Satun Travel

Best time to visit

Best time of the year to visit Satun is definitely the dry season from October till May. During the rainy season (which is not too bad on the islands, to tell the truth) tropical storms hit the town and the rest of the province quite hard and because of the mountains which stretch all way along the provincial borders rains can last days after days.

Check the below table for the general idea of Satun weather throughout the year.

Satun’s current weather and 7-day forecast

SATUN WEATHER

Satun might be a speck on Thailand’s map, but the southern city has some of the most stunning islands and beaches in the whole country. It has plenty of great diving spots, but what’s above the water is as gorgeous. Many islands have unique rock and stone formations. There’s a beach full of shiny black rocks. UNESCO also declared Tarutao National Marine Park an ASEAN Heritage Park and Reserve thanks to its unspoiled nature and abundance of wildlife.

The mainland is also unmissable with amazing caves and culture. Formerly a Malay state, Satun is very culturally unique. It’s a Muslim-majority city and Islam and Buddhism co-exist peacefully. Don’t forget to take some time to learn more and appreciate its history and local ways of life.    

Check out these top things to do in Satun, Thailand, and enjoy authentic local experiences before the rest of the world catches on.

1. Feel like Moses on San Lang Mangkon Beach

It’s as if the sea parted and a dragon emerged… This 3 kilometer-long seashell-covered sandbar in Tanyong Po is called San Lang Mangkon Beach, a nod to its dragon’s back-like shape. To step onto the mythical creature and cross to the other island on its back, you have to visit at low tide.  

2. Canoe into Le Stegodon Cave and discover fossils

The longest cave in Thailand, the 4 kilometer-long Le Stegodon Cave boasts not only strangely-shaped rock formations. A 1.8 million-year-old fossil of a Stegodon elephant was discovered in the cave and you can still see other fossils of ancient plants and animals. The cave is both a natural and archaeological wonder.  

3. Bathe in the surreal beauty inside Phu Pha Phet Cave

Phu Pha Phet Cave is the largest cave in Thailand and the fourth largest in the world, but the real highlight isn’t its size. The stalactites and stalagmites inside seem to glitter like diamond flakes. The innermost part of the cave is called Saeng Morakot Room. When the light shines through the cave ceiling and catches the green stalactites and stalagmites, the room seems to glow emerald. It’s out of this world.

This phenomenon can be witnessed in May and June from 3pm-3.20pm. About 3,000 years ago, Phu Pha Phet Cave was a human settlement. A home with a view, isn’t it? You can still find their prehistoric traces inside the cave.    

4. Journey into the wild at Tarutao National Marine Park

It’s hard to believe the islands has a dark past. Once a Thai version of Alcatraz for political prisoners, it’s now a dream destination for nature lovers. Honored by UNESCO, Tarutao National Marine Park consists of 3 archipelagos. The park teems with hundreds of animal species. Birdwatchers and wildlife spotters will be delighted by sightings of boars, mouse deer, raptors, king cobras and many more. Tarutao National Marine Park is also great for snorkeling and scuba diving.

5. Relax on island paradise Koh Lipe and visit a sea gypsy community

This is the place everyone will tell you visit. While Koh Lipe has been developing fast in recent years, the island still retains its fine beaches and crystalline water. Pattaya Beach is the most popular and also the most beautiful beach on the island. For sunrise and sunset, go to Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach, respectively.

With an abundance of snorkel and diving tours to other islands, Koh Lipe is a brilliant base for underwater explorers. However, local ways of life persist. This is where you can meet Moken, a group of Andaman sea gypsies.        

6. Marvel at the most extraordinary black beach on Koh Hin Ngam

Black sand beaches are beautiful, but how about shiny black rock beach? It’s as if Koh Hin Ngam’s beach were crafted from gemstones, hence the name (Beautiful Rock Island). The island is also one of the best diving spots.
To preserve nature, please don’t take any rock from Koh Hin Ngam.     

7. Admire Love’s Gate and sea turtles on Koh Kai and enjoy scuba diving

Koh Kai means Egg Island and the “egg” here has more than one meanings. One is that the sand is beautiful and its color is compared to egg shells. Sea turtles also come to lay eggs on its sandy shore every year and that’s another reason why the island is called Koh Kai. Love’s Gate, the gigantic natural stone arch on the island, is one of its icons. Local legend has it that those who walk through the gate will be lucky in love. If lovers walk through together, they will also get married.

Koh Kai is also a beautiful scuba diving spot. The sea around the island is rich with colorful coral reefs and marine life, including rays and pufferfish.

8. See a natural submarine on Koh Hin Sorn and find Nemo

Koh Hin Sorn is a very unique sight. Two big square rocks somehow lie on top of each other, looking like a submarine. Even earthquakes nearby can’t tear them apart!

The marine scene around Koh Hin Sorn is marvelous. It’s especially abundant in coral reefs and clownfish.   

9. Discover the harmony between local Buddhists and Muslims

Muslims and Buddhists in Satun are well-known for their harmonious relationship. Visit Satun Central Mosque (Mambang Mosque) and Wat Chanathip Chaloem (Mambang Temple), both of which built in pretty unique architecture styles. Taste Bunga Kuda or Dok Lamchiak, a Thai-Malay dessert found only in Satun.

To delve into the city’s history and local culture, visit Satun National Museum. Also called Kuden Mansion, the building was the residence of a former governor, Phraya Phuminatphakdi.     

Budget

Bungalow My House 

This is a motel like establishment about 3 km north of Satun. There are two rates on the wall in reception. One is written in Thai and is 350 baht and the other "VIP" option is written in English with a rate of 400 baht. The 400 baht room is clean, has air-con, a bath, TV. Near food and mini-marts. The motel does not have WiFi. The staff is friendly but English is not commonly spoken in the region or by the hotel staff. 

His and My Rentel 

It is a very clean, comfortable and friendly family-run guesthouse, situated in a traditional Thai house dating back to the 1920s. It is located on the north side of town, near the "monkey park". They offer spacious private rooms with fans with shared bath rooms for 300 baht. Price includes free wifi.

Satunthani Hotel

This is a budget hotel a few doors away from the local 7-11, located within walking distance to lots of food stalls and cheap places to eat. Non-air-con large double rooms, no WiFi, cost 300 baht and come with a fan, attached bathroom with shower, Western-tyle toilets plus a sink and a non cable TV. Aircon rooms with hot water, fridge, kettle and WiFi 590 baht.

@On's guesthouse 

It has a dome room, air conditioned rooms, restaurant downstairs. And every Saturday will have night market in front guesthouse. 

Mid-range

The Gleam Resort 

This is a new 'resort' option within Satun town, and one of the best upper-end options. They offer spacious, clean, well decorated and comfortable bungalows, and have a small swimming pool and restaurant on site. If you wish to stay in comfort and spend a little extra (rooms start at 1300THB), this is a great choice.

Although there are many restaurants in Satun, most don't seem to have prominent signs or branding. Fortunately, most of the food is good Thai, with a noticeable lack of Western franchises such as McDonald's or Starbucks. Don't be afraid to walk up to any place that looks as if it's serving food and just use sign language or simple English to order food. Most people are very receptive and will go out of their way to help you get something in your belly. Phonetically "Pad See Ewe" is fried noodles with various vegetable bits and perhaps some meat. Be adventurous, chew slowly and watch out for bones.

Satun's night market, occupying a single street in the centre of town, is open seven days a week, and offers a range of food from stalls. There is a notably delicious Pad Thai stall as well as a variety of places to get Thai, Chinese and southern Thai Muslim food. In Muslim stalls, they prefer their "Rotee" with a sauce. There is also a decent un-named fish ball soup stand on the main road across from the night market.

On's Restaurant and Guest House, just down the street from the main bus stop in the town centre offers a range of western dishes as well as some Thai options. It is also a good place to go for a strong cup of espresso. If you are spending the night in Satun, you can also go to their companion bar, @On's The Living Room two doors down from the restaurant to have a cold beer with the rag-tag ensemble of travellers, English teachers and other expats living in Satun.

Fahat is a clean, modern Muslim-run restaurant with some Western options and decent coffee.

Ok Sing Kun is a charmingly old-fashioned Chinese coffee shop serving strong Thai-style coffee, tea and a range of local treats.

Ti Baan is a new restaurant, bistro style serving a range of thai to european food and some fusion cuisine in a relaxing and quiet atmosphere. It also offers a range of cold beer, cocktails and wines at their bistro.

Sunshine restaurant, next to the Rain Tong Hotel, near Sinkiat Buri Hotel and the fresh food market, specialises in seafood noodles and a good chicken soup. Also offer some rice dishes and delicious ice cream sundaes. You can sit outside next to a peaceful mangrove, where it is possible to see giant lizards, otters, turtles and sea eagles on most days.

By plane

Nok Air offers two daily flight+minivan services from Bangkok to Satun and Tammalang Pier v.v. by flying with Nok Air from Bangkok to Hat Yai and transferred on a minivan to Satun taking approximately 3 hours. This can be booked directly from their website. AS OF MAY 2015, this shuttle service from HatYai Airport to Satun or Thammalang pier has been discontinued. You can still take a Minivan to Satun or Thammalang Pier from the Minivan station between the Airport and downtown, but take notice that there is little to no space for luggage in those cramped Minivans. If you bring luggage or a big packpack, they will probably ask you to buy two seats

Contact us for the latest flight schedule and price. Or you can check via some online platform such as SkyScanner.com or Kayak.com

Here you can find some tips to book the cheapest flight

By train

Travel Bangkok-Hat Yai or Bangkok-Trang. Then take a bus from Hat Yai or Trang to Satun.

By bus

Satun bus terminal is located south end of the city. If you are coming into Satun, getting off in downtown area will save you tuk-tuk ride. It is also possible to catch outbound bus in downtown area. There is hourly second class bus service to Krabi. Minivan to/from Hat Yai leaves from the terminal.

Minivans and Songthaws leave to La-Ngu, where is short songthaw ride from the pier to Ko Lipe, from different locations in town alongside the main road.

There is once daily private minivan service at 9am to towards Penang, Malaysia.

From Malaysia- Express buses to Kangar leave hourly from Butterworth (RM10.40, 2 hours 15 min). Then, head to Kangar city bus terminal from the express bus terminal and take Mara Liner's Kuala Perlis bound bus (RM2.00, 35 min) to the jetty. This kind of city-bound bus departure is infrequent and it is always good to plan ahead. The approximate departure times are 11:45, 13:45, 14:45 and 16:45.

The journey can only to be continued with long tail boat from Kuala Perlis's Lembaga Kemajuan Ikan Malaysia (LKIM) jetty, which is about 200 m from the Langkawi-bound jetty.

Upon reaching Satun Tammalang Pier, take red songthaew to Satun town (30 baht, 10 min). The songtheaw is most probably available when ferry arrives. If you are stuck waiting for a songthaew, motorcycle taxis are another option, and costs 60 baht. Alternatively you can book the entire way to many locations in Thailand (Trang, Krabi, Phi Phi route) through one of the many agents at the pier. They arrange the transport to the bus station along with the bus ticket in a VIP bus.

We recommend you check the latest bus schedule and price via rome2rio.com

By car

To travel by car from Malaysia, first take the road from Kangar towards Padang Besar and take a left turn towards Wang Kelian approximately 8 km before reaching Padang Besar. Pass the border checkpoints of Wang Kelian on the Malaysia side and of Wan Pra Chan on the Thailand side. You may want to stop at the morning market at the border area for some fresh fruits and vegetables. Drive pass some scenic mountains on the way to Khuang Don and take a left turn towards Satun town. On the way you will pass by the town of Chalung. The trip from the border check points takes about 90 minutes.

By boat

Langkawi Ferry has two or three daily services, depends on the season, between Langkawi, Malaysia and Satun. No reservations are possible, just show up. The trip takes 1:15 and the fare is 350 baht/RM 35 one-way.
Kuala Perlis Fisherman's Boat - Kuala Perlis situated on peninsular Malaysia. Gateway to Langkawi, and Satun. No reservations are possible, just show up. Stay a night at Putra Brasmana Hotel and take a trip cruising the Perlis river to the pier. From there, take a longtail boat to Satun. The trip takes 45 minutes and the fare is 150 baht / RM15 one-way.