Koh Adang Island Guide: Secret Viewpoints & Coral Reefs Next to Koh Lipe
This Koh Adang travel guide covers the island most visitors see but never step on. It sits right across from Koh Lipe. A 15-minute longtail ride separates them. But the two islands could not be more different. Lipe has nightlife and construction noise. Adang has untouched jungle and empty beaches. One viewpoint here gave me the best island panorama I have seen in Thailand. If you want an island that still feels undiscovered, keep reading. This Koh Adang travel guide shows you what to expect.
For the full route, check my Satun and Tarutao itinerary. For transport details, read how to get to Koh Tarutao, Koh Bulon, and Koh Adang.
Quick Info
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Tarutao National Marine Park, opposite Koh Lipe |
| Access | Longtail from Koh Lipe (150-200 THB, 15 min) |
| Park fee | 200 THB (valid 5 days, show Pak Bara receipt) |
| Accommodation | Adang Island Resort or DNP Bungalows |
| Only restaurant | Park canteen (07:30-14:00, 17:30-21:00) |
| Season | Mid-November to mid-May (closed 16 May to 15 Nov) |
| Snorkel trip | Book a catamaran snorkel trip |
| eSIM | Stay connected with an eSIM |
Is Koh Adang Worth Visiting as a Day Trip or Overnight Stay?
Both work. But an overnight stay changes the experience completely. As a day trip from Koh Lipe, you hike Chado Cliff and catch the longtail back. But staying overnight gives you sunset from the beach. It gives you the jungle sounds at night. It gives you a morning swim before anyone arrives from Lipe.
Koh Adang is worth visiting for the contrast alone. Koh Lipe buzzes with bars and restaurants. Adang has one park canteen and silence. The two islands sit 15 minutes apart but feel like different countries. The things to do in Koh Adang revolve around jungle, cliffs, and water. No shopping. No nightlife. Just nature at full volume.
After staying at DNP bungalows on Koh Tarutao, I wanted more comfort. I was torn between DNP again and the Adang Island Resort. The resort was the only place with 24-hour electricity and air conditioning. The choice made itself. After going fully off-grid on Tarutao, I rewarded myself on Adang. Back to back, those two islands create the perfect balance.
Hiking the Chado Cliff Viewpoint for the Best Photography in Satun
The Chado Cliff hike is the main reason people come to Koh Adang. Three viewpoints sit along the trail. Each one higher and more dramatic than the last.
Viewpoint 1 takes about 15 minutes to reach. The view is pleasant. You see the beach and some of Koh Lipe in the distance. Most casual visitors stop here. That is a mistake.
Viewpoint 2 continues steeper. The trail narrows. Rocks replace dirt. You start using your hands as much as your feet. The jungle thickens around you.
Viewpoint 3 is the reward. It takes about 45 minutes total from the bottom. Below you, Koh Lipe floats in turquoise water like a painting. The coral reefs glow in shades of blue and green. The open Andaman Sea stretches to the horizon. The Koh Adang viewpoint from here is the best island panorama in Thailand. Every minute of the climb pays off at the top.
I started the Chado Cliff hike early in the morning. I reached Viewpoint 1 in 15 minutes. Nice but I kept going. The trail got steeper fast. Rope sections appeared. The dirt was slippery even though it had not rained. After 45 minutes I reached Viewpoint 3. Koh Lipe sat below me in perfect turquoise. I stayed for 20 minutes just staring. You can stop at Viewpoint 1. But if you do, you miss the greatest view on the island. Wear proper shoes, not sandals. The rope sections demand grip.
More Things to Do on Koh Adang
Pirate Waterfall hike. A 2-hour round trip through the jungle. Pirates once used this waterfall as a freshwater supply. The trail is shaded and quieter than Chado Cliff. Bring water and insect repellent. The humidity is intense under the canopy.
Black Sand Beach discovery. On my way back from Pirate Waterfall, I noticed a trail branching off. I followed it for about ten minutes. Then I walked onto a beach with black sand. Volcanic mineral deposits had turned the entire shoreline dark. The contrast between turquoise sea and black sand felt surreal. I was completely alone. No footprints in either direction. The beach curved into a small cove backed by dense jungle.
Everyone on Koh Adang goes up to Chado Cliff. Nobody talks about Black Sand Beach. After your Pirate Waterfall hike, follow the side trail. Your reward is a secret beach with sand you have never seen before.
Snorkeling around Koh Adang. The coral reefs between Adang and Lipe rank among the Andaman Sea’s best. You can arrange a longtail snorkel trip from Koh Lipe’s Sunrise Beach. For a more comfortable option, book a catamaran snorkel trip instead of a longtail.
For the island I visited before Adang, read my Koh Tarutao travel guide. The two islands pair perfectly on the same route.
Buying Tarutao National Park Boat Tickets and Paying the Entrance Fee
Getting to Koh Adang requires two things. A longtail ticket and a park entry fee.
From Koh Lipe. Head to Pattaya Beach or Sunrise Beach. Longtail boats to Koh Adang cost 150 to 200 THB per person one way. The ride takes about 15 minutes. No advance booking needed. You arrange it at the beach.
Park entry fee. The standard fee is 200 THB for foreigners. If you already paid at Pak Bara Pier, show your wristband or receipt. The same ticket covers Koh Tarutao, Koh Adang, and Koh Rawi for 5 days. Do not pay twice.
Park canteen warning. The only restaurant on Koh Adang is the park canteen. It opens 07:30 to 14:00 and 17:30 to 21:00. Between those hours, no food is available. Bring snacks for the gap. This catches every first-time visitor off guard.
Practical Tips
Shoes matter. The Chado Cliff trail has rope sections and loose dirt. Sandals are dangerous. Wear proper hiking shoes or trail runners. This is not optional on the steep sections.
eSIM. Signal on Koh Adang is patchy at best. Pick up an eSIM before your trip for the moments you find reception. Do not rely on it for real-time navigation.
Water. Bring enough for the full day. The park canteen sells bottles but supply is limited. If you hike both Chado Cliff and Pirate Waterfall, two liters minimum.
Timing. Start Chado Cliff early. By 10:00 the heat and humidity make the steep sections brutal. The morning light also gives the best photos from Viewpoint 3.
Day trip vs overnight. A day trip covers the hike and snorkeling. An overnight stay adds sunset, morning calm, and Black Sand Beach. The Koh Adang travel guide answer: stay one night if your schedule allows.
For accommodation across all islands, check my Satun islands guide. To continue east after the islands, read my Songkhla Old Town travel guide.
FAQ
Is Koh Adang worth visiting from Koh Lipe? Absolutely. The 15-minute longtail ride gives you a completely different island. Chado Cliff alone justifies the trip. An overnight stay makes it even better.
How do I get to Koh Adang from Koh Lipe? Longtail from Pattaya or Sunrise Beach. 150 to 200 THB one way. About 15 minutes. No booking needed.
Do I need to pay the park fee again? Not if you already paid at Pak Bara. Show your wristband or receipt. The 200 THB ticket covers 5 days across all park islands.
Is the Chado Cliff hike difficult? Moderate to hard. Viewpoint 1 is easy. Viewpoint 3 requires 45 minutes of steep climbing with rope sections. Proper shoes are essential.
Can I eat on Koh Adang? Only at the park canteen. Hours are limited. Bring snacks for the afternoon gap between 14:00 and 17:30. No other food options exist on the island.
When is Koh Adang open? Mid-November to mid-May. The park closes from 16 May to 15 November during monsoon season. January to March has the calmest seas for the crossing.
