Raja Laut

South of Phuket and north of Langkawi are the 51 islands of the Koh Tarutao Marine National Park. Tarutao is the biggest island of the National Park covering a 152 km². Its southern coast lies only 4 miles from the Langkawi. Tarutao comes from a Malay word for "mysterious and primitive" - an apt description for this densely forested park. Tarutao was declared Thailand's first National Park in 1972 - incorporating the neighbouring Butang group in 1974. Among its many attractions for visiting yachts, Tarutao offers lots of walking trails leading to waterfalls, caves, lookouts and isolated beaches.

The Butang group, part of Tarutao Marine National Park, provides the clearest waters and most beautiful coral gardens in the area. These granitic islands are blanketed by rain forest and fringed with white sand beaches similar to those found in the Similan Islands. The Butang islands are an idyllic yacht charter destination; wild and largely uninhabited they offers some of the best diving in the region, as well as secluded beaches and coves that are great for exploring by kayak.

On Koh Lipe, there is a lovely anchorage with a crescent-shaped white sand beach, at night dotted with the candle lights of beach bars. There is so much to explore by yacht around Koh Lipe and the islands of Koh Adang and Koh Rawi. The underwater worlds around Koh Lipe and in the Marine Park are a wonder to behold.

Interested in a yacht charter in Koh Tarutao? Please enquire.

Diving and Snorkeling in the Butang Islands

Exploring around Koh Lipe and its neighbouring islands by yacht, you will discover the waters are very clear and house a wide variety of living coral and other marine life. The granite islands are blanketed by rain forest and fringed with white sand beaches similar to those found in the similan islands.

There are some great dive sites near Koh Lipe and unlike other places in Thailand, diving around Koh lipe is still peaceful and relaxing. Koh Chabang is probably Koh Lipe's most picturesque site, popular with both snorklers and divers.

The dives situated on the north western coast of Koh Adang often have strong currents, depending on the tides and also the wind. The currents can run either from North to south or from south to north, so the best thing to do is to utilize them. Hence, dives in this region are often referred to as the Expressway. Adang's Corner is a fantastic dive that starts off with a drop off to about 5m, and gradually descent down over a rocky slope to about 18m. In this area, there is usually little to no current, until you swim around the coast closer to Koh Rawi where the current usually picks up. The dive follows the coast in either direction, depending on the current, making for an exciting, yet fairly easy drift dive.

Going Ashore in Koh Lipe

If you decide to go ashore to visit Koh Lipe should include watching the sun set on Sunset Beach, you can enjoy beers on ice or a generous cocktail. For those who wander off the beaten track there are great rewards as some of the nicer bars are located of the main strip. Along the road of Pattaya Beach there is a long stretch of small eateries, so if you're thinking of a quick snack that's the place to be.

All of Koh Lipe can be covered on foot, although its size at first can be a little deceiving. There are four main beaches to relax on, Pattaya Beach in the south is the most popular beach (where most yachts will anchor), Sunrise Beach on the east, near the Chao Ley village, Karma Beach in the North which faces the Adang/Lipe channel, and Sunset Beach in the west, which as the name implies, faces the sunset.