Tarutao National Park Kayaking Trip
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Crab-eating Macaques (monkeys) are common on Tarutao. We often see them walking the mudflats at low tide searching for crabs or whatever else they can eat. Dusky langurs, cute black monkeys with white rings around their eyes, are common too. We frequently see monitor lizards. They get as big as 60 pounds and as long as six or seven feet! We do see huge one occasionally, but the smaller one are much easier to see. Due to the impact of mass tourism on Koh Lipe and the park bungalows on Ko Tarutao, we are only offering deluxe camping in this marine national park. On Koh Tarutao, the largest island in the park, there is a long beach in front of the park adds much beauty to an already stunning scene. A tidal river next to the park is where we do our first bit of exploring. Actually, you could spend several days exploring just this one area. We paddle in a mangrove forest beside steep limestone cliffs. There are lots of birds in the mangrove. Brown-winged Kingfishers, bright orange birds with brown wings and a blue back, are often seen. Oriental Pied hornbills and Southern Pied hornbills regularly cross over the mangrove channels or soar along the side of the massive limestone mountains. Greater Ratchet-tailed Drongos, medium-sized black birds with two very long tail feathers, flutter between trees at the park headquarters in their constant search for insects.
On our eight-day Tarutao kayaking trip we sometimes spend a couple days on Tarutao before departing for some islands further out to sea. Each trip is customized to our guest's desires.
We paddle around several islands, taking time to relax and/or snorkel at the numerous beaches. We've managed to find several areas where the coral is in superb condition. Globally, this is rare. This is one of the most idyllic areas in Thailand! Another big attraction is the schools of sailfish. We've seen them almost every time we've been there! There are literally hundreds of them. The locals believe this school of sailfish is special, so they don't fish for them. We also usually see turtles in this area! We offers two options for Tarutao. Our deluxe option uses one of our large escort boats each day. Contact us for price quotes on the deluxe option. Our normal option uses public ferries or an escort boat for only 3 days. You will not be disappointed if you choose the normal option, but the deluxe option is best if you can afford the extra cost.
If you'd like to read more about Tarutao, check out our previous trip reports. Tarutao
in stormy weather
We offer a four-day, six-day trip and an eight-day trip to Tarutao. Longer trips are possibloe too. These islands are well off the beaten tourist path - this is PaddleAsia. No
experience is needed for any of our trips. The majority of our guests
have never paddled before. No problem, we'll teach you proper paddling
technique. |
Tarutao
is a marine national park
is on the border between Thailand and Malaysia. In fact, Langkawi
(a huge island in Malaysia) is just five miles from Tarutao. Tarutao
has been designated by UNESCO as an ASEAN Heritage site. The park
consists of 51 islands - seven big ones. The main island features
tidal rivers, primary mangrove forests, primary hardwood forests,
primary nipa palm forests (this palm's fronds are customarily used
for roof thatching), and lots of wildlife.
The
outer islands, which are over 30 miles offshore, offer crystal clear
water and primary jungle down to the white sandy beaches. Instead
of limestone, these islands have granite boulders. Sea gypsies live
on one island. You'll get a good taste of their friendly, laid-back
lifestyle. We have a team of sea gypsies who set up our camp ahead
of us. We believe in helping the less fortunate locals and the sea
gypsies are certainly in this position. Being 'outsiders' of sorts,
the Thai government does little or nothing to help them. Being lovely
people, we couldn't sit by and do nothing. We employ them and pay
them a very respectable wage for their hard work.
We
stay in bungalows
on the mainland and on the islands instead of camping. As an
option, we can sleep on an escort boat. This is a trip that
we love to customize. There's a lot to see and do!
