Koh Adang

Koh Adang is a forested island inside Tarutao National Marine Park, next to Koh Lipe, with a national park ranger station, a year-round waterfall, and a clifftop viewpoint reached by a roughly 40-minute uphill trail. Entry follows Tarutao’s standard park fee — 200 THB for adult foreigners, 40 THB for adult Thai nationals — and the island closes to visitors from mid-May to mid-October each monsoon season.

The island covers around 30 sq km of mountainous, densely forested terrain ringed by smaller islands — Koh Lipe, Koh Rawi, and Ko Hin Ngam among them — making it a common base for skin-diving and snorkelling trips. Namtok Chon Salat, a waterfall that runs year-round rather than only in the wet season, sits inland from the main beach. The island’s other signature feature is Pha Chado, a clifftop clearing once used as a lookout point for spotting passing ships; today it’s a viewpoint reached via an 800-metre trail and roughly 40 minutes of uphill walking, with visitor numbers on the clifftop limited at any one time. From the top, an open stretch of ground looks out over pine trees and the pale sand spit reaching toward Koh Lipe.

Insider Tip: Pha Chado is rated one of the better sunrise spots in the park — the cliff faces the channel toward Koh Lipe, so an early climb beats both the heat and the day-trip crowds.

Watch out: The 40-minute trail to Pha Chado has little shade. Carry water and start early if hiking in the middle of the day; the island closes entirely from mid-May to mid-October for the monsoon, so check park status before planning a trip in that window.

Most visitors reach Koh Adang by boat from Pak Bara Pier via Koh Lipe rather than direct, and overnight stays go through the park’s own ranger-run accommodation rather than private resorts. For bookings or current conditions, contact the Tarutao National Park office (0 7478 3485) or the Marine National Park Division (0 2562 0760).

This forms part of Tarutao National Park, best paired with a stop at neighbouring Koh Rawi for its quieter snorkelling coves.