Where to stay in Satun – Ko Lipe, Tarutao and the mainland
Ko Lipe, Ko Tarutao, Pak Bara and Satun town compared. A guide to Thailand's southernmost Andaman province.
Satun is Thailand’s southernmost province on the Andaman Sea, bordering Malaysia. Much of its coastline and islands belong to Mu Ko Tarutao National Park, and the province is part of the Satun UNESCO Global Geopark, recognised for its fossils and limestone landscapes.
Choosing where to stay
- Ko Lipe is the most popular island, small and lively, with clear water and coral reefs.
- Ko Tarutao, a large, forested island, has national park bungalows and campsites. It once held a prison for political prisoners and criminals.
- Ko Bulon Lae is a small, quiet island with a few simple resorts.
- Pak Bara is the mainland pier for the islands, with basic hotels.
- Satun town is a quiet provincial capital with a large Muslim community, useful as a stopover.
When to go
The island season runs from about November to April. During the monsoon, many island resorts close and Tarutao National Park is usually closed to visitors for several months.
Getting there
The nearest airports are Trang and Hat Yai, both with flights from Bangkok. Minivans connect the airports with Pak Bara pier, where boats depart for the islands in season.
Things to do
Ko LipeA small island at the far southern end of the Andaman Sea, near Malaysia. Beaches, getting there and when to go to Ko Lipe.
