Ko Tarutao

Ko Tarutao is the main island of Tarutao National Marine Park, off the coast of Satun near Pak Bara. The park headquarters is at Ao Pante Malacca on the north-west coast, where a small pier, visitor centre, museum, restaurant and park bungalows sit behind the beach.

The interior is mountain rainforest, ringed by long, quiet beaches. Visitors hike to viewpoints, kayak into mangrove creeks, cycle between bays and visit the site of the former prison camp at Ao Talo Udang. Speedboats from Pak Bara run in the high season, roughly October to May. Park accommodation can be hard to book online, so contact the park directly.