Where the water glows jade‑green, the cliffs rise like ancient walls, and every snorkel feels like drifting through a dream of islands.

Mu Ko Ang Thong (หมู่เกาะอ่างทอง) is the emerald‑blue national park west of Koh Samui — a cluster of 42 limestone islands wrapped in lagoons, caves, and coral gardens.
Snorkeling here is gentle, cinematic, and full of quiet magic.

This clockwise map begins at the northeast entrance and loops around the archipelago’s most beautiful snorkeling spots.

1) Koh Wao (Northeast Cluster)

Thai: เกาะว่าว
Romanization: Koh Wao
Local pronunciation: Wao

Koh Wao is the snorkeling heart of Ang Thong — a trio of islands forming a natural lagoon with calm, clear water.

What makes it beautiful

• Calm, protected lagoon
• Coral gardens between rocky channels
• Clear turquoise water
• Perfect for beginners and slow floating

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาผีเสื้อเหลือง (Pla Phee Suea Lueang) — yellow butterflyfish — “the sunshine flutter”
• ปลานกแก้ว (Pla Nok Kaew) — parrotfish — “the loud coral‑crunching gossip queen”
• ปลาจิ๋วฟ้า (Pla Jiw Fa) — blue damselfish — “the tiny electric boss”
• ปลาสลิดทะเล (Pla Salid Talay) — rabbitfish — “the polite vegetarian”

“Koh Wao is the ‘emerald‑lagoon dream’ of Ang Thong.”

2) Koh Wao Nai (North Cluster)

Thai: เกาะว่าวใน
Romanization: Koh Wao Nai
Local pronunciation: Wao‑nai

A quiet, rocky island with deeper water and coral blocks glowing beneath the cliffs.

What makes it beautiful

• Deep sapphire water
• Coral blocks between boulders
• A peaceful, hidden‑island feeling

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาฟูซิเลียร์ (Pla Fusilier) — fusilier — “the silver confetti cloud”
• ปลาทรัมเป็ต (Pla Trumpet) — trumpetfish — “the long, shy pretender”
• ปลากะรัง (Pla Garang) — grouper — “the chunky, quiet guardian”

“Wao Nai is the ‘quiet northern breath’ of the archipelago.”

3) Koh Hin Dap (Northwest)

Thai: เกาะหินดับ
Romanization: Koh Hin Dap
Local pronunciation: Hin‑dap

A rocky islet with clear water and coral heads tucked close to the cliffs.

What makes it beautiful

• Clear, deep water
• Coral near the rocks
• Dramatic limestone scenery

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาผีเสื้อปากยาว (Pla Phee Suea Pak Yao) — long‑nose butterflyfish
• ปลาคราม (Pla Kram) — blue‑green chromis
• ปลานกแก้วรุ้ง (Pla Nok Kaew Rung) — rainbow parrotfish

“Hin Dap is the ‘tiny island, big color’ moment.”

4) Koh Sam Sao (East of Emerald Lake)

Thai: เกาะสามเส้า
Romanization: Koh Sam Sao
Local pronunciation: Sam‑sao

A long, curved island with coral gardens near the natural stone bridge.

What makes it beautiful

• Coral gardens near the arch
• Clear turquoise water
• A dramatic, photogenic coastline

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาผีเสื้อเหลือง (Pla Phee Suea Lueang)
• ปลาจิ๋วฟ้า (Pla Jiw Fa)
• ปลานกแก้ว (Pla Nok Kaew)

“Sam Sao is the ‘snorkel under the stone arch’ chapter.”

5) Koh Mae Ko (Emerald Lake Island)

Thai: เกาะแม่เกาะ
Romanization: Koh Mae Ko
Local pronunciation: Mae‑koh

Famous for the Emerald Lake viewpoint, but the outer reef is beautiful too.

What makes it beautiful

• Coral near the rocky edges
• Deep emerald water
• A dramatic, cliff‑wrapped atmosphere

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาฟูซิเลียร์ (Pla Fusilier)
• ปลาทรัมเป็ต (Pla Trumpet)
• ปลากะรัง (Pla Garang)

“Mae Ko is the ‘emerald‑light’ snorkeling moment.”

6) Koh Tai Plao (South Cluster)

Thai: เกาะท้ายเปล่า
Romanization: Koh Tai Plao
Local pronunciation: Tai‑plao

A rugged island with caves, arches, and coral gardens tucked between rocky channels.

What makes it beautiful

• Underwater boulders
• Coral heads near the cliffs
• A dramatic, adventurous atmosphere

Fish you’ll see

• ปลานกแก้วรุ้ง (Pla Nok Kaew Rung)
• ปลาผีเสื้อปากยาว (Pla Phee Suea Pak Yao)
• ปลาคราม (Pla Kram)

“Tai Plao is the ‘caves, arches, and coral’ chapter.”

7) Koh Paluay (Southwest)

Thai: เกาะพะลวย
Romanization: Koh Paluay
Local pronunciation: Pa‑luay

The only island in Ang Thong with a local fishing village — and a quiet reef near the western headland.

What makes it beautiful

• Calm, shallow water
• Coral near the rocks
• A peaceful, local‑life atmosphere

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาสลิดทะเล (Pla Salid Talay)
• ปลาจิ๋วฟ้า (Pla Jiw Fa)
• ปลานกแก้ว (Pla Nok Kaew)

“Paluay is the ‘local village + coral pocket’ moment.”

8) Koh Wua Talap (Park HQ Island)

Thai: เกาะวัวตาหลับ
Romanization: Koh Wua Talap
Local pronunciation: Wua‑ta‑lap

The main island of the national park — famous for its viewpoint, but the snorkeling near the rocky edges is gentle and beautiful.

What makes it beautiful

• Calm, protected bay
• Coral near the rocks
• Soft, shallow water

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาผีเสื้อเหลือง (Pla Phee Suea Lueang)
• ปลาคราม (Pla Kram)
• ปลานกแก้ว (Pla Nok Kaew)

“Wua Talap is the ‘viewpoint above, coral below’ chapter.”

🌺 The Feeling of Ang Thong

Mu Ko Ang Thong is the emerald‑lagoon archipelago of the Gulf — soft, quiet, and full of cinematic cliffs. Snorkeling here feels gentle and dreamlike, with coral gardens tucked between rocky channels and water glowing jade‑green under the sun.

It’s the part of Thailand that feels like a floating cathedral of islands