Koh Lipe is a small island in the southernmost part of Thailand's Andaman coast, in the province of Satun. It is approximately 2 km long and can be reached by a short boat ride from Langkawi, Malaysia. The island lies within the Tarutao National Marine Park, surrounded by protected islands, making it a popular tourist destination. Shared longtail boat trips to the reefs around Koh Adang, Koh Rawi, and Hin Ngam cost around 600–800 baht, and the walk from Pattaya Beach on one side to Sunrise Beach on the other takes about 20 minutes along Walking Street.

There are hardly any cars and no scooters for rent, so you either get around on foot or take a sidecar taxi for 50 baht. It's not exactly cheap by Thai standards, and the island is quite remote – about four hours from Hat Yai Airport by van and speedboat. Plan for four nights, ideally travel between November and April, and be aware that at least half the island is closed from May to October.

Accommodation in Koh Lipe

This route ends in Koh Lipe. Search for hotels in Koh Lipe for your travel dates or narrow your search to the specific region you wish to visit. Filter for hotels with free cancellation if you'd like to book a room and decide later.

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My picks in every price category on Koh Lipe

  • Ananya Lipe Resort Luxury · 5-star · 4.6 (649)
  • Idyllic concept resort · Mid-range · 4 stars · 4.5 (1,031)
  • Castaway Resort Koh Lipe · Budget · 3 stars · 4.4 (1,235)

    • Key facts

    Three main beaches, all within walking distance

    Boats dock in the south at Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach in the east offers the best swimming opportunities, and Sunset Beach in the west is the quietest spot. Walking Street is about a 20-minute walk away.

    Everyone pays the parking fee of 200 Baht upon arrival.

    Children pay 100 Baht in cash. Please keep your ticket, as it will be checked during snorkeling trips in Hin Ngam. Divers pay an additional 200 Baht per diving day.

    The snorkeling trips by longtail boat are the reason you come.

    Group excursions cost approximately 600–800 baht per person for four to eight hours. A private trip by longtail boat costs approximately 1,800–2,800 baht, depending on the distance.

    People go on foot, as visitors cannot rent scooters.

    Motorcycle sidecars transport people for about 50 baht per person, and longboats operate between the beaches for about 50 baht.

    Bring cash and budget more than you would on the mainland.

    There are ATMs on Walking Street, but many shops only accept cash, and card payments often incur a surcharge. Expect to spend around 1,600 baht per day for budget travelers and 4,500 baht for those on a mid-range budget.

    November to April, or for most people, not at all.

    From May to October, only the Pak Bara boats operate, at least half of the restaurants, bars and travel agencies close, and the sea becomes rough.

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    Is Koh Lipe worth a visit?

    Yes, if snorkeling and clear water are your priorities and you have at least three nights to spare. The reefs around the park islands are just a short longtail boat ride away, Sunrise Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the country, and the entire island is small enough to explore on foot.

    It's not the quiet, secluded island that some photos might suggest. Lipe has developed rapidly; longtail boats crowd the beaches of Pattaya and Sunrise, and in December and January, Walking Street is bustling every evening. It's also more expensive than most Thai islands, as almost everything is transported by boat, and the journey takes nearly a full day.

    Krabi or Koh Lipe? Krabi impresses with its limestone formations, good flight connections, and the possibility of day trips. Koh Lipe, on the other hand, invites you to snorkel directly from a longtail boat and offers a small, car-free island. In high season, the speedboat trip from Koh Lanta takes three hours, so many tours offer the route Krabi, then Koh Lanta, and finally Koh Lipe.

    The beaches of Koh Lipe and which one suits you best

    They are all within walking distance of each other, so you can set up camp in one place and go swimming in another.

  • 1. Sunrise Beach, East Coast: Swimming and views of Koh Adang. The island's longest beach with white sand and shallow, gently sloping water. Opposite, across the channel, rise the jungle hills of Koh Adang. It's the best beach on Koh Lipe for swimming and the ideal starting point for snorkeling trips. Sunrise Beach (Koh Lipe) 4.5 (1,200) Open 24 hours daily. How to get there
  • 2. Pattaya Beach, South Coast: Restaurants, bars, and boats. A sheltered bay where speedboats dock, lined with resorts, restaurants, and beach bars. Walking Street begins just beyond. The busiest beach and also the ideal starting point with the most boat traffic. Pattaya Beach 4.4 (710) Directions
  • 3. Sunset Beach, Northwest Coast: Peace and quiet and stunning sunsets. A smaller, quiet, west-facing beach with a few bungalows and bars, and the most beautiful evening sky on the island. Sunset Beach 4.2 (1,422) Directions
  • 4. North Point, the northernmost point – A quiet beach. A small beach at the tip of the island, behind the northern end of Sunrise Beach, with calm waters and significantly fewer visitors than the main beaches. North Point Beach, Koh Lipe, 4.8 (1,040 m), open 24 hours daily. Directions.

    • The best things to do on Koh Lipe

    Ordered according to how important they would be to me for a first visit of four nights.

  • 1. Snorkeling trip by longtail boat to the national park islands of Koh Adang, Koh Rawi, Hin Ngam, and Koh Yang – The perfect day trip! A longtail boat will take you to four to eight snorkeling spots on the reefs around the islands north of Lipe. Lunch is served on a beach on Koh Rawi. Group trips cost approximately 600–800 baht per person. The park entrance ticket for 200 baht, which you purchase upon arrival, is valid for all islands. Getting there: Book at a stand on Walking Street or Sunrise Beach. Best time to go: November to April, departure in the morning. Koh Rawi: 4.7 (87) Directions
  • 2. Chado Cliff viewpoint on Koh Adang, opposite Sunrise Beach, offers stunning views of Lipe. The classic photo of Lipe taken from a viewpoint on the jungle island opposite is a treat. The trail is only about 1 km long, but steep and secured with ropes in places, so allow 45 minutes to an hour for the climb and start early before the worst of the heat. The longer trail to Pirate Waterfall, about 2.5 km through the forest, starts at the same beach. A longtail boat ride from Sunrise Beach costs about 100 baht each way. The park closes parts of Adang outside of peak season, and reopening dates vary from year to year, so check with the park office or your boat driver before you travel. Getting there: Longtail boat from Sunrise Beach to the park station in Laem Son. Best time to go: Early morning. Koh Adang 4.7 (130) Directions
  • 3. Walking Street, the heart of the island: Dinner and evening stroll. This pedestrian zone, stretching from Pattaya Beach to Sunrise Beach, is lined with fish grills, Thai restaurants, cafes, dive shops, massage parlors, and the island's 7-Eleven. Everyone gathers here after dark. Getting there: On foot from any beach. Best time to visit: From sunset onwards.
  • 4. Diving at Stonehenge and Eight Mile Rock, around the islands of the national park. Lipe's dive centers offer dives to the reefs and pinnacles surrounding the park, from the rocks of Stonehenge to Eight Mile Rock, a deeper dive site for experienced divers. Two dives cost approximately 3,000 baht, plus the park fee of 200 baht per dive day. An Open Water course costs approximately 14,500 baht. Getting there: Dive centers are located on Walking Street and along the beaches. Best time to visit: November to April. Adang Sea Divers: 4.7 (465), daily 8:00 AM–8:00 PM. Directions.
  • 5. Koh Hin Ngam, north of Koh Adang: The striped black stones. A small island whose beach consists entirely of smooth, dark, striped stones – without any sand. It's a popular spot for snorkeling trips. Taking a stone is forbidden, as local tradition says it brings bad luck until it's returned. Getting there: As part of a snorkeling trip. Best time to go: With the excursion. Koh Hin Ngam: 4.5 (876), open 24 hours daily. Directions.
  • 6. Kayak tour to Koh Kra, right off Sunrise Beach: A relaxing hour on the water. The small rocky island, just a few hundred meters from Sunrise Beach and surrounded by coral, is easily reached on a calm morning with a rented kayak. Getting there: Rent a kayak at Sunrise Beach. Best time to go: A calm morning. Koh Kra Island 4.9 (87) Directions

    • Snorkeling trips from Koh Lipe

    The excursions are divided into two categories: the inner islands and the outer islands. The inner islands tour typically includes stops at the soft coral reefs of Jabang, the rocks of Hin Ngam, Koh Yang, and Koh Adang, as well as lunch on Koh Rawi. This tour lasts approximately six hours. The outer islands tour also includes smaller, more distant islands and lasts seven or eight hours. If you only plan to book one of the two tours, we recommend starting with the inner islands tour.

    Shared longtail boat trips for ten to fifteen people cost around 600–800 baht per person, usually including mask, lunch, and water, but often without fins. A private longtail boat allows you to depart before the shared boats and choose your own order; the price is around 1,800–2,800 baht per boat. Bring your park map, reef-safe sunscreen, and a sun-protective shirt.

    How many days does one need on Koh Lipe?

    Four nights are sufficient for most people. This includes a day for a snorkeling trip to the inner islands, a morning at the Koh Adang viewpoint, a second day by boat to the outer islands or a dive, and a day at Sunrise Beach.

    Three nights are the minimum to make the trip worthwhile, as you lose almost a whole day each way for arrival and departure. Many stay for a week, especially divers.

    Accommodation on Koh Lipe

    Pattaya Beach is ideal for a first-time visit, as it's close to the boats and Walking Street. Sunrise Beach offers the best swimming, and the west coast is quieter. Under "Accommodation on Koh Lipe" you'll find hotels in all areas and beyond.

  • 1. Bundhaya Resort, Pattaya Beach – Ideal starting point for first-time visitors. Beachfront rooms and bungalows with breakfast, restaurant and spa, just steps from the boat pier and Walking Street. Bundhaya Resort 4.3 (952) Directions
  • 2. Akira Lipe Resort, Pattaya Beach – Comfort close to the action. A highly-rated resort at the western end of Pattaya Beach, just a short walk from the boats and restaurants. Akira Lipe Resort, 4.6 (1,211 reviews), open 24 hours a day. Directions.
  • 3. Idyllic Concept Resort, Sunrise Beach, southern end. A beachfront resort with an infinity pool and restaurant on the island's most beautiful beach. Idyllic Concept Resort 4.5 (1,031) Open 24 hours daily. Directions
  • 4. Castaway Resort Koh Lipe, Sunrise Beach: Divers and rustic bungalows. Simple beach bungalows on Sunrise Beach, some with shared bathrooms, and an on-site dive center. Castaway Resort Koh Lipe, 4.4 (1,235), open daily 7:30 a.m.–11:00 p.m. Directions.
  • 5. Serendipity Resort Koh Lipe, situated on a hillside above Sunrise Beach. Wooden bungalows at the southern end of Sunrise Beach, many with sea views, with a restaurant and bar. Serendipity Resort Koh Lipe 4.6 (630) Directions
  • 6. Sanom Beach Lipe Resort, Sanom Beach, West Coast. Quiet and simple. Wooden cabins on a small beach in the tranquil west, with a restaurant, bar, and dive center. Sanom Beach Lipe Resort 4.3 (309) Directions

    • The best-rated hotels in Koh Lipe

    Here is my ranking of the 10 best hotels in Koh Lipe. Each button will take you directly to the hotel's page on Booking.com, where you can enter your travel dates.

  • #1 Akira Lipe Resort 4.6 (1,211 reviews) A renowned beachfront resort on Koh Lipe, offering a relaxing island getaway in southern Thailand. Check prices
  • #4 Ten Moons Lipe Resort 4.8 (562 reviews) Beach bungalow resort on Koh Lipe with direct beach access, restaurant, and yoga classes. Check prices
  • #7 Serendipity Resort Koh Lipe 4.6 (630 reviews) A hillside bungalow resort, just steps from Sunrise Beach, combining rustic charm with a relaxed island atmosphere. Check prices

    • Getting to Koh Lipe

    Lipe has no airport, so every route ends with a speedboat ride. The only year-round connection is via Hat Yai. The flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Bundhaya van departs from the airport at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM for Pak Bara Pier, arriving in Lipe around 1:00 PM or 3:00 PM. The total fare is 950 baht.

    From October 15th to the end of May, ferries run from Langkawi, Malaysia, taking 90 minutes. Upon arrival, the Thai immigration authorities will escort you along the beach. From there, speedboats depart along the coast to the islands of Koh Lipe (three hours, 1,700 baht), Koh Phi Phi (approximately four hours, 2,350 baht), and Phuket (approximately five hours, 2,500 baht). The larger boats dock just off the beach, and from there, a longtail boat will take you directly to the beach for about 50 baht. All routes, schedules, and prices can be found under "Getting to Koh Lipe."

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    Getting around on Koh Lipe

    On foot. The Walking Street crosses the island from Pattaya Beach to Sunrise Beach in about 20 minutes, and even the most remote corners can be reached in only about 45 minutes. Visitors cannot rent scooters, and there are almost no cars.

    For luggage or tired legs, motorcycles with sidecars are a good option, offering rides anywhere on the island for about 50 baht per person, and longtails will take you back and forth between the beaches for about 50 baht.

    Money and costs on Koh Lipe

    Lipe is more expensive than the mainland and most other islands because food, fuel, and drinks are transported by boat. According to my calculations, a day on a tight budget costs about 1,600 baht, and a day on a medium budget costs about 4,500 baht, both excluding boat trips.

    There are ATMs on Walking Street, but bring enough cash for park entry, longtail boats, and small restaurants, as many don't accept card payments and often charge a surcharge. Plastic bags and Styrofoam boxes are prohibited in the park, so bring a reusable water bottle and a bag.

    When should you go?

    The peak season runs from November to April. February is the driest month, with approximately 24 mm of rainfall recorded at the Phuket weather station. The sea is calm, and all boats are operating. December and January are the most popular and expensive months, so early booking is recommended.

    From May to October it's monsoon season, with around 350 mm of rainfall in September. The ferries to Langkawi and the speedboats for island hopping cease operation; only the boats from Pak Bara remain. The sea can be rough, and at least half of the restaurants, bars, and travel agencies close. Parts of the national park are also closed. If you're traveling during these months, an island in the Gulf of Mexico, such as Koh Samui, is a better choice.

    Plan the rest of your trip.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Frequently asked questions about the Koh Lipe travel guide.

    Yes, for snorkeling, clear water, and a small island within walking distance, it's ideal if you have at least three nights and travel between November and April. It's busier and more expensive than it looks in photos, and getting there takes almost a full day.

    Sunrise Beach boasts white sand, shallow water, and views of Koh Adang. Pattaya Beach is the liveliest beach with the most restaurants, while Sunset Beach offers tranquility with its starry night sky.

    Four nights, two days on the boat, one morning on Koh Adang, and one day at the beach. Three nights are the minimum to make the trip worthwhile.

    The journey by van and speedboat from Hat Yai Airport costs 950 baht, while the speedboat trip alone from Pak Bara costs 700 baht. During peak season, speedboats from Koh Lanta cost around 1,700 baht and from Phuket around 2,500 baht, plus a longtail boat ride to the beach for about 50 baht.

    Satun is the southernmost province on Thailand's Andaman coast and borders Malaysia. The nearest major airports are Hat Yai in the neighboring province of Songkhla and Langkawi in Malaysia.

    Compared to most other Thai islands, a snorkeling trip costs around 1,600 baht per day for budget travelers and 4,500 baht for mid-range travelers, as almost everything is transported by boat. Group snorkeling trips cost approximately 600–800 baht, plus a 200 baht parking fee.

    From May to October, during the monsoon season, only the Pak Bara boats operate, the sea can be rough, and at least half of the restaurants, bars, and travel agencies are closed.

    No, visitors cannot do that. The island is small enough to explore on foot, and motorbikes with sidecars cost about 50 baht per person for luggage or longer journeys.

    Yes, on Walking Street, but take cash for parking fees, longtail taxis, and small restaurants, as many establishments do not accept card payments.

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    I lived in Bangkok for four years and traveled throughout the country from there. The guidebooks reflect my personal opinion and are written as I would explain things to a friend planning a trip.

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