Ang Thong National Marine Park (Golden Bowl)

If this isn't paradise, what else is? The Marine Park Ang Thong extends to almost 250sq km, about 25 nautical miles from Koh Samui. Hundreds of small limestone islands and karst topography await you, which rise from the sea as dramatic rock cliffs and bizarre rock formations.

And a few hundred more beaches at this archipelago are just deserted. If that sounds too boring for you, you can look forward to caves, hidden lagoons and exciting hiking tours as well as spectacular vantage points.

Main island is Ko Wua Talap, that contains park headquarters as well as tourist information center, a restaurant, a cave, some basic tourist bungalows as well as a famous view point. More wildlife and fauna are found on Wua Talap, which is home to groups of monkeys (Dusky langurs), and sea turtles, tortoises, monitor lizards, pythons and wild boars are regularly sighted. Some 50 species of birds twirl through the unspoilt jungle as well.

It is an absolutely unique experience to visit Ang Thong National Park by private yacht and stay a few nights enjoying the wondrous surroundings to yourself.

With a powerboat you can reach the islands of Koh Samui within about 1 hour, a sailing boat takes about 3.5 hours.

Koh Mae Koh

One of the most exotic-looking islands of the Ang Thong National Marine Park: Koh Mae Koh is a sleepy little island, marked by emerald-green waters of the Talay Nai sea in the laps of towering limestone mountains.

The island is a beautiful cluster of powdery beaches, mountains, and secret caves harbouring stalactites and stalagmites. Far away from the busting coasts of other islands, Koh Mae Koh also nurtures a beautiful diversity of marine and wildlife.