Koh Lipe is an island in the Andaman Sea and is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park. The island is surrounded by smaller islands and is renowned for its coral-rich waters and stunning turquoise hues.
Koh Lipe is often referred to as the “Maldives of Thailand,” Koh Lipe captivates visitors with its breathtaking beauty. Upon arriving at the pier, travelers are astonished by the island’s picturesque scenery.
With a mere length of 2.5 km, Koh Lipe is easy to explore in a single day, especially on foot. The streets are narrow, making it uncommon to see cars or trucks. However, motorbike taxis with sidecars — perfect for transporting both passengers and luggage — are readily available, especially near the pier. The fare is 50 THB per person for travel anywhere on the island.
Koh Lipe boasts beautiful white sandy beaches, including Pattaya Beach, Cosy Cove Beach, Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach, and Sanom Beach, each offering unique attractions.
The atmosphere around Koh Lipe is relaxed, with small local villages interspersed between the beaches. Walking is the best way to explore these charming villages hidden away.
In the evenings, Walking Street becomes a popular gathering spot. While it may be smaller compared to pedestrian streets on other Thai islands, it is vibrant with restaurants, chic bars, and coffee shops. Souvenir shops here offer unique items not found on other Thai islands.
While food and drink prices are slightly higher than on most other Thai islands, this is primarily due to the goods being shipped to Koh Lipe via long-tail boats from Malaysia or Pak Bara.
Beyond Walking Street, low-budget Thai restaurants can be found scattered across the island.
Koh Lipe’s narrow streets make cars and trucks rare sightings. Motorbike taxis with sidecars provide convenient options for transportation, with a fare of 50 baht per person for any destination on the island.
The sunsets on Koh Lipe are spectacular, best viewed from Sunset Beach and Cosy Cove Beach, while Sunrise Beach offers stunning sunrise views.
Must-see locations include the Sea La Vie beach bar on Sunrise Beach, known for its relaxing music and atmosphere. Visitors can capture breathtaking selfies while lounging on stylish sofas against the vibrant backdrop of the sea.
Castaway Bungalows, just a three-minute walk from Sea La Vie, offers a delicious menu in a relaxed setting with comfortable seating. Enjoy happy hour from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, where you can get one cocktail free with the purchase of another.
Benny’s Bar at Cosy Cove is perfect for unwinding at sunset. This is an ideal spot for capturing stunning images and videos as the sun sets, with vegetarian and vegan snacks available.
Sunset Beach is renowned for its excellent snorkeling accessible from the shore, making it a great choice for those who prefer not to undertake a long-tail boat snorkeling tour.
Koh Lipe is also popular for diving and snorkeling, both from the shore and around the Tarutao National Park. The crystal-clear waters and abundant marine life make it a perfect location for snorkeling excursions.
One-day diving trips are available for those interested in obtaining a full diving certification. Koh Lipe will certainly inspire you to sign up for further diving adventures.
Book via the link below for:
- 1-Day Try Scuba Diving Programme in Koh Lipe
- Open Water Diver Course
Snorkeling tours from Koh Lipe to the nearby islands and Tarutao National Park are must-do activities
Getting to Koh Lipe is convenient, with connections to a small island near Trang allowing for easy speedboat transfers.
Speedboats depart daily from Pak Bara Pier in Satun, both in the morning and mid-afternoon.
Travel options include:
- Speedboat transfers from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe
- Return transfers using the Satun Pakbara Speed Boat
Alternatively, you can fly with a budget airline or purchase a combined bus and ferry ticket from Don Muang International Airport in Bangkok to either Hat Yai Airport or Trang Airport. Consider also hiring a car to drive from Krabi, Phuket, Khao Lak, and Trang to Pak Bara Pier.
Traveling from Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe can be accomplished using a minivan followed by the Satun Pakbara Speed Boat.
Island hopping from Koh Lipe is easy; if you plan to continue your journey rather than return to Pak Bara Pier, consider heading to Koh Mook, where you can take a short ferry to Trang City.
Booking transfers is straightforward using the 12Go platform, which offers shared transfers via buses, trains, flights, ferries, and speedboats. Click here for more options.
