Scuba Dive Koh Tarutao, Scuba Diving, Koh Lipe, Thailand, Asia

Protected partly by its marine park status, Koh Tarutao Marine National Park is one of the most exquisite and unspoiled scuba diving destinations in Thailand. Teeming with fauna and covered with well-preserved virgin rainforest, sparkling coral reefs and radiant beaches, Tarutao is the epitome of environmentally sound tourist management. The islands are noted for their excellent scuba diving visibility and the remarkable amount and diversity of marine life found on the coral reefs nearby. The many beaches in the area are perfect because they are located on the fringe between the rainforest and the reef and often have freshwater springs and waterfalls from the mountains. The soft sand is very white in colour and cool on the feet.

We base our scuba divers on Koh Lipe, encircled by sandy beaches and filled with mountainous woodland. Koh Lipe is located in the centre of an isolated ring of 10 or so islands 45 km offshore from the Thai mainland, where the sand and sea is clean and pure. You can walk around most of Lipe island in 2 or 3 hours or it can take all day. The good news is that there are neither speed boats nor jet skis around and no cars. No one to sell ice cream or souvenirs on the beach, no one to hassle you at all. The Lipe local people who are all fishing families, see to it that this remains a peaceful island, devoted to nature.

On Koh Lipe there will be no mass development because the island is part of the Koh Tarutao Marine National Park. In the evening people sit around tables on the beach and enjoy conversation by candlelight. What Koh Lipe doesn't have: crime, police, cars, pollution, beach hawkers and fast food.