Ang Thong Marine National Park
Steep limestone islands in the Gulf of Thailand, known for a saltwater lake, sea kayaking and a climb to a viewpoint over the islands.
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Ang Thong Marine National Park is a group of 42 islands in the Gulf of Thailand, in Surat Thani Province, a boat ride from Ko Samui. The islands are steep limestone with green slopes and sheltered bays. The best-known sight is the Emerald Lake on Ko Mae Ko, a saltwater lake inside a limestone hill that you reach on foot from the shore. The climb to the viewpoint on Ko Wua Talap is the other main stop.
Most trips to the park are full-day boat tours from Ko Samui or Ko Pha-Ngan, with time for swimming, kayaking and the lake. The park suits travelers who want island scenery without an overnight stay, or who have a few days on the Gulf coast and want one boat day. Seas can be rough from October to December, the wetter months, so the months from January to September are the safer choice for a day on the water. Plan for a long day, with most of it spent on the boat and at the stops.
Ang Thong Marine National Park in five
- Book a boat day from Samui or Ko Pha-NganThere is no public ferry into the park. Operators sell a day that bundles the crossing, kayaking, a swim stop and lunch, so compare departure time, boat size and group numbers rather than price alone.Ko Samui guide
- Ask what the park fee coversMarine park entry is normally charged per person and is often listed separately from the tour price. Confirm in writing whether it is included, and carry baht in case it is collected on the boat.
- Climb the Wua Talap viewpoint firstThe trail up from the park headquarters beach is steep and rocky, with little shade. Start while the group is still sorting kayaks, wear shoes with grip and carry water, because the view over the island chain is the one shot everyone wants.
- Keep a spare day for sea conditionsOperators cancel when the swell is up, and the Gulf coast gets its heaviest rain late in the year. Do not book the park on your last day, and ask about the refund or rebooking rule before paying.Best time to visit Thailand
- Choose the overnight only for quietBasic park accommodation exists on Ko Wua Talap and gives you the islands after the day boats leave. Booking runs through the national park system, so confirm the current route and what bedding and food are provided.
Things to do in Ang Thong Marine National Park
See all attractions in Ang Thong Marine National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- Park fee for visitors, usually paid on top of the tour price
- Permits
- None for tour guests; ask your operator what the fee includes
- Season
- Tours run most of the year; rough seas can cancel sailings
- Nearest town
- Nathon or Bophut on Ko Samui; Thong Sala on Ko Pha-Ngan
- Getting there
- Boat from Samui or Ko Pha-Ngan, roughly 1 to 2 hours each way
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain18 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Dry, calmJanuaryRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 172 mm
- Rainy days
- 18
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, calm
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Dry, clearFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, clear
- MarchPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Dry, hotMarchPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 61 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- AprilRain16 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Hot, SongkranAprilRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 151 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, Songkran
- MayRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Hot, showersMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 214 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- JuneRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low28°Some rainJuneRain
Good
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 28°
- Precipitation
- 145 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Some rain
- JulyRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Some rainJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 169 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Some rain
- AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Some rainAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 156 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Some rain
- SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Rain, swellSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 193 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, swell
- OctoberRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Heavy rainOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 298 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heavy rain
- NovemberRain25 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Wettest, roughNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 373 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest, rough
- DecemberRain21 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Rain, easingDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 262 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain, easing
Average daily high and low in Ko Samui, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Ang Thong Marine National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 73%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 76%
Ang Thong Marine National Park
06:47 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°26°76%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Wed29°27°77%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Thu29°27°82%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Fri29°27°80%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Sat29°26°81%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Sun29°26°100%Sunday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 03:22 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Ko Samuiabout 1 to 2 hours by boatThe usual departure island, with piers on the north and west side.Read the guide
- Ko Pha-Nganabout 1.5 to 2 hours by boatA quieter departure point, useful if you stay on the island.Read the guide
- Ko Taoabout 2 to 3 hours by boatDiving island further north; the boats usually run separately.Read the guide
Before you go to Ang Thong Marine National Park
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Rules for Ang Thong Marine National Park, checked
- Pay the national park entrance fee at the park office or pier; check current foreigner and Thai rates with the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.
- Do not take shells, coral, plants or any other natural objects out of the park; Thai national park law prohibits removing them.
- Check that your boat operator is licensed and confirm the day's departure pier before you book, since tours leave from more than one pier on the mainland and Ko Samui.
Plan around Ang Thong Marine National Park
Regions, islands, entry rules and the season map
Read the guideKo SamuiBeaches, piers and where to base for boat days
Read the guideKo Samui and the lower GulfSamui, Pha-Ngan and Ko Tao as one route
Read the guideKo Pha-NganA second departure point on the Gulf
Read the guideBest time to visit ThailandWhich coast is dry in which month
Read the guideConnectivity and eSIMsData plans for island trips
Read the guideAng Thong Marine National Park FAQ
Is Ang Thong Marine Park worth it?
Yes if you want limestone scenery, kayaking and one good viewpoint in a single day. It is a busy day-tour destination, so choose an early departure and a smaller boat, and skip it in rough weather when little is visible.
How do you get to Ang Thong from Ko Samui?
By organised boat tour. Departures leave Samui piers in the morning and the crossing takes roughly an hour on a speedboat or longer on a bigger boat. Ask the operator for the exact pier, because pickups from your hotel vary.
Can you stay overnight in Ang Thong National Park?
Basic park accommodation is available on Ko Wua Talap, which gives you the islands once the day boats have left. Confirm the booking route with the national park before you plan around it, since it is separate from tour operators.
Can you visit Ang Thong from Ko Phangan or Ko Tao?
Yes, tours run from Ko Pha-Ngan and some from Ko Tao, but Samui has the most departures. From Ko Tao the crossing is the longest, so check whether a day trip is realistic or whether you should overnight.
What should I bring to Ang Thong?
Reef-safe sunscreen, water shoes, a dry bag, a hat and cash for fees and drinks. The viewpoint trail is steep and rocky, so shoes with grip matter more than a camera upgrade.