Koh Lipe: A Guide to Thailand’s Paradise Island

Koh Lipe is far less crowded than other places like Krabi or Bangkok. It is not a party island and therefore attracts a different kind of tourist. The small tropical island can be explored within 30 minutes on a bicycle and is all about beaches. These are the things to do in Koh Lipe, Thailand.

1. The Best Beaches of Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe has some truly stunning beaches to relax on. There are three main beaches and a few smaller less-visited ones. The beaches are wide, so you don’t have to worry about a lack of space. 

Sunrise Beach (west) is obviously best for sunrises and has the best beach bars. Visit the small secret beach opposite Ten Moons Lipe Resort. 

Sunset Beach (east) is the best spot to see the sun go down into the ocean. It is a little less attractive, as it isn’t as clean and white as the others, but great for sunset while sipping a fresh coconut. Go a little further down the island for the picturesque Pitiusas Beach. 

Pattaya Beach (south), where the port is located, is a long stretch of white sand merging into the lesser-known Sanom Beach. 

2. Snorkeling or Kayak 

Snorkeling, diving, and kayaking are great things to do in Koh Lipe. The clear water makes for perfect conditions for snorkeling or diving (book a tour here). Colorful fish and corals can be found around the island but due to global warming and our standard (toxic) sunscreens, the corals are slowly disappearing.

Kayaking is most popular at Sunrise Beach, especially at the northern tip where you can kayak to a tiny island named Ko Kra. The price for renting a kayak on Koh Lipe ranges from 150 – 250 baht per hour. 

3. Koh Adang Day Trip

Koh Adang is Koh Lipe’s much bigger neighboring brother. It is easy to reach by longtail boat transfer, which can be found at Sunrise Beach.

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Apart from a small restaurant and resort, Koh Adang is uninhabited and perfect to spend a day visiting the viewpoint, beach, and small waterfall.

When weather conditions are optimal, kayaking can be another way to reach the island but be prepared for quite the paddle. It’s also possible to visit Koh Adang on a multi-stop boat tour.

4. Beach Bars

Although it is definitely not a party island, there is a great selection of beach bars to spend your days in Koh Lipe. Drinks are a bit more expensive when comparing it to other hot spots like Koh Tao or Bangkok, but the stunning sunsets will easily make up for that.

5. Walking Street

Directly after sunset, the road going from Pattaya Beach all the way down to Sunrise Beach daily transforms into a pedestrian-only street. Countless great restaurants and good handicraft shops (like Munay Designs) are based on this 600-meter-long street.

Local Thai cuisine, like freshly caught fish, can be found here at the ‘market-like’ eateries. The walking street is a great thing to do on Koh Lipe.

Being the southernmost island of Thailand, Koh Lipe is a bit harder to get to. There is no airport on Koh Lipe since it’s far too small for it. Nevertheless, you can get there via a few different ferry routes. 

Please note that Koh Lipe is part of Tarutao National Park. An entrance fee of 200 Baht is required, and you need to keep this ticket with you at all times.

Langkawi to Koh Lipe

Langkawi is a beautiful island in Malaysia, and popular to combine together with a visit to Koh Lipe in Thailand. The ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe is about 2 hours long. Departure and arrival times might change due to weather conditions. Please note that this ferry only runs in high season from mid-October to June.

Immigration

When you arrive at Koh Lipe, you have to go through a quick immigration process for you to enter Thailand. The ferry operator collects all passports and gives them to the immigration office. You will get your passport back at the immigration office in Pattaya Beach. There is no payment required at immigration apart from the national park fee. 

Krabi to Koh Lipe

Getting from mainland Thailand to the island can be done in a few ways. From Krabi, either take a minivan (5 hours) to Pak Bara Pier or a ferry (2 hours) to Koh Lipe.

Alternatively, take the ferry (7 hours) from Krabi Town (Klong Jilad Pier) to Koh Lipe. The waters are known to be rough, so if you’re uncomfortable with that, the first option would be best. 

Bangkok to Koh Lipe

From Bangkok, fly to Hat Yai Airport, which is located in the Songkhla province about a 4.5 – 6 hour journey from Koh Lipe.

Once you’ve landed at Hat Yai, you can take the ferry from Pak Bara pier.

The small island can be fully explored on foot in under one hour. There are almost no cars on this island; the main motorized transport is a tuk-tuk that you will most likely only use when going from the harbor to your hotel with your luggage. 

There are hotels on the island for all kinds of budgets, but prices really go up and down depending on the season.

The best area to stay on Koh Lipe is Sunrise Beach, as it is the most beautiful area of the island, away from the harbor where the boats dock and close to many good restaurants.

Stay in the perfect blend of nature and luxury at Ten Moons Resort. The resort is almost entirely secluded at the southern corner of the island, featuring a beautiful sundeck, a great restaurant, a tropical beach, and wonderful staff.

The best time to visit Koh Lipe is from November to April when temperatures are at a comfortable 25-30 degrees, and there is little rain.

The low season runs from May to October. Expect to have a mix of rain and sunshine during this period. However, although hotels are much more affordable, some shops and restaurants may be closed.

There is a good variety of food options on the island. A good tip is to always check reviews before going into a restaurant.

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