Bathed in the aquamarine waters of the Gulf of Thailand about 30 km from Ko Samui, the Ang Thong Archipelago is a collection of 42 uninhabited islands famed for their natural beauty. The islands have been designated a National Marine Park to save them from development and excessive tourism, making them a pleasant and relaxing place to visit. The best way to explore is by boat as most of the islands are close together. Each island is different, but hey are characterized by limestone cliffs, tropical forest, caves and secret lagoons, pristine white sand beaches, coral reefs, and aquamarine waters.

Ko Mae Ko (Mother Island) is a must-see. Encircled on all sides by limestone cliffs, the emerald lake in the middle of the island is linked to the sea by an underground tunnel. It’s a strenuous climb to view the lake but well worth the effort, as you gaze down on a stunningly beautiful water and are rewarded by a spectacular view across the whole park.

Other popular islands are Ko Sam Sao (Tripod Island) with its extensive coral reefs and Wua Talap Island (Sleeping Cow Island), the summit of which offers magnificent views across the entire archipelago and the mainland. The headquarters of the national park are situated there, and there is bungalow-style accommodation for visitors. There are caves in many of the islands with interesting rock formations to discover.

The lovely white sand beaches, many of them deserted, are surrounded by coral reefs and the warm shallow waters are ideal for swimming. Other popular island activities include sea-kayaking, and snorkeling around the coral reefs.

When to go: December to February, August to September. Population: 100,000 over the 6 inhabited islands. How to get there: Boat from Ko Samui. You should know: Access to the National Park is controlled. Sevral boat rental companies in Ko Samui are licenced to hire boats to visit the islands. Photos by: mark_schermerhorn