18 amazing places to visit in Satun
Satun is a province located in the southernmost part of Thailand, bordering Malaysia. It is known for its beautiful beaches, islands, and natural attractions such as the Tarutao National Marine Park, which is home to a variety of marine life and coral reefs. The province also has a rich cultural heritage, with influences from both Thai and Malay culture. Visitors can explore the historical sites such as the old town of La-ngu, or visit the traditional fishing village of Baan Tammalang. Satun is also famous for its delicious seafood and traditional southern Thai dishes. The province is becoming increasingly popular among tourists looking for a quieter and more authentic experience of southern Thailand.
La-ngu District
Tarutao National Marine Park
consists of the following islands:
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is a well-known island in the Andaman Sea that many people dream of visiting. The island boasts crystal clear waters, pristine sandy beaches, and an abundance of coral reefs. There are various bays and diving spots to explore, making it a popular destination for tourists who love the natural beauty of the Thai sea. Tour packages and comfortable accommodations by the sea are readily available, as well as an array of restaurants and community shops to enhance the overall travel experience.
Koh Adang
Koh Adang is a small island located opposite to Koh Lipe and can be easily seen from Sunrise Beach. Visitors can take a short boat ride of only 5 minutes to reach the island. The island is home to the Tarutao National Park Protection Unit and boasts a beautiful white sandy beach. The island has accommodation and restaurants run by the park, and the only private accommodation option is the Adang Island Resort. The island also has a viewpoint called “Pha Chado” which was used in the past as an observation point for pirates to attack merchant ships, but now serves as a scenic viewpoint. It takes around 40 minutes to walk to the viewpoint, once there visitors can enjoy an open field with panoramic views of the pine trees and white sand cape of Koh Adang and Koh Lipe.
Koh Ra Wi
Koh Ra Wi is the sister island of Koh Adang and is located just 1 kilometer away from Adang Island. It features white sandy beaches, beautiful and clean sea water, making it a popular destination for tourists to relax, swim, and enjoy lunch. Visitors can also go diving and snorkeling around the island to explore the marine life and various points of interest.
Koh Hin Ngam
Koh Hin Ngam is a small island located south of Koh Adang. Unlike other islands, it does not have a white sandy beach but instead is covered with shiny round black stones. The waves that hit the rocks make the stones even more shiny. According to local legend, every stone on the island is cursed by Chao Por Tarutao, the guardian spirit of Tarutao National Park and it is forbidden to remove any of the stones from the island or the national park area.
Koh Rok Loi
Koh Rok Loi is a small and secluded island that is included in the Outer Zone Snorkeling Package. It is located about an hour away from Koh Lipe. The island is known for its white sandy beach that is shaped like a triangular cape protruding into the sea. It is located close to Koh Dong and Plai Laem. The island offers a stunning contrast of white sandy beach and emerald green sea. The island is peaceful and is perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The clear sea water, white sand beach and proximity to nature makes it an ideal spot for swimming, taking pictures and beach walks.
Koh Tarutao
Koh Tarutao is the location of the Tarutao National Park Office, and it was also a former prison island where prisoners were kept, resulting in many historical monuments that can be seen on the island today. One of the most important sites on the island is the sacred Pho Tarutao shrine, which visitors are encouraged to visit and worship. The island offers accommodation within the park and there is a welfare shop available for purchasing drinking water, snacks, and toilet facilities.
Koh Khai Nok
Koh Khai Nok is a small island located in Satun Province and is considered a symbol of the region. Visitors can reach the island in just 15 minutes and the island’s main highlight is a large stone arch that has a big opening, visitors can walk through it. The island offers a stunning view of the clear blue sea, white sandy beach, and many stones lined up on the sandy beach. It is a great spot for swimming and taking pictures.
Attractions near Pak Bara Pier
Pak Bara Beach
Pak Bara Beach is a location that many visitors pass by while taking a boat to Koh Lipe. It is the location of the port and many people, who are in a rush to reach Koh Lipe, don’t stop by for a long time. However, if one has more time, it is recommended to stay at Pak Bara Beach for a night, as a break during the journey or on the way back, and explore the different places located in the area. The beach is beautiful from morning till night and offers a variety of affordable beach accommodations, seafood restaurants and delicious local food. One of the highlights of the beach is the beautiful sunset view.
Prasat Hin Pun Yod, Khao Yai Island
Prasat Hin Pan Yod is a must-see destination located in the Koh Khao Yai area within the jurisdiction of Mu Koh Phetra National Park in Satun. The site offers visitors the chance to take in the beauty of emerald seas and sandy beaches surrounded by towering black limestone walls resembling a castle, which is the origin of its name. It is a relatively short trip and can be completed in a day, taking only half a day to explore.
Time Bridge View Point
“Time Bridge Viewpoint” is a unique destination located in Amphoe La-ngu, within Mu Ko Phetra National Park, Satun Province. The viewpoint is known for its steep sea cliffs, and offers visitors a boardwalk trail called Khao Toh Ngai, which runs along the mountain and is a nature study trail by the sea. The viewpoint is particularly noteworthy for the different colored rock formations found on one section of the cliff, which are the result of two distinct periods: the Cambrian red sandstone and the Ordovician limestone. The age difference between these two eras is more than 400 years, and is caused by tectonic faults that are clearly visible and rare. The viewpoint offers a unique experience of seemingly stepping across time, from the Cambrian period to the Ordovician period, with just one step.
Koh Bulon Le
Koh Bulon Le is an island situated in the Pak Bara Pier Zone and can be visited in the morning or evening by chartering a long-tailed boat at a cost of 3500 baht per day, or by staying overnight. The island boasts white sandy beaches, clear water, and an abundance of underwater corals. It also features pine trees growing along the white sand beach in a long line. The center of the island is Bulon Le, and it is home to many private resorts, making it an ideal destination for a peaceful retreat. There is also a walking path around the island, and the west coast beach offers beautiful sunsets. The island is also known for its snorkeling and scuba diving spots such as Koh Ayam and Koh Hin Khao, which are teeming with coral.
Wang Sai Thong Waterfall
Wang Sai Thong Waterfall, also known as the Large Limestone Waterfall, is a unique and picturesque waterfall located in the south, known for its abundance of natural resources. This limestone waterfall features water flowing through multiple tiers of yellow limestone, creating small and large natural basins that are perfect for swimming and cooling off. The waterfall is easily accessible, with parking and sightseeing spots located close to the waterfall, making it a popular destination for tourists looking to enjoy the natural beauty and cool off in the water.
Mueang Satun District
Satun Street Art
Mueang Satun District, although often overlooked by tourists visiting Satun, offers a unique glimpse into the cultural diversity and history of the area. The district is home to a peaceful and charming old town, with a mix of Thai Buddhist, Thai Muslim, and Thai Chinese communities. Visitors can explore the Sino-Portuguese style architecture, capture photos of the street art, and discover the charming and quaint corners of Satun that often go unnoticed. If you have the time, it is worth taking a detour to experience this unique and lesser-known destination.
Satun National Museum
Satun National Museum is a historical building located in the province of Satun. Constructed during the reign of Phraya Phumnat Phakdi, it serves as a collection of artifacts and displays that educate visitors on the art, culture, traditions, and lifestyle of the people of Satun. The museum offers an insight into various fields and is open to the public at a low admission fee of 10 baht for Thai citizens and 50 baht for foreign visitors.
Thale Ban National Park
Thale Ban National Park is a must-see destination in Satun for nature lovers. The park is known for its umbrella forest and offers visitors the opportunity to explore the area on the Nature Trail, a 600-meter and 1.3-kilometer trail that winds through a freshwater lake nestled in the valley between the China Mountains and Khao Wangpra. The swamp is home to a variety of freshwater fish and shellfish and is surrounded by dense stands of “bakong” trees. Visitors can also relax and take in the scenery at the park’s water pavilion or stroll along the wooden walkway that circles the lake. It’s a perfect spot for photography and enjoying the serene natural surroundings.
Khuan Don District
Masjid Al-Hashimi
Al Hashimi Mosque is a must-see destination located in Khuan Don District, Satun Province. The mosque is designed in a hexagonal shape with intricate blue and white tile decorations and a round dome adorned with golden yellow tiles, standing out amidst the lush mountain views and the large pond beside it. It is considered the most beautiful mosque in Satun and is a popular tourist attraction.
Manang District
Phu Pha Phet Cave
Tham Phu Pha Phet is a cave located in Manang District of Satun, known for its unique and stunning features such as stalactites and stalagmites. Inside the cave, there is a wooden bridge for visitors to explore and lights installed for easy navigation. The highlight of the cave is the Phu Pha Phet room, which features glittering stalactites and stalagmites resembling diamond scales, creating a mesmerizing and sparkling appearance. Additionally, during May and June, around 3:00 PM to 3:20 PM, natural light shines through a chimney and hits the green stalactites and stalagmites, making the room appear as an emerald green wonderland. This cave is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Satun.
Thung Wa District
Tham Le Stegodon (Satun UNESCO Global Geopark)
Les Stegodon Cave is a limestone cave located in the mountain range, which resembles a tunnel underneath the mountain. The cave stretches for around 4 kilometers and is known for the discovery of fossils of elephants and rhinoceroses from the Pleistocene period, particularly the elephant genus Stegodon, which gives the cave its name. To explore the cave, visitors must take a boat and keep in mind the water level within the cave, which varies daily. However, the cave can be visited all year round, but advanced contact with the Thung Wa Subdistrict Administrative Organization is required.
