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Explore the 42 limestone islands of the Ang Thong archipelago on a full-day snorkeling tour. Travel by speedboat or big boat from Koh Samui or Koh Phangan to swim in clear waters, kayak along the coast, and hike to the stunning Wua Ta Lap viewpoint.
Free Cancellation Visit the 42 islands of Angthong by speedboat to hike the Wua Ta Lap viewpoint and see the Emerald Lake.
Free Cancellation Explore Ang Thong National Marine Park's 42 islands by speedboat to snorkel, kayak, and see the Emerald Lake.
Free Cancellation This speedboat trip covers Angthong's 42 islands for kayaking and the Emerald Green Lagoon viewpoint.
Free Cancellation Speedboat tour from Koh Phangan to 42 islands for kayaking, snorkeling, the emerald lagoon, and a Thai buffet lunch.
Free Cancellation See the 42 islands of Angthong National Marine Park from the Wua Ta Lap viewpoint and visit the Blue Lagoon.
Free Cancellation Cruise Ang Thong’s 42 islands from Koh Samui for snorkeling, kayaking, sea caves, and the Emerald Lagoon hike.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Ang Thong National Marine Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Ang Thong National Marine Park comprises 42 limestone islands in the Gulf of Thailand. Day tours from Koh Samui and Koh Phangan drop visitors here to snorkel shallow reefs and kayak through karst channels. You can also hike steep trails to high viewpoints.
A steep 500-meter climb up the main island's ridge. The 45-minute hike uses ropes and gains 400 meters in elevation, ending at a vista overlooking the entire archipelago.
Thale Nai is a saltwater lake on Ko Mae Ko connected to the sea by underwater caves. You reach the jade-green water via a 20-minute walk up a series of wooden stairs.
Boats drop anchor near the northern islands where the water averages 10 meters deep. Snorkelers often spot green sea turtles and yellow-spotted trevally.
Paddle through calm channels between the limestone islands. Double kayaks are stable enough for beginners and children as young as five.
A one-kilometer walk from the park headquarters leads to this limestone cavern. Inside, stalagmites and stalactites form lotus-shaped flowstone structures.
Access to the park requires booking a licensed tour or private charter. There are no public ferries, and independent travel is impossible.
Speedboats cross the 30-kilometer stretch from Koh Samui in 45 minutes, maximizing park time. Big boats take up to two hours but offer a much more stable ride for those prone to seasickness.
Tour prices almost never include the national park entrance fee. You pay 300 Baht per foreign adult and 150 Baht per child in cash directly to rangers upon arrival.
The park shuts down completely from November 1 to mid-December due to monsoon weather. Tours will cancel or reschedule if you book during this window.
Anyone can handle the boat ride and beach swimming, but the main viewpoint hike is a grueling 400-meter vertical scramble. Skip it if you have bad knees or young kids.
Flying a drone requires written permission from the Department of National Parks obtained weeks in advance. Rangers strictly enforce this rule with fines up to 100,000 Baht.
Most trips leave from Koh Samui's northern piers, like Mae Nam or Nathon. Operators also run boats from Koh Phangan and Koh Tao.
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| Speedboat Tour | Big Boat Tour | Private Charter | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | Speedboat | Large wooden boat | Private speedboat |
| Travel Time (from Samui) | 45-60 minutes | 90-120 minutes | 45-60 minutes |
| Best For | Maximizing island time | Families and prone to seasickness | Custom itineraries away from crowds |
| Starting Price | ~$60 | ~$38 | ~$950 per boat |
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Ang Thong National Marine Park is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The park closes entirely every year from November 1 to roughly December 15 due to monsoon conditions. Exact reopening dates depend on the weather.
The single restaurant near the visitor center on Ko Wua Ta Lap operates from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and again from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm for overnight guests.
You cannot take a public ferry to Ang Thong. Access requires booking a licensed day tour or a private charter.
Most tour operators include hotel pickup in their rates, though remote properties on hillsides may require meeting at a designated point on the main road.
January to April offers the calmest seas and clearest visibility for snorkeling. This is the peak season for tours.
May to September is a reliable shoulder season. You will encounter fewer crowds, though occasional afternoon showers happen.
Avoid October, November, and early December. October brings rough sea conditions and frequent tour cancellations. The park then closes completely from November 1 to mid-December.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is not wheelchair accessible. Visitors must transfer from large boats to smaller longtail tender boats to reach the islands, often wading through knee-deep water onto the beaches.
Elderly visitors and young children can easily manage the boat cruise, beach swimming, and kayaking. Double kayaks are stable and operators provide child-sized life jackets.
The Wua Ta Lap viewpoint hike is a steep, rocky 500-meter trail requiring rope assistance. It is unsuitable for young children or anyone with mobility limitations. The shorter 20-minute walk to the Emerald Lagoon uses wooden stairs and is manageable for moderately fit seniors.
The park headquarters sits on Ko Wua Ta Lap. Facilities are basic. There is one restaurant, a small visitor center, and public restrooms.
Overnight stays are possible. The Department of National Parks rents basic bungalows starting at 600 Baht per night for a two-person unit. Camping costs 80 Baht per person, with tent rentals available for 450 Baht.
There are no ATMs anywhere in the archipelago. Bring enough cash in small denominations to cover the entrance fee and any extra snacks.
No. Access is restricted to licensed tour operators and private charters. There are no public ferries to the islands.
The fee is 300 Baht for foreign adults and 150 Baht for foreign children aged 3-14. You pay this in cash, and it is rarely included in the base tour price.
No. Ang Thong closes entirely from November 1 to mid-December every year due to monsoon weather and rough seas.
A speedboat takes 45 to 60 minutes. A big wooden boat takes 90 to 120 minutes to cover the 30-kilometer distance.
The main Wua Ta Lap viewpoint hike is not recommended for young children. It is a steep, rocky 500-meter scramble that requires pulling yourself up with ropes.
The park inspired Alex Garland's novel, but the movie was not filmed here. The famous beach scenes were shot in the Phi Phi Islands, and the waterfall jump was filmed in Khao Yai National Park.
You cannot fly a drone without prior written permission from the Department of National Parks. Rangers enforce this strictly, and unauthorized flights carry heavy fines.
There is one restaurant near the park headquarters on Ko Wua Ta Lap. However, almost all day tours include a buffet lunch served either on the boat or at a designated beach.
Yes. You can rent a basic park bungalow or a tent on Ko Wua Ta Lap. You book these through the Department of National Parks website, though the system frequently goes offline.
Book a speedboat if you want to maximize your time on the islands. Book a big boat if you are prone to seasickness, as it handles the choppy Gulf waters much better.
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This speedboat trip leaves Koh Samui for the 42 uninhabited islands of the Angthong archipelago. Wua Ta Lap is the main stop. A 500-meter trail leads up the ridge to a viewpoint overlooking the limestone karst. It's a sharp, humid climb. Wear shoes with grip. The beach at the base has white sand and shallow water if you'd rather skip the hike. Kayaking routes wind through limestone arches and sea caves along the island coastlines. Afterward, wooden stairs lead to Talay Nai, a saltwater lake inside an island crater. The water stays a bright emerald green. You can't swim in the lagoon, so you'll head to a nearby reef for snorkeling. Lunch is a Thai buffet served on the islands. Speedboats cut the travel time from Samui to about 45 minutes, though the ride gets jarring in a high swell. A van picks you up from your hotel in the morning. Don't forget cash for the national park entry fee—it's 300 THB for adults. If the weather turns, the lagoon stairs get slippery, so watch your footing.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Speedboats reach the 42 islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park in 45 minutes. You'll head straight to Koh Wao or Koh Tay Plow to snorkel. The water is clear enough to spot the reef from the deck. It's a busy spot. If you're prone to seasickness, take a pill before boarding as the Gulf gets choppy. A steep climb on Koh Mae Ko leads to a viewpoint overlooking Talay Nai, a saltwater lagoon encased by limestone. It's linked to the outer sea through submerged caves. Lunch is a Thai buffet served on the beach. Most people spend the hour afterward sitting on the sand or swimming. You can spend the afternoon kayaking around the rock formations and sea caves near the main islands. There's also a trail climbing to the park's highest peak for a view of the entire archipelago. The path is mostly wooden stairs and gets slippery. Wear shoes with grip, not flip-flops, for this hike.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Angthong National Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 limestone islands reachable by a 45-minute speedboat ride from Koh Samui. The primary stop is Talay Nai, a saltwater lake inside a collapsed cavern known as the Emerald Green Lagoon. To see it, you'll need to climb a series of steep, wooden stairs to the highest viewpoint. It's a sweaty 20-minute scramble. The view from the top shows the green water reflecting the surrounding walls. Wear sneakers; flip-flops often snap on the vertical steps. Kayaking routes follow the base of the cliffs and pass through low-hanging limestone arches. You'll snorkel directly from the boat's ladder into the reef areas. Speedboats are the better choice over slow ferries—which are a slog—because they cut two hours off the transit time. The sand at the main islands is white and fine. But it gets crowded once the big ferries arrive at noon. If the wind picks up, the ride becomes a jarring, bone-shaking ordeal. That's the one to book if you're short on time. The park closes every year from November through December when the monsoon makes the crossing dangerous. Even in high season, rain can shut down the kayaking routes on short notice. If the water looks murky at the pier, the snorkeling will be poor. Skip the trip and wait for a clearer day. Aim for an 8:00 AM departure to reach the lagoon before the larger tour groups arrive.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
Speedboats reach the Angthong archipelago from Koh Phangan in 45 minutes. These limestone cliffs rise straight out of the Gulf of Thailand, topped with thick jungle. You'll spend the morning at the main viewpoint. It's a steep climb up wooden stairs, but you see the whole archipelago from the top. Wear shoes with grip. Flip-flops are a mistake on these wet limestone steps. Kayaks are available to paddle around the rock formations and into small sea caves. At the island of Mae Koh, a path leads to Talay Nai, a saltwater lake inside a crater. The water is bright green. You can't swim in the lagoon itself, but the nearby beach has shallow coral gardens for snorkeling. If the sea is choppy, the speedboat ride gets bouncy—sit at the back to save your spine. Lunch is a Thai buffet served on the beach, typically with massaman curry and stir-fried vegetables. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off across Koh Phangan. Most boats depart at 9:00 AM. Bring 300 THB in cash for the national park fee. You'll pay this at the pier.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
The Wua Ta Lap viewpoint looks out over the 42 islands of the Angthong National Marine Park. It's a steep climb. The view of the limestone peaks and jungle is the highest in the park. Down at sea level, the island has a white-sand beach for swimming. Lotus Cave contains limestone stalactites and stalagmites. Wear sturdy shoes for the viewpoint trail; flip-flops slip on the rocks. A wooden staircase leads to the emerald-green water of Talay Nai, also known as the Blue Lagoon. You can't swim in it, but the surrounding coves have spots for snorkeling and sunbathing. Lunch is a Thai buffet on the boat. It follows a light breakfast served right after you leave. The boat ride gets choppy during the monsoon season from November to January. Go in March for the calmest water.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English
This full-day big boat tour visits the 42 islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park from Koh Samui. The first stop is Ko Wua Ta Lap, where you can snorkel in the shallows or walk to Bua Bok Cave to see the stalactites and stalagmites. The 500-meter climb to Pha Chan Charat Viewpoint is the hardest part of the day. It’s a steep, humid trek—pack shoes with grip instead of flip-flops. Lunch is a Thai buffet served on the boat while traveling to Ko Mae Ko. Once there, you'll kayak along the limestone cliffs and enter sea caves when the tide permits. A separate path with wooden stairs leads to Talay Nai, a saltwater lake surrounded by sheer cliffs. The price covers hotel transfers and all gear. If it’s windy, the big boat is more stable than a speedboat.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Thai, English