Koh Phangan Travel Guides & Itineraries

Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park, established as a marine national park in 1980, is an archipelago of 42 islands spanning 102 km².

It is situated off the coast of Surat Thani Province, east of Ko Samui, in the Gulf of Thailand. The park is recognized as a Ramsar site under the Ramsar Convention, an international treaty that acknowledges important wetlands.

The name is often mistakenly written as “Angthong,” but the correct spelling is “Ang Thong,” which means “golden basin.”

The islands themselves cover about 18 km² within the park. Key islands include:

• Ko Phaluai,
• Ko Wua Ta Lap,
• Ko Mae Ko,
• Ko Sam Sao,
• Ko Hin Dap,
• Ko Nai Phut,
• Ko Phai Luak.

The highest point is on Ko Phaluai, rising 396 meters above sea level. The terrain mainly features steep limestone hills, caves, sinkholes, and inland marine lakes.

Small communities exist on Ko Phaluai and Ko Wua Ta Lap, while the other islands remain uninhabited.

The park’s main headquarters and basic visitor facilities are located on Ko Wua Ta Lap. Nearby destinations include:

• Ko Samui,
• Ko Pha Ngan,
• Ko Tao,
• Krabi.

The park gained wider recognition following the release of the film The Beach, based on Alex Garland’s novel and starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Although the main beach scenes were shot on the Phi Phi Islands in Krabi Province, some scenes were filmed within Ang Thong. The famous waterfall jump scene was actually filmed at Haew Suwat Waterfall in Khao Yai National Park.

• Location: Gulf of Thailand, about 28 km northwest of Koh Samui; accessible via day-trip boat tours from Koh Samui or Koh Phangan.

• Key Features: Towering limestone cliffs, hidden emerald lagoons (like Thale Nai), dense jungle, and white-sand beaches.

• Top Activities: Kayaking, snorkeling, hiking to panoramic viewpoints (such as Koh Wua Ta Lap), and swimming.

• Best Time to Visit: February to October, when the sea is calm. The park typically closes from early November to mid-December for ecosystem recovery and monsoon season