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Vyacheslav Argenberg CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Tarutao National Park

Park

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.

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In this guide

Tarutao National Park essentials

Address: Tarutao National Park, Satun Province, Thailand
Website: dnp.go.th (Thailand National Parks - check local park page)
Admission: Park fees apply for national parks in Thailand; boat transfers and overnight permits may have additional costs
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About Tarutao National Park

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.
Things to Do
When to Go

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.

Dry season
Nov-Apr · 24-32°C
Best time for boat trips, snorkeling and hiking; calm seas and clearer skies.
Wet season
May-Oct · 24-30°C
Higher rainfall and rougher seas; some boat services suspended.

Weather & Climate near Tarutao National Park

Climate

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.

Air Quality: AQI 53 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
FebruaryJanuaryMarch
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
33°
Warmest Month
24°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Excellent 21° - 30° 25° 44 mm partly cloudy 79% 2.2 m/s 2.1 extreme 11.7h
February Excellent 21° - 31° 26° 36 mm partly cloudy 76% 2.4 m/s 2.5 extreme 11.8h
March Very Good 21° - 31° 26° 78 mm partly cloudy 77% 2.3 m/s 2.5 extreme 12.0h
April Good 22° - 31° 27° 162 mm overcast 78% 1.8 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.2h
May Good 22° - 30° 26° 255 mm overcast 79% 1.6 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.3h
June Good 22° - 30° 26° 235 mm overcast 78% 2.0 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.4h
July Good 22° - 29° 25° 224 mm overcast 78% 2.1 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.3h
August Good 22° - 29° 25° 257 mm overcast 79% 1.6 m/s 2.1 extreme 12.2h
September Good 22° - 29° 25° 346 mm overcast 80% 1.8 m/s 2.0 extreme 12.0h
October Good 22° - 29° 25° 331 mm overcast 81% 1.7 m/s 2.0 very high 11.9h
November Good 22° - 28° 25° 221 mm overcast 81% 2.0 m/s 1.9 very high 11.7h
December Very Good 21° - 29° 25° 102 mm overcast 81% 2.7 m/s 1.9 very high 11.6h
Getting There & Around

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.