Ang Thong National Marine Park

Introduction

Ang Thong National Marine Park is located at the shore of Surat Thani Province in the Gulf of Thailand. The Park, which is actually an archipelago consisting of 42 islands, covers a total area of 102 km2. On the marine park are a host of spectacular natural sceneries every visitor may feel surprised how incredibly beautiful they are from long white-sand beaches, jade-green cool seawater, limestone cliffs with exotic shapes, stunning inland marine lakes and so on. It is also considered one of the less touristic spots truly the right choice for all backpackers seeking a calm place to unwind after hard-working periods and discover hidden charms inside the park.

Come to enjoy the extraordinary panoramic view of Ang Thong National Marine Park

Activities

• Swimming along with exotic bioluminescent plankton: Swimming is simply a relaxing activity that almost visitors long for in every trip to the island. But have you ever imagined the situation that you swim along with bioluminescent plankton that all sparkles around you? What an out-of-this-world experience it is! Come to Ang Thong National Park to turn your imagination into reality since you can be the most talented magician in your own light show to blur the border between light and dark in the night. Always remember that swimming at night is way more dangerous than swimming in the daytime. Please notice there are many coral reefs and sea urchins in the area bioluminescent plankton lives. Beware of them not to hurt yourself while enjoying a tranquil and dreamy space here!

Experience endless astonishment while being surrounded by marvellous bioluminescent plankton!

• Kayaking to upgrade your exciting experience in Ang Thong: In combination with swimming, kayaking is definitely another must-try mean of entertainment adventurous travellers fall in love with. You just need to pay about 17 USD for getting a one-day kayaking experience from the ranger station. Once you have your own kayak, you are suggested to paddle to lots of wonderful spots around the marine park to explore its pristine natural beauty from off-the-beaten-path islands, empty beaches and stunning lagoons. Except for Koh Sam Sao or Koh Hin Dap Bay Island, one of the great destinations should be in your kayaking list is the emerald salty Thale Nai Lagoon, which is located on Koh Mae Ko. You will feel happy taking that exceptional chance to immerse yourself into one of the most picturesque natural sceneries you have never met before with the rich biodiversity rising on incredibly beautiful rock formations while gliding through cool emerald seawater!

Take an exciting kayaking trip to discover hidden charming spots inside the park

• Climbing up to airy hills and thrilling caves: If you want to take nice pictures to capture unforgettable moments of excitement, it will be perfect for paragraphing while climbing up to airy hills around Ang Thong National Marine Park. There are 5 amazing observation decks along the way with the starting point lying at the campsite. It may take you nearly 20 to 30 minutes depending on how much time you spend to take pictures of spectacular landscapes around! One thing that never fails to attract climbers is the final observation deck brings you a panoramic view of the major islands in the Ang Thong National Park. It will even be better if you take the climbing trip at noon since the magnificent sunset will certainly amaze you once you reach the top.

Each observation deck offers you dramatically beautiful landscapes over the marine park

• Enjoy the nighttime to the fullest with stargazing: For backpackers taking an overnight stay at Ang Thong National Marine Park, you may feel regret missing the chance of stargazing. It is truly a must-try activity as it doesn’t cost you even a penny but persistently waiting till the middle of the night when the total dark shows up to the sky. Imagine that comfortably lying down on the beach to watch the sky with countless stars shining while listening to waves telling you secret stories of the sea, there is nothing better than immersing yourself into that one-of-a-kind space at night!

Ways to get here

Joining an organized tour trip is the only way to lead you to the Ang Thong National Marine Park as regular ferries are not available. You may consider taking a trip from Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Samui with 2 means of transport: slower ferry or speedboat. A transfer on the slower ferry will cost you approximately 44 USD while you have to spend more with 60 USD for a ticket on speed boat. You should ask for your ticket at some offices next to the harbour or in your hotel on either Koh Pha Ngan or Koh Samui. If you opt for a one-day trip to the park, it is advisable to take a speedboat. Although it is more expensive than a slower ferry, it will surely save your time much as it is the faster choice. You now take advantage of 2 extra hours to discover the park with fascinating activities from swimming to kayaking!

Ang Thong National Marine Park should be one of the ideal options for travellers taking a trip to Thailand! It is far much better for backpackers fancying less crowded tourist destinations as the perfect tranquillity from islands of the marine park is born to serve your expectation best. There are still a host of marvellous things hidden on the Ang Thong Park, so make your choice now to discover them all by your own!

Cuong Ngo

Image source: Internet