Thailand: Island Hopping and Diving

Welcome to Southern Thailand! Meet your Rustic staff and check into the hotel before your program orientation. Then, eat a delicious Thai dinner and explore downtown Hat Yai’s markets.  Get a good night’s rest before your big day tomorrow when you depart the mainland for the Tarutao Archipelago!

Spend your morning driving across the Malay peninsula to the Pak Bara region and hop on the ferry to Koh Taruato. This Archipelago, once home to pirates and later an infamous penal colony, is one of the only areas of Thailand relatively unscathed by development and is known for its pristine beaches, forests, and spectacular coral reefs.

After landing on the north end of the island, take a quick dip in the ocean before heading across the island to learn about its infamous past. You’ll drive through the mountains to tour the penal colony and hear stories of bygone pirate lore.

Spend your day kayaking the meandering inland estuaries. The intersection of fresh and saltwater environments creates a unique ecosystem characterized by mangrove forests and a wealth of flora and fauna species. You’ll learn the importance of these ecosystems and how they support food chains. At the top of the estuary, explore the Crocodile Cave and learn about the karst topography that makes the stunning limestone cliffs and caves.

Today, hike along the beach and into the forest interior to explore Koh Tarutao’s pristine forests. Largely spared from the rampant deforestation, Koh Tarutao is the best remaining forest in Thailand and is home to many rare species. By now, you’ll be familiar with the macaque monkeys and, as you head deeper into the forest, be sure to listen for the songs of over a hundred birds on the island. Before heading back to camp, take a quick dip in the waterfall to cool off.

Say goodbye to the Island of Koh Tarutao and take a ferry out to the Island of Koh Lipe. Spend the next three nights on Koh Adang camping on this beautiful beach. After settling in and enjoying a swim, you’ll take a hike up to a promontory overlooking the entire island chain. This promontory was once a lookout for pirates, but it’ll be a good place to examine the rampant development on Koh Lipe. Lipe is the only developed island on the Archipelago and is facing many environmental and land rights issues.

Wake up to the gentle sounds of the breaking waves and spend the morning hiking to a nearby waterfall. Along the way, you’ll pass by an abandoned resort on Koh Adang and discuss the ongoing issues of indigenous and rights and development. Afterwards, take a boat ride to Koh Lipe to survey the island firsthand and discuss the issues of overpopulation and unchecked development. Take advantage of this opportunity to stock up on supplies.

On our final day in Tarutao National Park, head out on a day-long snorkeling trip to explore the shoals, reefs, and inlets, and see the coral ecosystems. This area has the best diving and snorkeling spots in Asia and you’ll learn all about this delicate ecosystem.

Overfishing and coral bleaching have threatened these areas and only through concerted efforts by the National Park and locals have they been protected. Along the way, stop by a Sea Gypsy community to learn about their way of life and see how they’ve adapted to the coastal changes.

After your early wake up call, say goodbye to the Tarutao National Park and take the morning ferry back to the mainland. Disembarking at Pak Bara pier, you’ll head to the Hat Yai airport to fly to Singapore. As your adventures come to a close, reflect on your memories and the things you’ve learned.

Chokdee and come back to visit soon!