Ang Thong National Marine Park: day trip from Koh Samui

For us personally, Ang Thong National Marine Park is one of the most beautiful day trips you can make from Koh Samui. We did this tour ourselves, and that is exactly why we recommend it with conviction. In this guide we share what to expect from this excursion, which tour suits you best and the practical tips we picked up from our own experience.

Besides this excursion there are plenty of others worth your time, check out our article The 10 best excursions from Koh Samui (2026)

At a Glance
Price: from 1,500 THB p.p. (large boat) up to 4,000 THB p.p. (smaller-scale or more luxurious options like a catamaran or semi-private yacht), excl. national park fees (300 THB adult / 150 THB child aged 4 to 10, cash only).
Duration: full day, around 8am to 4pm or 5pm.
Departure: by (speed)boat or catamaran from Koh Samui, hotel pickup included.
Best for: nature lovers with a basic fitness level (two decent climbs to the lagoon and the viewpoint), less suited for young children or limited mobility.

What is Ang Thong National Marine Park?

Ang Thong is an archipelago of 42 uninhabited limestone islands, about 30 kilometers northwest of Koh Samui, and a protected national marine park since 1980. The name literally means “Golden Bowl Bay”, referring to the golden glow of the limestone cliffs at sunrise and sunset. The park even served as inspiration for the book (and the film) “The Beach”.

The complete park is too big to explore in one day, so virtually all tours combine a selection of the most beautiful spots: the viewpoint above Koh Mae Ko (the main island), the famous Emerald Lagoon (Thale Nai), and time to snorkel or kayak among the cliffs.

Overview of Ang Thong excursions

What can you expect from a day tour?

A typical day tour departs early in the morning by (speed)boat or catamaran from Koh Samui (with hotel pickup) and lasts the whole day. Along the way, the boat makes several stops:

• Emerald Lagoon: the absolute highlight of the tour. This emerald-green saltwater lake, also called Blue Lagoon, surrounded by steep rock walls, cannot be seen from the boat. You reach it via a short, fairly steep staircase (about 15 to 20 minutes of climbing). Swimming in the lagoon itself is not allowed, by the way, but the view alone is worth the climb.
• Koh Mae Ko viewpoint: a second, even steeper staircase (with ropes to help you on the last stretch) leads to a panoramic point overlooking the entire archipelago, for us personally the true highlight of the day.
• Snorkeling and kayaking: most tours offer time to snorkel at one of the quieter bays, and often there is the option to kayak among the limestone formations yourself.
• Lunch on board: virtually all organized tours include lunch, usually served on the boat.

Our practical tips from our own experience

• Bring sturdy shoes, not flip-flops. Both climbs (to the lagoon and the viewpoint) go over rocky, sometimes slippery paths. We noticed ourselves that water shoes or sneakers made a big difference compared to flip-flops.
• Choose a small-scale tour. The big, crowded boats with dozens of passengers make the stairs to the lagoon and the viewpoint a lot less pleasant. A smaller catamaran or speedboat gives you more peace at the most beautiful spots.
• Go for the earliest departure time you can find. The earlier you arrive at the lagoon and the viewpoint, the fewer other boats there are, and the less hot the climb feels.
• Book well in advance. Especially in high season (December to April), the most popular tours fill up fast.

Prices and duration

Expect to pay around 1,500 to 4,000 THB per person for a day tour, including lunch, snorkeling equipment and hotel pickup. Small-scale or more luxurious tours (with kayaking included, for example) sit at the upper end of this range. The full excursion usually runs from around 8:00 AM to 4:00 or 5:00 PM.

The entrance fee for the National Park is usually not included in most tours. National park fees: 300 THB per adult (and children taller than 130 cm) / 150 THB per child aged 4-10 (shorter than 130 cm). Payment only cash in Thai baht.

Frequently asked questions about Ang Thong National Marine Park

Is the staircase to the Emerald Lagoon tough?

The climb is short (about 15 to 20 minutes) but quite steep and sometimes slippery. With a bit of basic fitness it is doable for most people, but it’s not recommended for anyone who struggles with climbing stairs.

Can you swim in the Emerald Lagoon?

No, swimming in the lagoon itself is not allowed in order to protect the ecosystem. You can swim and snorkel plenty at the other stops of the tour.

Is this excursion suitable for children?

For older children who can handle stairs well, the tour is perfectly doable. For young children or people with limited mobility, the steep, rocky paths are less suitable.

Are young children allowed to kayak?

Kayaking is not possible for children under 5 years old, those are the National Park rules. Do you have a younger child? Then one adult stays with the child while the other goes kayaking. Afterwards you simply switch, it’s that easy!

Do I need to book this excursion in advance?

Yes, we recommend booking at least a few days to a week ahead, especially during high season (December to April) when the most popular tours fill up fast.

Conclusion

Ang Thong National Marine Park gave us one of the most beautiful days we spent on Koh Samui, and we recommend this excursion without hesitation to anyone who loves nature and spectacular views. Choose a small-scale tour, an early departure and sturdy shoes, and you have all the ingredients for an unforgettable day.

Haven’t booked a hotel on Koh Samui yet? Check out our guide to the best hotels on Koh Samui.

Choose your type of boat for this excursion:

Big boat: Koh Samui: Mu Ko Ang Thong Park Cruise

Speedboat: Koh Samui: Ang Thong day tour

Premium catamaran trip (speedboat) to Angthong Marine Park

Luxury yacht: semi-private yacht adventure in Ang Thong Park