Kayaking Tarutao Southern Thailand Adventure

in the Far South - Tarutao is only 5km. from Langkawi , Malaysia
(6 Days 5 nights: Self paddle expedition)
Guaranteed Departure: at minimum 4 persons

SETTING: Koh Tarutao Marine National Park is the largest marine sanctuary in Southeast Asia . (App. 1,500 square kilometers). Islands are thickly carpeted with pristine hardwood forests, mangrove estuaries are filled with wildlife, and the crystal clear water harbors excellent coral reefs.

SEASON: December to April
Scheduled trips start on the last Sunday of each high season month. Charters at any time

SKILLS: Easy Sit-On-top kayaking with basic instruction provided. Ability to beach camp or sleep on deck of escort boat.

LODGING: Beach camping on excellent white sand beaches, or on-deck on the escort boat. Park HQ has permanent toilet and shower facilities.

ACCESS: Tarutao trips depart from Pak Bara, an hour's mini-van drive West of Haad Yai, the South's major city. Haad Yai has numerous four-star hotels at very reasonable prices. An international airport receives regional flights, and domestic service by Thai Airways from Bangkok and Phuket.
DEPARTURES: Sunday mornings (on the 2^nd.week and the 4^th week of the month) with 08.00 pick-up from your hotel in Haad Yai or 08.45 from your bungalow in Pak Bara If you wish, you can transfer to Pak Bara on Saturday afternoon for a bonus Sunset paddle and sleep on our escort boat at no extra cost. Pak Bara also has several inexpensive bungalows.

WE PROVIDE: Return transfers to Haad Yai, escort boat, all kayaking and guides, Thai seafood meal plan and camping gear

DESCRIPTION:
Tarutao's most striking feature is the pristine hardwood forest that carpets the island. Hardwood trees up to 70 meters often extend down to water's edge. This forest holds numerous species of mammals, birds and reptiles which may be seen on either nature walks or kayak paddles. During high season, four species of sea turtle nest within the Park, but sightings cannot be predicted. We do visit some Hongs, but this is primarily a self-paddle nature and wildlife trip. Tarutao's estuaries contain large and pristine mangrove forests heavily populated by mammals, birds and reptiles. Sightings of macaques, langur, kingfishers, hornbills, pythons and water monitors are common. Of course, wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed. Tarutao hosts several excellent sand camping beaches.

Koh Adang and Koh Rawi also host pristine hardwood forests, yet their surrounding waters have high visibility and colorful coral reefs. We often see porpoise and free-jumping sailfish.

Itineraries are based upon tides and may change accordingly.

DAY ONE (Sunday)

0800 Hotel pick-up

0900 Arrive Pak Bara Pier, depart for Tarutao

1030 Arrive Tarutao - paddle east coast

1200 SeaCanoe lunch on board

1300 Visit Old Prison

1430 Return to Boat, motor to West Coast

1600 Arrive West side camping beach

1800 Dinner on board

1900 Relax on beach and sleep

DAY TWO (Monday)

0700 Early morning nature walk - expect wildlife but no guarantees

0800 Breakfast on Board

0900 Paddle estuary on West Coast

1200 Lunch on board

1300 Paddle West Coast Tarutao

1600 Motor back to campsite

1700 Beach or paddle Sunset

1800 Dinner on Board

1900 Night paddle

2030 Return to campsite and sleep

DAY THREE (Tuesday)

0800 Breakfast on Board

0900 Explore second West Coast Estuary w/ picnic lunch

1600 Arrive Park Headquarters and make camp on beautiful sand beach

1800 Dinner on board

DAY FOUR (Wednesday)

0700 Breakfast on board

0800 Depart for Koh Adang/Rawi

1000 Koh Adang Coastal paddling and clear water reef snorkeling

1200 Return to escort boat for lunch

1600 Return to escort boat to make camp

1700 Sunset paddle

1800 Dinner and beach camping

DAY FIVE (Thursday)

0730 Breakfast on Escort boat

0830 Motor to Koh Rawi

0900 Koh Rawi coastal paddle and clear water reef snorkeling

1200 Lunch on escort boat

1300 Continue coastal paddle and snorkeling

1500 Return to escort boat and depart for Koh Tarutao

1700 Arrive Koh Tarutao National Park HQ and make camp

1800 Sunset from Tarutao HQ Beach

1900 Dinner on escort boat

DAY SIX (Friday)

0700 Breakfast on Escort boat

0800 Depart for Pak Bara

0900 Arrive Pak Bara area, start rock garden paddle

1200 Return to escort boat for lunch

1300 Continue Pak Bara area coastal paddle including Triple entry Hong

1600 Return to Pak Bara and transfer to airport or hotel in Haad Yai

1730 Arrive hotel - end of service