Ang Thong National Marine Park comprises over 40 more islands northwest of Samui and is well known for its scenic beauty and coral reefs. Many of these islands are limestone rock towers of up to 40m (131 ft.), fringed by beaches and tropical rainforest.
Koh Wua Talab (Sleeping Cow Island) is the largest of the 40 and is home to the National Park Headquarters where there are some very basic 4- to 8-person accommodations (booked only through the park headquarters at tel. 07728-6025), but most just visit for the day. The island has freshwater springs and a park-run restaurant. Note: Pack a pair of strong walking shoes for the steep hills; flip flops won't be able to take the gradient.
Koh Mae Ko (Mother Island) is known for both its beach and Thalay Noi, an inland saltwater lake with an undiscovered outlet to the sea (made famous by the film The Beach). Known to the Thais as Ang Thong, or "Golden Bowl," this turquoise-green lagoon gave its name to the entire archipelago. Endless companies offer day trips, by speedboat or the bigger Seatran Discovery boat (tel. 07742-6000). Some include snorkeling and kayaking trips with a range of prices; Blue Stars (tel. 07723-0497; www.bluestars.info) in Chaweng is a good operator to try.
