Tarutao National Park - Old, mysterious and primitive

The Park encompasses a land and sea area of about 149,000 hectares in Tambon Ko Sarai, Amphoe Muang in the province of Satun.

In the dialect of Southern Thailand, Tarutao means “old, mysterious and primitive”, which describes this island that has been the home for centuries of the Chao Lay or Sea Gypsies.

Moist evergreen forest;  dry evergreen forest, mixed deciduous forest, mangrove forest, secondary forest and old agricultural land, beach forest, coconut plantation and scrub forest.

Some of the islands are dominated by large mangroves trees such as Sonneratia caseolaris; Anacardium; Vitex; Myrsine; Rhizophora; Brugiera; and Ceriops.

Dusky langurs; crab-eating macaques; mouse deer and wild pig; squirrels; tree shrews; gaur; serow; hornbills and woodpecker ; banteng, bears; tigers; dhole (Cuon alpines) and lesser mousedeer.  Bird species include reef egret, white-bellied sea eagles,  ospreys, and hornbills.

Visitors can hike, enjoy the many pristine beaches, ride boats or kayaks and go island hopping, snorkeling and scuba diving.  They can also visit the vast cave systems and go bird watching.