Name: "Tarutao National Park" or "Tarutao National Marine Park" (Thai : อุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะตะรุเตา)
Located: Satun, Andaman Sea, Southern of Thailand
Attractions: Beautiful Nature, white beach, crystal clear sea and an amazing underwater world, calm and peace, good snorkelling & diving scuba, good coral reaf
How to get there:
Bangkok-Satun
- By Car from Bangkok, take Highway 4 to Chumphon, then Highway 41 to Phatthalung, then Highway 4 to Rattaphum, then Highway 406 to Satun. It is 973 km. from Bangkok.
- By Bus air-conditioned buses depart from Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal. The trip takes about 13 hours. For more information cal 0 2435 1199 or in Satun call 0 7471 1446
- By Rail there is no direct train to Satun. The nearest station is at Hat Yai. Vans, buses and taxis are available for the 97 km. journey to Satun. For more information on trains in Bangkok, call 0 2220 4334 and Hotline 1690 or visit www.railway.co.th
- By Air there are no flights to Satun. The nearest airport is at Hat Yai. Vans, buses and taxis are available for the 97 km. journey to Satun. For more information, contact Thai Airways at, 0 2280 0060, 0 2628 2000 and Hotline 1566 or visit http://www.thaiairways.com/ , http://www.airasia.com/ , http://www.nokair.co.th/
Hatyai-Satun
- Public Bus buses leave from the bus terminal on Kanchanawanit road, Hat Yai.
- Van (Minibus) vans leave from Niphat Uthit Road,Hat Yai.
- Taxi collective taxis leave from Ratthakan Post Office and the President Hotel for La-ngu. From La-ngu, pick up trucks (song thaeo) run to Pakbara Port.
Pakbara Port
Ferry Time Table
- Go Pakbara-Tarutao Dep. 10.30 Arr. 11.30
Dep. 13.30 Arr. 14.30 - Return Tarutao-Pakbara Dep. 11.00 Arr. 12.00
Tarutao National Park consists of 51 islands located in the Andaman Sea, off the coast of Satun
Province of Southern Thailand. The Tarutao National Marine Park consists of two island groups: Tarutao (Thai: หมู่เกาะตะรุเตา ) and Adang-Rawi (Thai: หมู่เกาะอาดัง-ราวี), which are scattered from 20 to 70 kilometers distance from the southwestern most point of mainland Thailand. The park covers an area of 1,490 square kilometers (1,260 ocean, 230 island). The southern most end of the Park lies on the border with Malaysia. Tarutao became Thailand's first marine national park on April 19, 1974.Topography
The 51 islands of the park archipelago lie in the Andaman Sea from 20-70 km.. off the extreme southwest coast of peninsular Thailand. Tarutao, the largest of the islands, is 26.5 km. long and 11 km. wide. The topography is mostly mountainous (highest point 708 m.) with a few broad plains and valleys. Semi-evergreen rain-forest blankets about 60 percent of the island, and pure mangrove swamps are found in several areas. Long sandy beaches lie along the western coast from Pante Bay to Makham Bay, and at Talo Udang Bay in the south.
Tarutao is a Malay work meaning old, mysterious and primitive. Preliminary geological work has borne out the first of these adjectives. Much of Tarutao is composed of very old Cambrian sandstone. The northern and southeastern portions of the island consist of limestone rock. Most of the caves on the island are formed in limestone rock.
The Adang-Rawi group of islands lies about 50 km.. west of Tarutao and includes Adang, Rawi, Dong and Lipe. Adang Island. with a steep and rugged landscape almost completely covered by tropical rainforest, may be the most wild and appealing of the islands. Sparkling clear water and superb coral reefs provide habitat for a wide variety of marine life forms, including many brightly colored fish. Beautiful beaches consist of quartz derived from Adang's Cretaceous granite makeup and coral fragmants. Several waterfalls plummet down Adang's eastern slopes in times of heavy rain.
Attraction & Activities on Tarutao Island
Pha Toh Bu Viewpoint (Cliff trail)
A popular sunset photo-op, good view of distant islands, rippling sea, thick forested hills and soaring birds of prey. The trail to this 114 meter cliff begins directly being the library & office; between garage and official guest houses. The route passes limestone, mixed deciduous forest and scrub forest. Time: 15-20 minutes. Take the shortcut straight down the cliff with breathtaking ladders; trail to shortcut begins beneath the platform viewpoint.
Activities: View / Nature trail study
Ao Phante Malaka (Phante Malaka Bay)
It’s where Tarutao National Park 's headquars located. White sand beach is good for taking a walk, swimming ,picnic and camping.
Activities: Camping View Cave/Geological Touring Canoeing-Kayaking Activities on Beach Biking Trail
Ao Molae (Molae Bay)
A small cove just south of Jak Bay; with a coconut plantation, uncompleted park buildings and a villger's bamboo house. The path/road that leads here passes through a tiny mangrove swamp area at the very south end of Jak Bay. At high tide, you will have to wade through the water approximately 50 meters. If continuing to Son Bay, be aware that the road disappears in the sand. To be sure of finding it again, keep to the left of the villager's house and walk straight.
Just after Molae Bay, the road to Son Bay begins to climb past wild banana trees and tall dipterocarps. Near Son Bay, the road crosses two small streams, then ends at the coast. To the left is the long part of the beach, to the right is a smaller beach and the guard station buildings and rangers' quarters. Cross to the buildings via the fun rope bridge, or just wade. Total distance from Pante Malaka Bay to Son Bay, 8 km.; walking time, 2 hours.
Activities: Activities on Beach / Camping
Ao Makham (Makham Bay)
It's the place where Ranger Station 3 (Ao Makham) is located here, at the bottom of the freshwater stream. In the non-monsoon season, subsistence fishermen (mostly Muslim) keep temporary shelters here. As of yet, no trail exists between Sone Bay and Makham Bay.
Activities: Activities on Beach Nature trail study
Ao Son (Son Bay)
2.5 hours, 8 km. from headquarters, along the beach to Jak Bay at low tide or at high tide, via the road. The trail takes you through a coconut plantation at Molae Bay, and onwards through the forest, to Son Bay. At Son Bay, look out for Pythons resting on a branch overhanging the river, rest on the white sand beach, or walk to Lu Du (1.5 hours) or Lo Po (2.5 hours) Waterfalls, for a freshwater dip. You can camp at Son Bay.
Son Bay has a very long beach, nearly 3 km., with a view of mountains and sunsets. It is an important area for sea turtle nesting, November to March.
Activities: Activities on Beach / Camping
Charakae Cave (Crocodile Cave)
Mouth of cave lies at the end of one of the Pante Malacca Canal's many mangrove-lined channels. The cave is filled with brackish water and extends several kilometers. Only once has the cave been followed to its end opening near Jak Bay; by 3 rangers in a rubber raft, in the days when crocodiles were still a resident of the salt-water swamp. The boat trip is scenic, with close-ups of the mangrove ecosystem, various birds, and lucky visitors will catch a glimpse of a spectacled langur pausing still in a tree. To arrange a boat trip, contact the information booth. Try to share the cost with other visitors. At present, a walkway extends only a short way into the cave. Bring flashlights and/or candles.
Activities: Nature trail study flowers admiring Cave/Geological Touring Canoeing-Kayaking
Ao Talo Udang (Talo Udang Bay)
Talo Udang Bay A lonely, historic outpost that looks out upon Langkawi Island. Once the site of a unique penal colony for political prisoners; later a bustling village complete with shops, fishing port, monks and a brothel; little trace of these civilized establishments can be found today. A few remnants of prison days are still visible--a cement foundation for a fish sauce plant, rubber tree grove, and charcoal furnace pit. These are a bit of a walk from the Talo Udang ranger station, but if you manage to make it here, maybe one of the rangers will show you around. The young men who are stationed here become quite cut off from the world, and tend to yell around, sing and tell ghost stories among themselves.
Talo Udang Bay, Located in the south of Tarutao Island. It’s 8 km. far from Langkawee Island, Malaysia and 23 km. far from headquarters. This is the place where Ranger Station 2 was located.
Activities: Historical Sight Seeing / Nature trail study
Ao Talo Wao (Talo Wao Bay)
Talo Wao Bay, Site of prison for common criminals, in 2480 - 2490 BD, It used to be the place where prisoners was caged and trained to work. Now it remains only a dune, ruined buildings and the funeral for 700 prisoner.
The coast is rocky here with limestone rocks jutting from the sea. When first reaching the eastern coast by road, you will see the old ranger station, which is still used by the Talo Wao staff. The road continues another kilometer to the ranger station on the hill, overlooking the long pier next to a rock outcropping. In the monsoon season, fishing boats congregate in this sheltered bay.
Path from Talo Wao to Talo Udang: This trail actually follows the old prisoner's road, which once allowed a Landrover to make trips between the two sites. In some places, remains of bridges and stonework can be seen. Currently the trail is very overgrown, a guide might be necessary to at least find the trailhead. Approximately 12 km., 4-5 hour walk.
Road from Pante bay to Talo Wao Bay: This road is flat and passes through old agricultural land, rubber trees and orchards for the most part; but the last 4 km. climb through evergreen forest and tall trees. Distance: 12.5 km.. Walking time: 3 hours. Off-trail option: Near the 7 km.. marker on the road to Talo Wao Bay, the black water pipe dives into the forest. If you follow this pipe up the streambed, you'll come to one of the sources for Pante Bay's water. A short walk, but a chance to explore the forest.
Talo Wao Bay, Located in the east of Tarutao Island. It’s 12 km. far from headquarters and the place where Ranger Station 1 (Talo Wao) was located.
Activities: Historical Sight Seeing / Nature trail study
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