Information
Landmark: Koh RawiCity: Satun
Country: Thailand
Continent: Asia
Koh Rawi, Satun, Thailand, Asia
Overview
Koh Rawi, a hidden gem in the Andaman Sea, is one of the most pristine and untouched islands in Tarutao National Marine Park, tucked away in Satun Province in southern Thailand, where white sand squeaks under your feet.With glassy blue water, powdery white sand, and dense green jungle, Koh Rawi draws nature lovers, snorkelers, and adventurers craving a quiet escape far from the tourist throngs.Koh Rawi sits in the Tarutao National Marine Park of Satun Province, Thailand, covering about 28 square kilometers and reachable only by boat from Koh Lipe, Pak Bara Pier, or nearby islands; visitors come to snorkel in clear turquoise water, hike jungle trails, camp under star-filled skies, watch wildlife, and stretch out on quiet, untouched beaches, with camping-by permit-being the only way to stay overnight in this protected, undeveloped paradise.While nearby Koh Lipe buzzes with tourists, Koh Rawi stays quiet and untouched, a place where you can hear only the rustle of palm leaves and the lap of clear water.Getting to Koh Rawi means one thing-you’ll need a boat, the kind that cuts a white wake across the turquoise water.The most common way to get there is by longtail boat from Koh Lipe, with private or group tours leaving right off Sunrise Beach or Pattaya Beach, where you can hear the water slap against the hull before you set out.Speedboat tours are included in island-hopping adventures around Tarutao National Park, skimming past turquoise coves and rocky cliffs.From Pak Bara Pier in mainland Satun, hop on a speedboat for the ride to Koh Lipe-it’s about an hour and a half, maybe two, with the sea breeze in your face.From Koh Lipe, you can hop on a longtail boat or join a snorkeling tour that swings by Koh Rawi, where the water’s as clear as glass.From Koh Tarutao or Koh Adang, you can easily arrange a private boat from nearby islands in Tarutao National Park, the engine’s hum carrying over the quiet water.Because Koh Rawi sits inside a protected marine park, you’ll need to pay the entrance fee-usually collected at Pak Bara Pier or on Koh Lipe-before you can step onto its sandy shores.It costs 200 THB for foreign adults to enter Tarutao National Park, 100 THB for foreign children, while Thai citizens pay 40 THB for adults and 20 THB for kids; once inside, Koh Rawi offers plenty to explore, starting with its first highlight.Koh Rawi is ringed by some of Tarutao National Park’s most vibrant coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling or diving among flashes of darting fish.Bright fish dart through the clear waters around the island, where sea turtles glide past vibrant coral glowing like splashes of paint.Hin Ngam Reef is one of the best places to snorkel, where black volcanic stones gleam under the water and fish dart in and out of the coral.Ao Rawi Bay’s clear, waist-deep water makes it easy to spot parrotfish flashing their colors, shy clownfish darting between corals, and soft sea anemones swaying in the tide.Koh Yang sits just a short boat ride away, and it’s often part of the snorkeling trips from Koh Lipe, where the water glimmers a clear turquoise.Number two.The island’s dotted with white, sandy stretches, and Ao Rawi Beach-where the water shimmers like glass-is the one everyone talks about.While Koh Lipe’s beaches buzz with crowds, Koh Rawi’s stretch of soft, empty sand stays quiet and pristine, perfect for kicking back and soaking in the sound of the waves.Three.Hiking through Koh Rawi’s jungle takes you under a thick canopy of tropical rainforest, where flashes of bright birds dart past and monkeys chatter while wild boars rustle in the undergrowth.You can follow winding nature trails to hidden viewpoints and rushing waterfalls, but a park ranger needs to guide you-many paths fade into the trees without clear signs.Number four.With no hotels, bungalows, or even a place to grab a hot meal, the island leaves you just one option for the night-pitching a tent under the stars.With the park office’s OK, you can pitch a tent right on Ao Rawi Beach, where the sand feels warm under your feet.It’s the perfect chance to soak in the island’s calm and gaze up at a night sky scattered with stars, well away from the glare of the city.Five.On Koh Rawi, you might spot sea eagles gliding overhead, hornbills calling from the trees, monitor lizards sunning on warm rocks, or wild boars rustling through undergrowth, while tropical fish flash beneath the clear shallows-its untouched landscape makes it a dream for photographers and birdwatchers alike.The ideal time to visit Koh Rawi is between November and April, when the dry season brings calm, clear waters perfect for snorkeling and stretching out on the warm sand.The best time to visit is December through March.Skip the rainy season from May to October-storms lash the coast, seas turn choppy, and Tarutao National Park shuts its gates for conservation.Pack plenty of food and water-you won’t find a single café or store on the island, not even a stand selling cold drinks.Respect the environment-since this is a national park, pack up every bit of trash, even the crumpled snack wrapper, and take it with you.Put on reef-safe sunscreen so the coral reefs stay healthy, like the bright clusters swaying under warm, clear water.Rent your snorkeling gear in Koh Lipe first-Koh Rawi doesn’t have a single shop, not even a dusty mask for hire.Stick to the park rules: don’t fish, don’t feed the animals, and leave the coral and shells where the waves have set them.Since Koh Rawi sits within Tarutao National Park, most island-hopping tours swing by nearby spots like Koh Adang, a bigger island with forest trails, cool waterfall spray, and sweeping hilltop views.Koh Hin Ngam is known for its smooth black stones, shimmering in the sun, which locals whisper are cursed.Koh Yang is a tiny island where bright coral reefs ripple just below the clear, blue water.Koh Lipe is the most developed island in the region, lined with bright-lit resorts and open-air restaurants where you can smell grilling seafood at dusk.Why not see Koh Rawi for yourself, where clear turquoise waves brush against empty white sand?It’s one of the last untouched islands in Thailand, where the sand still squeaks under your feet.No crowds, no hotels, no noise-only the rustle of leaves and the sweep of open sky.It’s great for snorkeling, camping, and stretching out on a quiet, sun-warmed beach.It’s part of Tarutao National Park, where clear waves and dense green forests stay safe from harm.If you want a true island escape far from Koh Lipe’s crowds and neon signs, you’ll find it on Koh Rawi-one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets.
