Ko Tarutao: Rainforest, Bays and Coral Reefs

Ko Tarutao brings together dense rainforest, bays and diverse coastal landscapes. Hiking trails lead to viewpoints and through the forest; a one-day boat tour around the island, offered by the national park, opens up further experiences. When planning your trip, you can choose between activity, wildlife watching, the coast and insights into the island’s history.

Hiking Trails and Wildlife Watching

From Pantaemalaka Bay, visitors can hike up to Pha Toe-Boo viewpoint. Another trail starts at the park headquarters by the bay and runs 12 kilometers through dense rainforest to Ao Talo Wao Bay. Wild boars, muntjacs and hornbills can be spotted along the trail. The route and its destination give this outing a clear focus: crossing the rainforest to reach the coast.

A second route runs from Ao Chak via Ao Mo Lae to Ao Son. It is 8 kilometers long and takes about 2 hours. Along the way, it is suitable for birdwatching; species mentioned include hornbills and drongos. With a different distance and bays along the way, it offers a distinct hiking option.

Coasts, Reefs and Island Nature

The coasts also differ in their geological character. On the west coast of Tarutao Island, the limestone coast forms tidal-flat and mangrove-swamp ecosystems. On the east coast, sandstone and sandy sedimentary rocks shape a long sandy beach. The character of the coastal landscape is one of the island’s defining features.

Tarutao National Park encompasses more than 1,800 hectares of coral reefs. They are divided into an inshore zone near Tarutao Island and an offshore zone in the area of the Adang-Rawi Islands. The reefs provide habitat for significant marine biodiversity and serve as spawning and nursery grounds for fish stocks. The national park’s highest peak is also on Tarutao Island: it reaches 708 meters above sea level. Cambrian trilobites found on the island are the oldest trilobites documented to date on the Malay Peninsula and in Thailand.

Bays and Experiences on the Water

The national park offers a one-day boat tour around Ko Tarutao, accompanied by staff. The program includes birdwatching at Ao Chak, the white and longest sandy beach at Ao Son, and historic traces at Ao Talo Udang. It also includes nature experiences at Ao Talo Wao, snorkeling and a visit to mangroves. The boat tour lets you explore the island from several perspectives, from birdlife, coasts and mangroves to historic sites.

Ao Chak is a small, quiet bay adjoining Pantaemalaka Bay and is suitable for relaxing. Ao Talo Udang is on the south side of Ko Tarutao, 8 kilometers from Ko Langkawi. A distinctive large cleft rock lies in front of the bay; there is also a boat landing there. Visitors interested in the island’s history can also find exhibitions about the nature and history of Ko Tarutao at the visitor center in Pantaemalaka Bay.

Planning Your Stay

Ao Son has a campsite for visitors. For orientation when traveling there, Pak Bara Pier is the pier closest to Ko Tarutao.

More destinations: Satun, Pak Nam, Nikhom Phatthana.

Back to the main travel overview: Satun.