Ang Thong Marine Park Tours from Koh Samui — The Ultimate Guide

Everything you need to plan the perfect day trip to Mu Ko Ang Thong — boat types, fees, the best time to go, top islands, itineraries, prices and the latest 2026 park rules. Updated July 2026.

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What Is Ang Thong National Marine Park?

Mu Ko Ang Thong — "the Golden Bowl" — is a protected archipelago of 42 limestone-karst islands scattered across roughly 102 km² of the Gulf of Thailand, about 30 km northwest of Koh Samui. Declared Thailand's 21st national park in 1980 and a Ramsar wetland of international importance in 2002, it's famous for its sheer emerald cliffs, hidden inland lagoons and one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the country.

There are no public ferries to the park. The only way in is on a licensed tour boat, and Koh Samui is the main departure hub — with the widest choice of operators, the best pricing and daily departures. This guide walks you through every decision, from choosing a boat to packing the right sunscreen.

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The One-Line Version

Book a full-day speedboat or big-boat tour from Koh Samui, aim for February–April for the calmest seas, budget an extra 300 THB for the park fee, and pack reef-safe sunscreen. The rest is detail — and it's all below.

Ang Thong National Marine Park limestone islands aerial view from Koh Samui day tour
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42 Islands

Limestone karsts across ~102 km²

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~30 km

Northwest of Koh Samui

Getting There: Speedboat vs Big Boat

Most tours leave from Nathon Pier (west coast) or Bangrak Pier (northeast). Your first real decision is the boat.

🚤 Speedboat🚢 Big Boat / Catamaran
Transit each way~45 min – 1 hr~1.5 – 2 hrs
Ride comfortFast but bumpy in swellStable and roomy
Seasickness riskHigherLower
Best forActive travellers, more island stopsFamilies, first-timers, older relatives
Typical group size12–50 (VIP versions cap ~12–20)40–100
Departure~09:00–09:30~08:30–09:00
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Nearly All Tours Include Hotel Pickup

Round-trip air-conditioned minivan transfers are standard, with morning pickups around 07:00–08:30 and drop-offs by 17:00–18:30. Remote hillside areas may carry a small surcharge. For a full breakdown of pier locations and pickup zones, see our getting there guide.

Best Time to Visit

The park closes every year from 1 November to 15 December for the monsoon. Plan around it.

Best

Feb – Apr

Calmest seas and the clearest water of the year — but the most crowded and priciest. Book 2–3 days ahead.

Good

May – Oct

Greener landscapes, fewer crowds, lower prices. Occasional rain, but tours run most days, weather permitting.

Closed

1 Nov – 15 Dec

Annual closure for ecological recovery. Reopening is weather-dependent, typically around 10–20 December.

Operators typically cancel when waves top ~1.2 m or winds cross ~25 knots — always choose a tour with free cancellation.

National Park Entrance Fees

Ang Thong is a "special-fee" park, so foreigner rates sit above the standard tier. The fee is almost always excluded from the tour price and collected in cash on the day — usually at the Nathon Pier counter or the ranger checkpoint on Koh Mae Ko.

VisitorFee
Foreign adult300 THB
Foreign child (3–14, or ≤140 cm)150 THB
Thai adult40 THB
Thai child20 THB
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Bring Cash — There Are No ATMs

Carry Thai baht for the entrance fee, drinks, tips and optional kayak rental (~500 THB/day if not included). Card payment isn't available in the park.

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Staying Overnight?

Park-run bungalows on Koh Wua Talap run 600–1,500 THB/night and camping is ~80 THB/person. The DNP online booking system has had prolonged outages into 2026, so arrange overnight stays by phone or through an operator.

Top Islands & Highlights

A standard full-day tour hits three or four of these.

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Koh Wua Talap

Park HQ and home to the headline Pha Jun Jaras viewpoint — a steep ~500 m climb (~430 steps) to a sweeping panorama over dozens of islands. Also has a beach and Bua Bok Cave.

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Koh Mae Ko

The famous Emerald Lake (Talay Nai) — a saltwater lagoon hidden inside the island, admired from a short but steep viewpoint. Swimming in it is prohibited to protect the ecosystem.

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Koh Sam Sao

Beaches, coral, hiking trails and a dramatic natural stone arch — a popular kayaking spot.

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Koh Wao & Koh Tai Plao

The primary snorkelling stops, with clearer water, shallow reef good for beginners, and caves explorable by kayak.

A Typical Full-Day Itinerary

Door-to-door, a full day runs about 7.5–9 hours, with roughly 5–6 hours in the park. Here's a representative big-boat schedule.

1

07:00–08:00 — Hotel Pickup

Minivan transfer to Nathon or Bangrak Pier, check-in and a light breakfast.

2

~10:00 — First Snorkel Stop

Arrive in the park; snorkelling at Koh Wao or near Koh Wua Talap.

3

Late Morning — Kayak & Lagoon

Kayaking around the limestone cliffs, then the Emerald Lake viewpoint on Koh Mae Ko.

4

~12:30 — Thai Buffet Lunch

Served on board or on a beach at Koh Wua Talap.

5

Afternoon — Viewpoint Hike

The Pha Jun Jaras climb and/or beach time before the ~15:00 departure and drop-off by 17:00–18:00.

Kayaking past limestone cliffs on an Ang Thong Marine Park day tour from Koh Samui
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Speedboat = More Park Time

Speedboats don't shorten the day — they trade transit time for longer stops. Do the viewpoint hike early, before the midday heat.

Choosing Your Tour — With Live Availability

From value big-boat cruises to semi-private yachts, here are three strong Koh Samui departures for the three most popular styles. Prices and dates update in real time.

🚢 Big Boat — Best for Families & First-Timers

The most-reviewed Ang Thong trip of all: a stable, roomy cruise with an optional kayaking add-on that unlocks the exclusive Tum Rang Island cave route. The gentlest choice if anyone in your group is prone to seasickness.

Pоwered by GetYourGuide

🚤 Speedboat — Best for Active Travellers

Faster crossings mean more time at the islands. This highly rated speedboat day trip packs in snorkelling, kayaking, the Emerald Lake and the viewpoint hike, and reaches spots big boats can't.

Pоwered by GetYourGuide

⚓ Semi-Private Yacht — Best for Couples & Small Groups

A small-group yacht adventure with a capped guest list — the way to beat the crowds at the viewpoint and lagoon. Often little more per head than a "VIP" speedboat seat, and a favourite for couples and photographers.

Pоwered by GetYourGuide

See all Koh Samui pickup zones & picks →

What Tours Cost from Koh Samui

Indicative 2026 ranges. The park entrance fee is extra unless stated.

Tour typeTypical price (per adult)Best for
Big-boat / ferry day tour~1,200–2,000 THBValue, families, comfort
Speedboat day tour~1,790–4,400 THBActive travellers, more stops
Premium catamaranfrom ~US$96Comfort with sun decks
Semi-private yachtfrom ~US$126Couples, small groups
Private speedboat charterfrom ~18,000 THB / groupFull itinerary control

What to Bring & Park Rules

  • Sturdy trainers or sport sandals for the viewpoint hike — not flip-flops
  • Reef-safe / mineral sunscreen (see the 2026 rule, right)
  • Swimwear, towel, change of clothes and a dry bag for valuables
  • Cash in Thai baht for the entrance fee, drinks and tips
  • Seasickness tablets, taken before boarding if you're prone
  • Reusable water bottle, camera and mosquito repellent

    • On the water: no touching or standing on coral, carry out all rubbish, stay on marked trails, life jackets are mandatory for kayaking, no swimming in the Emerald Lake, and no alcohol in the park. For the full checklist, see our packing guide.

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    2026 Update: Reef-Safe Sunscreen Enforced

    Since 16 October 2025, Thailand's marine parks actively enforce a ban on sunscreens containing oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and butylparaben — with fines up to 100,000 THB. Bring clearly labelled mineral (zinc-oxide) sunscreen and leave chemical formulas behind.

    Common Question

    No — in most cases the entrance fee is not included. Nearly all Koh Samui operators exclude the fee (300 THB for foreign adults, 150 THB for children) and collect it in cash on the day, either at the Nathon Pier check-in or the ranger station on Koh Mae Ko. Bring Thai baht, as there are no ATMs in the park, and confirm at booking whether the fee is included.

    Other Experiences You Might Enjoy

    Turning your Koh Samui trip into a proper island-hopping week? A few ideas worth adding to the itinerary.

    Beyond the Ang Thong Marine Park day trip, the Gulf of Thailand rewards a little exploring. From Koh Samui you can dive or snorkel the crystal reefs of Koh Tao and the three-way sandbar at Koh Nang Yuan, take a direct Ang Thong tour from Koh Phangan, book a private yacht charter around the archipelago, or chase the Emerald Lake and Pha Jun Jaras viewpoint on a small-group speedboat. Snorkelling trips, sea-kayaking adventures and sunset cruises all run daily in season — browse live options below.

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