Ang Thong is the trip to book first, because it depends on weather and fills up in July and August. It can be done on a big boat (steadier, slower, more people), a speedboat (faster, more stops) or a small-group kayak-focused tour (more time actually paddling). Most Samui tours include hotel transfers; Phangan departures leave from Thong Sala.
These picks were chosen in October 2026 for their itineraries and reviews. Prices are indicative “from” prices in euros; the national park fee is sometimes collected separately.
Our pick of Koh Samui & Koh Phangan tours & tickets
from €33 Ang Thong Marine Park cruise with kayaking option from Samui
A day cruise to two of the park’s islands to kayak, snorkel and hike to the hidden saltwater lake known as the Blue Lagoon.
from €74 Ang Thong full-day kayaking and snorkelling tour
A full day in the marine park built around sea kayaking and snorkelling among the islands, with a Thai buffet lunch.
from €37 Pig Island by speedboat with buffet lunch
A half-day trip to Koh Tan and Koh Madsum off Samui’s south coast, with snorkelling, beach time and shorter boat rides than the Ang Thong trips. The beach’s resident pigs are a draw; look, but do not feed them unsuitable food.
from €24 Koh Samui elephant sanctuary entry and feeding
An entry ticket to a sanctuary where you can see elephants up close and feed them yourself. No riding.
from €62 Koh Samui ATV quad-bike jungle tour
A guided off-road ride of one to three hours through the island’s interior, with waterfalls, mountain tracks, viewpoints and a temple stop, including hotel pick-up.
from €40 Muay thai ticket at Phetch Buncha Boxing Stadium
An evening of fights at one of Samui’s stadiums, complete with the Wai Khru Ram Muay ritual performed before each bout.
from €68 Ang Thong day tour with kayak, snorkel and lunch from Koh Phangan
A speedboat day from Koh Phangan with snorkelling, sea kayaking, a beach buffet, the Blue Lagoon and the hike to the famous viewpoint.
from €9 High-speed ferry transfer between Koh Samui and Koh Phangan
A ferry ticket between the two islands, with optional airport and hotel shuttle add-ons.
Booking tips
- Ang Thong closure. The marine park normally closes for several weeks at the height of the monsoon, around November to mid-December; exact dates change each year.
- Park fee. Foreign visitors pay an entry fee of around 300 THB. Check whether it is included.
- The viewpoint. The Ko Wua Talap trail is about 500 metres of steep, rocky steps with ropes; wear proper shoes, not flip-flops.
- Elephants. Book only no-riding sanctuaries; several on Samui are observation-and-feeding only, which is the kindest format.
- Rough days. When wind is forecast, choose the big boat over a speedboat — or swap to a land day.
