- The Red Baron is a traditional Thai sailing junk, 30 meters long and 6.5 meters wide, with twin masts and room for up to 70 passengers.
- It sails to Ang Thong on Wednesday and Saturday only, with hotel pickup at 07:30 and return to the pier at about 19:00.
- The price is ฿3700 per adult, ฿1850 per child aged 5-10 and ฿500 per child aged 2-4, with the national park fee included.
- Breakfast and lunch are served on board, with fruit, snacks, coffee, tea and soft drinks through the day; alcohol is not included.
- The stops are the Mae Ko viewpoint and Emerald Lake, a snorkeling bay and the Wua Ta Lap viewpoint; there is no kayaking.
By nine in the morning the coast of Koh Samui is shrinking behind you, someone is pouring coffee, and the only noise is the wind in two huge red sails. That is the start of a day on the red baron koh samui cruise to Ang Thong. It is slow, it is long, and for the right person it is the best way to see the park.
It is also the tour people most often book for the wrong reasons. So here is what the day really looks like, from the boat to the food to the hour you get back.
What is the Red Baron?
The Red Baron is a traditional Thai sailing junk that takes a shared group cruise to Ang Thong National Marine Park. It is 30 meters long and 6.5 meters wide, with twin masts and room for up to 70 passengers, the largest sailing yacht in the Gulf of Thailand.
The hull is built from Takien Tong, one of the hardest Thai woods. The big Thai-style sails are not just for show: they shade the deck, which makes the midday sun much easier to bear than on an open speedboat.
On board there is a large sun deck, a main deck with lounge seats and a dining area, a wooden saloon below and a sound system. It feels more like a floating terrace than a tour boat.
Keep one thing in mind: it is a group cruise. You share the yacht with other guests, and on a full day that can be a lot of people. If you want the boat to yourself, look at the private speedboat charter instead.
Which days does the Red Baron sail, and how much is it?
The Red Baron sails to Ang Thong on Wednesday and Saturday only. The price is ฿3700 per adult, ฿1850 per child aged 5-10 and ฿500 per child aged 2-4; children under 2 go free, and the national park fee is included.
That last point matters. On the regular speedboat and the big boat you pay the park fee separately in cash. On the Red Baron there is nothing to pay at the park.
| What | Red Baron cruise |
|---|---|
| Days | Wednesday and Saturday |
| Adult | ฿3700 |
| Child 5-10 years | ฿1850 |
| Child 2-4 years | ฿500 |
| Under 2 | Free |
| Park fee | Included |
| Hotel transfer | Included, pickup at 07:30 |
| Back at the pier | About 19:00 |
With only two departures a week, it fills up first in high season. If your holiday is short, check which Wednesday or Saturday you have free before you fall in love with the idea.
All the details, including what is included, are on the Red Baron cruise page.
What do you eat on board?
You eat well and often. Breakfast is served under sail after departure, lunch is on board, and fruit, snacks, coffee, tea and soft drinks are there through the day.
There is a welcome drink when you board. Alcoholic drinks are not included, so if a beer at sunset is part of your plan, ask about it when you book.
Because breakfast is on board, there is no need to eat at the hotel before the 07:30 pickup. Most people just grab a coffee and go.
The food is a shared group meal, not a fine dining menu. If you have allergies or a strict diet, tell us when you book so the request can be passed on in advance.
The stops: Emerald Lake, a snorkeling bay and Wua Ta Lap
The Red Baron makes three stops in the park: Mae Ko and the Emerald Lake, a sheltered bay for snorkeling, and the viewpoint on Wua Ta Lap. The yacht reaches Ang Thong at about 10:30.
Here is how the day runs:
- 07:30: hotel pickup and transfer to the pier.
- 08:30: departure, breakfast on board under the red sails.
- 10:30: arrival in Ang Thong, hike to the viewpoint on Mae Ko.
- 11:30: the Emerald Lake.
- 12:30: lunch on board.
- 14:00: snorkeling in a sheltered bay.
- 15:30: the Wua Ta Lap viewpoint.
- 19:00: back at the pier, transfer to your hotel.
The stairway to the Emerald Lake on Mae Ko is short but steep in places, with handrails. Swimming in the lake is not allowed; you see it from the platform.
After lunch the yacht anchors in a bay and you snorkel straight from the boat. Gear is on board. It is an easy swim for beginners on a calm day.
The last stop is Koh Wua Ta Lap, the park headquarters, with the steep trail of about 500 meters to the viewpoint over the archipelago. It is hard work in the afternoon heat. If you skip it, the beach below is a fine place to wait.
Is the Red Baron koh samui cruise too slow for you?
For some people, yes. This is a full day, from a 07:30 pickup to about 19:00 at the pier, with fewer stops than a speedboat and no kayaking.
The slowness is the point. The yacht needs about two hours to reach the park, which is a long time if you are the type who checks the map every ten minutes. It is also not a race to the islands: you will see other boats at the Emerald Lake who left later and arrived first.
You will probably find it too slow if:
- You want as many islands and as much water time as possible in one day.
- Kayaking matters to you. The Red Baron has none.
- You have toddlers who will not sit still for the long sail back.
- You need to be back at the hotel before dinner.
For those travellers the regular speedboat makes more sense: about 40 minutes each way, four stops, kayaks and lunch on Tamarin Beach, back by 16:30.
Red Baron or another Ang Thong tour?
The Red Baron is the only sailing option and one of two group tours with the park fee already in the price. The other one is the VIP speedboat, which is faster, smaller and includes kayaking.
| Tour | Days | Adult price | Park fee | Kayaks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Baron | Wed, Sat | ฿3700 | Included | No |
| VIP speedboat | Tue, Thu, Sat | ฿3890 | Included | Included |
| Speedboat | Daily | ฿1890 | Extra, ฿300 | Included |
| Big boat | Daily | From ฿1100 | Extra, ฿300 | Optional |
The prices of the Red Baron and the VIP tour are close, but the days feel completely different. The VIP is small, quick and active, with six stops and no more than 16 guests. The Red Baron is big, slow and social, and the boat itself is a large part of the experience.
If you are on a budget, the big boat gives you a similar smooth ride and meals on board for much less, without the sails and with a shorter day. If you care most about time on the islands, any speedboat beats the Red Baron.
My honest view: choose the Red Baron because you want to sail, not because you think it shows you more of Ang Thong. It does not. It shows you the same highlights in a calmer, more comfortable way.
Who will love the Red Baron?
Couples, older travellers, groups of friends who want to talk and not shout over engines, and anyone who gets nervous on fast boats. It is a day for people who like the journey as much as the stops.
The ride is smoother than a speedboat, which makes a real difference in October and late December when the sea can be rough. A big boat simply handles waves better.
On a clear day the return sail brings the sunset over the water. You reach Koh Samui at about 19:00, so the end of the day is often the best part.
Families can do it too, especially with children who like boats. Just be realistic about the length of the day. The guide to Ang Thong with kids covers ages and which tour fits which family.
The Red Baron suits travellers who want a relaxed day under sail with everything included, while the regular speedboat suits those who want more stops in less time.
Practical tips before you sail
A few things make the day easier. The park is usually closed every year from 1 November to 15 December, and no tours run during that time, so do not plan a Red Baron day for those dates.
- Bring swimwear and a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a waterproof camera.
- Pack a light long-sleeved top: the breeze on the way back can feel cool after a day in the sun.
- Wear shoes with grip for the Mae Ko stairs and the Wua Ta Lap trail.
- Bring a photo of your passport for the check-in.
- Keep some cash with you for anything extra, since alcoholic drinks are not in the price.
January to September usually has the calmest sea. The operator decides on the program with guest safety first, and may adjust the stops to the weather.
For the full picture of the park, the season and every tour side by side, start with the main Ang Thong guide.
Questions and answers
Is the Red Baron private?
No, it is a shared group cruise with a guide, and you share the yacht with other guests. For a boat of your own, the private speedboat charter is the option.
Is hotel pickup included on the Red Baron?
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included, with pickup at 07:30 and return to the pier at about 19:00.
Can I kayak on the Red Baron cruise?
No, there is no kayaking on this cruise. If kayaking matters to you, the speedboat and VIP speedboat tours include it.
Is the Red Baron good for people who get seasick?
It is smoother than a speedboat, since a large boat handles waves better. On rough days in October or late December the operator may still adjust or cancel the program.
How many people are on the Red Baron?
The yacht has room for up to 70 passengers. It is a group cruise, so the number varies from day to day.
Do I need to bring snorkeling gear?
No, snorkeling gear is on board. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a waterproof camera.
Can I pay the park fee separately on the Red Baron?
There is nothing to pay at the park. The Ang Thong National Marine Park entrance fee is already included in the Red Baron price.
Facts checked against our tour pages on 1 November 2026. Prices and days can change: your manager confirms them when you book.
