Angtong National Marine Park - Nature, Islands, Excursions

Thailand is one of the richest countries in the world in terms of attractions per capita. And we won’t sin too much if we say that Angtong National Marine Park near Samui is the main one. It is a group of islands in the Gulf of Thailand, next to the coast of Surat Thani province, the largest administrative unit of Southern Thailand.

The Angtong National Marine Park is considered the best attraction of Samui and is an area with a strict environmental regime. Therefore, for tourists it is almost the only opportunity to experience the pristine nature of Southeast Asia. In order to prevent human intervention from destroying the fragile ecological balance, visitors to the park for accommodation are allocated special, the most picturesque or bordered by them, places on the shores of the islands.

It was organized in 1980 and its boundaries include 42 islands, twenty of which can be considered quite fitting for this definition, while the rest are rather overgrown forested rocks in the middle of the sea. Of the 102 square kilometers of the park, 80% are underwater coral reefs.

Nature of Angtong National Park

Located next to the island of Samui, Angtong is a natural representation of what the tourist center was like before the invasion of vacationers from all over the world. All islands are drowned in lush tropical vegetation. And the trees have managed to take root even in the thin soil layer at the very tops of the cliffs. Most of these plants are red-listed and endemic. The coastal area, shoals and mudflats are occupied by mangrove forests with their characteristic stilt-like air horses. There are especially many mangroves on Mae Ko island, and on the eastern shore of Phaluai.

The marine life in Angtong Park is not as diverse or attractive because the rivers flowing down from the mountains carry silt and various debris with them year-round. Because of this, the water is shallow (no more than 10 meters) Gulf of Thailand is permanently muddy, which fish are not too fond of. Near the shore live mostly mussels and oysters. As well as those whose home is a thicket of algae. Seahorses, for example. Areas with clear water and coral reefs, where you can see the bright fish – sea parrots, angel fish, stingrays, there are only near the northeast coast of the islands, and even then a narrow strip.

So it’s safe to say that Angtong Marine National Park near Samui is more likely to disappoint fans of snorkeling and diving. For all this, it is worth going further, to the expanse of the Gulf of Thailand. The waters to the northeast of the archipelago are commercially fished for shrimp, squid, anchovies and mackerel.

Largest-islands-archipelago

Angthong National Park has 42 islands, only five of which have official names.

Wua Talap

The park’s capital, its main island. It is located in Kha Bay, where all excursions start (read more about best excursions in Samui). It has an administrative building and is equipped with a nice beach. The first point of the tour is to climb to the observation deck (500 meters above the sea), where you can see the entire park. Another highlight of the island is the Bua Bok Cave, a geological monument decorated with many stalactites and stalagmites.

Mae Ko

Angtong Park is interesting as a natural landscape monument. On the island of Mae Ko you can see the picturesque lake Thale Nai, an irregular triangle-shaped body of water surrounded by tropical vegetation. The water is emerald green and salty because the lake is connected (by a natural underground tunnel) to the Gulf of Thailand.

Paluay

The only island in the park with an aboriginal village. More precisely, the so-called sea gypsies. Excursion to Paluay is mostly ethnographic, in the course of the tour you will be introduced to the traditions and lifestyle of the people, who differ sharply from the Thais in appearance and mentality. Even 100 years ago, the sea gypsies (they have nothing to do with the traditional Roma) did not set foot on solid ground at all.

Samsao, Thaiphlao and Wua Kantang

This group of islands is adjacent to Mae Ko, and Samsao is practically the only island in the archipelago where you can see a real coral reef with its delightfully beautiful underwater life. The beaches on all three islands are magnificent. They are meticulously maintained and immaculately clean, just like the picture.

Time to visit angtong park

Angtong National Park near Samui is one of the rainiest places in Thailand. The annual rainfall there exceeds two meters! That’s a lot even for the tropics (about which season of Thailand is more favorable for holidays, you can see here).

The heaviest rainfall – up to a quarter of the annual rainfall – occurs in November. December is a little drier, but the permanent storm makes it impossible to get near the shore. The park is closed to the public for those two months. Weather disasters take a break only in February, when there is no precipitation. And the lull lasts until April, when the rains are rare and short, so that nature is presented in all its glory. This is when excursions are organized.

How to get there

The excursion to Angtong Marine National Park near Samui begins with a motorboat trip that lasts about an hour. Flights are from Koh Samui.

There is a standard boat ride from Koh Samui to Koh Samui.

There is a standard excursion to Angtong that draws 30-40 people each. Its advantage is a clear organization – you will be shown and told everything you need, and will be protected from possible trouble. And also the price – for a boat trip to the islands, they charge from 150 dollars each.

You can also find a boat on your own and rent it for a whole day (read more about boat rental in Thailand). It will cost you not cheaper than $800. Some people will find this option preferable, since you are free to choose your companions and the allocation of time. Admission to the park is paid at the administrative building of the island of Wua Talap. If you book a speedboat excursion to Angtong, the park entrance fee is paid at the pier before boarding the boat.