Koh Tarutao
Transportation
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Koh Tarutao Information
Close to the Malaysian border, in southwestern Thailand, lies the beautiful island of Tarutao. There are several ways to go to Koh Tarutao from several places in Thailand depending on where you are based. If you’re coming from Koh Lipe, the speedboat trips depart daily from Pattaya Beach to reach Tarutao in only one hour. Pakbara Pier in Satun is the closest port from where you can catch a boat to Tarutao Island, the trip takes from 30 to 60 minutes by a speedboat. If you’re based in Krabi, you should book a combined minivan/speedboat ticket, the trip starts by a minivan taking you from the Town to Pakbara Pier in around 4 hours, then hopping on a speedboat to Tarutao. From Hat Yai, you have two options and both include a combined minivan/speedboat ticket. The first one is a minivan picking you up from Hat Yai airport, the second one is to be picked up from Hat Yai city to Pakbara Pier, then a one-hour speedboat trip to Koh Tarutao.
Attraction Points
Popular Routes
Popular crossings to Koh Tarutao — pick a route to book.
Hop onward from here
Piers
Koh Tarutao Pier
Koh Tarutao Information
Koh Tarutao at a glance
Koh Tarutao is a part of Tarutao National Marine Park, located in Satun Province of Thailand. The island is 26 km long and 11 km wide and is close to the border of Malaysia. Tarutao's name was derived from the Malay word Tertua which means primitive and old. It was once a prison to Thai politicals and criminals and many of them died from Malaria, and those who survived the disease became pirates.
Today the island is far better known for its forested interior, quiet beaches and protected waters than for its history. It remains one of the least developed islands in the Andaman Sea, which is exactly why many travellers add it to a southern Thailand itinerary.
How to get to Koh Tarutao
Koh Tarutao is reached by boat. Because the island sits inside a national marine park with no bridge or airport of its own, every arrival is by sea, and services are seasonal in nature — the park and its boat services do not run year-round.
On our booking system there 3 routes bookable route serving Koh Tarutao, connecting the island with Koh Lipe. Operators serving this island include Bundhaya Speed Boat and Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club. Tickets start from ฿700, and live departure times, vehicle types and seat availability are shown when you search your travel date.
Koh Tarutao to Koh Lipe
The Koh Tarutao to Koh Lipe route is the main connection listed for the island, and it also runs in the opposite direction for travellers heading out from Lipe. Koh Lipe is the busiest island in the Tarutao National Marine Park area and acts as the regional hub, so pairing the two islands is the most common way to visit.
Check the Koh Lipe destination page for onward connections once you arrive, including services to other islands and to the mainland.
Main ports and arrival points
Boats to Koh Tarutao arrive at the island's pier, which sits beside the national park headquarters area. There is no large terminal building — expect a simple pier, a park checkpoint and staff on hand rather than a busy transport hub.
On the Koh Lipe side, boats use the island's floating pier off the main beach; small longtail tenders usually shuttle passengers between the beach and the boat. Keep bags light and packable, as they may be handed across on the water.
If you are travelling from the mainland, the Satun area is the natural gateway to this part of the Andaman coast. Search your route on the Satun departure page to see what is currently bookable on your dates.
Nearby transport connections
Koh Tarutao is not a place you pass through by road, so most itineraries combine a boat leg with an overland leg somewhere in the chain. Travellers typically reach the Satun coast from larger southern hubs before continuing by sea.
- Long-distance overland travel from Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket, Trang and Hat Yai toward Satun province
- Regional connections to and from Koh Lipe, the main island hub in the marine park
- Onward island connections available from Koh Lipe during the season
Because each leg is sold separately, always leave a comfortable gap between an overland arrival and a boat departure. Sea and road conditions can shift timings, and missing a boat here often means waiting for the next available service rather than the next hour.
What to see and do on Koh Tarutao
The appeal of Koh Tarutao is space and nature rather than nightlife or shopping. The island is largely covered in forest, with limestone hills, mangrove channels and long stretches of undeveloped coast.
- Beaches — wide, quiet sandy bays with very little development behind them
- Jungle and viewpoints — walking trails climb to points overlooking the sea and the surrounding islands
- Mangroves and waterways — sheltered channels cut inland from the coast
- History — remnants and interpretation relating to the island's former prison period
- Wildlife — monkeys, monitor lizards, crabs and abundant birdlife are commonly seen
Practical travel information
Treat Koh Tarutao as a national park destination rather than a resort island. Facilities are basic and concentrated near the park headquarters.
- National park fees are collected on arrival and are separate from your ferry ticket.
- Accommodation is limited and park-run, so plan ahead rather than arriving without a plan.
- Cash is important — do not rely on card payments or ATMs on the island.
- Connectivity and electricity can be limited or restricted to certain hours.
- Supplies such as medication, sunscreen, insect repellent and a torch are best brought with you.
- Seasonality matters: services in this part of the Andaman are weather-dependent and reduce or stop outside the main season.
Please note that park opening periods, fees and on-island facilities are set by the national park authority and can change; confirm current conditions before you travel.
Booking your Koh Tarutao ferry ticket
Enter your departure point, destination and travel date to see what is bookable to and from Koh Tarutao. Results show the live operator, departure time, journey time and price for each service, so you can compare before you commit.
Booking ahead is sensible on this route. Capacity is limited, the season is short, and services can sell out or be cancelled at short notice in poor weather. Once your booking is confirmed you will receive your ticket details by email — bring them with you to the pier along with photo ID.
Search availability for Koh Tarutao now and secure your seat on the next available departure.
Koh Tarutao Highlights
Talo Wao historical trail
To Bu Cliff
Ao Son Bay
Luu Doo Waterfall
Frequently asked questions
Where is the pier that my ferry departing from?
Phuket Ferry :
We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents; we are happy to help.
Ferry Samui :
FWe understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Pier Information page for the most comprehensive local pier information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.
Bali Ferry :
We understand that pier details are important to our customers. That’s why we’ve made the information as clear as possible. Your departing pier address is clearly shown on your e-ticket, which we sent to your email. Additionally, go to our Departure Point Information page for the most comprehensive information you can find anywhere. Finally, if you still need more information, contact our Customer Service Agents, we are happy to help.
What are the tourist seasons ?
Phuket Ferry :
Phuket really just has two seasons, which are known as "high season" and "low season" (or "green season"). During the low season months (May- September), boat numbers are reduced. During the high season (October - April), boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options.
Ferry Samui :
There are three distinct weather seasons on the tropical island of Koh Samui: the dry season (December until February), the hot season (March until August) and the rainy season (September until November).
Bali Ferry :
Bali actually has a variety of tourist periods, notably around the Balinese New Year, 15 December - 15 January, and 1 June - 30 September. During these high traffic periods, boats to the surrounding islands are increased so you will have some more options. The quieter periods are between 16 January - 30 April and 1 October - 14 December historically.
Will bad weather affect my travels?
Ferries are large and can usually operate in the rain, except in extremely bad weather. During storms or strong winds, the journey may take a little longer than usual.
Speedboats are more likely to be canceled than ferries. If a trip is canceled due to bad weather, you can choose to receive a refund or reschedule. Please note that refunds for bad weather are only issued if the ferry operator cancels the trip.
On rough days, we recommend bringing motion sickness medication and taking it about 20 minutes before boarding if you are prone to seasickness. Boat staff may also provide Dramamine upon request, but you will need to remain indoors during rough conditions. On sunny and calm days, the sun deck is open for passengers to enjoy the weather.
What's the boarding process on the day of my trip?
At the pier named on your ticket, look for the staff of the ferry operator listed on your ticket as well. Please present your e-ticket (QR code) from your phone or other device—they’ll provide you with a sticker and/or boarding pass and direct you to your boat. Most piers have staff available to help load your luggage. In Koh Samui, staff are usually stationed at booths near the boarding area; at other locations, they’re typically near the boats, wearing their company uniforms.
When will I receive my ticket confirmation?
After completing your online booking, your reservation will remain in “Pending” status until it is processed. Once confirmed, we will send your e-ticket via email. The process is usually very quick.
On the day of travel, please present your e-ticket to the ferry staff at the relevant booking counter. If you do not receive your confirmation within 24 hours, contact us immediately.
What are the baggage allowances?
Your ferry e-ticket includes ferry transport, baggage fees, and handling. The free baggage allowance per person is 20–25 kg, depending on the operator. If your baggage exceeds this limit, you can pay the extra fee directly to the ferry operator in cash.
To check the baggage allowance for your specific trip, please refer to the trip details for your selected route.
