Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park is an archipelago of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand, roughly 30 km west of Koh Samui. Declared a national park in 1980, it is a landscape of sheer limestone cliffs, sea caves, hidden lagoons and white-sand coves, almost entirely uninhabited.
Nearly everyone visits on a day trip from Samui or Koh Phangan. Itineraries vary by operator, but most combine the park headquarters island, Ko Wua Talap, with the Emerald Lake on Ko Mae Ko, a snorkelling stop and often sea kayaking. It is, for many people, the best day out on a Samui holiday.
Top things to do at Ang Thong National Marine Park
Climb the Ko Wua Talap viewpoint
A steep trail of roughly 500 metres, with ropes to haul on in the upper sections, leads to a platform with the famous panorama over the whole archipelago. It is hot, sweaty and rocky; wear shoes with grip and take water. Not every tour allows enough time to reach the top.
See the Emerald Lake
On Ko Mae Ko, stairs climb to a viewpoint over Thale Nai, a saltwater lagoon ringed by cliffs and fed by the sea through underground channels. Swimming in the lake is not allowed.
Kayak and snorkel
Paddling beneath the overhanging cliffs and through rock arches is the highlight for many visitors. Snorkelling is pleasant rather than spectacular — visibility in the park is often limited — so choose Koh Tao if coral is your priority.
How to get to Ang Thong National Marine Park
- By tour boat: big boats take around 1.5–2 hours each way and are steadier; speedboats take about an hour and cost more. Most depart from Nathon or the north coast with hotel pickup. Compare the options on our best tours page.
- Independently: there is no public ferry; a private charter is the only alternative to a group tour.
Insider tips
- The park normally closes for part of the monsoon season, roughly from the start of November until a few days before Christmas. Dates are set by the park authorities each year — check before you book.
- A national park entrance fee (around 300 baht for foreign adults) is sometimes included in the tour price and sometimes collected on the day. Read the listing.
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, shoes for the viewpoint and a dry bag. Take a seasickness tablet before a speedboat crossing.
Best tours & tickets for Ang Thong National Marine Park
These top-rated experiences are the easiest way to see Ang Thong National Marine Park:
Full-day boat cruise from €33 Koh Samui: Mu Ko Ang Thong Park Cruise with Kayaking Option
The classic, good-value way to see Ang Thong. A big boat is slower than a speedboat but far steadier, with room to move about and shade on deck — a real advantage for families and anyone prone to seasickness. Kayaking is offered as an add-on, so check which option you are booking.
- Full day in Ang Thong National Marine Park on a large, stable boat
- Viewpoint and Emerald Lake stops, with optional kayaking
- The most-reviewed Ang Thong trip in the GetYourGuide feed
Full-day speedboat trip from €61 Samui: Angthong National Marine Park Day Trip by Speedboat
The speedboat version of the Ang Thong day: a quicker crossing and a slightly shorter day than the big boats, at a higher price. Speedboats ride hard when the sea is choppy, so they are not ideal for bad backs, pregnancy or very young children.
- Faster crossing means more time in the park
- Snorkelling, the Emerald Lake and the Ko Wua Talap viewpoint
- Well over a thousand reviews
Full-day boat trip from €59 Koh Samui: Ang Thong Day Tour with Kayak, Snorkel & Lunch
An Ang Thong day with kayaking and snorkelling built into the programme rather than sold as an extra, and very strong reviews. A good middle option between the cheapest big boats and the premium small-group trips.
- Sea kayaking beneath the limestone cliffs
- Snorkelling and beach time
- Lunch included
