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Everything You Need to Know about Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Where is Ang Thong National Marine Park?
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Ang Thong National Marine Park
- What to See and Do in Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Check out Bua Bok Cave in Koh Wua Ta Lap
- Hike to the viewpoint of Koh Wua Ta Lap
- Enjoy various fun water activities
- Head to the Blue Lagoon in Koh Mae Ko
- Laze around the quiet beaches of Koh Sam Sao
- Explore the park’s land area and create an animal checklist
- Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Ang Thong Fresh Coffee
- Phalauy Seafood
- Passa
- Where to Shop in and Near Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Ang Thong Fresh Coffee
- Lamai Fresh Food Market
- Lotus's Koh Samui
- Where to Stay in and Near Ang Thong National Marine Park
- Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park Headquarters
- Escape Beach Resort
- Coral Cliff Beach Resort
- FAQs about Ang Thong National Marine Park
Ang Thong National Marine Park is a backpacker’s paradise that any globetrotting tourist should include on his list. This idyllic wonderland promises stunning landscapes, pristine beaches, and rich underwater ecosystems.
This national park’s cafe and welfare shop, campgrounds, and bungalows also make it appealing to campers and nature-loving tourists. Moreover, its lush and challenging nature trails are a big draw among serious hikers.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is a complete package fans of nature adventures definitely don’t want to miss.
Where is Ang Thong National Marine Park?
Ang Thong National Marine Park is in the Gulf of Thailand. It’s bounded by Surat Thani Province’s mainland, Koh Samui to the east, and Koh Pha Ngan to the northeast.
Things to Know
Location: Ko Samui District, Surat Thani, Thailand
Phone: +66 77 286 025
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Fee: 300 baht (Adults), 150 baht (Kids)
How to Get to Ang Thong National Marine Park
Travel to Ang Thong National Marine Park is limited to licensed boat and kayak operators from Koh Samui, Koh Pha Ngan, and Ko Tao. All tourists must travel to any of these islands to get to the marine park.
Boat Tour: Booking a boat tour from Koh Samui is the best way to get to Ang Thong National Marine Park. There are plenty of tour agencies on the island, so you won’t have trouble finding one.
Just know that boat tour fees typically don’t include your entrance fee to the island, so you still need to pay 300 baht once you arrive at the park’s HQ.
Ferries or speedboats: Another option is to ride the ferries and speedboats departing from Koh Samui to Ang Thong National Marine Park daily. These passenger vehicles only depart once they’re at full capacity, which is between 25 to 50 passengers.
Liveaboard Cruise: If you’re traveling from Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Tao, your only option is to join a liveaboard cruise to Ang Thong National Marine Park via speedboat. You can book them on these islands’ piers or online via a travel agency.
What to See and Do in Ang Thong National Marine Park
Check out Bua Bok Cave in Koh Wua Ta Lap
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Bua Bok Cave is one of the main attractions of Koh Wua Ta Lap in Ang Thong National Marine Park. This cave is known for its unique-looking stalagmites and stalactites, including a rock formation resembling a lotus flower bud.
It also has three openings, so you can still feel the wind while exploring the cave’s chamber. However, keep in mind that climbing the cave is challenging so it’s not ideal for casual travelers, especially those with weak knees.
Proper hiking shoes are also required since you’ll walk and jump over various rocks, making it more suitable for experienced hikers.
Hike to the viewpoint of Koh Wua Ta Lap
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Koh Wua Ta Lap is best known for its Pha Jun Jaras Viewpoint overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. Here, you can also see the other islands of Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, from Koh Mae Ko to Koh Sam Sao, Koh Chang Som, Koh Pae Yat, etc.
However, the hike to this viewpoint is long and challenging, so wear proper hiking attire and bring a lot of water. On the upside, the trail leading to this viewpoint is straightforward, so you won’t get lost unless you purposely stay off track.
You can also find a bulletin board with an illustration of the trail so you can study it or take a photo for reference.
Enjoy various fun water activities
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Going to Ang Thong National Marine Park lets you enjoy various fun water activities, from diving to snorkeling, kayaking, and more.
Watersports gear is also available for rent at the park’s HQ, so you don’t have to bring your own. Some day tours provide snorkeling, diving, fishing, and kayaking gear, so be sure to check before booking one.
The thalassophiles on our team particularly enjoy kayaking in this marine park because it lets you hop between its numerous islands. Best of all, the park’s waters are clear so you can still spot fish and coral reefs from your kayak!
Head to the Blue Lagoon in Koh Mae Ko
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Koh Mae Ko is one of the main islands of Ang Thong National Marine Park. It’s popular among tourists for its awe-inspiring Blue Lagoon, also known as the Emerald Lake.
You can admire this lagoon from a lookout point in Koh Mae Ko which you can only reach after climbing a steep trail. There are stairs on this trail, but you still need proper hiking shoes to get to the summit safely and more efficiently.
It’s also worth noting that the lagoon may appear more bluish or greenish depending on when you visit.
Laze around the quiet beaches of Koh Sam Sao
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Koh Sam Sao is the clear-cut option for a peaceful beach experience in Ang Thong National Marine Park. This island has several beaches, so you can choose one with the least amount of visitors, perfect if you want to laze under the sun in peace.
This island is also great for swimming since the waters along its beaches are shallow. You’ll also find vast coral reef formations around the island, so expect to see plenty of underwater creatures while snorkeling here.
It also has a ranger station so you can set up camp if you plan to stay the night here. Still, you can only rent a tent from the park’s HQ in Koh Wua Ta Lap so be sure to go there before going here.
Explore the park’s land area and create an animal checklist
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Though Ang Thong National Marine Park is rich in marine life, it also has diverse wildlife above water so you can easily make a checklist of the animals you see. Impressively, it has over 80 recorded species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians!
The common animal sightings include long-tailed macaques, wild boars, oriental pied hornbills, and collared kingfishers. You may also spot vulnerable and near-threatened bird species like the great hornbill and streaked shearwater.
Just know that interacting with the animals here is prohibited, so be sure to observe them from a safe distance. Bring your binoculars!
Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Ang Thong National Marine Park
Ang Thong Fresh Coffee
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Address: 38/20 Moo 1, Koh Wua Ta Lap
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for coffee and snacks
Ang Thong Fresh Coffee is a small cafe within the Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park Headquarters, so it’s a convenient place to get snacks and drinks. They only serve wrapped snacks like potato chips, Oreo cookies, instant noodles, and more.
For drinks, your options are coffee, canned sodas, bottled water, and fresh coconut. Unfortunately, they don’t serve alcoholic beverages because there’s been an alcohol ban on all national parks in Thailand since 2021 (drinking age thailand thailand alcohol hours alcohol sales thailand).
Phalauy Seafood
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Address: Koh Phaluai, Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park
Phone: +66 99 357 1061
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for seafood
Phalauy Seafood is a local restaurant in Koh Phaluai. In case you didn’t know, this island is the largest in the Mu Ko Ang Thong island group and it’s divided into two areas: a park-protected area and a fishing village.
This restaurant is in the fishing village, so it’s one of the best places to get seafood while exploring the marine park. Their seafood menu is extensive, so expect dishes like grilled prawns, steamed blue crabs, Thai crab curry, deep-fried fish, and more.
Some Ang Thong National Marine Park boat tours stop by this restaurant for lunch which is a plus.
Passa
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Address: 67, Khwan Beach Resort, 61, Maenam, Ko Samui District
Phone: +66 92 646 8335
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 7:30 a.m. – 11:55 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for international cuisines
Passa is a popular and elegant fine-dining restaurant in Koh Samui, so it’s one of the best food spots near Ang Thong National Marine Park. Its gorgeous rustic interior is adorned with warm-toned lights and beautiful paintings, perfect for romantic dates.
They also specialize in a wide range of international cuisines, so you’ll most likely find a dish you like. This includes premium steaks, Italian-style pizzas, Spanish-style marinated pork ribs, Thai starters, and more.
The foodies on our team particularly like their Italian menu. Our top picks are their pasta dishes which they make using three types of pasta: penne, fettuccine, and spaghetti.
Where to Shop in and Near Ang Thong National Marine Park
Ang Thong Fresh Coffee
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Address: 38/20 Moo 1, Koh Wua Ta Lap
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for beachwear shopping
If you need to shop for beachwear while you’re in Ang Thong National Marine Park, Ang Thong Fresh Coffee has you covered. Aside from serving food and drinks, they also sell beach apparel, from hats to shirts, trunks, bags, and more.
Moreover, they have various beach essentials like sunblock, towels, flip-flops, and more.
Lamai Fresh Food Market
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Address: Koh Samui, Lamai Beach Road 4, Maret Subdistrict
Phone: +66 2 267 0412
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for food shopping
At Lamai Fresh Food Market in Koh Samui, you’ll find numerous stalls selling fresh produce and frozen meat products.
Think vegetables, tropical fruits, fresh seafood, sausages, and more. You can also find stalls selling grilled seafood and meat skewers, perfect if you don’t have time to cook food for your boat trip.
Overall, it’s a great place to shop for food supplies, especially if you plan to bring packed meals to Ang Thong National Marine Park. There are some options in clear plastic containers with rice and veggies, which are nice if you prefer packed meals.
Lotus’s Koh Samui
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Address: 131, 12 Thaweeratpakdee Road, Maret Subdistrict
Phone: +66 77 256 500
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for all-around shopping
Lotus’s Koh Samui is a big hypermarket with everything you’ll need for your Ang Thong National Marine Park trip. For one, it has a supermarket where you can stock up on food, drinks, and household essentials like tissue paper, paper towels, etc.
This place also has a department store, so expect to find shops selling cosmetic products, fashion items, electrical appliances, furniture, and the like. Their wide selection of imported goods is also a plus.
Moreover, this place has banks, ATMs, and money exchangers, so you can come here to allocate cash for your trip as well. There’s also a large food court, so you’re covered for food while shopping.
Where to Stay in and Near Ang Thong National Marine Park
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park Headquarters
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Address: Koh Wua Ta Lap, Koh Samui District
Phone: +66 77 286 025
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for nature lovers
The Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park Headquarters is the perfect accommodation for budget travelers who also want to make the most of their boat trip. Staying here gives you the full experience since you can enjoy the park from morning to night.
Their cheapest option is the rental tents which you can set up in Koh Wua Ta Lap or Koh Sam Sao. They also have pricier wooden bungalows in Koh Wua Ta Lap that can accommodate up to 8 people, so they offer great value for your money.
However, bear in mind that you must book and pay for these bungalows at least two days in advance via the DNP website. Otherwise, your only option will be the rental tents they have on hand.
Escape Beach Resort
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Address: 5, 1, Mae Nam, Koh Samui
Phone: +66 77 425 405
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples and families
If you’re looking for a comfortable place to stay near Ang Thong National Marine Park, the Escape Beach Resort in Koh Samui is an excellent option. They offer modern minimalist rooms with working stations, en-suite bathrooms, minibars, and more.
Or you can get one of their bungalows for added daybeds and a terrace with a direct view of the Gulf of Thailand. They also have a rustic international restaurant serving daily breakfast buffets and a full-service spa specializing in Thai massages.
There’s also an on-site convenience store for some quick shopping. Plus, they have rental kayaks and paddleboards in case you want to enjoy water activities during your stay.
Coral Cliff Beach Resort
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Address: 210 Moo 4, Bo Put Subdistrict, Koh Samui
Phone: +66 77 448 500
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples and families
Coral Cliff Beach Resort is one of the best resorts in Koh Samui, so it’s certainly a solid option if you’re planning a trip to Ang Thong National Marine Park. This place is nestled in a tree-lined bay area, so expect a stunning view of the Thai Gulf.
We also like their sizable rooms with stylish interiors, scenic balconies, and modern amenities. They also have private bungalows and suites with separate living areas, better gulf views, and whirlpool tubs, perfect for vacationing couples and families.
But our favorite is their lagoon-style outdoor pools with sun loungers and unobstructed beachfront views. This resort also has a seafood restaurant, full-service spa, watersports center, and private beach access.
