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If you’ve seen The Beach, one of your ideas of paradise is probably the beautiful Maya Bay in the Phi Phi islands, where the movie was filmed. What you may not know is that the inspiration for Alex Garland’s novel was, in fact, a different set of idyllic islands: the virgin islands of Angthong National Marine Park.
Located in the Gulf of Thailand, the Angthong archipelago comprises more than 40 inhabited islands featuring stunning rock formations and evergreen forest, hidden lagoons, colorful coral reefs, and perfect white sandy beaches. Or 42 definitions of paradise.
We took an Angthong Marine Park tour from Koh Samui and it was one of the best days of our two weeks in Thailand, if not the best.
There are many day tours from Koh Samui or Koh Phangan to Angthong Marine Park. Tours include transfer from your hotel, transportation in a speedboat or tour boat, breakfast and lunch, admission fee to the park, and English speaking guides.
A word of advice: take the big boat tour. Although slower, you’ll have a more comfortable and enjoyable trip, and will be able to admire the views and take plenty of photos. We took the speedboat and it was our only regret on an otherwise perfect day.
You can book your Angthong Marine Park day trip from Koh Samui by big boat here.
Or book a tour by speedboat here.
Angthong Marine Park tour:
Our first stop was Koh Wua Talap, the largest island in the park. Here we had the option of kayaking around the island or hiking up to the island’s viewpoint. We chose the latter.
It took us almost an hour and a lot of sweat to get to the top, but the jaw-dropping view over the 42 islands of Angthong Marine Park was well worth the effort.
After a well-deserved lunch at the park headquarters, we still had time for a swim in the warm cerulean sea.
The second stop was Koh Mae Ko, famous for the Emerald Sea or Talay Nai, a dramatic lagoon hidden in the middle of the island.
Again we had the option of climbing up to the viewpoint or staying on the beach. This time we decided to relax on the stunning bay, feeling like we too had found the beach.
The third and last stop of our Angthong Marine Park tour was Koh Samsao for some snorkeling on the coral reef. While the snorkeling here was not excellent, it was a good end to a great day.
If you’re looking for a true vision of paradise, visiting Angthong National Marine Park is an experience you won’t forget!
Book your Angthong Marine Park tour from Koh Samui by big boat here.
Alternatively, you can book a tour by speedboat here.
Have you done an Angthong Marine Park tour? Have you ever visited a place that was your definition of paradise? Share in the comments section below.
Read More:
- Read more about our time in Koh Samui here
- Check out my Thailand 2 week itinerary for 1st timers here
- Read my Bangkok 4 day itinerary here
- Find out what to do in Chiang Mai here
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melissa says
Can you send the link to the speed boat company you used? The link here is only for the big boat. Thank you!
Vanda says
Hi Melissa, I’ve just updated the article to include the speedboat tour. Thank you for the tip and have a great time!
Chris says
Incredible photos!!!
Clazz says
This looks absolutely breathtaking! I actually went to Koh Phangan but didn’t even think to do this, but now I wish I had! Definitely going on the list for next time. 🙂
Jacomijn Heupink says
Those wonderful islands in the bright bleu sea!! Great pics!!
Anisa says
Wow absolutely stunning. Great photos. I had not heard of Angthong Marine Park, but it’s now on my bucket list. Thanks for sharing this.
Nicole Lewis says
I have been reading more and more blog posts about island hopping in Thailand and I am completely swept off my feet with it. The photos are beautiful and the combination of relaxation and nature is completely appealing to me. I am always looking for new outdoor adventures and I think I may need to go in search of my beach 🙂
Dulcie says
W o w! Wish i was here right now…!
Van says
This was one place I really wanted to go when we were in Samui but we ran out of time. I promised myself I would return and visit this place. How was the snorkelling? That was what piqued my interest!
Claudia says
Those photos are so dreamy <3 wow!
Madhu says
Wow the pics looks Stunning. We visited Phuket and krabi last year. But missed this one.
Kavita Favelle says
I just got back from Thailand too but I’m definitely keen to go back, and Angthong needs to be on my list. We did visit two national parks, Khao Sok and Khao Yai, both of which we enjoyed, but we didn’t have time to squeeze in a marine national park, though I know Thailand has several. I’d really love to see both the flora and fauna here, and the stunning seascapes.
Brianna says
Amazing photos! It looks so relaxing here! Especially as I look out my window at a snow storm!!