Ang Thong Marine Park by Private Boat: A First-Timer's Guide
Ang Thong National Marine Park is the day trip most visitors to Koh Samui have on their list: 42 limestone islands, a hidden saltwater lagoon and beaches with no hotels behind them. Most people see it from a shared tour boat on a fixed route. This guide covers the other way to do it, on a boat that is yours for the day.
The short version: a private charter to Ang Thong starts from ฿34,000 per boat, takes 7 to 10 hours door to door, and the park is usually closed from 1 November to mid-December.
Where Ang Thong Is, and Why Go by Private Boat
Mu Ko Ang Thong, the "golden bowl", is a protected archipelago about 30 km west of Koh Samui. It has been a national park since 1980 and is almost entirely uninhabited. There is no public ferry: every visitor arrives with a licensed operator, either on a group tour or a private charter.
Group tour | Private charter | |
Route | Fixed stops in a fixed order | Planned around the tide, the weather and what you want to do |
Timing | Set time at each stop | Stay longer where you like, skip what you don't |
On board | Shared with other guests | Only your group |
Price | Per person | Per boat |
Because the price is per boat, a private charter makes most sense for families and groups. A ฿57,500 catamaran shared by eight people works out at about ฿7,200 each.
The other difference is crowds. Tour boats reach the main stops at roughly the same hours. A private captain can run the day in a different order and keep you ahead of them where possible.
What You Will See
Koh Wua Talap. The park headquarters island, with a white-sand beach for swimming and snorkelling. A steep 500-metre trail with ropes leads to the park's best-known viewpoint, a panorama over the whole archipelago. Allow about 30 minutes up and wear shoes with grip.
Koh Mae Ko and the Emerald Lagoon. A saltwater lake called Thale Nai sits inside the island, ringed by limestone cliffs and fed by the sea through underwater caves. A staircase climbs to the lookout above it. The lagoon is for looking, not swimming.
Koh Wao. A snorkelling stop on the northern side of the park, usually added on speedboat and motor yacht days.
A quiet beach. Your captain picks a bay to anchor for a swim, depending on wind and where the tour boats are.
One honest note on snorkelling: Ang Thong is about scenery first. The water is often less clear than further north, and visibility tends to be best in March and April. If snorkelling is your priority, look at Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan instead.
How a Private Day Runs
The day comes in two lengths, depending on the boat.
By catamaran or sailing yacht, about 10 hours
8:00 am: pickup from your hotel or villa and transfer to the pier
Cruise west across the Gulf to the park
Koh Wua Talap: snorkelling and the viewpoint hike
Koh Mae Ko: the Emerald Lagoon
Thai lunch on board
A private beach stop for a swim
Golden-hour sail home, back at about 6:30 pm
By speedboat or motor yacht, about 7 hours
9:00 am: pickup from your hotel or villa
A fast crossing to the park
Koh Wua Talap and the viewpoint, then the Emerald Lagoon
An extra snorkelling stop at Koh Wao
Lunch, then a beach stop
Back on Koh Samui at about 4:00 pm
The order of the stops changes with the tide and the weather. On a private boat it also changes with you: skip the hike, add a second swim, or linger over lunch.
Which Boat to Choose
Speed and space are the trade-off: a speedboat gives you a shorter day and more stops, a catamaran a slower day with room to spread out.
Boat type | Best for | Day length | Ang Thong full day from (THB, per boat) |
Small groups, limited time, more stops | About 7 hours | 34,000 | |
Families and groups who want deck space and a stable ride | About 10 hours | 49,500 | |
Couples who want the sailing as much as the stops | About 10 hours | 58,000 | |
Comfort at speed, celebrations | About 7 hours | 125,000 |
Prices are 2026 rates for the whole boat with a set number of guests; larger groups pay a per-person supplement. Every charter includes captain and crew, round-trip hotel transfers, lunch on full-day trips, soft drinks, fruit and snorkelling equipment.
To have the park after the day boats leave, ask about an overnight charter. You can compare every boat by trip and price on the fleet page.
Best Time to Go, Park Closure and Fees
Closure. The park usually closes from 1 November to 15 December, the roughest weeks of the monsoon in the Gulf. The national parks department confirms the dates each year, and they can move with the weather. If your trip falls in those weeks, Koh Phangan and Pig Island are closer to Samui and can still run on calm days.
Best months. The park is open from mid-December to the end of October, daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Seas are generally calmest from February to September. October and late December can bring wind and rain, so keep a spare day in your plans.
Park fee. Foreign visitors pay ฿300 per adult and ฿150 per child aged 3 to 14. Thai visitors pay ฿40 and ฿20. The fee is not part of the charter price and is paid in cash at the park.
What to bring
Shoes or sandals with grip for the viewpoint trail
Swimwear, a hat and reef-safe sunscreen
Cash for the park fee
A dry bag for your phone and camera
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a private trip to Ang Thong?
About 7 hours by speedboat or motor yacht and about 10 hours by catamaran or sailing yacht, counted from hotel pickup to return.
Is the national park fee included in the price?
No. It is ฿300 per foreign adult and ฿150 per child aged 3 to 14, paid in cash at the park.
Can you swim in the Emerald Lagoon?
No. The lagoon on Koh Mae Ko is protected and seen from a lookout above it. Swimming and snorkelling happen at Koh Wua Talap, Koh Wao and the beach stop.
Is the trip suitable for children?
Yes. The beaches and the boat suit all ages. The viewpoint trail is steep, so with small children most families skip it and spend the time on the beach instead.
When is Ang Thong closed?
Usually from 1 November to 15 December each year. Dates are confirmed annually.
How far ahead should we book?
As early as you can for mid-December to New Year, when the park has just reopened and boats are in highest demand. At other times, a few days is often enough.
Plan Your Ang Thong Day
Tell us your dates, the size of your group and how you like to spend a day on the water. Our concierge will suggest the right boat and send a quote.
Message us on WhatsApp or see the full Ang Thong private charter page for boats and prices.
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