National park · Thailand
Ko Tarutao National Parkอุทยานแห่งชาติเกาะตารูทาว
Enter Ko Tarutao for a day or overnight: pay the 200 THB entry, take the 1‑hour speedboat from Pak Bara (≈ 600 THB) and hike to Lu Du Waterfall (2 km (1.2 mi)) or Tob‑Bob cliff (3 km (1.9 mi)) in the dry season (Nov–Feb).Enter Ko Tarutao for a day or overnight: pay the 200 THB entry, take the 1‑hour speedboat from Pak Bara (≈ 600 THB) and hike to Lu Du Waterfall (1.2 mi (2 km)) or Tob‑Bob cliff (1.9 mi (3 km)) in the dry season (Nov–Feb).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
approximate
Established
1975
Best months
Jan–Feb
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Thailand ↗Check entry rules and any arrival card on the official Thai government sites for your passport; visa-exempt stays and pre-arrival forms change.
- Thailand ↗Do not criticise or mock the monarchy: insulting the royal family is a criminal offence.
- Thailand ↗Temples and palaces: shoulders and knees covered, shoes off before entering halls.
- Thailand ↗E-cigarettes and vapes are illegal to import or use; do not pack them.
At a glance
- Country
- Thailand
- Area
- 150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²)
- Exact park area not published; check.
- Established
- 1975
- Best months
- Jan–Feb
- Permits
- For some areas
Ko Tarutao National Park covers the whole of Thailand's fourth‑largest island, a remote jungle with over 100 bird species, macaques, langurs and a historic prison. The park is open to visitors from November to May, offering marked hikes to Lu Du Waterfall and Tob‑Bob cliff, a kayak‑accessible crocodile cave, and park‑run bungalows or campsites for overnight stays.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1975.
Size and age
150 km² (58 sq mi)58 sq mi (150 km²) · national park since 1975
Exact park area not published; check.
Why go
- Remote jungle island with 100+ bird species and diverse mammals.
- Hike to Lu Du Waterfall or the 80 m Tob‑Bob cliff for jungle views.
- Visit Crocodile Cave (kayak) and the historic prison ruins.
- Snorkel in clear waters with a high diversity of tropical fish.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepAvoid
- OctAvoid
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cool; trails clear.
- FebDry, warm; good for swimming.
- MarStart of hot season, still dry.
- AprHot, dry; crowds increase.
- MayEnd of open season, occasional rain.
- JunPark closed to visitors.
- JulPark closed.
- AugPark closed.
- SepPark closed.
- OctPark closed.
- NovRe‑opens, early season rain possible.
- DecDry, cooler; best overall.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birds (doves, hornbills, kingfishers, egrets, swifts, owls, woodpeckers, hawks)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Macaques, langurs, flying squirrels, mouse deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| King cobra (rare)All year · Very dangerous; keep distance. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Pak Bara pier
Speedboat (≈ 1 h) runs daily in the morning; stop at Ko Tarutao before proceeding to Ko Lipe.
1 h
From Ko Lipe
Speedboat (≈ 1 h) includes a brief stop at Ko Tarutao; return trips may require a minimum of four passengers.
1 h
Open the page →
From Satun city
Bus/minibus to Pak Bara pier (≈ 2 h), then speedboat.
≈ 3 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Park headquarters (Ao Phante Malacca) | Gate, visitor centre, accommodation, trailheads to beaches and waterfalls. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Northwest beaches (Malacca, Molae) | Sand and mangrove areas, near HQ. | Open. |
| Northeast beach (Ta Lo Wow) | Accessible by road (12 km (7.5 mi)) from HQ.Accessible by road (7.5 mi (12 km)) from HQ. | Open. |
| West beach (Son) | Turtle nesting site, less visited. | Open. |
| Southwest bay (Makham) | Boat‑only access. | Open. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate from central point of the island.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| National park entry (foreigners) | THB 200 (≈ US$7) | person | Ticket also grants access to nearby islands. |
| National park entry (Thai citizens) | THB 40 (≈ US$2) | person | — |
| Student entry (foreign) | THB 100 (≈ US$4) | person | Show student ID. |
| Speedboat from Pak Bara or Ko Lipe | THB 600 (≈ US$19) | person | One‑hour trip. |
| Bike rental | THB 250 (≈ US$8) | day | — |
| Kayak rental | THB 500 (≈ US$16) | day | — |
| Non‑air‑con bungalow | THB 600 (≈ US$19) | night | — |
| Air‑con bungalow | THB 1,500 (≈ US$50) | night | — |
| Tent pitch | THB 150 (≈ US$5) | night | Includes mat and net. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Overnight stay permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ฿200≈ US$7
- ฿40≈ US$2
- ฿100≈ US$4
- ฿600≈ US$19
- ฿250≈ US$8
- ฿500≈ US$16
- ฿600≈ US$19
- ฿1,500≈ US$50
- ฿150≈ US$5
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Off‑road hiking
- Not allowed; stay on marked trails.
- Camping
- Only in designated tent area; otherwise prohibited.
- Fires
- No open fires; use provided cooking facilities.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins limited.
Where to stay
In the park
Non‑air‑con bungalow
Simple room with ensuite; 600 THB/night.
In the park
Air‑con bungalow
Air‑conditioned room; 1500 THB/night.
In the park
Tent pitch
Designated campsite; 150 THB/night, includes mat and net.
Safety
Mosquitoes and sandflies medium
Aggressive monkeys medium
King cobra high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Road from HQ to beaches is flat and suitable for bicycles.
- Trail to Lu Du Waterfall has moderate steep sections; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Bring cash; no ATMs on island.
- Use park‑approved boats and avoid littering.
- Support park‑run accommodation rather than private operators.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Ko Tarutao?
Foreign visitors pay 200 THB per person; Thai citizens 40 THB. Students get a 100 THB rate with ID.
What are the best hikes in Ko Tarutao?
Lu Du Waterfall (2 km moderate) and Tob‑Bob cliff (3 km moderate) are the main marked trails; Crocodile Cave is reachable by kayak.
When is the best time to visit Ko Tarutao?
The park is open Nov–May; the dry months Dec–Feb give the best trail conditions and cooler weather.
Can I stay overnight on the island?
Yes, book a non‑air‑con or air‑con bungalow, or pitch a tent in the park’s designated campsite; reservations are by phone.
How do I get to Ko Tarutao?
Take a speedboat from Pak Bara pier (≈ 600 THB, 1 h) or from Ko Lipe; buses connect Pak Bara to major Thai cities.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go