Tarutao National Park
Park Remote Thai marine park of limestone islands
An island national park in Thailand’s Andaman Sea, Tarutao National Park offers remote beaches, limestone islands, snorkeling and jungle trails; ferries run from Satun and Pak Bara.
Tarutao National Park is a marine national park in the Andaman Sea off southern Thailand, administered from Satun Province and covering an archipelago of islands. It was established to protect island ecosystems, coral reefs and coastal habitats and is one of Thailand’s well-known marine parks.
Sandy beaches, reef snorkeling, boat-based island-hopping and coastal trails across forested interiors are the main visitor activities. The park includes both inhabited and uninhabited islands; Ko Tarutao is the largest and most rugged, while Ko Lipe functions as a local tourist gateway with diving and beach facilities.
The park was declared a national park in the 1970s to conserve marine and island environments and to regulate tourism and fisheries. Several islands contain historical remains from earlier settlement periods and limited infrastructure for visitors.
The archipelago lies off the coast of southern Thailand in the Andaman Sea, west of the mainland district of Satun; most boats to the park depart from Pak Bara pier on the Thai mainland.
- Best season: The park is a marine national park in the Andaman Sea best visited in the dry season from November to April when seas are calmer and boat services run regularly.
- Access and facilities: Most visitors reach the archipelago by boat from the mainland pier at Pak Bara in Satun province; some islands have basic accommodation while others are uninhabited.
What to See #
- Ko Tarutao: The largest island in the group with rugged interior trails, former prison ruins and undeveloped beaches.
- Ko Lipe: A small inhabited island that is a regional diving and tourist hub with beaches and day-boat access.
- Ko Adang and Ko Rawi: Two of the park's popular islands for snorkeling and day trips, with reefs and short walking trails.
How to Get to Tarutao National Park #
Tarutao National Park is reached by boat from Pak Bara (Satun) on the Thai mainland. Regular boat services operate during the dry season (Nov-Apr); travel times vary by island but expect several hours to reach the main islands.
Tips for Visiting Tarutao National Park #
- Arrange boat transfers in advance during high season; services can be sporadic outside peak months.
- If planning to camp, check park regulations - some islands and beaches are protected nesting sites.
- Nighttime is when bioluminescence or turtle nesting (seasonal) might be experienced; local guides provide updates.
Best Time to Visit Tarutao National Park #
Visit between November and April for the most reliable weather and sea conditions for island hopping and snorkeling.
Weather & Climate near Tarutao National Park #
Tarutao National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 31°C. Heavy rainfall (2291 mm/year), wettest in September.
January
January is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 24°C). Moderate rainfall (78 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is the warmest month with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Significant rainfall (162 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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May
May is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (255 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (235 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (224 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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August
August is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 25°C). Heavy rain (257 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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September
September is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). The wettest month with heavy rain (346 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (331 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Heavy rain (221 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is warm with stifling humidity (dew point 24°C). Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
