Ko Tarutao - _{The Hidden Gem Of Thailand- Best Snorkeling Destination}

Tarutao indicates "old, mysterious, primitive". And that is exactly what the island of Ko Tarutao is. Ko Tartuo evokes a rather archaic sense of awe and bewilderment with its gnarly and steep cliffs, idyllic shores, former prison sites, and old growth jungle in the peaks that stretch over 700 m. One of the most beautiful and pristine islands in the Andaman Sea as well as in all of Thailand, Ko Tarutao is the seventh biggest island in the country. Tarutao is an adventure biker's paradise, and the forested roads that cut deep into the interior wilderness take hikers and riders to clear rivulets that flow amid pristine jungles.

Best time to visit: Nov-To-Apr
Things to do: Hiking, Snorkeling, Wildlife Viewing, Kayaking

HOW TO REACH KO TARUTAO

Flight - The closest airport, in Koh Samui, offers regular flights to Koh Tarutao from Bangkok, Phuket, and Koh Tarutao. Pattaya also has a number of aircraft coming in and going out.
Road - Pakbara Pier on the mainland serves as the primary launching place for Ko Tarutao as well as Ko Lipe and Ko Bulon Lae. You can either acquire an all-inclusive minibus and speedboat transfer from a travel agency in Hat Yai or Trang, or you can board a public minibus at Hat Yai's Talad Kaset Station and pay for a ticket to Tarutao when you arrive.
Sea - From October 15 to May 15, when Ko Tarutao is open, daily speedboats traveling in either way between Pakbara and Ko Lipe should make a stop there. However, during the shoulder months, you might have to wait one or two days or make a transfer in Pakbara if you're coming from Lipe. A speedboat leaves Pakbara at 10:30 and arrives at Tarutao's Ao Phante wharf an hour later. A motorboat leaves Lipe at 9:00 and travels for more than an hour. Cost to/from either location is 450 baht. Depending on demand, additional boats might also make a halt at Tarutao.

HOW TO GET AROUND

Mountain Bikes - Mountain cycles can be rented at the eateries in Ao Molae and Ao Phante for 250 Baht per day. The mountainous paths from Ao Phante to Ao Molae and Ao Talo Wao are very steep and occasionally slippery, so keep that in mind.
Rental - If you don't feel like cycling, you can hire a pick-up truck taxi from Ao Phante to Ao Son or Ao Talo Wao for 600 Baht for a three-hour roundtrip. Try to make a reservation a day in advance as these are only available from 08:30 to 14:00 and are frequently completely booked. At least twice per day, shared cabs are also available among Ao Phante and Ao Molae for 100 Baht each.
Boat - Only hiring a longtail boat for 1,000 baht to Ao Molae, 2,000 baht to Ao Son, or 2,500 baht to Ao Talo Wao is an alternative to walking.

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