National park · Thailand
Ang Thong National Marine Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะอ่างทอง
Do Ang Thong as one day trip from Ko Samui or Ko Pha Ngan: pay the park fee on top of a 2,200 baht tour, climb to the Wua Talap viewpoint early, and skip the Emerald Lake stairs if your knees are done.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
250 km²97 sq mi
approximate
Established
1980
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
At a glance
- Country
- Thailand
- Area
- 250 km²97 sq mi
- About 250 km² of park in total, of which roughly 50 km² is the limestone islands themselves; figures vary by source (check).
- Established
- 1980
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
Ang Thong National Marine Park is a 42-island limestone archipelago in the Gulf of Thailand, northwest of Ko Samui and reached by licensed boat only. Almost all of it is uninhabited: the only base is the park headquarters on Ko Wua Talap, with a visitor centre, restaurant, bungalows and camping ground. Two short climbs define a visit — the rope-and-ladder trail to the Wua Talap viewpoint, and the staircase to Thale Nai, the emerald saltwater lake on Ko Mae Ko. Most visitors see the park on a day tour from Ko Samui or Ko Pha Ngan, which puts everyone at the visitor centre between about 10:00 and 16:00. Staying overnight, or arriving on the first boat, is the difference between a crowded stop and an empty archipelago.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1980.
Size and age
250 km²97 sq mi · national park since 1980
About 250 km² of park in total, of which roughly 50 km² is the limestone islands themselves; figures vary by source (check).
Why go
- Limestone islands rising straight out of the Gulf, with lagoons, caves and beaches you reach only by boat.
- The Wua Talap viewpoint is one of the best short climbs in Thailand: 430 m of rock and rope to a full-archipelago panorama.
- Thale Nai, the emerald saltwater lake on Ko Mae Ko, sits inside a collapsed limestone bowl linked to the sea by a tunnel.
- Snorkelling over shallow coral gardens on the same day, with no resort development on any island except the park base.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, clear, calm crossings
- FebDry; light wind
- MarHot and clear; best snorkelling visibility
- AprHot; occasional squalls
- MaySouthwest monsoon usually starts; rougher boat rides (check)
- JunRain and choppy sea (check)
- JulWet; some tours cancelled (check)
- AugWet; check sea warnings (check)
- SepOften the wettest and roughest month; check forecasts (check)
- OctRain easing late in the month (check)
- NovTransitional; mixed weather (check)
- DecDry season returns; calm sea
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reef fish, giant clams and shallow coralDec–Apr · Clearest water in the dry season. | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| Brahminy kites, hornbills and other birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Dusky langurs and crab-eating macaquesAll year · Do not feed them; keep bags closed on the beaches. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Green and hawksbill turtlesAll year · Rare sightings; nesting is not guaranteed on these islands. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Ko Samui
Licensed tour boat or speedboat from the north coast piers; slow boats carry 40–50 people, speedboats fewer and reach the islands faster.
1–2 h (check)
Open the page →
From Ko Pha Ngan
Speedboat day tours with hotel pick-up; the crossing time is not confirmed (check).
check
From Ko Tao
Liveaboard and dive cruises that include Ang Thong on the route; crossing time not confirmed (check).
check
Open the page →
From Central Gulf Coast
Ferries and flights to Samui first, then a day tour or an overnight in the park.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ko Wua Talap | Park headquarters, visitor centre, restaurant, bungalows, camping ground and the viewpoint trail. | Open with a park ticket; busiest 10:00–16:00.Open with a park ticket; busiest 10:00 AM–4:00 PM. |
| Ko Mae Ko | Thale Nai, the emerald lake inside the island, reached by a staircase through the rock. | Open with a park ticket; the climb is steep and often crowded midday. |
| Ko Sam Sao | Tripod Island, with a wide reef and shallow snorkelling. | Open; reached by tour boat or kayak. |
| Ko Paluay | The one inhabited island, a small fishing community. | Respect private homes; no resort facilities. |
| Outer islands and coves | Deserted beaches, caves and rock formations across the archipelago. | By private or chartered boat only. |
Sketch map
- 1Ko Wua Talap (park headquarters) · Headquarters≈9.617, 99.667Map ↗
- 2Wua Talap viewpoint · Viewpoint≈9.618, 99.668Map ↗
- 3Ko Mae Ko (Thale Nai lake) · Trail≈9.635, 99.670Map ↗
- 4Ko Sam Sao (Tripod Island) · Beach≈9.650, 99.680Map ↗
- 5Ko Paluay · Village≈9.600, 99.690Map ↗
- 6Ko Samui (north coast piers) · Town≈9.570, 99.940Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entrance (Thai adult) | THB 40 | person | 2026 estimate; check the current rate — two-tier pricing applies at most Thai national parks, and the fee is usually collected by the tour operator and added to the tour price. |
| Park entrance (foreign adult) | THB 300 | person | 2026 estimate; check the current rate before you travel. Operators normally collect it on the boat or at the pier. |
| Park entrance (foreign child) | THB 150 | person | 2026 estimate; check the child rate and age cut-off. |
| Day tour from Ko Pha Ngan | THB 2,200–2,500 (≈ US$70–80) | person | Speedboat, hotel pick-up, light breakfast, snorkelling stops, lunch and kayaking; the park fee is often extra. Samui operators quote similar prices (check). |
| Private speedboat charter | THB 12,000–18,000 (≈ US$400–600) | boat | Up to about 10 people; depart and return on your own schedule. One Ko Pha Ngan agency quoted 15,000 baht for 10 (check). |
| Kayak rental at the visitor centre | THB 200–300 | person | Per hour on Ko Wua Talap; some tours include it (check). |
| Park bungalow on Ko Wua Talap | THB 500–1,500 | night | Basic fan rooms; no hot water; power off around 23:00. A two-bedroom cottage was quoted at 500 baht (check). |
| Tent rental (2 people) | THB 250–400 | night | At the Ko Wua Talap camping ground; you can also bring your own tent (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Overnight stay on Ko Wua Talap permit or guide
Private boat entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Park fee
- Every visitor pays the entrance fee, including those on tours; ask whether it is already in your tour price.
- Licensed boats only
- Access is controlled; use a licensed carrier based on Samui, Ko Pha Ngan or Ko Tao.
- No collecting
- Coral, shells, rocks and plants must stay in place; fines apply.
- Litter
- Carry out everything you bring; there is no waste collection on the outer islands.
- Drones
- Not allowed without permission from the national park (check).check
- Wildlife
- Do not feed monkeys or langurs, and do not touch coral when snorkelling.
Where to stay
In the park
Park bungalows and tents, Ko Wua Talap
Basic fan rooms and rental tents at headquarters; book ahead through the national park office.
Near the park
Ko Samui
The main base for day tours, from hostels to resorts, 1–2 h by boat.
Near the park
Ko Pha Ngan
Quieter base with speedboat day tours and liveaboards.
Safety
Steep, exposed climb to the Wua Talap viewpoint high
Boat crossings in monsoon months medium
Sun and dehydration medium
Cuts and scrapes on limestone low
Accessibility
- Boat transfers to the beaches involve stepping from a speedboat or longtail onto sand or a low pier; some fitness is needed.
- The Wua Talap viewpoint and the Thale Nai lake stairs are steep and not suitable for limited mobility.
- The visitor centre, restaurant and camping ground on Ko Wua Talap are on flat ground close to the beach.
Visiting lightly
- Do not book tours that feed monkeys or promise close wildlife encounters.
- Use reef-safe sunscreen and wear a shirt instead of reapplying sunscreen before snorkelling.
- Take your rubbish back to Samui or Ko Pha Ngan; the park has no waste service on the outer islands.
- Stay overnight on Ko Wua Talap if you can: it spreads visitor pressure beyond the 10:00–16:00 tour peak.Stay overnight on Ko Wua Talap if you can: it spreads visitor pressure beyond the 10:00 AM–4:00 PM tour peak.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ang Thong National Marine Park?
The park entrance fee is about 300 baht for foreign adults and 40 baht for Thai adults (2026 estimate; check the current rate), usually collected by your tour operator. A day tour from Ko Pha Ngan costs about 2,200 baht per person and often excludes the park fee, so confirm what is included before booking.
What are the best hikes in Ang Thong National Marine Park?
Two short climbs matter. The Wua Talap viewpoint trail from park headquarters is the harder one: a steep limestone path with ropes and ladders, about 25–30 minutes up (check). The Thale Nai emerald lake on Ko Mae Ko is a staircase climb of 45–60 minutes return, with a steep final descent. Both are best done early, before the tour boats arrive.
When is the best time to visit Ang Thong National Marine Park?
December to March is the dry, calm window with the clearest water for snorkelling. The southwest monsoon usually runs from May to October, bringing rougher crossings and cancelled tours, and September is often the wettest and roughest month (check). November is a mixed transitional month.
Can I stay overnight in the park?
Yes. Ko Wua Talap has basic park bungalows and rental tents, and the island is quiet once the day boats leave. Book through the national park office before you travel; there is no hot water and power is cut around 23:00 (check).
How do I get to Ang Thong from Ko Samui?
Licensed tour boats and speedboats run from the north coast piers of Ko Samui. Slow boats carry 40–50 people; speedboats carry fewer and reach the islands faster. Crossing times are not confirmed here (check). Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao also send day tours and liveaboards.
Is Ang Thong crowded?
The visitor centre on Ko Wua Talap is busy from about 10:00 to 16:00 when the day tours converge. Arrive on the first boats, climb the viewpoint early, or stay overnight to see the islands with almost nobody around.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go