...Highlights: whale sharks, manta rays, dolphins, turtles, dugongs...
...Diving environment: healthy reefs, advanced divers, off the beaten track...
Mu Koh Tarutao National Marine Park is Thailand's oldest national park. Formed in 1974 and located in Satun Province in the Andaman Sea near to the Malaysian border in southern Thailand, it is about 55 km northwest of the Malaysian tourist island of Langkawi.
The marine park is actually made up of over 50 islands, with the largest island of Koh Tarutao in the east and Adang-Lipeh-Rawi in the west. It has gin clear water and the area is still largely unknown on the established tourist routes. Visit the underwater world around these islands for some of the most unexplored and best snorkelling spots and scuba diving in Thailand.
The waters are rich in coral reefs and crustaceans, and are home to about a quarter of the world's tropical fish species, including lionfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, groupers and trumpetfish. Dolphin encounters are common and the rare dugong is here too.
There are only a very small number of liveaboard diving safaris that make their way down to Koh Tarutao.
The normal cruise route is to take in Koh Ha, Koh Rok, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang before reaching Tarutao and then proceeding on to Langkawi in Malaysia.
Customer rating: Excellent!
Customer rating: Very good!
Customer rating: Very good!
Customer rating: Good
Customer rating: Be first to rate!
The 2 seasons that influence the diving in the area are the 'wet' and 'dry' seasons. Dry season is from November to April and this is the season for diving in Koh Tarutao, though the best time is from February to April. Wet season starts in May with the monsoon bringing plenty of rain and the seas become unpredictable.
Water temperatures are between 27 and 30°C year around, with the lowest being during the wet season. Visibility (often around 25-30m) also drops during those months, reaching its lowest at 10m.
Review our map below of Thailand. Here, you will find information on how to get to Phuket, and then on to Koh Tarutao.
5 - 40m
10 - 30m
Can be very strong
Can be rough
27 - 30°C
Intermediate - advanced
>10
~180 km south of Phuket (9 hours), 30 km west of Satun
3 - 4 days
Terrific and prompt service from Enrico! His warm, reliable and friendly assistance and support was outstanding
