Summer this year is way too hot. No matter where I look, all I see is the hot smoke. Automatically, I thought about beach and sea time. I think it's the only place that we get under the sun without feeling painful. On the contrary, we feel refreshing with the wind, the sand, and the beach.

To welcome this hottest summer, I'd like to introduce some beautiful Thai islands for you guys. I'll focus on the charming and beautiful islands of the National Marine Park. Some of them is accessible by boat as a one day trip and some as an overnight trip. I'm sure that going in the sea during this time will definitely cool us off, more or less.

Moo Koh Rang
Moo Koh Chang National Marine Park, Trat Province
Closing Time : Open throughout the year, depending on weather conditions
For More Information : TAT Trat: 0 3959 7259-60

It is small islands locating between Koh Chang and Koh Kood. It consists of about 10 small islands and many of them are rock islands with the most complete coral reefs in Trat. Even though I have to admit that these coral reefs are not as beautiful as the ones in the south, the beauty of the sea on the sunny day will make you cry out with happiness. The National Park open this area for the snorkeling purpose. If you are coming to Koh Chang and miss the snorkeling, it'd be such a regret.

It's quite easy to travel to Koh Rang. You can simply buy a one day trip from any tour on Koh Chang. They will take you to snorkeling for 3-4 stops and get on Koh Rang to feel the beach before stopping at Koh Wai as the last stop. Sometimes, if you purchase a relax package with the resort on Koh Kood, mostly, they also take you to Koh Rang. Like I mentioned earlier, this stop has the most complete coral reefs in Trat.

Moo Koh Chumphon
Moo Koh Chumphon National Marine Park, Chumphon Province
Closing Time: 1 November – 15 December or as per an announcement from the National Marine Park
For More Information : TAT Chumphon: 0 7750 2775-6 , 0 7750 1831 Moo Koh Chumphon National Marine Park: 0 7755 8144, 0 7755 8145

Here is the gateway to the south but normally we just go pass it, especially when we take the flight. But I must whisper loud and clear that the sea at Chumphon is not any less beautiful than any other seas of Thailand, especially Moo Koh Chumphon which consists of several small and large islands. The most outstanding ones are Koh Langka Jew and Koh Ngam which are the most complete place for snorkeling to see sea flowers and giving out concession for bird nest collection.

Usually there're two routes available at Moo Koh Chomphon. We can either tour with large tour company or local fishing boats. The first trip is to Koh Langka Jew, Koh Lawa, Koh Lak Raet, and Koh Thong Lang. The other trip is to Koh Mantra, Koh Ngam Noi, and Koh Ngam Yai. I really recommend both routes to you. If you wish to have a peaceful night, small bungalows are also available at Koh Langka Jew and Koh Mantra.

Moo Koh Angthong
Moo Koh Angthong National Marine Park, Surat Thani Province
Closing Time : 1 November – 15 December or as per an announcement from the National Marine Park
For More Information: TAT Samui: 0 7742 0504, Moo Koh Angthong National Marine Park: 0 7728 6025, 0 7728 0222,07 7286025

Huge limestone lined up in the midst of greeny sea is one of the great images of the Gulf of Thailand that attracts massive tourists from around the world to visit each year. Once in your life, it is recommended that to come see it as a favor to the eyes and that view is Pha Chan Charat Viewpoint, Moo Koh Angthong. But having said that, here is the sea from which to enjoy the view. It's best for relaxing, sunbathing, swimming, boating, and kayaking. If you're looking for beautiful coral reefs, this place is the wrong place.


We can buy a one day trip from Samui or Pha Ngan in order to travel to Moo Koh Angthong. Koh Wua Ta Lub is where the National Park and Pha Chan Charat are located. We could spend a night on this island as the rooms from the National Park and the tenting area is available. We could come here with the tour and ask the tour to pick us up on the date we wanted as the boat comes here everyday. Other tourist highlight of this place is the sea in Koh Mae Koh where the tour will also take us there.

Moo Koh Kham
Laem Son National Marine Park, Ranong Province
Closing Time : 16 May – 31 October or as per an announcement from the National Marine Park
For More Information : Laem Son National Marine Park: 0 7786 1442, 0 7786 1431

These small islands are getting famous and have been mentioned a lot on the social media after several generations of just sitting there without much attention paid by people. I must say that this place is not an ideal place for snorkeling or coral reefs appreciation but its charm lays at soft and beautiful beach. Another outstanding thing about this place is the authenticity which hasn't been modified much from the mother nature.


About an hour on the long-tailed boat from Bang Ben Pier, Laem Son National Marine Park, we will arrive at Moo Koh Kham which consists of Koh Kang Kao, Koh Kham Tok, and Koh Japanese. There, we can have a great time in the water. Also, do not miss another highlight of this attraction, which is to climb up and see the view from Pha Koh Kham Tok Cliff. Here, we see the unique curvy beauty of Ao Khao Kwai. We can tent at Koh Kham Tok but we must prepare everything ourselves including fresh water. Travelling here also contributes to local incomes as the only way to reach here is by hiring long-tailed boat from Bang Ben local people.


Moo Koh Surin
Moo Koh Surin National Marine Park, Phang Nga Province
Closing Time : 16 May – 15 October or as per an announcement from the National Marine Park
For More Information : TAT Phuket: 0 7621 1036 , 0 7621 2213, Moo Koh Surin National Marine Park: 0 7647 2145-6


If Angthong has islands, why can't Surin also does?....In fact, Moo Koh Surin is named after Phra Ya Surin Tharacha, the former ruler of Phuket. It is one of the most complete National Marine Park in Thailand. It might not be able to compare to twenty years ago before the massive coral bleaching and the tsunami, it is the top destination of deep diving and its coral reefs are still more complete than several other places.

To visit to Moo Koh Surin, most people buy a packet from the tour at Kuraburi Pier, Phang Nga. It can be a one day trip, two days, or three days trip. You can also just buy a boat ticket and get the diving trip separately. The entire day activity is similar where the tour will take you to dive at different stops. The longer you are in the sea, the more stops you get to visit. In addition, Moo Koh Surin also habitats Moken village.

Moo Koh Similan
Moo Koh Similan National Marine Park, Phang Nga Province
Closing Time : 16 May – 15 October or as per an announcement from the National Marine Park
For More Information : TAT Phuket: 0 7621 1036 , 0 7621 2213, Moo Koh Similan National Marine Park: 0 7645 3272

It is the bluest blue of Thai sea. The other seas could be any color but Similan must have blue turquoise only. Similan is the Malay language meaning 9 so here consists of 9 islands. Each island is named in local dialect but we'd like to call it Koh one to nine. Later, Koh Bon and Koh Tachai is added, making it consists of 11 islands altogether. Koh One to Koh Three is the conservative islands and not allowed for tourism purposes.

Out of the 8 islands that open for tourism, only 2 islands have accommodation services which includes tenting area and rooms offers by the National Marine Park. These two islands refer to Koh Four and Koh Eight. To visit here, we can buy a tour package at Khao Lak, Phang Nga and Phuket. The packet is ranged from a day to 4 days, depending on personal preferences. Here also offers more advantageous tour where you sleep on the boat in the middle of the sea for scuba diving trip.


Moo Koh Phi Phi
Hat Noppharat Thara - Moo Koh Phi Phi National Marine Park, Krabi Province
Closing Time : Open throughout the year, depending on weather conditions
For More Information : TAT Krabi 0 7562 2163, 0 7561 2811-2


This is one of the long time well known islands. Moo Koh Phi Phi consists of 6 islands including Phi Phi Don, Phi Phi Lae, Koh Yung, Koh Mai Pai, Koh Bita Nai, and Koh Bita Nok. The highlight lays at the beautiful sea color and worldwide famous attractions like Ao Maya, Ao Bi Lae or Talay Nai. For the coral reefs, if you never dives, you'd say it's beautiful but for the divers, they would say it's largely deteriorated and that's very said. Well, this opinion depends on each personal travelling experiences.


There're two ways of traveling to this islands. One option is to buy a one day trip from any tours in Krabi Province. They will take you to the highlight places like Ao Maya, Ao Bi Lae, Ao Ton Sai, Ao Ling, and Koh Maipai. The second option is to take the boat ride and spend a night at Koh Phi Phi Don which offers several resorts with a variety range of prices. If we are staying on the island, we can also see the view from high angle.


Moo Koh Adang-Rawi
Tarutao National Marine Park, Satun Province
Closing Time : Koh Lipe opens throughout the year, other islands closes from 16 May - 30 November or as per an announcement from the National Marine Park
For More Information : TAT Trang: 0 7521 5867, 0 7521 1058 , 0 7521 1085: Tarutao National Marine Park: 0 7478 3485,0 7478 3597


When talking about Moo Koh Adang-Rawi, many people might not know but if I change it to Koh Lipe, I'm sure many people wold know it. Let me explain a bit, Koh Lipi is one of the islands of Moo Koh Adang-Rawi. Among about 10 small and large islands here, only Koh Lipe is an exemption and excluded from the care of Tarutao National Marine Park. Therefore, many resorts sprung up like mushrooms whereas the other islands didn't.

When we arrive at the Lipe by boating, we can choose to spend a night at Lipe or stay at the room offered by the National Marine Park at Moo Koh Adang. We can travel to other islands by purchasing a one day long-tailed boat trip which comes in 2 types. The first choice is to go in short trip, going into the inside circle. The second option is to go far, going around the outside circle. If you already come to the southern Andaman sea, it's recommended to try both options because here has one of the most beautiful coral reefs in Thailand. Also, do not forget to go up to Pha Chado Viewpoint on Koh Adang too.


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#sea#national park marine
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