Ang Thong closed 1 Nov to 15 Dec: what to do instead

What can we do on Koh Samui when Ang Thong is closed?

The Ang Thong national park is closed from 1 November to 15 December every year. If your dates fall inside that window, you need a different island day, and we have two good options.

The first is our full-day speedboat trip to Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan. The second is a shorter snorkeling day around Koh Tan and Pig Island. Which one suits you depends on how much time you want to spend on the water and how confident you feel at sea.

What is the Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan trip like?

Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan are islands in the Gulf of Thailand, about 65 km north of Koh Samui. Koh Tao is known as one of Thailand's top diving and snorkeling destinations, with coral reefs and plenty of marine life. Koh Nang Yuan is a tiny island famous for its triple sandbar joining three rocky islets.

We go by shared speedboat. In normal sea conditions the crossing to the first island is around 90 minutes, and it can take 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the sea. It is a full-day trip, with hotel pickup in the morning and drop-off in the early evening.

What do we actually do on the day?

We start early at the pier with check-in, a light breakfast and a safety briefing before boarding. After the crossing you get free time on Koh Nang Yuan to relax on the sandbar beach and swim in shallow water.

Around Koh Tao we make at least two snorkeling stops. Well-known sites such as Mango Bay and the Japanese Garden are part of the itinerary. We stop for a Thai lunch at a restaurant on Koh Tao, then spend more time in the water or relaxing on the boat before the ride back to Koh Samui.

• Snorkeling over coral reefs and tropical fish
• Free time on the Koh Nang Yuan sandbar beach
• An optional viewpoint hike of around 15 minutes
• Thai lunch on Koh Tao
• Mask, snorkel and life jacket for every snorkeling stop

Is the Koh Tao trip right for everyone?

It suits confident swimmers and people who love snorkeling and feel comfortable on a speedboat. You do not need snorkeling experience, because the spots around Koh Tao suit beginners and we provide masks, snorkels and life jackets. Children are welcome.

The fitness level is moderate. You walk on sand, climb steps and rocks to the Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint, and get in and out of the boat by ladder. The trail is steep in parts, and the hike is optional. Speedboat tours are not recommended for pregnant guests or people with serious back or neck problems, because of possible bumps on the waves. If you dislike choppy seas, a calmer, shorter day may suit you better.

What if we want something shorter and easier?

Our other option is the Koh Tan and Pig Island snorkeling day trip. These reefs are only 20 to 30 minutes away from Koh Samui, in calm, shallow water of roughly 2 to 4 metres. That makes them easier for young children, nervous swimmers or anyone who prefers a half-day plan.

The trade-off is simple. Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan have the clearest water and the best coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand, but they mean a full day with a long boat ride each way. Koh Tan and Pig Island are the easiest choice, and the shorter crossing leaves you more time on the reef.

How do we plan the days around the closure?

Conditions at sea vary, and snorkeling visibility changes with the weather. On the Koh Tao trip our guides choose the best sites on the day for safety and clarity. If the water at a particular spot is not right, the crew changes the snorkeling spot. We cannot promise wildlife sightings, but turtles and bigger species are occasionally seen.

If you are travelling between 1 November and 15 December, pick one of these two trips for your island day. Tell us where you are staying on Koh Samui and we will confirm the pickup details on your voucher once your booking is final.

What does the Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan cost, and what is included?

• Adult: ฿2,100 per person
• Child: ฿1,750 per person

Hotel pickup included · Admission fee included · No hidden fees · Instant confirmation

The Ang Thong national park is closed from 1 November to 15 December every year.

Can you cancel or change your booking?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour date, fully refundable. If our captain decides the sea or weather makes the tour unsafe, you can choose a new date or a full refund. There is no fixed booking period: book as early as you can to secure your spot, because Koh Samui tours fill up easily, even in low season.

What else should you read before you go?

• Ang Thong Marine Park Fees: What You Pay
• How to Get to Pig Island from Koh Samui: Boat Options and Prices
• Snorkelling Tours from Koh Samui: Our Koh Tao Trip
• Koh Samui vs Koh Tao: Which Is Better for a Day?

Where can you check official information?

Official information is published by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Ministry of Tourism and Sports.