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 difficult 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 on Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is very less crowded in comparison of 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. The best beaches of 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 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 appealing, but it’s perfect for watching the sunset while sipping a fresh coconut.A little further down the island is the picturesque Pitiusa Beach.
Pattaya Beach (south), where the harbor is located, is a long stretch of white sand that joins the lesser-known Sanom Beach.
2. Snorkeling or kayaking
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 our usual (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. Koh Adang Day Trip
Koh Adang is Koh Lipe’s much larger neighbor. Easily accessible by longtail boat on Sunrise Beach.
Aside from small restaurants and resorts, Adang Island is uninhabited and perfect for spending the day 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
While not a party island by any means, there are various beach he bars to spend your days on Koh Lipe. Drinks are a bit pricey compared to other hotspots like Koh Tao and Bangkok, but the breathtaking sunsets easily make up for it.
Spend the afternoon at:
- SeeLavi Beach Bar
- maya bar
- Castaway Resort
5. Walking Street
After dark, the daily road from Pattaya Beach to Sunrise Beach becomes a pedestrian zone. This 600-meter-long street is home to many great restaurants and craft shops (such as Munay Designs).
Local Thai cuisine, including freshly caught fish, can be sampled at market-like restaurants. Walking Street is a great thing on Koh Lipe.
How to get to Koh Lipe, Thailand
Thailand’s southernmost island, Koh Lipe, is a little more difficult to get to. Koh Lipe has no airport and is too small. Still, you can get there via several different ferry routes.
Koh Lipe is part of the Tarutao National Park and the entrance fee is 200 baht and you should keep this ticket with you at all times.
Langkawi to Koh Lipe
Langkawi is a beautiful island in Malaysia that is popular in combination with 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 only operates during the high season from mid-October to June.
Immigration
Once on Koh Lipe, you will need to pass 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 (7 hours) from Krabi Town (Klong Jilad Pier) to Koh Lipe. It is famous for its rough water. Therefore, if you are uncomfortable, the first option is best.
From Bangkok to Koh Lipe
From Bangkok, fly to Hat Yai Airport and board the ferry from Pakbara Pier.
How to get around on Koh Lipe
This tiny island can be fully explored on foot in less than an hour. There are very few cars on this island. The main motorized transport is the tuk-tuk, which you will most likely only use when traveling from the port to your hotel with luggage.
Koh Lipe Hotels
There are hotels for every budget on the island, but prices fluctuate greatly depending on the season. 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. Located on the southernmost tip of the island, this resort is almost completely secluded, with beautiful sundecks, great restaurants, tropical beaches, and wonderful staff.
Best time to travel to Koh Lipe
The best time to visit Koh Lipe is from November to April, when temperatures are 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 place to eat
There are various dining options on the island. A good tip is to always read reviews before going to a restaurant.
- Cafe tropical
- Ten Moons Resort
- Elephant
- Capriccio
- On the rocks