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Everything You Need to Know about Koh Adang

| Last Updated: October 2024

Koh Adang is a snorkeling paradise in Tarutao National Park in the province of Satun. It’s surrounded by rich aquamarine waters filled with vast coral reef formations, diverse tropical fish species, and deep diving spots.

The island is also known for its lush jungle trails, abundant wildlife, and pristine white-sand beaches. In short, it’s a dream paradise island getaway, an unspoiled natural beauty that’s a top choice among nature lovers and adventurers.

With a tranquil campsite at its ranger station, not to mention the chic private resort on its south end, Koh Adang is certainly one of Satun’s top hideaways to explore. And need we tell you it’s just a speedboat away from the best beaches of Phuket. 

Where is Koh Adang?

koh-adang-map
Image Source: Google Maps

Koh Adang is within Tarutao National Park and off the coast of mainland Satun. It’s surrounded by other islands in the Andaman Sea: Koh Lek in the east, Koh Lipe in the south, and Koh Rawi in the west.

Things to Know

Contact: +66 63 643 1744
Operating Hours: Open daily
Website
Entry Fees: 

  • 200 baht (Adults)
  • 100 baht (Kids)

Electricity: Electricity is available at the Koh Adang’s ranger station but only available between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Otherwise, your best option is the island’s only private resort because it has a power generator.

Bathroom Facilities: Bathrooms and showers are available at the island’s ranger station and are free to use.

Cellular Reception: The island has great phone reception, providing a stable 4G connection.

ATMs: You won’t find ATMs in Koh Adang, so carry enough cash for your stay. Don’t worry, you can always take a short boat ride to the nearby Koh Lipe to withdraw more.

How to Get to Koh Adang

Speedboat: You can only reach Koh Adang by boarding the speedboats from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe. If you’re coming from Bangkok, you must travel to this pier in Southern Satun first.

The speedboats here will dock at Koh Lipe but you can also ask the operator to drop you off at Koh Adang beforehand. Otherwise, you’ll need to board a longtail boat to Koh Adang.

Please note that there’s a 20 baht entry fee at Pak Bara Pier.

What to See and Do in Koh Adang

Hike to the Pha Chado Viewpoint

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Pha Chado Viewpoint, also known as Chado Cliff Viewpoint, is a popular lookout point and hiking spot in Koh Adang. Its trailhead starts behind the island’s ranger station and takes you through a lush jungle filled with diverse local fauna and flora.

This is a steep trail so gear up with your best hiking gear because there are portions where you must climb over rock terrains with a rope guide. We also recommend visiting during the dry season because the trail can be slippery after rain.

The numerous trail markers make this viewpoint easy to track, especially since it’s divided into three lookout points. Pha Chado Viewpoint 3 is the most popular because it has a breathtaking panoramic view of Koh Lipe.

Take a refreshing dip at the Pirate Waterfall

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Pirate Waterfall is one of the more popular attractions in Koh Adang. It’s a gentle cascade with a refreshing natural pool, perfect for tourists who want a secluded place to cool down.

The pool also has a sizable depth so you can fully submerge under the cool water. The waterfall’s stream flows along small climbable rocks, allowing you to access the cascade’s upper portion.

Best of all, it’s connected to the trailhead behind the ranger station – just look for a marker pointing to this waterfall’s direction along the trail.

Laze around Koh Adang’s pristine beaches

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Koh Adang is known for its aquamarine waters and numerous unspoiled beaches. The beaches most tourists frequent are in its southern portion, along Adang Island Resort and the Koh Adang Ranger Station.

But, it also has a pristine and tranquil beach on its western coastline called Sunset Beach. It’s a long white-sand beach so you can enjoy sunbathing, picnicking, swimming, snorkeling, and more!

There are lines of trees as well, perfect if you need a cool shaded area to relax in the fresh ocean breeze. Oh, and the tree swings are also a nice bonus.

Paddle your way around Koh Adang

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Renting a kayak gives you the best chance to explore Koh Adang’s unspoiled coastlines to the fullest. This also gives you easy access to the less frequented bays at the island’s north end.

But that’s not all—you can also paddle sea kayaks around Koh Adang for some island-hopping action. In fact, our adventurous staffers prefer to kayak their way to nearby islands like Koh Rawi and Koh Lipe.

To rent a kayak, just head on to the resort on the island’s south end.

Watch out for Koh Adang’s wildlife

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Koh Adang is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts since it’s part of Tarutao National Park. Here, you can expect to encounter a wide range of birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and more.

Explore the island’s jungle trails to spot various animals, including, butterfly lizards, macaques, dusky leaf monkeys, and more! The island also boasts numerous bird species, especially arboreal and aquatic birds.

Some birds we were lucky to see were the oriental-pied hornbills, Pacific reef egrets, white-bellied sea eagles, and common kingfishers.

Check out Koh Adang’s snorkeling and diving spots

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Koh Adang is known for its breathtaking snorkeling and diving spots. The island’s aquamarine waters are filled with vast coral reef formations, so expect to find a wide array of hard and soft coral species and reef fishes.

There’s also a nearby dive site between Koh Adang and Koh Hin Ngam where tourists go to spot whale sharks.

You can rent snorkeling gear and book diving trips with the resort at the island’s south end or Koh Lipe.

Where to Eat in and Near Koh Adang

Visitors will barely find restaurants in Koh Adang, so be prepared to ride a boat to Koh Lipe for more options. Here are the food spots we recommend:

Cafe Lipe

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Address: 457, Ko Sarai Subdistrict
Phone: +66 86 969 9472
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for breakfast
Website

Cafe Lipe is one of the best breakfast spots near Koh Adang, so it’s definitely worth the 10- to 15-minute boat ride. Don’t miss out on their excellent selection of flatbread rolls that go perfectly with their freshly brewed organic coffees.

Their wide array of salads and vegetable-based shakes is also a big hit among health-conscious diners. If you have a sweet tooth, this cafe’s dessert options are excellent, from homemade cakes to crepes and ice cream!

This cafe is also on Koh Lipe’s Pattaya Beach, so you have easy access to the boats going to Koh Adang.

Elephant

Media from elephantkohlipe

Address: 358 Walking Street, Koh Lipe
Phone: +66 89 657 2178
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for vegans and vegetarians
Website

Elephant is a popular restaurant near Koh Lipe’s Pattaya Beach. Though it has an unpretentious and relaxed rustic interior, tourists frequent it for its extensive selection of high-quality Western-style dishes.

They offer vegetarian and vegan options for most of their menu items, which is a bonus for those with dietary restrictions. 

Their best-sellers are burgers, pizzas, and wraps, so they’re definitely worth a shot. They also have a massive drink menu consisting of fresh juices, smoothies, cocktails, and more—don’t forget to try their Thai craft beers!

The Box Restaurant

Media from theboxkohlipe

Address: 373 Moo 7, Koh Sarai Subdistrict, Koh Lipe 
Phone: +66 63 815 3158
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 1 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Western-style food
Website

If you crave Western-style food, The Box Restaurant in Koh Lipe is an excellent option. This place excels at Spanish cuisine, and some of our favorites include the gambas al ajillo, croquettes jamon serrano, and Spanish meatballs.

They also serve numerous popular Western dishes, from gourmet burgers to cold cuts with a cheese board, pulled pork ribs, quesadillas, and steaks. 

Don’t forget to check out their fine selection of Spanish drinks and world-class wines.

And be sure to get a jug of their refreshing sangria! 

Where to Shop Near Koh Adang

There are no shopping spots in Koh Adang, so your best option is to head to Koh Lipe. Here are the top shopping places to consider:

Patt Market

Media credit: willywilly12

Address: Walking Street, Koh Lipe
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 7 a.m. – 2 a.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for groceries, essentials

Patt Market is a popular supermarket in the heart of Koh Lipe, so it’s certainly one of the nearest shopping spots to Koh Adang. This place sells various items, from vegetables to fruits, toiletries, and household items, perfect if you need to stock up on groceries.

They also have numerous travel essentials like battery packs, over-the-counter medications, bug sprays, sunscreens, and more. We also like how their prices are slightly more affordable than other shops on the island.

7-Eleven Koh Lipe

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Address: 325 Walking Street, Koh Lipe
Phone: +66 2 826 7744
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24/7
Good to know: Good for essentials, snacks
Website

The 7-Eleven in Koh Lipe is a solid option if you need to secure some essential items. This includes cosmetics, basic toiletries, snacks, and drinks.

In fact, we like how this convenience store has a dedicated travel product section where you can find everything you might need during your trip. Think deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and more.

This convenience store is also open 24/7, so it’s the most reliable shopping spot if you’re staying at a hotel in Koh Lipe.

Lotus’s Go Fresh La-ngu

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Address: 1473 Moo 3, Kamphaeng Subdistrict, La-ngu District
Phone: +66 74 775 467
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for groceries
Website

Lotus’s Go Fresh is a well-known supermarket brand in Thailand, so it’s definitely one of the top places to shop for groceries for your Koh Adang Trip. The branch in Lan-ngu is also close to Satun’s Pak Bara Pier, perfect if you’re catching a speedboat there.

This place offers a wide range of grocery items, so expect fresh fruits, vegetables, meat products, household goods, and more. There’s also a section for travel accessories like cheap socks, towels, and sunglasses.

You can also find kiosks selling cooked meals, gadgets, and hardware tools.

Where to Stay in Koh Adang

There are only two accommodations available in Koh Adang, so you’ll need to look into nearby islands like Koh Lipe or Koh Tarutao if you like more options. 

Adang Island Resort 

Media from adangislandresort

Address: 179 Moo 7, Koh Sarai
Phone: +66 89 737 0007
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 12 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples, families, nature lovers
Website

Adang Island Resort is the only private hotel in Koh Adang, so it’s a convenient option if you don’t want to ride a boat back to mainland Satun or Koh Lipe before dark. We also like their chic beachside bungalows, suites, and villas with warm-toned brick interiors.

These units are also fully equipped with modern amenities and give you the option of a garden or beachfront view. For the ultimate privacy and luxury, we particularly recommend their honeymoon suite which also has the best beachfront view.

If you like nature adventures, you’ll also appreciate the numerous trips and activities they offer. Think snorkeling, diving, kayaking, jungle trekking, and more.

Koh Adang Campsite

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Address: Tarutao National Park Ranger Station, Koh Adang
Phone: +66 63 643 1744
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for nature lovers, backpackers
Website

If you want a budget-friendly option that lets you make the most of Koh Adang, the campsite at the island’s ranger station is the clear-cut option. This place rents out affordable sleeping gear and tents that accommodate up to two people.

You can also set the tent along the unspoiled tree-lined bay for quick access to the island’s crystal-clear waters and fine white sands. Hornbills are also known to perch on the campsite’s pine trees, perfect if you like birdwatching.

The ranger station’s restaurant also got you covered for food and drinks. Bathrooms are also free because they’re included in your park tickets.

FAQs about Koh Adang

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