Ko Tarutao Marine National Park

Introducing Ko Tarutao Marine National Park

Protected partly by its national park status, and mostly by its relative inaccessibility, Ko Tarutao Marine National Park (0 7478 1285; adult/child under 14 200/100B; mid-November–Apr) is one of the most exquisite and unspoiled regions in Thailand. This massive park encompasses 51 islands covered with well-preserved virgin rainforest teeming with fauna, as well as sparkling coral reefs and radiant beaches.

One of the first marine national parks in Thailand, Ko Tarutao is the epitome of environmentally sound tourist management. The only accommodation in the park involves small, ecofriendly government-run cabins and longhouses, and great emphasis is placed on preserving the natural resources of the area. Pressure from big developers to build resorts on the islands has so far been mercifully ignored, though concessions were made for the filming of the American reality-TV series Survivor in 2001. Within the islands of the park you can spot dusky langurs, crab-eating macaques, mouse deer, wild pigs, sea otters, fishing cats, water monitors, tree pythons, Brahminy kites, sea eagles, hornbills and kingfishers.

Ko Tarutao is the biggest and most visited island in the group and home to the park headquarters and government accommodations. Many travellers choose to stay on Ko Lipe, which has managed to evade the park’s protection and is fast becoming a popular resort with tourist facilities and bungalows aplenty. Long-tail tours to other outlying islands can be arranged through travel agencies in Satun or Pak Bara, through the national park headquarters on Ko Tarutao or through resorts and long-tail boat operators on Ko Lipe. Note that there are no foreign exchange facilities at Ko Tarutao – you can change cash and cheques at travel agencies in Pak Bara and there’s an ATM at La-Ngu. The park officially closes in the low season (May through early November), when all boats stop running.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009