Attractions in Tarutao
National Marine Park, Satun
Tarutao National Park
Thailand’s first national marine park established in 1974
consists of some 51 islands to the west of Satun. 40
kilometers from
Satun district and 22 kilometers from Bara Pier. This park
remainsone of the most pristine and beautiful coastal areas in
Thailand. Major attractions in the park are as follows:
Koh Tarutao
, the biggest island in the park where the park
office is situated. The main island of
Tarutao used to be a jail for convicts but now
tourists can walkalongtrails to beaches and cliffs. The ruined prisons
are found at Ao Talo Udang, on the southern tip
of island and at Ao Talowao, on the middle of
east coast.
The island contains several bays including Ao
Phante Malaka with a hilltop viewpoint; Ao Mo
Lae and Ao Son. Tarutao’s largest stream, Klong
Phante Malaka, enters the sea at the north –
western tip of the island at Ao Phante Malaka.
Pier and bungalow are also here. The best
camping is at the beaches of Ao Jak and Ao Son,
two bays south of the park headquarters on the
west coast.
Koh Adang and Koh Rawi
situated 40 kms.west of Tarutao are famous for beautiful
beaches. There are several neighbouring islands such asKo Li Pe where a sea gypsy village and coral reefs can
be seen, Ko Hin Ngam which isfull of shiny black pebbles along its beaches, andKo Khai, a small island with a natural stone arch. Ko
Khai also has a good white-sand beach. Boat from Ko Tarutao
take about40
minutes to reach Ko Khai. Tourist can also charter
long-tails from Ko Lipe out of here.
Koh Adang, the
island is covered with forest and fresh-water
streams. At the south-eastern corner of island
where the pier and park office are located. An
interesting hike can be undertaken along the
island’s east coast to a pretty beach 2 kms.
from the park station. Between Ko Tarutao and Ko
Adang and Rawi is a small cluster of three
islands called Muu Ko Klang, where there is good
snorkeling.
Koh Rawi
is smaller than Ko Adang. Ko Rawilocated 1 km. from Ko Adang. There are no facilities
there at all. Tourists like to visit for sightseeing the
clean nature and they also snorkeling the coral reefs with
many live species of
coral and many schools of fish. Ko Yang and Ko Hin Ngam
(beautiful smooth stone) are excellent spots for
snorkelling.
Koh Lipe
is the south of Ko Adang. Ko Lipe is not under park control,
and has become the main place to stay in this part of park.
There is a coral reef along the southern side of the small
island and several small beach coves. There are several
styles of bungalow that operationed in the main village
along the east coast and on the southern side of this
island, Hat Pattaya. Hat Pattaya is the nicest of the two
main beaches, as the one is front of the chao leh village,
on the north-east side of the island.
Map of Satun
