Koh Samui Angthong Marine Park Speedboat Tour with Kayaking: An Honest Review
Dreaming of crystalline waters, untouched islands, and the freedom to explore at your own speed? Well, that’s likely how I found myself signing up for the Koh Samui Angthong Marine Park Speedboat Tour with Kayaking. That sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? A trip sounded like just what I needed! Having just experienced it, I wanted to provide what I think is a really fair look, the good, the not-so-good, and whether or not it really delivers that picture-postcard experience.
What’s the Big Deal About Angthong Marine Park Anyway?
So, before even booking a tour, you probably want to know a bit about Angthong Marine Park. Comprising 42 islands, most are uninhabited, and it’s just brimming with untouched beauty. We are talking about crazy limestone cliffs, really dense jungle, cute beaches, and hidden lagoons, right? Basically, it’s an Instagrammer’s fantasy! Established way back in 1980, that protects the area, so it stays a total paradise. Tours are the main way people actually experience it.
That Park has just tons of animal and plant species and an extremely memorable geologic history. Many millions of years ago, the limestone hills we see today, those were forming slowly from the sedimentation of the sea, basically turning the region from just seabed to an elevated thing of isles with inlets. Today you can see just dozens of the flora species, the island long-tailed macaque, that dwells inside these islands. What’s kind of fascinating is how close Angthong is to the major tourist centers that are close by, yet manages to retain an extremely feeling of remoteness that seems like a world away from the centers of travel. That fact in itself makes an excursion there really worthwhile, providing an easy escape into a completely kept environment.
Picking the Right Tour: Speedboat Versus Longtail Boat
Alright, listen up, when it comes to Angthong tours from Koh Samui, you’ve generally got two boat choices: speedboats or longtail boats. Now, those longtail boats, those are nice and that are traditional, so it will feel more like a scenic ride; think slow and steady. But with the speedboat? That gets you to the park incredibly faster, which is super if you want to maximize the time you spend *at* the islands. You want a full day of snorkeling and swimming, of course, and it’s almost like seeing as much as possible, so the speedboat is actually really ideal. I do recommend it for anyone prone to seasickness to think twice, just as it could be a fairly bumpy ride contingent to sea conditions.
That decision of boat really changes what your experience is going to be like! Just imagine yourself gently moving across some blue water in some classic boat, the sounds of its engine blending too it’s almost, you know, calm nature around you. Or on the other hand, you picture getting there fast in a boat that’s super modern and agile. Speedboats cut some travel time dramatically by offering guests longer to experience some of the primary attractions. With the way it works you can pick what feels very you, and in the end there actually is not really some incorrect way!
My Speedboat Tour: What to Actually Expect
Okay, that is what a standard speedboat tour generally looks like. Tours include things like: hotel pickup in Koh Samui (always good, if you ask me!), a continental breakfast, snorkeling stop(s), that kayaking excursion, lunch on one of the islands, and that climb to the Emerald Lagoon viewpoint. Now, times and also the order, those could be very depending on your tour company and the day’s tides.
That day almost started real early once the driver of the tour arrived at the hotel so I would take me, this happened approximately at 8 AM! Soon after a little continental breakfast at a tour place, there that point it was time for hitting some waves. When we got there the park, we had some really neat time doing all that snorkeling across the reefs that’s located near the park’s shore, looking really keenly into all those brightly-colored fish as well as corals below the surface. Kayaking, too, it’s almost through the really slim inlets proved breathtaking. It was nearly surreal paddling as the boat made its path through limestone formations!
Kayaking in Angthong: Paddle Power!
Alright, listen, the kayaking is probably one of the best parts, arguably. Typically, you get roughly an hour to actually paddle near a specific island. It almost seems that many tour operators offer those see-through kayaks, and of course, those only that much cooler. The only thing to really be conscious of? The sun. Slather on some sunblock! Then go discover coves, little caves, and also all that great wildlife at your pace.
Once I set off to experience, so, that feeling of it too it’s almost solitude actually hit. I remember hearing sounds from various wild birds flying overhead, and you get views as if you had a completely brand-new angle from being nearly at ocean level that’s located right under you. A number of hidden beaches presented themself to folks which made sure to grab kayaks from group excursions to do exploring independently, in order to find these special gems of islands which are normally difficult too reach. When coming closer into coastal stones you will have chances for admiring aquatic wildlife inside unbelievably waters. Kayaking definitely appears worth doing to anybody getting out to visit park in order too observe much to have in terms nature wonders close by.
The Emerald Lagoon (Thale Nai): Worth the Hike?
Now, that’s a serious question: Is this worthwhile or no? Thale Nai, a.k.a. the Emerald Lagoon, and of course is basically a saltwater lake located right in the middle of Koh Mae Koh island. You’ll absolutely need to hike up loads of stairs (and I mean a *lot*!), to have those breathtaking views. This may well be hard, let me just tell you; however the views after that lagoon are just wow! In case you are at all nervous of heights, proceed really, very carefully.
From top right after you rise at such height over Thale Nai; that lagoon extends, exhibiting color ranging out of bright green hues blending along so really waters from park under you. A variety of camera users have attempted at freezing just landscape moments of greatness, but the human visual perception gives nothing alike! The increasing amount climbing may just show fatigue, you, although, trust once saying what your opinion of this is can alter instantly after you peer off on panorama and all you got! To many persons, any attempt going the scenic tour within just Angthong Marine Park does just seem absolutely deficient if this famous landmark isn’t viewed.
Lunch and Relaxation Time
After you sweat on the climb, typically you are gonna be treated to lunch that actually provided at one of those islands. Expect just a standard Thai buffet, that has things like rice, noodles, that has some veggie dishes, that comes with things like fruit. I will say, do not be expecting a Michelin-starred experience! Still, the lunch does what it’s got to, just fills you right up and gives your all a chance just to relax before the trip back.
Once all travelers did grab any part from available foods, which they could sit beneath tree canopies across shorelines or tables to engage to eating across themselves with those tour teams for an period relaxed after strenuous adventures inside their am day schedules. What a fantastic means just too think about events across so a gorgeous daytime and bond across to persons having similar mind as to experience an extremely attractive nature gem together.
What to Bring: Your Packing List
Right, I will just give you a heads up here: This is going to really help you. Here’s just some things I’m hoping you will add inside that bag:
- Sunscreen (seriously, you need tons).
- Swimsuit and cover-up.
- A towel (some trips provide one, but honestly, it’s always good just to have your own).
- Sunglasses and a hat.
- Waterproof bag for phones or cameras.
- Comfortable shoes for hiking (those steps on Thale Nai!).
- Some cash for drinks and snacks (sometimes things aren’t included).
To have just gear appropriate guarantees persons should keep just enjoyable while also really staying across for sun throughout the duration along any marine escapade into Thailand to some very well called parks. That will prepare persons may concentrate over nature marvel that’s all across ones without dealing comfort and or security troubles, with so what this also allows folks at a chance at building really positive impression through day to some special and famous tropical position.
The Verdict: Worth It?
Okay, after the whole experience, the real thing is, did this tour pay for itself? And I can absolutely say yeah, with no doubt. Look, Angthong Marine Park is breathtaking, and seeing it just from a speedboat and the flexibility to go kayaking does really makes this a day worth your money. Sure, those climbs are generally killer, and those crowds appear in certain instances, but any beauty from the area really really does overcome all the small issues. If you are headed to Koh Samui and I would suggest doing it as something must see and do, like your visit there won’t just ever appear the complete experience!
That mixture comprising swift journey via boat across all places as some kayaking adventures also a climbing for seeing an unreal lagoon together give something like great insight. When to the individuals are seeking at adding really bit to adventure and to exploring in a single package right in a course that’s all trip at Thailand in its best moments then simply simply this experience really just might prove amazing to a high regard.