The largest island lies 22 km from the mainland and only 8 km from the islands of Langkawi in Malaysia. The tallest mountain in the southern part of the island rises up to 713 m. The National Park Headquarter is based in the northwest on Punta Bay. All boats to Koh Lipe stop on the pier, yet most of the foreigners do not get off, because of the high entrance fee for the national park.
Some nature lover stay here for many days. But even for those who come to the island just for a short trip, there is something to do: a beautiful beach invites for swimming (often sandflies), you can walk on a path along the coast to other secluded beaches and watch animals on the way (many hornbills), climb up (20 minutes) on a marked trail the 50-meter tall rock Toe Boo situated behind the tourist area and enjoy the stunning views (especially at sunset). A wide shadeless path (12 km) leads in about 3 hours through the interior of the island to the east coast to Talu Wao Bay, where the foundation walls of a former prison still remain. Between 1939 and 1947 mainly political prisoners were kept here.
The Thai author Paul Adirex has described this period in his easy reading novel “The Pirates of Tarutao” (see list of books). Now the birds recaptured the narrow shady bay – a good place to watch large hornbills. To walk back you have to take the same path, so make sure to bring a sufficient supply of water. The completely overgrown trail through the jungle to the southern tip of the island is about the same distance, but even with a machete you will not succeed. Talu Udang (prawn bay) an outpost of the national park is located there, which can be reached only by boat. Accommodation is offered in simple huts and a little further you can pitch your tent on the beach. Even other tracks, which are also indicated on the hiking maps of the park, are already overgrown for a long time and not accessible anymore.
The Headquarter organizes a tour by longtail boat through the mangrove canals to Crocodile Cave which costs 200 Baht per boat, that means about 25 Baht per person. On an adventurous wooden footbridge you stumble through the cave filled with water, with magnificent, partly snow-white stalactites and stalagmites (it is absolutely necessary to bring a strong torchlight).
A one-day trip around the island with stops for snorkeling and land excursions costs 2200 Baht, the snorkeling spots are at the southeastern tip (Ao Talo Udang) and on the edge of the island on the northeastern tip (Ao Rusi, be aware the position of the sun) at offshore rocks, during low tide you can reach a cave under the rocks (colorful soft corals and many shoals of fish). The museum situated in the Visitor Center is interesting, on some evenings there is a slide show of the environment.
Tarutao has been credited by UNESCO to be one of ASEAN Heritage Parks and Reserves and since then it became Thailand’s first national marine park.
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