Ang Thong Marine Park: Day Trips and Tours from Ko Samui

A true slice of paradise, the remote Ang Thong Marine Park is filled with sparkling seas, steep islands featuring breathtaking viewpoints and colossal limestone formations that have to be seen to be believed. As you sail through this corner of Thailand, you’ll be awed by the enchanting scenery, as well as the plethora of exotic species, both on land and in the sea, that call this destination home.

Day trips to Ang Thong Marine Park from Ko Samui enable you to explore this area up close through a range of fun activities, including snorkeling and kayaking, that are suitable for all the family.

Here's all you need to know about Ang Thong Marine Park, one of the most exciting day trips from Ko Samui.

How to get to Ang Thong Marine Park from Ko Samui?

Ang Thong Marine Park covers more than 100 square kilometers within the Surat Thani province of Southern Thailand and is situated approximately 40 kilometers northwest of Ko Samui.

Guided tour to Ang Thong Marine Park from Ko Samui

The only way to make the jaunt to Ang Thong Marine Park is via an organized day trip, as tour operators are licensed to enter. These excursions typically last 7 to 10 hours and transport you across to the natural attraction via boat.

The journey to Ang Thong Marine Park takes approximately an hour, depending on your vessel, and you’ll benefit from a convenient accommodation pickup service. You’ll simply select your hotel from a dropdown menu and, on the day of your excursion, await collection from a friendly guide in the lobby at a predetermined time.

Once you’ve experienced all the marine park has to offer, you’ll be dropped back to the same spot to spend the rest of your day relaxing or sightseeing.

How much does the entrance ticket to Ang Thong Marine Park cost?

International visitors will pay the following rate for admission on their Ang Thong Marine Park day trip:

• Adults: THB300 (US$9)
• Children aged 3-14: THB150 (US$4)

What is the typical itinerary?

While each Ang Thong Marine Park day tour is unique, they all typically follow a similar itinerary. After being collected by your guide, you’ll be transported to the coast where you’ll hop onto a boat to travel through the open ocean toward the marine park. Once you reach this archipelago of mostly uninhabited islands, you’ll engage in a selection of water-based activities, which include snorkeling and kayaking.

Alongside these activities, you’ll also have time to spend at your leisure, climbing to scenic viewpoints, swimming in the refreshing ocean or making the most of the warm Thai sun, stretched out underneath a swaying palm tree.

Perfectly organized so that you won’t need to worry about a thing, these Ang Thong Marine Park day trips provide you with meals throughout the day, enabling you to try local cuisine and, when it’s time to leave, you can simply put your feet up and relax, enjoying the view on the way back to Ko Samui.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Ang Thong Marine Park?

There are several different day trips to Ang Thong Marine Park to choose from, designed to suit all budgets and travel styles.

Guided tours to Ang Thong Marine Park from Ko Samui

You’ll start an Ang Thong Marine Park day trip by feeling the wind whipping through your hair as you zoom away from Ko Samui. Upon reaching the natural preserve, you’ll hop between several of its islands, donning a snorkel mask to explore its underwater world. You’ll sail past the colossal limestone formations that perfectly contrast the deep turquoise hues of the ocean and dine on local Thai fare with a view.

Once you’ve refueled, you can choose to participate in an energizing hike to a spectacular viewpoint or simply soak in the scenery while relaxing on one of the isle’s silky shores.

Sunset tour to Ang Thong Marine Park from Ko Samui

This small-group Ang Thong Marine Park day tour provides a more exclusive experience as you sail through the Gulf of Thailand, enjoying the tranquility that comes from having fewer passengers aboard. You’ll journey through the marine park, looking out for the whales and dolphins that call these seas home, and you’ll have the opportunity to paddle along the calm waters in your own kayak.

Let your guide take you on a snorkeling tour to the best spot on the island, where a flurry of activity takes place just below the surface. After an action-packed day, you’ll enjoy watching the sky transform into a watercolor painting as the sun sets across the horizon, with a sweet treat in hand.

Private tour to Ang Thong Marine Park from Ko Samui

Alternatively, book a private day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park from Ko Samui and benefit from a completely personalized service. You’ll see more sights than you would on a group tour and be able to create special memories as you kayak through the marine park with just your loved ones at your side.

You’ll enjoy luxurious features, including a jacuzzi on the deck of your vessel, as well as a well-organized itinerary, enabling you to steer clear of other tourists as much as possible.

How much does a day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park from Ko Samui cost?

A basic day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park costs just over US$70 per adult while children between the ages of 4 and 10 cost between US$50, and US$60 each. Children under the age of 4 are welcome to join in and incur no additional charge.

If you opt for a sunset excursion to Ang Thong Marine Park, you’ll pay around US$110 per adult, while children aged 1 to 10 cost US$60 each. You’ll be part of a small group, limited to either 14 or 34 guests, depending on your vessel.

A private Ang Thong Marine Park day tour costs US$1,290 for a group of up to six travelers. Broken down, with the maximum group size, you’ll each pay under US$220.

It’s worth noting that while day trips typically include lunch, as well as all activities, the admission fee to the marine park is at your own expense.

What will you see and do?

Ang Thong Marine Park is one of the most famed nature spots in Thailand and is an archipelago formed of 42 islands. Of this collection of isles, just two are inhabited, both by nomadic tribes. The name “Ang Thong” translates to “Golden Basin” and refers to the shape of the region, as well as the color of the rice grown here.

One of the most secluded corners of Southern Thailand, Ang Thong Marine Park’s total tranquility is what drives many visitors to seek the destination out. Alongside its peaceful vibe, tourists will find a smattering of towering limestone formations, which jut out of the sea to soaring heights of up to 400 meters.

Part of the Hollywood movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo Di Caprio was filmed across the marine park, which drove a flock of backpackers to Thailand in order to seek new cultures and find themselves. Fans of this film, which took the world by storm, may recognize parts of the area as they sail through on an Ang Thong Marine Park day tour.

Because of the careful preservation of the area, the park is home to a wide variety of marine creatures, including sea urchins, blacktip reef sharks and butterfly fish. On land, you’ll hear the howl of both dusky leaf monkeys and long-tailed macaques, while the skies overhead are filled with kingfishers, pacific reef herons, and Eurasian woodcocks.

What are the opening times?

Ang Thong Marine Park is open from 8 AM to 4 PM every day. However, the park shuts for approximately 2 months, typically between October and December, each year during the monsoon season.

When is the best time to visit Ang Thong Marine Park?

The best time to visit Ang Thong Marine Park is from late December to April. This is the dry season and the most popular time for tourism. You'll experience pleasant weather, clear skies, and calm seas, which are ideal for boating, snorkeling and other water activities.

What other day trips can you do from Ko Samui?

• Pig Island day trips from Ko Samui
• Koh Tao day tours from Ko Samui
• Koh Nang Yuan day trips from Ko Samui
• Elephant Sanctuary day tours from Ko Samui

Travel tips

• Make sure to book your tour in advance, as spots fill up quickly in the peak tourist season.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. A long-sleeved shirt can also be helpful for sun protection during boat rides.
• Ensure you have enough water with you, especially if you plan to hike or do other physical activities.