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Kayaking Ang Thong National Marine Park

Taking a break on a beautiful beach

The real life inspiration for the beach in Alex Garland's novel, ” The Beach,”? is part of the Ang Thong National Marine Park. As I was finding the cost of living noticeably higher in Thailand than Nepal or India, I decided to adopt a more prudent approach to my sightseeing. In other words, Mr. Ung's jungle tour stringing together a bunch of small sights was out, and a day of sea kayaking was in.

Our fearless leader, Angus

I was picked up in a nicely air-conditioned van and shuttled to the pier where we boarded our big boat for the day. Our tour leader was the burly, tattooed Angus, wearing a Sex Pistols t-shirt. Later, we'd learn he'd been living in Thailand for the last 18 years. I sat with a group of young South African guys. We had a small group, just a few more people than the minimum required to set sail, but not enough to feel like it was crowded, or would require us to take turns with the kayaks.

Paddling into a small cove

After two hours of cruising to the northern end of the archipelago, we set down anchor and jumped in the kayaks. I paired up with the only other single traveler on board, an older German man. We followed Angus' lead and weaved our way in and out of the limestone islands. The water was quite calm, which made the paddling feel almost effortless at times. After 45 minutes in the water, we got back on the boat and started immediately jumping off the second level. The South Africans went a step further, gaining an extra meter or two by climbing on the roof, but I had visions of falling off so I kept my efforts low key.

Talay Nai (emerald lake)

As we ate a tasty buffet lunch including chicken and vegetable curries, we motored our way south through the islands, anchoring at the beach entrance to Talay Nai (the lagoon within the mountains) a green salt water lake on one of the islands. It was a short walk up some steep stairs to get there, but the the views of the lake and surrounding islands were wonderful.

Cruising past some beautiful beaches

When we returned to the beach, the crowds from other boats had left and we had it to ourselves. We lounged in the water for awhile before taking the kayaks out for a second paddle. On the second trip it felt like we covered more distance, and I started to feel a bit worn out from the paddling. We took a few more leaps from the boat and returned to Kho Samui.

White men *can* jump

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

Bromme

Thursday 20th of February 2014

The companies name you went with is Blue Stars Kayaking located at Chaweng Beach on Koh Samui. They offer a full day excursion with kayaking and snorkeling to the Ang Thong Marine Park from Koh Samui and they are the only operator which is visiting the caves and tunnels at the northern islands of the park.

You will find more information on their website at: www.bluestars.info

Dave

Friday 21st of February 2014

Hi Bromme, thanks for refreshing my memory after all these years.

Raisa

Saturday 12th of May 2012

Which kayaking operator is this. I don want to go Ang thong for a typical touristy trip.

Dave

Saturday 12th of May 2012

Hi Raisa, I don't remember the name of the kayak operator, however it doesn't matter. Most of the travel shops and hostels book the same "touristy trip" through the same operators.

To get off the beaten track, you'll have to ask around.

Kango Suz

Monday 28th of July 2008

Sea kayaking is something I've always wanted to do but never gotten aroudn to doing. Which is absolutely without excuses as I live less than an hour from the beach.

Mind you, it's the South LA beaches, which are not nearly as beautiful as this, but I shouldn't let it stop me. Thanks for the re-inspiration!

Kango Suz

Monday 28th of July 2008

Sea kayaking is something I've always wanted to do but never gotten aroudn to doing. Which is absolutely without excuses as I live less than an hour from the beach.

Mind you, it's the South LA beaches, which are not nearly as beautiful as this, but I shouldn't let it stop me. Thanks for the re-inspiration!

Chinamatt

Monday 28th of July 2008

Sounds like an amazing trip--and the photos are beautiful. I'd like to take a kayaking trip sometime soon--haven't done that in many years and I miss it.

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