Mu Ko Tarutao National Park National Park

Address: Mu Ko Tarutao National Park, Satun Province (Tarutao archipelago), southern Thailand

Website: https://www.dnp.go.th

Admission: Typically national-park entrance fees apply (see DNP)

Mu Ko Tarutao National Park is an archipelagic national park in the Andaman Sea off Satun Province, southern Thailand, protecting a group of forested islands, beaches and surrounding coral reefs. The park contains a mix of sandy bays, limestone cliffs and interior forest that support marine and terrestrial wildlife.

Visitors come for island-hopping, snorkeling, scuba diving and beach camping; key islands in the park include Tarutao, Koh Adang and Koh Lipe, with Koh Lipe serving as a common visitor hub and dive departure point. Wildlife includes coastal seabirds, reef fishes and forest fauna on the larger islands.

Park management regulates visitor access, camping and marine activities to protect sensitive habitats and coral reef areas. Access to the park is typically by boat from mainland piers in Satun province, such as Pak Bara.

• Island count: The archipelago comprises around 51 islands and islets scattered in the Andaman Sea off Satun Province, with marine and terrestrial habitats protected by the park.
• Best season: Sea conditions are typically calmest from November to April, which is the main season for boat tours, diving and snorkeling.

What to See#

• Tarutao Island: Tarutao Island is the largest island in the park with extensive beaches, trails and dense interior forest; it forms the core of the island group.
• Koh Lipe: Koh Lipe is a small, tourism-oriented island within the park that serves as a gateway for diving and snorkeling trips to nearby reefs.
• Koh Adang: Koh Adang is a forested island adjacent to Koh Lipe with viewpoints and coastal trails used by day-trippers and snorkel visitors.

Mu Ko Tarutao National Park is reached by boat from Pak Bara Pier in Satun Province. From Hat Yai (the nearest major city) regular minivans and long‑distance buses run to Satun/Pak Bara - expect roughly a 2-3 hour drive from Hat Yai to Pak Bara; from Satun town there are local buses and taxis to the pier. At Pak Bara (Ao Mai Roh / Pak Bara Pier) take a passenger ferry or speedboat to Ko Tarutao; there are also boat connections from Ko Lipe. The park’s ranger station and main beach are a short walk from the island landing.

• Use Pak Bara pier (Satun) as your main gateway - most public ferries to the Tarutao islands depart from there, so plan to catch the earliest boat to avoid choppy seas and day‑trip crowds.
• On arrival register and pay park fees at the ranger station on Ko Tarutao; the island's ranger office is also where you get basic route advice and permits for overnight stays or camping.
• Don't just stick to the beaches - allow time for the interior trails and to visit the old prison ruins and historic sites on the island, which most fast boat day‑trippers miss.