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Adang is a large, mountainous, rainforest-covered island in the Tarutao National Park less than 2km north of Ko Lipe and about 30km west of Ko Taruatao itself.
I preferred Adang (and I did like Tarutao). Adang has no roads and fewer bungalows, so is even more laid-back. The beach at HQ is arguably better. Snorkelling off the HQ beach is better. The viewpoint is way more spectacular and little harder to access. The waterfall is much closer to the bungalow area and better signposted (until the last 300m) - although it aint breathtaking once reached. And most of the bungalows and other facilities at HQ are either brand-new or at the most 2 seasons old.
For people wanting to break their desert-island quiet with some shopping or other touristy action, Ko Lipe is a very short and cheap long tail ride away.

The beach at NP Headquarters is a reversed L shape abt 2km long - the shorter southern section faces Ko Lipe and is backed by a 100m deep tree-shaded sand flat. The HQ buildings, restaurant and long-house accommodation block are here. The bungalows are on the lower hillside behind the flat.
A longhouse section of rooms with 4 matresses is only 20m from the beach towards the western end.
People can camp anywhere under the trees behind the corner of the beach at the junction of the L or the lower part of the northern extension of the beach. The beach attracts people from Lipe although it was never crowded when I was there. Longtails from and to Lipe were charging 50baht per person -minimum 100 - in Nov08. National Park officials were not hassling casual day-visitors from Lipe for the 200baht entry fee.

The Gado Cliff viewpoint is immediately above Park HQ with great views over Lipe. The track is well-signposted from HQ reception and from where it starts climbing near the new camping area bathroom blocks - 45 minutes and 35 minutes walk from each. 30% of the climb is easy, the rest steep - but no heart-breakers.

The Pirate Falls are 3km and 1 hour up a nice rainforest track which leaves towards the western side of the area near the longhouses. Look for the signs. Slopes were mainly moderate with only a few short steeper areas. The track was well defined and sign-posted UNTIL the last 300m where it becomes difficult. Basically you just follow the thick black water-pipes. The falls themselves are 8m - 25’ tops. Nice pools below and above for cooling off, but not swimming.

There is reasonable snorkelling just north of the turn in the beach - look for the buoy and the snorkelling longtails. Plus some pretty good snorkelling by Thai standards off the western coast - long tails are always around on the beach near HQ to hire. You can also visit reefs at Rawi and some other locations.

The restaurant looked brand new . Nice tree-interrupted views of Lipe behind. Food and service good - prices a bit cheaper than the average budget bungalow restaurant. There is a real nice outdoor balcony on the sea side of the restaurant + picnic tables to the right suitable for big groups.

My 600 baht bungalow - best room all trip. Tiled floor, concrete walls, sliding aluminium doors and windows, cathedral ceiling, dormer windows, skylight. Heaps of room inside, spotless, 4 good lights, quiet fan, thick but very firm mattresses and pillows. Good mozzie screens on windows but never as good as mozzie nets. Big bathroom 100% tiled, western toilet and bidet gun, separate screened shower recess, wash basin + plug with vanity and huge mirror, towels, toilet paper supplied. Good water pressure - cold water only. Drying rack, broom and pan, tap for sandy feet at foot of stairs.

Anyone doing Lipe should include a few days on Adang. Crowd haters may ignore Lipe and maybe do Adang and Tarutao as a combo - with Bulon Lae a 3rd alternative.