Koh Tarutao Information

Koh Tarutao is one of Thailand's hidden gems. It offers an untouched paradise for those seeking a blend of adventure and relaxation. Located in the Andaman Sea, this stunning island is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park. It is renowned for its rich diversity, crystal-clear waters, and pristine beaches. Koh Tarutao is 26 km long and 11 km wide. It provides plenty of space for visitors to explore its diverse landscapes, from its lush jungles to its dramatic limestone cliffs.

Where to Go from Koh Tarutao

From Koh Tarutao, your journey can extend to various beautiful destinations, each offering a unique experience.

• Koh Lipe: A short ride by the Koh Tarutao Ferry or with the Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club will take you to Koh Lipe. This small island is known for its white beaches and snorkeling and diving spots. That is the perfect place to continue your sea adventure, or simply relax by the beach. During the high season, ferry tickets and bus tickets to Koh Lipe are in high demand due to the island's popularity.

• Satun: By taking a Koh Tarutao Transfer, you can reach the mainland town of Satun. Here, you can enjoy the local markets and scenic views, or take a Koh Tarutao Bus to explore the nearby hills and countryside. The journey from Bangkok to Hat Yai by train or bus, and then continuing to Satun, offers an adventurous route for travelers.

Things to Do in Koh Tarutao and Around

Tarutao island is not just about its stunning landscapes; it's also a place where you can engage in numerous activities to make your visit truly memorable.

• Beaches: The island is surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. You can sunbathe, swim, or simply enjoy the serene atmosphere at places like Ao Son Bay and Mo Lae Bay. The soft white sands and clear blue waters create a perfect setting for relaxation and sunbathing.

• Islands Including: Explore the nearby islands by booking a Koh Tarutao Speedboat tour with the Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club. Each island offers unique sights, from the bustling beaches of Koh Lipe to the tranquil shores of smaller islands in the Andaman Sea.

• Beautiful Nature: The island's lush jungles and mangroves are ideal for nature walks and wildlife spotting. Hike the well-marked trails to Ao Phante or explore the limestone cliffs for spectacular views. You might spot rare birds and other wildlife in this diverse ecosystem. The island’s history as a place for political prisoners during World War II adds a layer of historical depth to your exploration.

• Cultural and Historical Sites: Koh Tarutao's history as a home for political prisoners during World War II can be explored through various remnants and museum exhibits. This adds a fascinating historical dimension to your visit.

• Boating and Sailing: Long tail boats are available for hire for those who wish to explore the coastline or visit nearby islands including smaller ones in the Tarutao National Marine Park.

Whether you're planning a day trip or a longer stay, Koh Tarutao has everything needed to make your trip spectacular. With convenient Koh Tarutao Ferry services, speedboats, and bus transfers, getting around is easy and accessible for everyone. Don't miss the chance to experience this unparalleled island paradise and uncover the beauty of the Andaman Sea!

Koh Tarutao Information

26 km long and 11 km wide makes the perfect combination of beauty, nature, wildlife and landscapes in one place. Koh Tarutao is rich both in water and land. The island is mainly fulfilled with lush forest; around the shores, mangroves trees and limestone cliffs that decorate the bays and beaches. At the west side, the coastline is compound by white sands and green-blue water, this side of the island is a home of many species such as turtles, langurs, macaques and wild pigs. On the other hand, the east side has around 10 awe-inspiring beaches and limestone islets emerging from the sea, a complete spectacle to stare at!

Koh Tarutao Highlights

Bike around

In the area of Ao Phante Malacca, which is the one where the offices of the national park are settled, travelers can rent bikes for really good prices. Biking around the island is an amazing form to discover every corner of Koh Tarutao. This wonderful island has a concrete road that covers the entire place from north to south and from east to west. 

Moreover, biking in the route is not the whole plan, if you’re feeling a bit adventurous; dare to get into the forest in the center of the island, the terrain can get rugged and mountainous with several peaks stretching more than 500 meters high.

The best part of this plan is that when you get tired or sweaty, you can simply stop in the shore and dive into the refreshing water for a while before continuing your journey. 

Enjoy the dreamy beaches

Undoubtedly, this incredible island is known by the gorgeous beaches that surround the land. They are particularly recognized for maintaining their natural beauty, less modified by human labor and an incredible place to relax and sunbath.

Ao Jak, Ao Molee and Ao Son are the most popular ones, pristine waters and powdery golden sands where relaxation and fun are completely guaranteed. In addition, activities in the beach not only happen during the day, visitors can even spend the night in there. 

Humble yet comfortable bungalows are available for rent, and in the offices of the National Park, camping tents can be rented to finish the day in the best spot you can imagine.

Visit the ancient prison

History in Koh Tarutao is very interesting, around the 40’s the island had an operative prison where more than 3000 criminals from the country were prisoned. Yet, the worst season happened during World War II where the supply of food and medicines was cut and many prisoners died from malaria. Then, the few prisoners and guards remaining became pirates to be finally defeated by British troops in 1951.

Nowadays, visiting this part of the island is a must do. A giant limestone cliff emerges from the sea to show that you are near the place the old prison used to be. Locals will nicely tell you the story about the island, including the filming process of Survivor: Thailand.

Swimming with tropical fish

The island is blessed with clear and serene waters that make it a flawless spot to dive and swim, the vision underwater is perfectly clear using a simple snorkeling mask, complex equipment is not needed. 

Moreover, it is said that 25% of the total tropical species in the world can be seen swimming in these serene waters, what else is more appealing than that? An acute plan is to take a longtail boat to the northeastern area of the island where snorkeling is simply amazing.