Koh Lipe, a hidden gem located in the Andaman Sea, has captivated the hearts of travelers worldwide with its serene beauty and enchanting atmosphere. Let us take you on a journey through our unforgettable experience traveling to this island paradise and give you some insights to help you choose this amazing island for your next great island adventure.
Our Koh Lipe Adventure Begins
As the sun cast its warm golden rays over the horizon, we embarked on our journey to the mesmerizing island of Koh Lipe. With the
salty sea breeze in our hair, we set off from Pak Bara pier on a speedboat, watching the Thai mainland slowly fade away. The two-hour voyage to paradise was about to begin, and we couldn’t have been more excited.
As our boat was gliding across the turquoise waters, we caught our first glimpse of Koh Lipe – Thailand’s southernmost island. Nestled in the Andaman Sea, 30 km from Langkawi, Malaysia, and 60 km from the Thai mainland, this tropical paradise is part of the Adang archipelago and Tarutao National Marine Park’s 51 islands. With pristine white sandy beaches and vibrant coral reefs, it’s no wonder people call Koh Lipe “The Maldives of Thailand”.
How to Get to Koh Lipe
Our adventure had started earlier that day with a swift 1.5-hour morning flight from bustling Bangkok to the quaint Hat Yai airport in Thailand’s deep south. From there, a minivan whisked us through the picturesque countryside of Songkhla and Satun provinces (about 1.5h drive), past endless oil palm and rubber tree plantations, before reaching the small but bustling pier in Pak Bara.
At Pak Bara pier, we eagerly boarded the speedboat and were on our way. Along the journey, our boat occasionally stopped at some of the enchanting islands within the Marine Park; however, there are non-stop boats available for those who wish to reach Koh Lipe as quickly as possible.
An alternative route to this idyllic destination is flying into Trang airport and taking a minivan from there, which offers similar travel times but provides more options if Hat Yai flights are fully booked or if your journey starts somewhere closer to Trang, like Phuket.
Moreover, regular speedboats from Krabi and other Andaman tourist islands, like Koh Kradan, koh Mook or Koh Lanta, offer the opportunity to travel entirely by sea, a prospect that appeals to many.
Along our way, we soon noticed the Malaysian island of Langkawi off in the distance, much closer to Koh Lipe than Pak Bara. The journey between these two paradises is also a popular one, with fast ferries making the trip in just 1.5 to 2 hours. A couple of different companies operate these routes between Langkawi and Koh Lipe, each offering a morning and an afternoon sailing, making it convenient for explorers seeking to hop between these two jewels of the Andaman Sea.
For anyone departing for Langkawi after their stay on Lipe, the trip is a breeze. Local travel shops, ticket sellers on the vibrant Walking Street, and the friendly staff at most resorts are always ready to provide the most up-to-date sailing times and departure points.
Planning Your Stay on Koh Lipe
As Koh Lipe has been growing in popularity over the past few years, we strongly recommend booking your accommodation well in advance, especially during the high season. Resorts have been known to sell out, and the same goes for diving trips, which are best booked alongside your rooms.
Some resorts, like Castaway, offer discounts for the days you’ll also be taking a dive trip with their on-site dive shop. Keep an eye out for such deals to save some money.
Is Koh Lipe Expensive?
Koh Lipe is not necessarily any more expensive than other comparable islands in Thailand. As with any remote island that you visit, the prices are always going to to be more expensive than prices you will find on the mainland or a larger, more developed island with easy access to the mainland. This is because virtually everything you consume on these islands has to be transported there by boat.
If you’re comparing the prices to somewhere like Koh Phi Phi, Railay, Koh Tao, etc the average prices for things like food, accommodation, or snacks/drinks from 7-Eleven aren’t going to be much different. The main difference between Koh Lipe and those other places is that Lipe doesn’t have as many budget accommodation options, like hostels or cheap bungalows.
That doesn’t mean that budget choices don’t exist on Lipe, there just aren’t as many of them to choose from and they can fill up fast. Which is why we always suggest that you book your resort or hostel ahead of time.
The other thing to keep in mind for budget travelers is that low season also always means lower prices. Some accommodations can be discounted by almost 50% during low season. So unless your travel dates are already set in stone, you might want to look into what
kind of dicounts you can find duing the low season months.
As far as dining options go, food at beachfront restaurants will always be more expensive, as will any of the places on walking street that specialize specifically in western food.
For cheap dining options, look for family run places that specialize in local thai dishes. There are a few options right on walking street (try BungRoon or Sippeenong) and even more on the street that parralells Sunset beach at the end of walking street (try Nee Papaya or Ranee Seafood).
When is the best month to visit Koh Lipe?
The best month to visit koh Lipe is going to depend entirely on what you are expecting from your trip.
Are you looking for great prices and virtually empty beaches? Then Low season is definitely for you.
Or are you looking for more of a high energy vibe with full bars at night and plenty of people watching on the beaches during the day? Then you definitely want to plan your trip during high season.
High Season Travel on Koh Lipe
High season, along with larger crowds and higher accommodation prices, usually lasts from November to early May.
Peak season, the busiest time of the year within high season, is from December until February.
The hottest and driest months on the island are also during high season, typically from March to May.
As we have mentioned numerous times before, but can’t stress enough, if you plan to travel to Koh Lipe during high season, you definitely want to start planning your trip and booking accommodations as early as possible.
If you plan to do diving while you are there during high season, it would definintely be a good idea to get in touch with some of the dive resorts or dive schools on the island and get your dive trips booked early before you go as well.
Budget Travel on Koh Lipe During Low Season
Low season, usually from May to October, is the best choice for budget travelers, as prices for some hotels can be almost half of what you’d pay during high season months. Prices for diving and other activities are also lower during this period.
Though the rainy season coincides with the low season, that doesn’t necessarily mean constant rain. In fact, it’s not uncommon for rain to fall only every few days and perhaps only for 2 or 3 hours at a time. Once the rain stops, everything usually dries out pretty quickly and activities pick back up around the island.
When it does rain, it can be quite heavy, but just take shelter in a restaurant or coffee shop for a while and you’ll be fine.
During the low season, you might find that some resorts and restaurants are closed for maintenance and renovations. However, one of the major benefits of traveling during this time is that the beaches, restaurants, and surrounding islands are much quieter and less crowded, providing a much more peaceful and intimate experience on Koh Lipe. So much so that visiting in high season and then in low season can almost feel like visiting two completely separate islands.
Getting Around On Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is a small L-shaped island, measuring only about 3.5 km long and 2 km at its widest point. Most hotels, restaurants, and activities are located on Pattaya Beach, Walking Street, and Sunset Beach, so you’re never more than a 20-30 minute walk from the main tourist activity areas, and at most 45 minutes to an hour from the most remote areas accessible on foot. Beware though that there are some steep hills that you will encounter along the way if you choose to hike out to the more remote ends of the island.
Pattaya to Sunrise
From Pattaya Beach to Sunrise Beach, Walking Street stretches for a little less than 700 meters and can be traversed in about 10-20 minutes, depending on the crowds and your level of relaxation.
Roads
At night, almost all roads on Lipe are well-lit with street lighting.
While the entire island is connected by narrow concrete roads, scooters are primarily used by locals, and none are available for rent by tourists. However, they’re really not necessary on there. If you need a mode of transportation other than walking, small scooter/sidecar taxis are available for a flat rate of 50 baht one way, per person to any destination on the island. Official taxi drivers wear orange vests, and although they usually aren’t allowed on the main Walking Street, you can easily find them on small side lanes waiting for passengers.
If you are taking one out to a more remote beach or if you are staying at one of the more remote resorts away from walking street, be sure to grab your taxi drivers phone number so you can call them when you need a ride back. Call early and give them a bit of time though, because they are usually quite busy.
No matter where you choose to stay on Koh Lipe, you should have no trouble exploring the entire island.
Walking Street
Walking Street serves as the main hub for almost everything happening on Koh Lipe. It connects Pattaya and Sunrise Beaches and is home to shopping, restaurants, bars, street food stalls, massage shops, ticket/travel shops, convenience stores like 7-Eleven, and even dive shops. This bustling street is where you’ll find most of the action on the island.
Walking Street is closed to scooter traffic after 6 pm, but during the day, it is shared by everyone. Be mindful of scooters approaching from behind, as the street is narrow and can become quite crowded during the day. Remember to stay alert and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere that Walking Street has to offer as you explore the heart of Koh Lipe.
Nightlife on Koh Lipe
While Koh Lipe may not be a traditional Thailand party island like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, or Koh Tao, it still offers a great mix of vibrant nightlife options to suit almost any type of traveler—minus the big beach parties.
Here are a few popular places that you should check out.
Walking Street Area
Maya Bar
-Previously on Walking Street but now relocated to the middle road, next to the sports field. Just a 5 minute walk.
-Likely the liveliest bar on Lipe.
-Late-night EDM and cocktails.
-Scheduled party events—look for flyers posted around the island.
Corner Bar
-Near the top of Walking Street hill, towards the Sunrise Beach end.
-Located right on the corner.
-A mix of deep house music and live bands.
Elephant Bar
-Restaurant during the day and live music venue at night.
-Small, intimate atmosphere.
-Usually features Thai musicians playing a mix of Thai and Western songs.
-Very popular with tourists and local Thai/foreign workers.
Beach Bars
Monkey Bar
-Located on Pattaya Beach.
-Offers seating in the bar during the day.
-Bean bag cushions right on the beach starting in the evening.
-Daily fire shows during high season.
Castaway Resort
-Located on Sunrise Beach – south end.
-Not a typical bar.
-Great beachfront seating or seating in their open-air restaurant/lounge area.
-Excellent 2-for-1 cocktail happy hour.
-Also serves delicious food.
-Very chill atmosphere.
Zodiac Beach Bar
-Located on Sunrise Beach – north end.
-Stylish bar with many photo-worthy spots.
-Lots of seating options, both under cover and on the beach.
-Fire shows.
-Can catch a glimpse of the sunset at this end of the beach.
Keep in mind that this is not at all an exhaustive list and new small places are popping up all the time, especially along Sunset Beach or on the streets off Walking Street. Don’t hesitate to wander around in the evening and discover what suits your taste. You’ll also often see flyers posted around the island for planned parties, so definitely keep an eye out for those, if that’s something you’re interested in.
Koh Lipe Beaches
Koh Lipe has three main beaches that are popular with tourists and where you will find most of the beach resorts, restaurants and bars. Pattaya beach, Sunrise beach and sunset beach.
There are also some less known smaller, remote beaches, including Bulow Beach and Secret Beach.
Pattaya Beach
Pattaya Beach, situated on the south side of the Koh Lipe, serves as the main arrival point for visitors, with speedboats, longtail boats
and ferries bringing passengers to its shores. The beach, which stretches for about 1 km, is located in a large sheltered bay, featuring soft, white powdery sand and crystal clear water.
Pattaya Beach is a popular spot for snorkeling right from the beach, with swimming and snorkeling being safest at the west end, as most boats arrive at the east end and middle section of the beach. Although there are dedicated swimming areas roped off in a few locations all the way down the length of the beach.
Bigger boats, including those for dive trips and ferries to Langkawi, also moor here, and passengers are shuttled from the beach in longtail boats.
As the most active and busy beach on the island, Pattaya Beach boasts a lively atmosphere, with numerous bars, restaurants, and resorts lining its shores. It is also home to several diving schools and most of the island’s beachfront nightlife. One end of the bustling Walking Street starts on Pattaya Beach, and the lively atmosphere typically spills over onto the sand.
The beach is the loudest of the island’s beaches due to the abundance of bars, restaurants, and boat traffic. A wooden walkway around the rocks leads to Sanom Beach at the west end of Pattaya Beach, offering a convenient and picturesque connection for visitors. This vibrant beach provides the perfect balance of daytime water activities and nighttime entertainment, making it an ideal destination for those who prefer staying close to the activity.
Sunrise Beach
Sunrise Beach, which stretches for approximately 1.5 km along the entire eastern side of Koh Lipe, is a serene white sand beach known locally as “Haad Chao Ley”, due to the Chao Ley village located nearby. As the name suggests, it is the ideal spot to catch the sunrise, offering a more tranquil setting compared to the bustling Pattaya Beach. Visitors can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere while still being just a five-minute walk away from Walking Street, which boasts numerous restaurant and shopping options.
The accommodations on Sunrise Beach feel more spread out, and the overall beach experience is less commercialized. This beach is protected from the worst of the monsoon weather during the low season, resulting in an increase in longtail boat traffic as boats seek shelter from the harsh conditions on Pattay Beach. However, much of the boat traffic disappears during the day as they head out for tours and taxi trips. Sunrise Beach is also home to some of the island’s best snorkeling spots, with the popular location around Koh Kra easily accessible by swimming from the shore.
Visitors can find a variety of accommodation options along the entire length of the beach. Most resorts feature their own restaurants and bars, providing convenient dining options for guests. Sunrise Beach is also the best place to catch a boat taxi for a day trip to another island. Snorkeling excursions and fishing trips are also available from longtail boats here. Additionally, a few diving resorts can be found along the beach, making it easy to book a diving adventure during your stay.
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach, nestled in a small west-facing bay, is one of the less developed and quieter well-known beaches on the island. With only two resorts located on the hillside at the south end and a small local restaurant at the north end, this beach offers a more serene atmosphere for visitors. Sunset Beach is also a fantastic spot for snorkeling, allowing guests to explore the underwater beauty of the area.
The beach is characterized by numerous trees overhanging the shore, providing ample shade for visitors. However, this natural canopy also results in a somewhat dirtier sand, as leaves, seed pods, and branches can often be found scattered on the ground.
As the name suggests, Sunset Beach is the prime location for an unobstructed view of the sunset. Consequently, the beach becomes busier in the late afternoon and evening, as more people flock to the area to take in the breathtaking sight. This picturesque setting provides the perfect backdrop for a memorable and relaxing beach experience, especially for those seeking a more peaceful and secluded atmosphere.
Smaller Beaches on Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe also features a few smaller, less popular beaches, which offer visitors more secluded and intimate experiences. Among these hidden gems are Bullow Beach and Secret Beach.
Bullow Beach
Bullow Beach is technically a part of Sunrise beach, but many people refer to this far north section of the beach as Bullow.
This beach starts right at the north corner, where the sand bar sticks out from the beach, and runs about 400m towards Mountain Resort.
Pantai Galah Beach
Pantai Galah Beach is a little-known treasure located on the south coast near the very western tip of the island. This secluded spot can be accessed by longtail boat, kayak or via walking a dirt road that continues past the access to Sanom Beach Resort, followed by a small trail that descends through the jungle to the beach. The serene atmosphere of Secret Beach makes it an ideal location for those seeking a more private and peaceful beach experience away from the crowds on the main beaches of Koh Lipe.
From Pantai Galah Beach you can also take a trail through the jungle and around the rocks at the west side of the beach that will take you to Svedo Beach.
Other Activities
Koh Lipe Snorkeling
Snorkeling on Koh Lipe offers an incredible experience, with the island surrounded by coral and tropical fish located just 50-100 meters from the beach. There are numerous fantastic snorkeling spots all around Koh Lipe, with some popular destinations including
Koh Usen, Koh Kra, and Sunset Beach.
Koh Usen, a small island situated a few hundred meters off Sunrise Beach, is easily accessible by swimming in about 10 minutes or renting a kayak from almost any resort along the beach. Be cautious of strong currents if you choose to swim. This snorkeling spot boasts a vibrant underwater world for visitors to explore.
Koh Kra is another small island off Sunrise Beach, located further north and away from Koh Usen. You can continue to Koh Kra from Usen by kayak, providing another opportunity to discover the island’s diverse marine life.
Sunset Beach also offers excellent snorkeling opportunities right from the shore near Bayview Sunset Resort. A beautiful reef can be found among the rocks, providing snorkelers with a chance to immerse themselves in Koh Lipe’s underwater beauty. The variety of snorkeling spots available around Koh Lipe ensures that visitors can experience the island’s unique marine environment up close, regardless of which beach they choose to stay near.
Day Trips from Koh Lipe
Day trips from Koh Lipe offer exciting opportunities to explore nearby islands such as Koh Adang, Koh Rawai, and Koh Taturtao. All of these islands can be easily visited on day trips, providing a variety of experiences for visitors.
Snorkeling trips are popular, with three main routes departing in the morning and one sunset tour snorkeling trip leaving midday. These excursions allow visitors to discover the stunning marine life around the islands.
Koh Adang
Koh Adang, a large island right next to Koh Lipe, can be reached in just 10 minutes by longtail boat taxis leaving from Sunrise Beach. The boat taxi stand is conveniently located near the local school. Once on Koh Adang, visitors can hike to the Chado Viewpoint, which takes about an hour to reach the top. The hike is steep, so be sure to bring plenty of water. There are three viewpoints along the way, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.
Another option on Koh Adang is a longer hike through the jungle to a waterfall. For those looking to extend their stay, overnight camping near the beach is available. A small restaurant serves affordable local Thai dishes, and visitors can snorkel directly off the beach.
If you’re interested in exploring further, you can hire a longtail taxi to take you up the coast of Koh Adang to discover more secluded beaches and freshwater lagoons. The variety of day trips available from Koh Lipe ensures that visitors can enjoy a diverse range of experiences and make the most of their time on the island.
In Conclusion
As our unforgettable journey on Koh Lipe drew to a close, we couldn’t help but reflect on the incredible experiences we had on this enchanting island. From the moment we arrived, the pristine white sandy beaches and vibrant coral reefs had captivated us, and we knew that we were in for an extraordinary adventure.
Throughout our stay, we were fortunate enough to explore the island’s many wonders, from the bustling Walking Street to the serene beaches, each offering its unique charm. We were also thrilled to experience the island’s fantastic snorkeling opportunities, discovering the rich marine life that makes Koh Lipe such a sought-after destination.
The nightlife on the island was another highlight, as we reveled in the good times with fellow travelers and locals alike. And, of course, the opportunity to embark on day trips to nearby islands only added to the overall magic of our time on Koh Lipe.
For those planning their own visit to this beautiful island, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of proper planning and timing. Whether you choose to travel during the high, peak, or low season, there are unique experiences to be had and varying costs to consider. Budget travelers, in particular, should pay close attention to the low season for the best deals and a more peaceful experience.
Our Final Goodbye
As we boarded the boat to leave Koh Lipe, we felt a mix of emotions – sadness to leave this paradise behind but also immense gratitude for the memories we’d made and the incredible experiences we’d had. This wouldn’t be our last visit to Koh Lipe, as the island had truly captured our heart. We couldn’t wait to return and continue exploring the wonders of this hidden gem in the Andaman Sea.
To anyone seeking an unforgettable adventure in a paradise that has managed to maintain its charm and authenticity despite its growing popularity, we wholeheartedly recommend this island.
Pack your bags, and go discover the magic of Koh Lipe – an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime.