam sao, the island with the stone arch in the middle of Ang Thong. On a calm morning it is the best short paddle in the park.
Sam Sao is not on every tour, though, and a lot of visitors only see it through the window of a speedboat. Here is what is there, how to get close, and whether it is worth choosing a tour for it.
Where is Koh Sam Sao and what does the name mean?
Koh Sam Sao lies almost in the center of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, between the bigger islands. It is often called Tripod Island, and its best-known sight is a natural stone arch that curves out of the cliff into the sea.
In Thai, "sam" means three and "sao" means pillar or post, so the name reads roughly as "three pillars". That fits the English nickname, Tripod Island, which suggests a rock standing on three legs. Thai island names are often like this, plain descriptions that fishermen gave long before tourists arrived.
The island has a shaded white beach and clear water over a coral reef. It sits close to Koh Mae Ko, the island with the Emerald Lake, and a small viewpoint on Sam Sao looks straight across at it. For how Sam Sao fits with the other 41 islands, see the list of Ang Thong islands and the ones you actually see.
The Koh Sam Sao rock arch: can you go under it?
On a quiet day, yes, by kayak. Kayaks can pass close under the arch when the sea is calm, and that is the classic Ang Thong photo from the water.
The arch is limestone, shaped by thousands of years of waves and rain working on the softer parts of the rock. What is left is a curve of stone with the sea running underneath. From a big boat it looks small. From a kayak it suddenly looks very big.
A few honest points before you get excited:
- It depends on the sea. If there is swell, the guide may keep kayaks away from the rock, and that is the right decision.
- It is not a long tunnel. You pass the arch in a few strokes, so have the camera ready before you go.
- The light is best when the sun is high and the water turns turquoise under you. Midday on the VIP tour usually works well.
- Do not touch the rock or try to climb it. Limestone is sharp, and the cliffs are where the park's rare lady's slipper orchid grows.
If you have never kayaked before, do not worry. The route along the cliffs is calm water in the dry season, life jackets are provided, and you can always turn back to the beach.
Kayaking at Koh Sam Sao: which tour includes it?
Only the VIP speedboat has a planned kayaking stop at Sam Sao. On the VIP speedboat tour (฿3890, park fee included) the stop at Koh Sam Sao is for the beach, photos and kayaking.
The other tours kayak somewhere else. On the regular speedboat the kayaks wait on Tamarin Beach after lunch. On the big boat, the kayak option means paddling around Mae Ko. The Red Baron has no kayaking, and on the private charter kayaks are not part of the boat price.
| Tour | Koh Sam Sao | Where you kayak | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIP speedboat | Stop for beach, photos and kayaking | Koh Sam Sao, included | ฿3890 per adult, park fee included |
| Speedboat | Usually seen from the boat | Tamarin Beach, included | ฿1890 per adult, park fee extra |
| Big boat | Usually seen from the boat | Around Mae Ko, optional | ฿1100, or ฿1500 with kayaks |
| Red Baron | Usually seen from the boat | No kayaking | ฿3700 per adult, park fee included |
| Private speedboat | Your route, agreed with you | Kayaks not included | ฿39,000 per boat for up to 6 guests |
The Ang Thong kayaking guide explains each tour's paddle in more detail, including the age limit and what happens if the weather turns.
My opinion: if paddling past cliffs is the thing you most want from Ang Thong, the VIP tour is the one to book. The Tamarin Beach kayaks on the regular speedboat are fun, but Sam Sao is the better route.
Snorkeling and the reef around Koh Sam Sao
The water around Sam Sao is clear, and a coral reef stretches for about a kilometre along its shore. It is a good place to look down from a kayak even if you do not get in.
Be clear on one thing: the main snorkeling stop on the tours is not Sam Sao but Koh Wao, where the speedboat, VIP and private tours get in the water. On the VIP day you snorkel at Koh Wao in the morning, then kayak at Sam Sao later.
That said, the beach at Sam Sao has clear, shallow water for a swim, and on a private boat you can ask to spend more time here. If you snorkel near the reef, the same rules apply as everywhere in the park: do not stand on the coral and do not feed the fish. The reefs recover slowly.
The water is clearest from January to September, when the sea is usually calm. After heavy rain or strong wind, visibility can drop a lot, and that is simply luck of the day.
The beach and the small viewpoint behind it
Sam Sao has a shaded white beach, which matters more than it sounds in the midday sun. A hidden path behind the beach leads to a small viewpoint facing Koh Mae Ko.
The viewpoint is small and quiet, nothing like the big platform on Wua Ta Lap. It is a nice extra if you have energy left after the kayak, and a good spot to see Mae Ko from a different side. Wear shoes rather than flip-flops, as paths on these islands are rocky.
If you are not a paddler, the beach is reason enough to enjoy the stop. Swim, sit in the shade, and watch the kayaks go out toward the arch. Nobody will push you into a kayak.
On the other tours, Sam Sao is a view from the deck. That can still be a good photo if you are ready for it. Ask the guide in the morning when the boat will pass the island, sit on the side facing it, and keep your phone out of the bag for that part of the ride.
Do not expect the boat to slow down or circle the arch for pictures. Group boats keep to a timetable, and the passing view lasts a minute or two. If that sounds frustrating, it is a good sign that the VIP tour or a private boat is the better fit for you.
The same goes for the orchid on the cliffs. The Ang Thong lady's slipper grows on Sam Sao and flowers from April to August, but it is small and high on the rock, so you would need a calm sea, sharp eyes and some luck to spot it.
Is Koh Sam Sao worth choosing a tour for?
For kayakers and photographers, yes. For people who mainly want the Emerald Lake and the big viewpoint, no: every group tour gives you those, and Sam Sao from the boat is a pleasant bonus.
Here is how I would decide:
- You love kayaking and want the arch up close: book the VIP speedboat.
- You want the classic day at a fair price and do not mind seeing Sam Sao from the water: take the regular speedboat, which has kayaks on Tamarin Beach.
- You want your own route and time to linger: the private speedboat, keeping in mind kayaks are not included.
- You get seasick or have small children: the big boat, and accept Sam Sao is a view, not a stop.
The VIP tour suits active couples and small groups who want the kayak route included, and the private charter suits families or friends who want to plan the stops themselves.
If you are going on the private boat, mention Sam Sao when you agree the route. The private speedboat charter costs ฿39,000 for up to 6 guests, and the captain only changes the plan for safety, tide or weather.
Practical tips for Koh Sam Sao
A little preparation makes this stop much better. Kayaking in the national park is allowed from 5 years old, and the park makes no exceptions for younger children.
- Put your phone in a waterproof pouch with a lanyard. Kayaks tip less than people think, but splashes are guaranteed.
- Wear swimwear you do not mind soaking, plus a hat and plenty of sunscreen. The sun on the water is strong.
- Bring shoes with grip for the rocky path to the viewpoint.
- Drink before you paddle, not only after. The heat sneaks up on you in a kayak.
The park fee is ฿300 per adult and ฿150 per child, already included in the VIP price. And remember the calendar: the park is usually closed every year from 1 November to 15 December, and no tours run then. In October and late December the sea can be rough, and the captain may shorten or cancel kayaking.
For the full picture of the park, the islands and every tour side by side, start with the main Ang Thong guide.
Questions and answers
Why is Koh Sam Sao called Tripod Island?
The Thai name means roughly "three pillars", from "sam" (three) and "sao" (pillar or post). Tripod Island is simply the English version of the same idea.
Can beginners kayak at Koh Sam Sao?
Yes. On a calm day the route along the cliffs is easy, life jackets are provided and no experience is needed. You can also stay on the beach if you prefer.
Is kayaking at Koh Sam Sao included in the VIP tour price?
Yes. The VIP speedboat tour at ฿3890 includes kayaking at Koh Sam Sao, the national park fee, breakfast and lunch. The tour runs on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Can children kayak under the Sam Sao arch?
Children from 5 years old can kayak in the national park, and younger children are not allowed, without exceptions. Whether kayaks go close to the arch depends on the sea that day.
Do I see Koh Sam Sao on the regular speedboat tour?
Usually only from the boat, on the way between the stops. The regular speedboat kayaks on Tamarin Beach instead.
Can I swim at Koh Sam Sao?
The island has a shaded white beach with clear water, and the VIP tour stops there. On rough days the captain may change the plan for safety.
Can I include Koh Sam Sao on a private boat?
The private charter route is agreed with you, so you can ask for it. Kayaks are not included in the private boat price.
Facts checked against our tour pages on 25 October 2026. Prices and days can change: your manager confirms them when you book.
