Ang Thong National Marine Park is a fascinating archipelago of 42 or so islands in the Central Gulf Coast of Southern Thailand. It is northwest of Ko Samui.
Most of the islands are close to each other making a breathtaking panorama sailing around the park. All the islands are of different sizes and shapes. Most of them are covered with tropical forests and named after their distinguishing geography, a kind of descriptive appellation, such as Sleeping Cow Island and Three Pillars Island.
Ang Thong, translates as golden bowl, occupies almost 250 km² and includes 50 km² of limestone islands and karst topography which rise from the sea as dramatic rock cliffs and bizarre rock formations. Caves, hidden lagoons, and white sand beaches are there to be explored and snorkelling among the shallow coral gardens makes for a popular and fascinating day trip.
Ang Thong National Marine Park is a protected nature area consisting of over 40 islands, and is famous for its natural beauty. All of the islands are uninhabited and undeveloped except for one. This island, Ko Paluay, is inhabited by sea-gypsies who still earn a living from fishing.
The woods in the park can be classified as dry evergreen forest, beach forest, and limestone forest. Dry evergreen forests are found on larger islands like Wuatalab, Paluay and Samsao. Beach forests are lighter woods found in small stretches along the beaches. Limestone forests are found on limestone mountains with thin soil layer, meaning that plants are smaller.
Larger animals do not thrive on these islands as they are small and dominated mostly by steep limestone mountains, with only few lightly to moderately slanted plains. Sixteen species of mammals like otters, langurs, crab-eating monkeys, hogs, silver haired bats, dolphins, and whales are found.
Other fauna include at least 54 species of birds, including Little herons, Brahminy kites, common sandpipers, oriental pied hornbills, drongoes and hill mynas. 14 species of reptiles are found, such as ground lizards, iguanas, green turtles, hawksbill turtles, pythons, and cobras.
Only five species of amphibia are found: common Asian toads, tiger frogs, rugose frogs, grass frogs, and tree frogs.
The waters of the national park are home to butterfly fish, angel fish, parrot fish, blue-spotted fantail rays, blacktip reef sharks, snappers, groupers, sea slugs, blue swimming crabs, sea fans, sea whips, giant clams, oysters, and coral. The park is also a breeding ground for mackerel.
Entrance fee to the marine park: Normally not included in the tour fee unless otherwise specified, 200 baht/foreigner, 100 baht for foreign children under 12 years. Price for locals, 40 baht.
Ko Mae Ko (Mother Island) is a must visit. Here, an emerald seawater lake in the middle of the island is encircled on all sides by limestone cliffs, but linked by an underground tunnel connecting with the sea. Reaching the lake entails a strenuous climb of 40 min or so, but is rewarded with a spectacular view across the whole park.
The climb is up a series of staircases wonderfully combined into the natural landscape of the karst, threading through a narrow opening in the rock face at one point, and entailing minimum exertion if you pace yourself and are in decent physical shape. The final series of steps is a bit steep and caution should be exercised when descending the steps, but the entire trip up and down would not take 40 minutes unless you stopped and enjoyed the spectacular Emerald Lagoon, as the locals call this trapped sea-lake inside the collapsed island, for 20 minutes or so from the lookout point at the very top.
Caves in many of the islands have intriguing rock formations. Visit one for an awesome experience. The beaches are surrounded with excellent coral reefs which make for perfect swimming and snorkelling. Hundreds of beaches here in the archipelago are deserted. Get a boat and find your own secret beach away from the crowds.
Other popular sites are Ko Sam Sao (Tripod Island) with an extensive coral reef and Wua Talap Island or 'sleeping cow'. It takes some effort to climb up the steep 430 m hill to a viewpoint offering great scenery of the entire archipelago and the mainland.
The main restaurant, managed by Nam, is excellent and offers a variety of cuisine. Only be careful to order early as the cook leaves by 22:00 and the lights go out by 23:00. Cheapest rice meal is vegetable fried rice from 60 baht. Delicious meals with good portions cost 100-120 baht, worth spending money, but place your order as soon as possible, because preparation is VERY slow. Expect waiting for 30-40 min for meals in the uncrowded restaurant.
The park headquarters sells beer. Take water. You'll need plenty.
Take water, hat, sunscreen, and something like an old t-shirt to cover up with when you're snorkelling.
- Ko Samui - well-developed tourist beach destination