Ang Thong Marine Park is a fascinating archipelago of 60 or so islands to the north west of Ko Samui.
Understand
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 Pillar Island'.
History
Landscape
Angthong, translates as 'golden bowl', occupies almost 250 sq km and includes 50 sq km of limestone islands and karsts 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 snorkeling among the shallow coral gardens makes 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.
Flora and fauna
The woods in this national park can be classified as dry evergreen forest, beach forest and limestone forest. Dry evergreen forests are found in larger islands like Wuatalab, Paluay and Samsao. Beach forests are lighter woods found in small stretches along the beaches and the shoulders. Limestone forests are found on limestone mountains with thin soil layer. 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 inhabitants are 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 like ground lizards, iguanas, Green turtles, Hawksbill turtles, phytons and cobras.
Only five species of amphibious animals like 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 serves as well as breding ground for mackerels.
Climate
Get in
Our tour to the Ang Thong National Marine Park departed from big Buddha abroad a luxury speedboat. All the places we visited where not crowded, it seems that the company design the trip in a way that avoid other operators. In addition as far as I know, this is the only company that visit and have lunch at Ko Paluay, sea-gypsies village. Ko Paluay was very interesting and the food for lunch was the best Thai food I ever had in Thailand. In addition, the kayaking was very interesting and we for a minute fall like explorer of undiscovered land. I booked our trip to the Ang Thong National Marine Park online at Tours Koh Samui and would like to highly recommend the company.
Access to the Marine Park is controlled, but there are several Samui based boat rental and kayak operators who are licenced carriers, catering to both independent visitors and in organized kayaking/camping trips.
From Ko Tao, Island Cruises sailing yacht charters,is doing a 4 day live aboard to Ang Thong.
Fees/Permits
Entrance fee to the marine park: Normally not included in the tour fee unless otherwise specified, 400 baht/person, 200 baht for kids under 12 years old. Thai nationals pay 80 baht.
Get around
The most common transport are tour boats taking 40-50 people, with lunch on board. Or else you can take speedboat tours which also provide a snorkeling program. It gets you to the archipelago faster. The best way is to put together a group of friends to hire a boat and explore the islands and beaches in your own time.
Most tours go to the Park's Visitor Center for lunch and kayaking. The Visitor Center is visited by most tour operators, making it very crowded. This applies for the time from about 10am to 4pm. Before and after it's a totally secluded place with almost nobody around.
See
Ko Mae Ko (Mother Island) is a must to 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 minutes or so, but is rewarded with a spectacular view across the whole park.
Do
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 snorkeling. 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 430m hill to a viewpoint offering great scenery of the entire archipelago and the mainland.
Buy
Eat
Drink
The Park headquarters offer two "bars" that sell beer. And by bar, this usually means a cooler full of beer. But when sitting on the beach watching the sun set, it beats most bars and clubs fairly easily.
Sleep
The park headquarters are located on Ko Wua Talab, which has basic bungalow accommodation.
Lodging
Camping
Backcountry
Probably one of the best hikes in Thailand. In the National Park headquarters there is a path leading up the side of the rocks. This will take maybe 25-30 minutes to walk up, and well worth it. With a breathtaking view of all the Ang Thong islands, the end result of the hike is well worth it. Beware though, the hike is very steep in some sections and offer questionable ropes to hang on to. But this hike will justify the trip to Ang Thong alone.
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