Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park — Attraction in Ko Wua Ta Lap

The park has extremely beautiful scenery, but fails in terms of accommodations and staff.

My partner and I stayed at the national park for 2 nights, as we believed we needed more time to do everything we wanted to do on the island. Booking online is impossible, so you have to do it on location. On the outside, our little bungalow looked fine. We also knew the park shuts power off around midnight.

After the crowds left, we decided to go to the caves left of the beach. As we climbed, we soon realized that the climb was extremely challenging and dangerous. The rocks were very wet, and we felt like one wrong step, and we would fall to our deaths. We do not reccomend anyone who is not physically fit to go to the caves. The climb to the viewpoint was also somewhat difficult. The rocks were slippery, but the steps were laid out like normal steps would be. We were told it would be a 20 minute hike up, but we ended up spending an hour climbing up. The viewpoint was beautiful though, we highly recommend it just for the view.

The accommodations were awful. We stayed in the one bedroom bungalow. Mosquito nets were not provided, and they do not offer clean blankets. The blankets we were given felt waxy, and my partner said her's had dirt on it. Our bungalow also had many broken screens, causing bugs and lizards to come into our room. I understand it's pretty much glorified camping, but we talked to the people next to us, and they had no problem with bugs. We must of gotten the bad room. The bathroom also smelled like sewage constantly. During our second night, a swarm of these little beetle ants got into our room. I'm not exaggerating when I say there were hundreds of those things crawling all over our room and us. We felt like we were in some horror movie. We ran outside at midnight and had no idea what to do next. Two employees walked past us and did not offer any help. The visitor center did not offer any help. Nobody helped us. We then spent the next hour clearing out the room by ourselves.

The scenery is beautiful, but do not stay overnight without proper equipment. Bring your own portable fan, blankets, mosquito nets, water, and towels. Also bring plenty of things to do, as it rains often, and there is no internet access, unless you have an...

The park itself is a long chain of 42 north-south aligned islands lying roughly equidistant from the mainland and Koh Samui. Visiting them in any number is impossible unless you live here and sail or motor the 90 minutes across from Koh Samui and camp or have onboard accommodations. Public tours only navigate to one passage between two islands for snorkeling, viewpoints or to visit an island 'lake', although private tours (10 times as expensive) can take a small group to isolated locations away from the masses. The tour companies do a poor job of educating the public about the islands' history, geography and sights, preferring to ferry as many people as possible to the islands, mostly on 'big' boats that sport bench/table seating, a lunch, snorkeling and/or kayaking to maximize revenue. The tours vary little in content from company to company. More expensive tours will reduce the head count and give you perhaps a jacuzzi on board and a few more amenities thrown in. Keep in mind the weather and as a result rough seas play an important role in your enjoyment. It's not uncommon to have your tour cancelled at short notice due to storms causing 2-3 meter swells. Seasickness is common on board these 30-40 meter vessels. Even the larger Lamprayah ferries routinely deal with heavy seas and sometimes dozens of sick passengers. My tour to the marine park in 1.5 meter swells resulted in several people heaving over the side. And the ferry to Koh Tao had a hundred barf bags used! Definitely take seasickness pills 30 minutes before undertaking any sea voyages regardless of the size of the ship or weather. Probably the only learning and fun way to see the islands beyond the fixed tour itineraries are by private charter, but it will cost you dearly. I'm guessing diving would be good around some of these islands as the currents are strong. But no one discusses this or to my knowledge offers day or liveaboard trips there. The islands are often vertical karst formations to the sea making it hard to access the islands. Ideally one would spend days exploring the islands from a base somewhere but again, there was no information about the possibility. The islands remain largely a mystery...

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park is a breathtaking destination that I highly recommend visiting if you're traveling to Thailand. This marine park is located in the Gulf of Thailand, approximately 35 kilometers off the coast of Koh Samui. It is comprised of 42 islands, most of which are uninhabited, making it a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.

During my visit to Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park, I was able to witness the incredible beauty of the park's natural features. The clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and towering limestone cliffs were a sight to behold. There are also several stunning beaches that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and sunbathing. I particularly enjoyed kayaking around the park's islands, exploring hidden coves and sea caves, and observing the abundant marine life.

One of the highlights of my trip was visiting the Emerald Lake (Talay Nai). The lake is located on the island of Koh Mae and is surrounded by dense jungle and towering cliffs. The lake itself is an incredible sight, with crystal clear emerald waters reflecting the lush greenery that surrounds it. I felt a sense of peace and tranquility while admiring this natural wonder.

The park offers several activities such as hiking, snorkeling, diving, and camping, among others. The park authorities have established several walking trails that lead to scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, and other natural attractions. There are also several dive sites around the park where you can see a variety of marine life, including whale sharks, manta rays, and colorful fish.

Overall, Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Thailand. The stunning natural scenery, abundant marine life, and exciting activities make it an unforgettable experience. I highly recommend taking a guided tour to get the most out of your visit and learn about the park's ecology...