Astrologer in Peril III: Koh Tarutao National Marine Park

Koh Tarutao
see all photos »

There are 51 islands in the massive archipelago that makes up Koh Tarutao National Marine Park.  They are densely forested with pristine rainforest,  emerald water, white sands and dense jungle. What could be better! Two islands, Koh Tarutao and Koh Adang, are open to the public and offer government accomodation. Another, Ko Lipe, is not under the jurisdiction of the park and is becoming a major commercial tourist destination for the deep south. It is a beautiful island with many temptations, but I was more interested in communing with nature in isolation. Koh Rawi, the wildest habitat of all, has no government accomodation but you can camp there. The park service provides small restaraunts on Tarutao and Adang.

Koh Adang
see all photos »

Koh Tarutao Park is a panacea for nature lovers. Although hiking trails aren't really well marked, seasoned backpackers should definitely get into that rain forest and forage.

This particular part of Thailand was only minimally affected by the tsunami in 2004 and the water shimmers with different hues of green.

Koh Tarutao is the largest island and the easiest to hike(it has an 8km concrete road split down the middle of it). If you want isolation in nature, I would not suggest staying at Ao Phante Malaka, where you will disembark from your boat.

Koh Adang
see all photos »

*That Reminds Me - The boat from Pak Bara to Ko Tarutao actually stops 5km away from the island, at which point the chao ley, indigenous island people who are the taxi drivers of the sea, pick you up and take you to the island for an additional fee. Of course, there is no other alternative so you have to pay the chao ley.

So, don't stay at Ao Phante Malaka if you want solitude and nature. Better to have the boatsman take you to Ao Taloh Wow. There are quaint, affordable bungalows, a small restaurant and all of the beautiful expanse of beach and jungle you could possible want.

Ko Tarutao
see all photos »

As much as I enjoyed Tarutao, Koh Adang was even more spectacular. The sea around Koh Adang is a bright emerald green, and you can see right to the bottom of the sea floor.  The sands of the beaches,bright white, has the most interesting texture: like big rice kernels.

Hiking on Adang is a little dicey, but if you're feeling adventurous you should try it. Adang offered excellent accomodations for backpackers: Triangular tents inside mini-thai houses already equipped with sleeping bags.

see all photos »

Snorkeling is a major activity for this region, but it doesn't offer quite what you would find on the Similan or Surin islands.

All in all, my stay on the island of the Koh Tarutao Marine National Park was tranquil,relaxing and rejuvenating.