Ang Thong - What Is The Best Way To See The Islands?

[Greensludge]

Hi,

We are a family of four who want to go and see the Ang Thong national park. Only one of us (me) will do snorkling but we think we would like to kayak.

Any suggestions for a good company to go with? We have our own car, so pickup is not necessary (we are in the south of the island)

Thanks

[brzy]

I'm not sure about which company to use but i would use one of the speed boat operators rather than the slow ferry. When i went you chose between a couple of packages i.e kayaking and/or snorkelling, which ofc is price dependant.

Enjoy the climb to the top of the hill and behold a beautiful sight.

[sketcher]

IMO the 'best way' to see the islands would be to take a private boat to cruise around all the islands and spend at least one night on board whilst you are there. The 'best' time is when all the other speedboats and day trips have departed and peace returns.

Dont get too excited about the snorkling, the highlights of the park are what lies above not below the water!

Obviously this kind of trip would be more expensive than packing yourself into a speedboat with everybody else but you asked for best not cheapest!!

[Samuian]

IMO the 'best way' to see the islands would be to take a private boat to cruise around all the islands and spend at least one night on board whilst you are there. The 'best' time is when all the other speedboats and day trips have departed and peace returns.

Dont get too excited about the snorkling, the highlights of the park are what lies above not below the water!

Obviously this kind of trip would be more expensive than packing yourself into a speedboat with everybody else but you asked for best not cheapest!!

....obviously MUCH dearer... and I am not so sure if it is worthwhile the money!

Here one Example "Highway Travel" offers Day Tour Package + Snorkeling from 1200...child (4-11 yrs.) 500.-

Kayaking for 1900.-

[Birdman]

IMO the 'best way' to see the islands would be to take a private boat to cruise around all the islands and spend at least one night on board whilst you are there. The 'best' time is when all the other speedboats and day trips have departed and peace returns.

Dont get too excited about the snorkling, the highlights of the park are what lies above not below the water!

Obviously this kind of trip would be more expensive than packing yourself into a speedboat with everybody else but you asked for best not cheapest!!

How much would your suggestion 2 days/1 night/full board cost?

Edited August 17, 2009 by Birdman

[goldfinger]

A "Private Charter" of a Speed boat for 2 days will be much too expensive for what you will get/see.

make a daytrip with one of the companies, snorkelling-kayaking-includes meals on the boat.Think about your children when they have to stay 2 days on a "small" speed boat. There are not 100 totally different islands, when you saw 5 of them, you have seen them all.

[happylarry]

I have been with "Blue Star Cruises" both times that I had the great pleasure of visiting the marine park.

It does take two hours as compared to the one hour being bucketed around in a speed boat but it is so much nicer.

It is a nice smooth ride to start with, even though the boat is a bit old. You have breakfast available as soon as you get on board, you have hot and cold drinks available all day whenever you desire, and the kayaks are actually carried on the boat so you dont have to go to a beach first to pick them up.

In the morning you kayak and then have a good lunch on board and more kayaking and snorkelling in the afternoon, including kayaking to the beach for the walk up the mountain.

Oh one more thing...I am not involved with the company like some of the posters on here.....I am simply explaining the great day that we had. Anyway , horses for courses, you may enjoy an hour on a speedboat on the open sea.

Enjoy.

HL

[sketcher]

I have been with "Blue Star Cruises" both times that I had the great pleasure of visiting the marine park.

It does take two hours as compared to the one hour being bucketed around in a speed boat but it is so much nicer.

It is a nice smooth ride to start with, even though the boat is a bit old. You have breakfast available as soon as you get on board, you have hot and cold drinks available all day whenever you desire, and the kayaks are actually carried on the boat so you dont have to go to a beach first to pick them up.

In the morning you kayak and then have a good lunch on board and more kayaking and snorkelling in the afternoon, including kayaking to the beach for the walk up the mountain.

Oh one more thing...I am not involved with the company like some of the posters on here.....I am simply explaining the great day that we had. Anyway , horses for courses, you may enjoy an hour on a speedboat on the open sea.

Enjoy.

HL

I agree with HL, for a day trip take the slow boat, much more comfortable and great guides, a fun day out for all and all activities optional.

[ParadiseLost]

I think at this time of year you want to avoid speedboats generally. It may be great weather in the morning but by lunchtime the swell can be 2m or more...

[sketcher]

I think at this time of year you want to avoid speedboats generally. It may be great weather in the morning but by lunchtime the swell can be 2m or more...

As apposed to a different time of year when the winds come from the northeast and you will probably find 2m swells in the morning too?

This is the time of year for speed boats, the southwesterly winds (May to October) are generally calmer and provide far better sea conditions for all types of boats than the northeasterly winds that travel across the entire gulf building up the waves and swell as they come. In fact they close the Ang Thon national park (I think around november) for exactly that reason.