bigtravelbuzzThe dream of ‘paradise’ becomes a reality on Koh Lipe. A true utopia of green palm trees leaning against white sand beaches next to crystal clear waters. Koh Lipe is a small tropical island at the southernmost tip of Thailand, not far from Langkawi, Malaysia. Because of its location, it’s still a bit under the radar for Thailand’s must-sees, as it’s a bit tricky to get to.Koh Lipe is the place for a laid-back vacation in Thailand, so get ready for some beach time with a coconut in hand.
5 Things to Do in Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is much less crowded than other places like Krabi or Bangkok. It’s not a party island, so it attracts all types of tourists. The small tropical island can be explored within 30 minutes by bike and it’s all about the beach. These are things to do on Koh Lipe, Thailand.
1. Best Beaches on Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe has some great beaches to relax on. There are 3 main beaches and a few smaller, less crowded beaches. The beach is wide, so don’t worry about running out of space.
Sunrise Beach (West) is clearly great for sunrise and has some of the best beach bars. Visit the small secret beach across from Ten Moons Lipe Resort.
Sunset Beach (East) is a great place to watch the sun set over the ocean. It’s not as clean and white as the others, so it’s a little less inviting, but it’s perfect for watching the sunset while sipping a fresh coconut.A little further down the island is the picturesque Pitiusas Beach.
Pattaya Beach (South) is a long white sand beach that joins the lesser-known Sanom Beach.
2. Snorkel or Kayak
Snorkeling, diving and kayaking are great activities on Koh Lipe. Clear water provides perfect conditions for snorkeling and diving. Colorful fish and coral can be found around the island, but due to global warming and standard (toxic) sunscreens, the coral is slowly disappearing.
Kayaking is most popular on Sunrise Beach, especially at the northern end where you can kayak to a small island called Ko Kula. Kayak rentals on Koh Lipe range from 150-250 baht per hour.
3. Day Trip to Koh Adang Island
Adang Island is Koh Lipe’s much larger neighbor. Easily accessible by longtail boat on Sunrise Beach.
Aside from small restaurants and resorts, Koh Adang is uninhabited and perfect for a day spent visiting lookouts, beaches and small waterfalls.
Kayaking is another way to access the island when weather conditions are perfect, but be prepared for a fair amount of paddling.
4. Beach Bars
Not a party island, but there are a variety of beach bars to get you through your days on Koh Lipe. Drinks are a little pricey compared to other hotspots like Koh Tao and Bangkok, but the breathtaking sunsets easily make up for it.
- Sea la Vie Beach Bar
- Maya Bar
- Castaway Resort
5. Walking Street
Just after sunset, the street from Pattaya Beach to Sunrise Beach turns into a pedestrian street every day. This 600-meter-long street is home to many great restaurants and craft shops (such as Munay Designs). Restaurants like
Market serve local Thai cuisine, including freshly caught fish. Walking Street is a great thing on Koh Lipe.
Getting to Koh Lipe, Thailand
Getting to Koh Lipe, Thailand’s southernmost island, is a little tricky. Koh Lipe has no airport and is too small. Still, you can get there via several different ferry routes.
Koh Lipe is part of Tarutao National Park. Admission is 200 Baht and you must carry this ticket with you at all times.
Langkawi to Koh Lipe
Langkawi is a beautiful island in Malaysia that often accompanies a visit to Koh Lipe in Thailand. It takes about 2 hours by ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe. Departure and arrival times are subject to change due to weather conditions. This ferry operates only during the high season from mid-October to June.
Immigration
Upon arrival on Koh Lipe, you will need to go through a brief immigration to enter Thailand. The ferry operator will pick up all passports and deliver them to the immigration office. Pick up your passport at the immigration office in Pattaya Beach. Apart from the national park entrance fee, no payment is required upon entry.
Krabi to Koh Lipe
There are several ways to get to the island from mainland Thailand. From Krabi, take a minivan (5 hours) to Pakbara Pier and a ferry (2 hours) to Koh Lipe.
Alternatively, take a ferry from Krabi Town (Klong Jilad Pier) to Koh Lipe (7 hours). It is famous for its rough water. Therefore, if you are uncomfortable, the first option is best.
Bangkok to Koh Lipe
Fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai Airport and take the ferry from Pakbara Pier.
How to get around Koh Lipe
This tiny island can be fully explored in less than an hour on foot. There are very few cars on this island. Tuk-tuks are the main mode of transportation and will likely only be used when traveling from the port to the hotel with luggage.
Koh Lipe Hotels
Koh Lipe has hotels for every budget, but prices fluctuate with the seasons. The best area to stay on Koh Lipe is Sunrise Beach, the most beautiful area on the island, away from the harbor where boats dock and close to many good restaurants.
Experience the perfect blend of nature and luxury at Ten Moons Resort. This resort is secluded on the southernmost tip of the island, with beautiful sun decks, great restaurants, tropical beaches and amazing staff.
Best Time to Visit Koh Lipe
The best time to visit Koh Lipe is from November to April when the temperature is between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius and there is little rainfall.
The low season lasts from May to October. A mix of rain and sunshine is expected during this period. Hotels are much cheaper, but some shops and restaurants may be closed.
Best Restaurants
Island has a wide variety of dining options. A good tip is to always read reviews before going to a restaurant.
- Cafe Tropical
- Ten Moons Resort
- Elephant
- Capriccio
- On the rocks