Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park is Thailand's second largest marine national park. Located about 20 kilometers west of Koh Samui, it comprises 42 islands and is considered one of the country's most beautiful national parks. Boat tours typically take you to Koh Wua Ta Lap, whose summit, after a strenuous 500-meter climb, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the park. The tour then continues to Koh Mae Koh, home to the Talay Nai lagoon, accessible via a short flight of stairs. Another recommended destination is Koh Paluay, where you can relax, have lunch, and go kayaking. Other important islands within Ang Thong National Park include Koh Wua Chio, Koh Samsao, Koh Phai Luak, Koh Ka, Koh Hin Dap, and Koh Wua Kantang. Boat tours in Ang Thong National Park often include snorkeling, as the park boasts stunning coral reefs. The national park ranger office is located on Koh Wua Ta Lub, right behind a beautiful white sand beach with turquoise waters. Sometimes you can spot a few langurs at the far right end of the beach, where a path begins leading to Tham Bua Bok cave with its flowering, lotus-shaped stalagmites and stalactites. Koh Hin Dub boasts the longest and most spectacular beach in the national park. I highly recommend this tour, which includes a visit to Ang Thong Marine Park (I've done it myself).

Entrance fee for foreigners: 300 THB per adult and 150 THB per child. Please note that Ang Thong Marine Park is closed to visitors every year from November 1st to December 15th. The weather on Koh Samui is generally not very favorable during this period anyway.

The Ang Thong National Maritime Park is best explored by boat tour, which you can book through an agency. Tours are usually conducted on speedboats or sometimes on junks. Prices vary depending on the operator; the cheapest tours include boats for up to 40 people. To avoid the biggest crowds, it's advisable to choose agencies with very early departures. I chose Samui Insolite, which you can contact through their website to arrange this tour. Of course, there are other agencies as well. Another option is the wooden ferries that connect the three main islands. You can either take a day trip, traveling from one island to another and back to Samui, or stay overnight on Koh Wua Ta Lap and rent a bungalow (around 1,000 to 1,500 THB) or a tent (250 THB). Reservations are recommended through the Thai National Parks website, which unfortunately isn't very user-friendly and requires a bank transfer. Again, an agency can handle the booking for you. You can also bring your own tent, otherwise you can rent everything you need for camping at the visitor centre.

How to get there

How do you get to Ang Thong National Marine Park? The best way to explore Ang Thong National Marine Park is by boat tour booked through an agency. Tours usually operate on speedboats or sometimes junks. Prices vary depending on the provider; the cheapest tours include boats for up to 40 people. To avoid the biggest crowds, it's advisable to choose agencies with very early departures. I chose Samui Insolite, which you can contact through their website to arrange this tour. Of course, there are other agencies as well. Another option is to take the wooden ferries that connect the three main islands. You can either take a day trip, traveling from one island to another and back to Samui, or stay overnight on Koh Wua Ta Lap and rent a bungalow (around 1,000 to 1,500 THB) or a tent (250 THB). Reservations are recommended through the Thai National Parks website. Unfortunately, it's not very user-friendly and requires a bank transfer. An agency can gladly handle the booking for you. You can also bring your own tent; otherwise, you can rent everything you need for camping at the visitor center.