Ko Adang

Ko Adang sits a few hundred metres north of Ko Lipe across a shallow channel, and the contrast between them is the point: Lipe is built up with bars, guesthouses and a walking street, while Adang is inside Tarutao National Marine Park with a ranger station, camping, a few basic bungalows and forest over the rest of its thirty square kilometres. Longtails cross in minutes. The main walk is up to Chado Cliff, a steep climb of twenty to thirty minutes through forest on rough steps to a rock outcrop looking straight down over the channel to Lipe and the surrounding islands - one of the better views in the Andaman and free. There are waterfalls in the interior and quiet beaches around the coast. The park closes from mid-May to mid-November. Facilities are national park standard, meaning basic; most people come for the day from Lipe rather than staying.

What you actually see

• Chado Cliff - the steep viewpoint over the channel and Ko Lipe.
• The forest interior - granite hills and waterfalls, largely untracked.
• The contrast with Lipe - undeveloped park against a built-up island minutes away.
• The quiet beaches - around the coast, with camping at the ranger station.

When to go

Mid-November to mid-May; the park closes outside that. Early morning for the Chado Cliff climb - it is steep and hot later.

Honest expectations

The viewpoint climb is steep and rough, on uneven steps and roots. Facilities are national park basic - camping and simple bungalows only. Closed for six months a year. Longtail fares are negotiated at the beach.

Nearby

Ko Lipe is across the channel; Ko Tarutao and Pak Bara are north-east.