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Ang Thong National Marine Park lies approximately 30 Km to the northwest of Samui. Popularized
by the movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo Di Caprio, the park comprises 80 islands and offers some of the best diving in Thailand.
Koh Wao and Koh Yippon are the most popular dive sites, featuring incredible swim-through experiences, not to mention other encounters with caves, tunnels and passageways.
The water visibility is 15-25 meters and the area is best visited between the months of September through January.
The marine park is a proverbial spawning ground for many fish species and is home to hundreds of different varieties of colourful soft and hard coral
The Ang Thong National Marine Park is a protected reserve spreads along the Thai coast and is located just under one hour’s speedboat ride away between Koh Samui and the mainland.
Day trips generally include snorkelling and some time to swim or laze on one of the pristine beached. You can also venture off in kayaks into shallow caves and follow trails to visit the famous ‘Emerald Lake’.
Mu Koh Ang Thong National Park consists of 42 islands. Its main islands are Phaluai Island,
Wua Chio Island,
Wua Talap Island,
Mae Ko Island,
Samsao Island,
Phai Luak Island,
Kha Island,
Hindap Island,
Phi Island,
Wua Kantang Island,
Mae Yat Island,
Wua Te Island,
Naiphut Island,
Changsom Island,
Hanuman Island,
Thaiphlao Island,
Huaklong Island, and Koh Ban Island.
The park covers a total area of 102 sq.km of which about only 18 sq.km is land. The National park does not encompass the entire island chain, its jurisdiction covers about 82% of the total area.
The park was established on 12th November 1980. Most of the islands consists of limestone mountains about 10-400 meters above sea level.
Because the limestone can change its structure easily by both chemical condition and weather, so that makes the islands have many, strange-looking caves and cliffs, and some islands look like ancient Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Prasart Hin Pimai.
Climate
Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park has been influenced by monsoon that causes big waves and heavy rain, approximately 2,000 mm. of rain all the year round, and the temperature is approximately 23 oC.
The appropriate time for visiting the islands is between February and April, although the temperature is quite hot but the sea is calm suitable for sailing.
During monsoon (November and December) in the Gulf of Thailand always have big waves and windy. Travelling to Ang Thong National Park, Surat Thani Province is not safe. Thus, National Park office announced for temporary closed during November and December every year
Flora & Fauna
The islands of the park are covered in forest of four types;
Dry Evergreen Forest, occurs on the larger islands with significant patches on Wua Ta Lap, Phaluai and Sam Sao.
The principle tree species are; Memecylon sp., Barringtonia fusiformis, Semecarpus curtisii, Cinnamomum sp., Caryota spp., Calamus spp. and
Paphio- pedilum niveum "Ang Thong" Pfitz.
Beach Forest, occurs in a narrow strip around most of the larger islands, especially in the area above high water mark on beaches. Species occurring include; Terrminalia catappa, Thespesia populnea, Carophyllum inophyllum, Scaevola taccada, Erythrina fusea, Pandanus monotheca and Crinum sp.
Limestone forest, occurs on the exposed cliff faces and in the very shallow soils on top of the limestone hills. Most of the plants found here are small and highly adapted to survive in the severe environment, species recorded include; Dracaena
loureiri, Euphorbia antiquorum and Morinda sp.
Mangrove forest, occurs in the very sheltered spots where sandbars and mudflats have developed.
This forest type is best represented around Mae Koh island and on the eastern side of Phaluai island.
These forest areas are well structured with many trees, both large and small, the dominant species is Rhizophora apiculata.
On the larger islands with areas of undisturbed forest many species of animals are present.
Occasionally seen are Spectacled langurs, Hairy-nosed otters, bats, Pacific reef-egret, Brahminy kite, White-bellied seaeagle, Common sandpiper, Edible nest swiflet, Oriental pied hornbill, Southern pied hornbill, Ashy drongo, Collared kingfisher, Monitor lizards, Tortoises, Sea Turtles and Pythons.

The area of the Gulf of Thailand in which the islands are situated is at a maximum 10 meters deep. The islands rise up out of the water and are thus surrounded by water which is relatively shallow. This means that the water is greatly influenced by
turbid river water from the mainland, the river water does not encounter deep water which will reduce its velocity and thus allow carried sediment to settle out.
The water around the islands is thus fairly turbid all year round. The coral development on the islands is not extensive and is restricted to a narrow band encircling each island close to the shore, especially on the south-western and north-eastern sides. Although the North-western side of the islands is the area most influenced by the monsoon, in sheltered spots good corals develop especially; elephants tusk coral, brain coral, stagshorn coral and in deeper water plate corals of the genus Pavona and flower corals of the genus Goniopora.
Fish found inhabiting these reefs include; Butterflyfish, Angelfish, Parrotfish, Stingray, Black tip shark, Grouper and Cowrie shells.
In areas where the water is not so clear or is subjected to strong currents the species diversity is poor and is dominated by Seaworms, Crabs and brown seaweeds, of the genus Sargassum and Turbinaria.
In places with steep rocky shorelines or where the water is very turbid coral cannot survive. In these areas sedentary marine life is prevalent including; Sea fans, Oysters, Clams and Mussels, which can be seen covering the exposed rock surfaces.
The water of the gulf of Thailand is very rich and provides a valuable resource upon which a rich diversity of animals and plants are able to thrive. This richness is long established and thus the seas around Ang Thong are plentiful.
Species commercially collected are Soft corals, Penshells, Sponges, Seaweeds and Barnacles, important fish species caught include; Mackerel, Anchovy and Squid.

Attractions
Wua Talap Island
Wua Talap Island situates in Kha Bay.
The National Park Headquarters is located here.
In front of the office is the white and clean beach appropriate for playing water and recreation. When going to the viewpoint at the top of the mountain, about 500 meters, the traveller can see all of Ang Thong islands with strange-looking shape lay in-line on the sea.
There is also Bua Bok Cave situated one kilometre from the office. It has beautiful stalagmite and stalactite, and is unique in its geology condition.
Thale Nai
Thale Nai or Lake in the Mountain is situated in Mae Ko Island.
It is a large natural pond surrounded by complicated limestone mountain.
The area has under-water hole connected to the outer sea. It is assumed assumed that the limestone layer under the lake collapsed and so created the lake, this incident
Samsao Island
Samsao Island situates opposite Mae Koh Island. It has beautiful coral, natural stone bridges that curve out into the sea, and clean, white beaches good for camping and swimming and to enjoy the coral.

Chumporn Pinnacles

Thaiphlao Island and Wua Kantang Island
There are beautiful coral reefs and white sandy beaches on Thaiphlao Island and Wua Kantang Island.