Ko Tarutao Island

Address: Tarutao National Marine Park, Satun Province, Thailand

Admission: Tarutao National Marine Park entry fees typically apply (national park fees are charged; subject to change).

Ko Tarutao is an island in the far south of Thailand that forms part of the Tarutao National Marine Park in the Andaman Sea off Satun province. It is known for remote beaches, mature tropical forest, and relatively undeveloped coastal areas within the protected park.

Visitors come for hiking, wildlife viewing, unspoiled beaches and basic camping or bungalow accommodation rather than large-scale tourism infrastructure. The marine park includes several islands and coral reefs that attract day trips and multi-day visits from mainland piers.

The island has a history of occasional use as a penal settlement and for small-scale occupation, but it is now managed as part of a national marine park intended to conserve terrestrial and marine habitats. Park management restricts some activities and provides visitor information at authorized piers.

Ko Tarutao lies off Thailand’s southern Andaman coast near the border with Malaysia and is reached by boat from Pak Bara Pier in Satun; it occupies a remote location within the archipelago of the national park.

• National park access: Included in Tarutao National Marine Park, the island and surrounding waters are protected and accessible by scheduled ferries from Pak Bara Pier in Satun province.
• Best season: Dry-season months, roughly November to April, are the most practical time for boat access and beach activities due to calmer seas.

• Visit during the dry season (roughly November-April) when seas are calmer and boat schedules from Pak Bara are most reliable.
• Book ferry or park accommodation in advance and bring sufficient cash and supplies; services on Tarutao are limited and day-trip schedules can be infrequent.
• Don't miss the island's historical sites and viewpoints - allocating an overnight stay lets you explore beyond the main day-trip beaches when most visitors have left.