Ang Thong Marine Park: Best Tours, Lagoons & Viewpoints
Ang Thong National Marine Park sits in the Gulf of Thailand, just northwest of Koh Samui. It’s a protected archipelago of 42 limestone islands spread across 100 square kilometers of ocean, with no resorts in sight.
Cliffs rise straight out of the emerald green water and most of the islands are covered in thick jungle. There are hidden lagoons inside some of the islands, which you can reach either by hiking or kayaking, and smaller beaches appear in sheltered bays. The scenery feels rugged and untouched, but still easy to explore on a guided tour.
Most travelers visit Ang Thong as a day trip from Koh Samui, and that is part of what makes it special. You leave the comfort of Samui behind, move across the open sea, and watch the horizon slowly turn into a jagged skyline of limestone peaks. By the time your boat enters the heart of the archipelago, you really start to appreciate just how big and spectacular the area is.
Day tours usually combine scenic cruising with hiking, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, and periods of slow beach relaxation. Whether you come for photography, adventure, or simply to relax, Ang Thong delivers a day of real variety and natural beauty.
Ang Thong National Marine Park
Ang Thong National Marine Park
Ang Thong National Marine Park
Ang Thong Tours from Koh Samui
Almost every Ang Thong experience is defined by the type of boat tour you choose. The decision affects how comfortable the journey is, how many people you’ll be sharing the day with, and what activities are included once you arrive.
Option 1: Big Boat Tour
A big boat tour is the most popular and budget-friendly way to visit Ang Thong. These are usually large wooden vessels, often two or three stories high, with plenty of open space to move around. Because they travel slowly and carry the largest groups, the journey to the marine park takes longer than other options.
On calm days, this slower pace can actually feel relaxing, giving you time to sit on the top deck, enjoy the breeze, and take in the views. On rough days, that same slow, rolling movement can be tough, especially for anyone prone to seasickness, as the boat rocks side-to-side for long stretches. If you are price-conscious and like the idea of a more social, shared experience (with up to 70 people), a big boat tour is still a good choice.
Big boat tour
Larger groups on the Big Boat Tour
Option 2: Speedboat Tour
Speedboat tours are faster, more stable, and usually carry fewer people, which means you spend significantly less time traveling and more time actually inside the park. Although you still feel bumps in rough water, the movement is shorter and sharper instead of slow and rolling.
The entire day feels more efficient. You arrive at stops earlier, sometimes avoiding crowds, and you cover more ground overall. Speedboats also provide direct beach access in shallow waters, so there’s no need to transfer to smaller longtail boats used by larger vessels to reach the shore. While speedboat tours are more expensive than big boat tours, many travelers feel the upgrade is absolutely worth it.
Book here: Angthong National Marine Park Day Trip by Speedboat
Option 3: Semi-Private Yacht Tour
Semi-private yacht tours are designed for travelers who want to enjoy the journey as much as the destination. These boats typically carry smaller groups (14 - 28) and offer cushioned lounging and dining areas, shaded decks, comfortable seating, and even jacuzzis on some. Unlike speedboat tours, these trips often include freshly prepared buffet meals cooked by an onboard chef.
You glide rather than race across the sea, and the whole day feels smoother and more refined. These tours usually cost almost double the standard speedboat option, but the overall experience feels elevated.
Book here: Ang Thong Park’s Semi-Private Yacht Adventure
Option 4: Private VIP Tour
Private VIP tours are meant for people who want complete control over their Ang Thong experience. These trips suit families, groups of friends, or travelers who want privacy and personalization rather than a preset program. They can accommodate anything from a couple to groups of 16, and the itinerary can be adjusted to match your interests, whether that means more snorkeling, more hiking, longer beach time, or quieter stops.
These private tours also take you to popular locations either before or after other tour boats arrive, ensuring a quieter and more untouched experience. It’s the most expensive way to visit Ang Thong, but in terms of flexibility, comfort, and exclusivity, nothing compares.
Book here: Ang Thong Marine Park VIP Small Group (16 Max)
7 Best Things To Do at Ang Thong
1. Visit Emerald Lake on Koh Mae Ko
Emerald Lake, or Talay Nai, is one of Ang Thong’s most iconic sights. It sits hidden inside Koh Mae Ko, completely enclosed by steep limestone cliffs. To reach it, you climb a short staircase to a viewpoint that overlooks a brilliant emerald lagoon. It feels like a natural amphitheater, sealed away from the rest of the world. Swimming here is not allowed because the lagoon is protected, but simply standing above it and appreciating its beauty is rewarding enough.
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake
Walk up to the Emerald Lake
2. Hike Up to Koh Wua Talap Viewpoint
Wua Talap is home to the famous Koh Wua Talap Viewpoint, also known as Pha Jun Jaras, and it’s one of the highlights of the entire marine park. The 500-meter trail is steep right from the start, with rope-assisted sections that require a bit of strength, and rest stops/platforms every 100 meters or so. The heat and humidity make it feel tougher than it looks, and most people need to stop a few times to catch their breath.
However, the effort genuinely pays off. When you reach the top, you get a sweeping panoramic view of the entire archipelago, with all 42 islands spread out across the water. It’s definitely one of the best viewpoints in southern Thailand.
Koh Wua Talap Viewpoint
Koh Wua Talap Viewpoint
Taking a break on the hike up to Koh Wua Talap Viewpoint
3. Relax on the Beaches of Wua Talap
After the hike, or instead of it if you prefer something more relaxing, Wua Talap has a lovely beach area where you can swim, sunbathe and slow down for a while. The sand is soft, the water is usually calm and clear, and it is the kind of place where simply sitting under a bit of shade and watching boats drift by feels like a rewarding experience. There are basic facilities nearby, which makes it an easy and comfortable place to spend time.
Beaches of Wua Talap
4. Explore Bua Bok Cave on of Wua Talap
For something different, you can also visit Bua Bok Cave on Wua Talap. The path to the cave is fairly straightforward (about 300 meters long), and once inside you’ll find interesting stalactite and stalagmite formations, some of which resemble blooming lotuses. This adventure creates a completely different atmosphere compared to the beaches and viewpoints. It adds a nice bit of variety to the day and is a good choice if you still have some energy left after hiking or swimming.
5. Enjoy the Scenic Cruising Through the Islands
One of the best parts of visiting Ang Thong is the time spent cruising through the islands. You pass cliffs, sheltered bays, narrow channels, and stretches of untouched coastline. It’s enjoyable just to sit back, watch the scenery go by and take plenty of photos.
6. Snorkeling in Ang Thong Marine Park
Most tours include snorkeling stops at places such as Koh Wao or near Koh Sam Sao. The water is typically clear and warm, with coral formations below and tropical fish darting between rocks. While it may not be the absolute best snorkeling in all of Thailand, the combination of underwater life and towering limestone scenery around you makes it incredibly special.
7. Kayaking in Ang Thong Marine Park
Many tours include the option to kayak, which gives you a completely different perspective of Ang Thong. Paddling beneath rock arches, along rugged coastlines, and into quiet hidden corners allows you to feel immersed in the park, rather than simply observing it from the boat.
Kayaking at Ang Thong Marine Park
Ang Thong Marine Park
Visit From Koh Phangan or Koh Tao
Why Koh Phangan is a Great Departure Point
Koh Phangan is actually one of the closest departure points to Ang Thong National Marine Park, which makes the journey shorter and generally more comfortable than traveling from Koh Samui. Tours usually run daily, hotel pickups are common, and you can choose between big boats and speedboats.
Interestingly, though, many travelers still choose to do their Ang Thong tour from Koh Samui and instead use Koh Phangan as a base for trips to nearby Nang Yuan Island. Even so, if you’re already staying on Koh Phangan, it’s one of the most convenient and time-efficient places to join an Ang Thong tour.
Visiting Ang Thong from Koh Tao
Visiting from Koh Tao is a very different experience. Direct one-day tours are far less common and in some seasons are not offered at all. Instead, Koh Tao tends to specialize in multi-day liveaboard-style trips that allow travelers to stay overnight on a boat, explore the park slowly, and experience it without rushing. These trips often include meals, sleeping cabins, and more time in the water.
For travelers in Koh Tao who only want to visit for a single day, the only realistic option is to take a morning ferry to Koh Phangan or Koh Samui and then join a tour from there. However, this requires careful timing and planning to avoid missing connections.
Is Ang Thong Worth Visiting?
Yes, Ang Thong National Marine Park is worth visiting, especially if you go in prepared for a day that is active, occasionally challenging, but ultimately very rewarding.
On our visit, we turned up to the pier and were directed onto a rickety two-story wooden ship. It wasn’t exactly what we had in mind. Then the wind picked up, the waves grew bigger, and the boat started rocking from side to side for more than an hour.
Seasickness spread quickly among the passengers. One poor man clearly enjoyed breakfast a little too much and spent most of the journey very loudly regretting it, to the point where we couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. It wasn’t glamorous, and comfort definitely wasn’t the highlight of this part of the trip.
But every time we looked up from the horizon and focused on what was ahead rather than the movement, our attitude shifted. The islands began appearing one by one, getting closer and clearer, and the rough seas slowly turned into calm bays. Once we reached the park, the day changed completely. We kayaked beside rocky coastlines, marveled at the impressive Emerald Lake, swam in stunning bays, and had lunch surrounded by incredible scenery.
Then came the hike up to Koh Wua Talap Viewpoint. It was steep, sweaty, and tougher than we expected, but the view at the top instantly made the effort worthwhile. Looking out over dozens of islands scattered across the water was one of those rare travel moments that stays with you.
Even the smaller chaotic moments became part of the fun on this trip, like trying to walk across floating platforms rocking in the waves. People laughed, wobbled, helped each other across, and it reminded us that this day isn’t meant to be perfect. It’s meant to be an adventure.
Floating platforms
Longtail boat to the beach
Ang Thong National Marine Park
