MU KOH ANGTHONG MARINE NATIONAL PARK
Situated about 35 km. west of Samui, this archipelago of 42 islands fits everyone's image of a tropical paradise, with huge limestone rocks covered in virgin rainforest rising out of the aquamarine waters.

Most people come here for a daytrip tour from Koh Samui, which is easy to organise. There is a fantastic viewpoint on Koh Wua Talap, just above the park headquarters, looking out over the uninhabited, pristine islands. Trips around the park usually include a visit to a delightful concealed lagoon on Koh Mae Koh, as well as the opportunity to paddle a sea kayak around the strange limestone formations.

For more information, contact the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservative Department at Tel. +66 2562 0760 or Mu Koh Angthong Marine National Park Tel. +66 7728 6025, 7728 6588, 7728 0222.
Website: www.dnp.go.th

KOH PHA-NGAN
Just 20 km. north of Koh Samui and a short boat trip away, Koh Pha-ngan is a mountainous island ringed by secluded bays that offer ideal getaways. Its only town of any size, Thong Sala, has a bank, a post office, supermarket and shops selling beach equipment and souvenirs. Many of its beautiful beaches are accessible only by boat, though pick-up trucks and motorbikes also ply the island's rough roads.

Thong Nai Pan
Its most famous beach is Hat Rin, in the southeast corner of the island, which is the location for the world-famous full moon parties that attract thousands of visitors each month to dance the night away on the beach. The island's most picturesque beach is Thong Nai Pan, a double bay in the northeast of the island, which offers good swimming and snorkelling, as well as the island's most comfortable accommodation. A little south of Thong Nai Pan is Than Sadet, the island's most impressive waterfall, which was once King ChulalongKohrn’s favourite place.  For more info, look up www.kohphangan.com and www.thongnaipan.com

KOH TAO
"Tao" means turtle, and the island is named for its shape when seen from out in the waters of the gulf. Smaller than Samui and Pha-ngan, Koh Tao lies about 40 km. northwest of Koh Pha-ngan, and is also easily accessible from Chumphon. The island is particularly popular among divers, and has a reputation for some of the most exciting underwater excursions sites in the entire gulf. Several dive companies based at Mae Hat, the island's only town, can arrange underwater excursions for beginners and experienced divers. There are many peaceful and idyllic beaches on the island such as Hat Sai Ri, the island's longest beach on its west coast, Hat Chalok Ban Kao and Hat Sai Daeng on the south coast. There is also a unique geological phenomenon at Koh Nang Yuan, a tiny cluster of islets just off the northwest coast of Koh Tao, where stunning causeways of sand join the islands, offering visitors the choice of two seas to swim in.