Mu-Ko-Ang-Thong National Park
Mu Ko Ang Thong is a national marine park located in the Surat Thani province in Thailand in the Gulf of Thailand in the South China Sea. The park includes 42 islands with a total area of 84 km2. The water area of the islands is 102 km2.
The park is a protected area in Thailand and is famous for its large number of limestone caves, beaches and tropical trees. Not far from the park is the popular resort of Samui. The name of the marine park literally translates as “golden bay”, and the islands themselves provide rich soil for new discoveries. After 1980, this territory was included in the register of national parks of the country; the islands have brought to this day a unique landscape and nature almost untouched by man.
All the islands in Mu Ko Ang Thong National Park have a different shape and area, and each has its own peculiarity: some have bird colonies, others have amazing beaches, others are famous for their bays. Diving is very developed on the islands, but on land you can see exotic birds or meet a leopard in the forest. Although in the 20th century a military base of the Kingdom of Thailand was located on the islands of the park, during this time the military did not manage to cause harm to nature.
The best way to travel along the coastline is by canoe, discovering new bays, caves, and beaches. The calm waters of Mu Ko Ang Thong Marine Park are a great place for diving and snorkeling. Underwater you will see colorful scatterings of corals, strange fish and other inhabitants of the deep sea, and a variety of plants. You can also spot dolphins in local waters. A walk on foot will be no less exciting; you should especially take a walk into the jungle of the largest island, Koh Wua Talap, which also has an observation deck at a 400-meter altitude.
Guests of the park should visit the lake on the island of Mae Ko, where the water is emerald green and the shores are framed by rocks and cliffs. On the site of the lake there used to be a volcanic crater. There are very rare fish in the lake, so swimming is prohibited there. Popular places include the Bua Boc cave, with stalactites and stalagmites.
