Ko Adang is the second biggest island in the Tarutao National Marine Park in Southern Thailand. It is the nearest island to the much more built-up Ko Lipe.

The national park is closed from mid-May until October (the wet season) each year, same as Ko Tarutao.

To get to Ko Adang, take a 5 minute water taxi ride from Ko Lipe. These leave from Sunrise Beach and cost 100 baht per person. Water taxis will also take you from Pattaya Beach where the speedboat arrives from Pak Bara, but will cost 200 baht per person. The more adventurous can kayak the 1300 metres from Lipe to Adang.

Ko Adang can be enjoyed as a half-day or full day trip from Lipe, or for longer as an independent tourist.

The national park entrance fee is 200 baht per person, valid for 5 days. Unlike on Ko Tarutao, dates on tickets are generally not checked.

Besides a few relatively short hiking trails, the interior of the island is impenetrable jungle. Long-tail boats can be hired to take you to other, secluded beaches on the island. The best are on the west coast.

Phosphorescent algae at night on the main beach.

The snorkelling here is superb, better than on Lipe. Very well-used snorkels can be rented at the visitor centre for 50 baht.

There is a long, beautiful beach where the accommodation is. Other beaches can be found on the west coast. Speak to the visitor centre to charter a longtail boat to take you to some of the other beaches on the island (1200 baht per day).

Hike to the Pirate Waterfall. From the western part of the main beach, follow the black water pipes and the sign. 45 minutes. Bring hiking shoes.

Hike to Chao Dao. Follow the sign behind the restaurant for a great view of Ko Lipe. 45 minutes. Again, wear hiking shoes.

Unsurprisingly, there are no ATMs here, so bring cash.

There is one restaurant on the island with basic Thai and backpacker fare. Despite the lack of competition the meals are good, average price 130 baht. It is open from 07:00-21:00 with a break in the mid-afternoon.

The resort also has a restaurant which may be open to non-guests.

Beers are 60 baht at the restaurant. Unlike other buildings, the restaurant has electricity all day so the drinks are always cold. The restaurant also sells bottled water which is the only drinking water available on the island.

There is a large camping area in the shade of some magnificent Sumatran pine trees. There are toilet blocks with sinks and showers as well as outdoor showers for rinsing off after a swim. Toilet paper is not supplied. The camping fee is 100 baht per person, per night if you bring your own tent. Otherwise, the park can provide a tent, sleeping bags and sleeping mats. These are already set up and cost 450 baht per night for two people. Go to the visitor centre on arrival, where you can also rent whatever else you need.

There are also 16 basic bungalows run by the national park service. They have A/C and electricity but only between 18:00 and 06:00. They do not have hot water and the mattresses are very hard. 1500 baht per night.

To organise accommodation, visit www.dnp.go.th (the website is down as of mid-2025), visit the National Parks Office next to the pier in Pak Bara, or ask a Thai speaker to try calling the following numbers:

• The Marine National Park Division: 0 2562 0760
• The Tarutao National Park: 0 7478 3485, 0 7478 3597
• The Tarutao National Park Ranger Station (Laem Son-Ko Adang): 0 7471 2409, 0 7472 8028

If calling from outside Thailand, add +66 and remove the leading 0 when you dial.

Even though the entire island is protected as part of the national park, a luxury resort has been built. The Adang Island Resort has been controversial since it was first announced in the late 2000s. Its construction was stalled for many years due to activism from environmentalists and area locals. It is operational but as of mid-2025 it is closed. It is set to re-open in December 2025. 9000 baht per night.

Even though the island is 1300m from Ko Lipe, do not attempt to swim between them. The currents between the islands are strong.

Mobile phone reception is very good on Ko Adang.

To go back to Ko Lipe, simply wait at the pier for a water taxi to arrive.