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Forty-two limestone islands rise from the Gulf of Thailand, hiding jade-green saltwater lagoons and shallow coral reefs. Kayak through calm channels between the cliffs, or pull yourself up a steep 500-meter rope trail on Ko Wua Ta Lap to look down over the entire archipelago.
Find Guided ToursAng Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 limestone islands in the Gulf of Thailand, located east of Ko Samui. The park covers 102 square kilometers, though only about 18 square kilometers is dry land. Steep karst cliffs rise from water that averages just 10 meters deep. Sediment from the nearby Tapi River often limits visibility. Still, the shallow coral gardens support green and hawksbill sea turtles.
Ko Phaluai marks the highest elevation at 396 meters above sea level. Most of the islands are uninhabited rock formations hiding sinkholes, caves, and inland lakes. On Ko Mae Ko, a 20-minute walk up a set of stairs leads to Thale Nai. It's a jade-green saltwater lake connected to the ocean through underwater caves. Inland, the park supports dusky leaf monkeys, long-tailed macaques, and the endemic Ang Thong Lady's Slipper Orchid.
Thailand established the area as a national park on November 12, 1980. It was one of the country's earliest marine protected areas. In August 2002, the site was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. The Department of National Parks manages the territory. They keep human presence limited to small settlements on Ko Wua Ta Lap and Ko Phaluai, alongside the main visitor headquarters.
The archipelago gained a different kind of global attention in 1996. Author Alex Garland used the islands as the inspiration for his novel 'The Beach'. The book drove international interest in the region, but the film adaptation bypassed Ang Thong entirely — crews shot the famous beach and waterfall scenes at Krabi's Phi Phi Islands and Khao Yai National Park instead.
Discover the full history and cultural significance on our About page.
Haul yourself up a steep, rope-assisted 500-metre trail on Ko Wua Ta Lap. The 400-metre elevation gain takes 25 to 45 minutes of sweaty work. At the top, you look down over dozens of jungle-topped limestone islands scattered across the turquoise gulf. Wear closed-toe shoes with solid grip.
A 20-minute walk up a staircase from the beach on Ko Mae Ko leads to Thale Nai. This jade-green saltwater lake sits enclosed by sheer limestone cliffs. Underwater caves connect the lagoon directly to the sea. The stairs make this a manageable hike for moderately fit older travelers.
Paddle through calm, sheltered channels between the steep limestone formations. Guides adjust the routes based on group ability. It is a gentle way to see the sheer cliffs up close. Double kayaks and child-sized life jackets make this an easy option for families with kids as young as four.
Most visitors leave on speedboats by 5:00 pm. Book a park bungalow or a tent on Ko Wua Ta Lap, and the archipelago goes completely quiet. You get the white-sand beaches to yourself. Watch the sun rise and set over the water without a single day-trip boat in sight.
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Free Cancellation 8h Book your boat tour between January and April for the calmest seas and clearest snorkeling visibility. Avoid November and early December when monsoon weather forces the park to close completely.
March and April offer peak snorkeling visibility and calm water. May shifts into the shoulder season, bringing occasional afternoon showers but thinner crowds on the beaches.
These months provide generally reliable boat crossings and quieter islands. You will encounter occasional afternoon rain showers, but tours usually run as scheduled.
October brings heavy rain and rough seas that frequently cancel tours. The park closes entirely in November due to dangerous monsoon winds and choppy water.
The park stays closed until mid-December to wait out the monsoon. January and February deliver the clearest skies and the most stable conditions for kayaking.
The park opens daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. It shuts down entirely every year from November 1 to December 15 for the monsoon season. Reopening dates depend on the weather, usually landing between December 10 and 20.
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| Foreign adult | 300 Baht |
| Foreign child (ages 3-14) | 150 Baht |
| Thai adult | 40 Baht |
| Thai child | 20 Baht |
| Outboard-engine boat parking | 100 Baht |
| Big slow boat parking | 300 Baht |
Tour operators almost never include the national park entrance fee in their package prices. Bring cash in small Thai Baht denominations to pay the rangers directly when your boat arrives.
For complete schedules and ticket prices, visit our Hours & Fees page.
You cannot reach the park independently or via public ferry. Access requires booking a licensed day tour or private charter departing from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao.
📍 Ko Wua Ta Lap, Surat Thani Province
Most visitors leave from Mae Nam or Nathon Pier on Koh Samui's northern coast. The speedboat covers the 30-kilometer crossing quickly. You get more time on the islands and travel with a smaller group. But the ride gets choppy if the wind picks up. The 300 Baht park entrance fee is usually paid separately in cash.
Large boats leave from Nathon Pier and take about twice as long as the speedboats. The slower crossing provides a much more stable ride. Families, older travelers, and anyone prone to seasickness should book this option. You lose a bit of island time, but you avoid the harsh pounding of the waves. Fares start around 1,200 Baht.
Tours leaving Koh Phangan cross about 35 kilometers of water to reach the archipelago. The transit time is similar to the Samui departures. Packages usually include snorkeling gear, a guide, and lunch. It is a straightforward alternative if you are staying on the island. Just verify whether the operator includes the national park fee in their upfront price.
Hiring a private vessel out of Koh Samui fits groups of up to 40 people. You set the schedule. This flexibility lets you hit the main viewpoints and the Emerald Lagoon before or after the shared tours arrive. It costs significantly more upfront. Split the base rate among a large family to make the price competitive with standard tickets.
For detailed transport options and routes, visit our Directions page.
The climb to the Wua Ta Lap viewpoint gains roughly 400 metres in elevation over a steep, rocky 500-metre trail. You have to use ropes to pull yourself up. Flip-flops are dangerous here. Wear closed-toe sneakers with solid grip.
Tour packages rarely cover the national park entrance fee. You pay this directly to the rangers in cash upon arrival. Handing over the 300 Baht foreign adult fee is easier if you bring exact change. The park has no ATMs.
Do not pack a drone unless you have prior written permission from the Department of National Parks. Rangers enforce this strictly. Flying without authorization risks a 100,000 Baht fine and equipment confiscation. It can even lead to criminal charges.
Speedboats cross from Koh Samui in 45 minutes but hit the waves hard. If you get seasick or travel with young kids, book a big boat tour instead. The journey takes up to two hours. It's slower, but far more stable.
Chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate are discouraged to protect the coral reefs. Pack a mineral-based alternative. Rangers also enforce bans on single-use plastics. Expect to leave disposable water bottles behind on your tour boat.
Most visitors leave by 5:00 pm. Stay overnight in a Ko Wua Ta Lap bungalow to see the islands without boat traffic. The official online reservation system goes down frequently. Have a Thai speaker call the park office directly at 077 286 588.
Known for the Haad Rin Full Moon Party, this island also hides quiet northern beaches and jungle waterfalls. It works well as an alternative departure point for your park tour.
Water clarity here beats Ang Thong for offshore scuba diving. It's a major hub for PADI certifications. Add this stop if you want to explore the deeper Gulf of Thailand.
This two-tier cascade sits inland on Koh Samui. You can swim in the natural pool beneath the first tier, then hike a short jungle trail to the taller second drop.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Ang Thong National Marine Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Planning advice, comparisons, and practical tips.
Ang Thong delivers more per square mile than almost any day trip in the Gulf of Thailand. You leave Koh Samui in the morning, and by lunch you have…
Kayaking is the point of Ang Thong. Forty-two limestone islands stand in the Gulf of Thailand about 30 km northwest of Koh Samui, and the best of…
Forty-two jungle-topped limestone islands rise from the Gulf of Thailand, 28-30 km northwest of Koh Samui, and almost every visitor arrives on an…
Foreign adults pay 300 Baht and children aged 3 to 14 pay 150 Baht. You hand this directly to the rangers in cash when you arrive. Tour operators almost never include this fee in their package prices.
No public ferries run to the park and independent access is not allowed. You have to book a day trip with a licensed tour operator or charter a private boat. Most leave from Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao.
Speedboats cover the 28 to 30 kilometers in 45 to 60 minutes. If you book a big boat tour, the crossing takes 90 to 120 minutes. Pick the big boat if you get seasick easily.
The park shuts down completely from November 1 to mid-December because of monsoon weather and rough seas. Reopening dates depend on the conditions, usually falling between December 10 and 20. Book between January and April for the calmest water.
Wheelchairs cannot access the islands because of the tender boat transfers and rocky terrain. Older visitors can comfortably manage the boat cruise, beach time, and kayaking. Just skip the steep 500-meter climb to the Wua Ta Lap viewpoint.
Pack closed-toe shoes or sneakers with heavy grip. The main trails to the viewpoints use ropes for support over jagged limestone rocks. Flip-flops are genuinely dangerous on these paths.
Only if you get written permission from the Thai Department of National Parks before your trip. Flying without a permit carries fines up to 100,000 Baht and possible confiscation of your equipment. Rangers enforce this rule strictly.
You can book a basic park bungalow or rent a tent for 450 Baht a night on Ko Wua Ta Lap. Since the government reservation website frequently crashes, you will likely need to call the park directly at 077 286 588 to secure a spot. Day-trippers leave before 5:00 pm, letting you watch the sunset over the archipelago without boat traffic.
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