Until not many years ago, Koh Lipe was a non well known island with almost no resort nor hostels, that was inhabitated mainly by Chao Le people, and visited by some local and very few backpackers who arrived there by some of the few boat which used to go occasionally from the continent during high season.
Nowadays, however, Ko Lipe is part of the tourist route for Thailand. Despite of being far in the south and it is not among the most famous island of the country, it is very visited during high season.
Ko Lipe is a very beautiful island, with white sand beaches surronded by clear seawater with a large variety of sea wildlife and coral reef. This island is also surrounded by many (almost) virgin island which, together, shape Koh Tarutao National Park.
When you are about to arrive to Ko Lipe coast you realize that you have chosen a perfect destination. Koh Tarutao national Park has very clear water wthe whole range of blues one expects to find in a marine paradise, from astonishing turquoise to a very intense dark blue color, creating an idyllic landscape.
ℹ️ Top Things to Do in Koh Lipe
Boat trip around Koh Tarutao
If you go to Koh Lipe you must not miss to do a boat trip around Koh Tarutao National Park. There is different option of boat tour to visit different island. Wether you take one or another, they will include a visit of some of the charming virgin island, snorkelling and lunch. Be aware that these excursion are available during high season only, because of during low season, besides Koh Lipe, you can visit Koh Adang island only.
Diving in Koh Lipe
Talking about diving, you can be sure that Koh Tarutao will not disappoint you. Through its clean and transparent water you will see beautiful coral reefs and a rich variety of colorful sea wildlife that enjoy diving like you. There is several operator that offer diving excursión, from half day tour for diving or snorkelling to PADI certificate courses. They will take you to the best areas around.
Enjoy the view from Koh Adang
A good option yo enjoy hiking and get good photos is crossing to the neighbour island of Koh Adang, and there get the impressive viewpoint where you can see the whole island of Koh Lipe! It will take you 20 minutes to go by boat and then just 30-40 minutes to get the viewpoint by walking. Do not Forget Bring a hat, some water, sun protection and your camera! During low season (may to October) this way might be close.
Kayaking
Kayaking is another great option among the ones who enjoy being in the sea while doing sport surrounded by the beauty of tropical nature. From Sunrise beach you can go to the two islets, Koh Kra and Koh Usen, which are in front of the beach. And, from Pattaya beach you can row to the little Edigyur Beach.
Enjoy Thai food
Wherever you go in Thailand there is something you can be sure. You always will be able to enjoy delicious meal! Koh Lipe is not an exception, and here the best choice is, with no doubt, the Thai seafood restaurants. However, you can find a large variety of food, and you even can find pizzas and Japanese food. You will find many place to eat from Walking Street to Sunrise Beach.
Let’s helps the island
After a rainy Day, the tide bring a lot of garbage and plastic to Koh Lipe’s beaches. Unfortunately, in this island there is no well organized cleaning services so the beaches are usually cleaned by the resort’s staff. So, besides being clean and avoiding using plastic as much as possible, every Monday morning you can join the members of Tras Hero Project in Pattaya beach to Pick up the trash and thus help Koh Lipe being the paradise that actually is.
🏨 Where to stay in Koh Lipe
Best Areas & Beaches in Koh Lipe:
Koh Lipe has more than hundred options of all sort of accommodation to stay in. Due to it is a small island, its main advantage is that the location of your hotel does not matter that much. Wherever you stay in, a little stroll is enough to get almost any beach on the island.
Sunrise beach
Best for: Traveler who want to relax but still stay in a lively place.
Accommodation available: Mostly 3 to 5 star resorts.
Advantages:
✔️ Nice beach with transparent water.
✔️ There is 2 islets in gfront, good for snorkelling.
✔️ The beach is good for swimming.
✔️ You can enjoy beautiful sunrises.
Pattaya Beach
Best for: for travelers who look for a place with good beach and nightlife.
Accommodation available: Cheap accomodations and 3 to 5 star resort.
Advantages:
✔️ beautiful white sand beach with quiet and clean water.
✔️ it is the most lively area in the island.
✔️ The beach is good for swimming.
✔️ Have a walking street with several bar and restaurant that make an active nightlife.
Sunset beach
Best for: People who want to stay in a tranquil place.
Accommodation available: few bungalows and resort.
Advantages:
✔️ perfect place to enjoy sunset.
✔️ most accomodation aren’t next to the beach, so they don’t affect its landscape.
✔️ Very calm place.
Inside the island
Best for: Backpackers and visitors who want to save money.
Accommodation available: Hostels and 3 to 4 star hotels.
Advantages:
✔️ better price-quality ratio (except location).
✔️ many economic option of accomodation.
✔️ You are still near the beaches.
✔️ Many good restaurant to eat local and foreign food.
🏖️ Best places to enjoy the beach in Koh Lipe
We’ve been to all of them, these are the best:
1️⃣ Sunrise Beach.
This pretty beach with transparent water is the largest one in Koh Lipe, and it extended along the east coast of the island. In front of it you can there are two islotes than can be reached by swimming or by kayak.
2️⃣ Pattaya Beach
This is the most famous beach of Koh Lipe. This white sand beach is located in the center of Ao Bundhaya Bay and It is the most libelo place of Koh Lipe with many bar and restaurant to enjoy night Life.
3️⃣ Sunset Beach
This beach is orientated to north west Side of the island. Despite it is not as beautiful as the two beaches previously mentioned, it is a very tranquil place where you can enjoy very nice sunsets.
4️⃣ Koh Tarutao island
It is an authentic wild island, with huge beaches, mangroves, caves, karst rock cliffs and a mountainous interior covered with dense jungle vegetation with peaks that reach 700 meters in altitude.
5️⃣ Koh Adang
This island has pretty white sand beaches with transparent water and beautiful coral reefs. It is at the north of Koh Lipe and also has some path to do hiking inside the island.
6️⃣ Koh Rawi
Here you can find some of the best beaches of Koh Tarutao Maritime National Park. They have very clear water, wonderful coral and a lot of different kind of fish and submarine wildlife. Great place to do snorkelling!
✈️ Arriving to Koh Lipe
You can get there by boat. Depending of your route in Thailand, you first have to take a flight, bus or train:
From Bangkok
➡️ Can get there by flying to Hat Yai or Trang, and then go to Pak Bara pier to board the ferry to Koh Lipe. Some airlines sell the whole pack to reach the island.
➡️ You can get Trang and Hat Yai by train or bus, but be aware that it takes at least 14 hours (and more if you go by train).
➡️ From Pak Bara pier, the trip takes about 2 hour. In high season, it makes 5 trip, but during low season, only one.
From other island
➡️ You can get Koh Lipe from Phuket, Koh Phi Phi , Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai, Koh Muk, Koh Kradany and Koh Boulon.
➡️ Depending on the route, trip can cost between 600 and 2.400 THB.
➡️ Some of these route might not available during low season.
From Langkawi island (Malaysia)
➡️ It is an option to enter to Thailand by the south of the country. Immigration formalities can be done on pattaya beach
➡️ Trip available during high season only.
➡️ They make 3 trips per day and the travel takes about 2 hours.