|
|
Ang Thong National Marine Park tour is the best of its kind here in the Gulf of Thailand! The tour consists of a number of activities for both the adventure seeker and also the more relaxed type of customer. Activities include snorkeling over amazing untouched coral beds, kayaking through limestone overhangs and around the beautiful islands, sightseeing to the viewpoint to get the most breathtaking photos of the marine park and light trekking to the famous emerald lake to see one of the most beautiful natural lakes (located within a hill in middle of an island) in Asia.
Koh Ang Thong is most famous for the inspiration for scenes described in the novel "The Beach". Ang Thong National Marine Park is made up of 42 islands featuring lime stone massifs, tropical rainforests and deserted beaches. This fascinating group of islands, is geographically different from the other islands in the region. The Ang Thong islands rise from the sea as dramatic walls of rock soaring hundreds of metres high. Besides the many small coves and beautiful beaches, erosion has shaped some interesting formations, which are great to see when kayaking! Particular features are Mae Ko (a beautiful beach) and Thale Nai (an emerald saltwater lake) both found on Ko Mae Ko.
Ko Sam Sao has a coral reef and a huge rock arch as well as a hill providing great views of the surrounding area. There is a considerable amount of wildlife inhabiting the islands including the Asian long-tailed monkey (langur), hair-nosed otters, pacific reef egrets, white-bellied sea eagles, ashy drongos, tortoises, sea turtles, lizards and pythons. The surrounding sea is also the major spawning ground for the short-bodied mackerel, a tasty Thai delicacy.
The best time to visit this archipelago is late March to October when visibility is at its best for snorkelling but other seasons can still be fine. We would encourage everyone visiting Koh Phangan that if you are looking to do a boat trip then this should be it! The tour includes lunch and soft drinks, snorkeling mask and snorkel (fins not permitted as national marine park), Kayaking between the islands and eroded island overhangs. English speaking guide, full insurance, life jacket and first aid kit.
The tour departs via a twenty seater large speedboat which in itself makes the trip worthwhile as it is so much fun especially if you kneel down at the front of the boat whilst it jumps the waves!
In high season places are limited so it is advisable to pre-book here.
Please also be aware there is also the possibility to stay on Wua ta lap Island in the Marine park for either 2 or 4 nights. We can arrange the tour to return you back to Koh Phangan on one of the days the tour is arriving back on the Marine Park as long as you inform us of how long you want to stay on the island. The Marine park is very tranquil, with monkeys running around and a beautiful beach and caves to investigate - a place not to be missed if you can stay a few nights rather than just do the day tour! You can also rent kayaks on the island for your own private adventure! There is a restaurent, a beach bar and a Government Information Office on the island. Bungalow accommodation is available but we cannot pre-book as its on a first come first served basis but no worries as you can also do it 'Robinson Crusoe' style and rent a tent and pitch it on the beach and listen to the waves sending you to sleep! Idylic indeed!
|
MySpace - BackPackers Information Centre