Tarutao National Park - Koh Lipe - Koh Adang
While the "Sun" was still sleeping and the whole Kulim Town was still very quiet (before sembahyang subur) a group of 4x4 Adventurers.com members has already brushed up and started a memorable convoy to the Unseen Marine Paradise of South Thailand - The Tarutao National Park - Thailand's first national marine park in the Andaman Sea ......
Tarutao National Park
Tarutao is a national marine park comprises 51 islands scattered about the Malacca Straits in the Andaman Sea and the Indian Ocean around Muang District, Satun Province. The location of the park was once used as a penal colony for political prisoners before 1937. It is divided into 2 groups of islands: Mu Ko Tarutao and Mu Ko Adang- Ravi.
Ko Tarutao features many impressive mountains with steep cliffs along the eastern coast dropping down to flat muddy beaches. Longer, picturesque sandy beaches are found on Ao Phante Malacca, and active coral reefs are plentiful around the 15 foot diving area off Papillon Cliff. Tobu Cliff presents panoramic views of the island, while Ao Son houses no less than three waterfalls. Stunning Charake Cave is accessible by boat along Ma lacca Canal. Ko Adang-Ravi's mountainous slopes provide a good day's hiking, and its coast is sprinkled with fine white sandy beaches and beautiful corals. Ko Hin Ngam is simply a must, with naturally polished stones adorned in decorative patterns scattered about the beach. Diving areas include sites around Ko Jabang, east of Ko Hin Ngam, Ao Taloriba, south of Ko Adang and the southern coast of Ko Ravi.
The most practical way to reach Tarutao National Park is by boat from Pak Bara Pier in La-ngu District, the closest pier.
Koh Lipe, Satun
This beautiful little island far out in the Andaman Sea is just right for those who have time and who are eager to push the limits. Getting there takes time, but those who do so will not be bothered by crowds. Aside from one of the best-known “sea gypsy” villages in the area, there are just three simple bungalow establishments on the island. Lipe is part of an island group protected by their distance from shore and thus little damaged by loggers. The forests on the larger, neighbouring islands are in beautiful condition, although unfortunately the same cannot be said of the coral reefs. During the 1980s the area’s reefs were devastated by dynamite fishing, though today many fringing reefs have grown back, and the snorkelling can be delightful.
The distance from the mainland ensures that the water here is always exceptionally clear.
To really enjoy the many deserted beaches, the forests and waterfalls on the other islands in this area, the visitor needs to rent a longtail boat from Lipe for a full day’s trip.
Getting there isn’t so difficult during the October-May high season. It just takes time.
The best access is from Thama Lang Pier, just south of Satun Town. A boat leaves daily at 11.00am. Pak Bara Pier also has a boat leaving daily at 11.00am, but this one takes longer.
During the May-October southwest monsoon season boat services are erratic, ceasing operations when the sea is too high. The bungalows do remain available for those who can get there,
but bring your own food supplies or be prepared to buy food from fishermen and small stores in the gypsy village on the north shore.
Koh Adang, Satun
The little-known bungalows on this larger island, the main one in the Koh Adang National Park group, are controlled by the National Parks Division, through which bookings must be made in advance by telephone. These rooms have even fewer guests than those on nearby Koh Lipe, except during Thai national holidays, when most national parks in Thailand have to handle huge influxes of local visitors. All national park accommodations in the Andaman Sea close from the end of June till the 1st of November.
Take the same boats that run to Koh Lipe (see above). At Lipe, hire a longtail to cross the channel to Koh Adang. Sometimes one can catch a national parks boat. Ask about boats when calling to book.