One of Koh Samui’s best-kept secrets is an archipelago collectively known as Ang Thong National Marine Park. Made of 42 islands, it is located in the Gulf of Thailand in Surat Thani and has just about every natural wonder you can think of. From hidden gems of beaches to thick jungles, this park has something for all kinds of adventurers. It is also easy to reach via ferry or a join-in tour, and there are transportation options to Ang Thong for all budgets. If you’re planning a trip to Thailand skip busy areas like Patong in Phuket and go off the beaten track. Here are three reasons why you should go to Ang Thong on your next adventure.

The area has a rich marine life.
If you are a diving enthusiast, Ang Thong will be the highlight of your trip. The reefs in the archipelago are made of sea fans, elephant’s tusk coral, brain coral, staghorn coral, and types of plate coral, and flower coral. Butterflyfish, Angelfish, Parrotfish, Kingfishers and even stingrays flit around in the northwestern side, where the reefs are. And there are even sea turtles, tortoises, various types of hornbill, and pythons nearby. Diving in Ang Thong National Marine Park is an adventure of a lifetime, and if you’re a diver, it is even more so. The different areas are home to various species, and what you see around one island cluster isn’t necessarily what’s on the other islands. There are so many things you will discover, you’ll need more than one day of diving to see everything.

You can visit four types of forests.
You might find it strange to see evergreens on a tropical island, but Ang Thong is someplace where you can. The evergreen forests are on the larger islands, with some trees cropping up on Pha Luai, Wua Ta Lap, and Sam Sao. Tropical forests, meanwhile, can be found near the high watermark on beaches. On the cliff faces of some islands, you can find limestone forests, where morinda and euphorbia thrive. Finally, in the sheltered areas of the archipelago, you can kayak through the mangrove forests. You can see these in Mae Koh Island, on the eastern side of Phaluai. It’s lovely enough to have access to one type of forest while you’re at the beach, but Ang Thong just exceeds your expectations and delivers four.

It’s worth the hike up to Emerald Lagoon alone.
The main attraction, which is at Koh Mae Ko, is called Emerald Lagoon. It is said to have been a limestone cavern, a couple of hundred feet high, which eroded and turned into the body of water it is today. The lagoon is known as Tha le Nai, or ‘Inland Sea’, and it looks straight out of a fairytale. Limestone cliffs encircle a green seawater lake and are linked all around by an underground tunnel opening out into the sea. Tourists are not allowed to swim or snorkel in the lake, which helps preserve its gem-like surface. You have to see this natural wonder in real life; the pictures make it seem like Photoshop is doing some magic, but that is all-natural.

In conclusion

Ang Thong National Marine Park is aptly named. ‘Ang Thong,’ which means ‘bowl of gold,’ certainly offers valuable experiences for travellers of all ages. You will certainly remember your trip to Emerald lagoon, or the many species of coral and fish you will see in the reefs, or how diverse the plant and animal life is from one island to the next. Make your trip more enjoyable by letting an experienced agency take care of the details for you.

Mamy Booking is a one-stop travel agency bringing you the best of Thailand. With more than 50 tour programs featuring Koh Samui, Phang Nga, Krabi, and other destinations, we are sure to have a travel experience you are looking for. Contact us today to learn more.