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This ultimate guide reveals the best beaches in Koh Lipe including how to get there and what to expect. From large and developed bays to stunning hidden coves, get ready to discover the idyllic beaches of one of Thailand’s dreamiest paradise islands!
My expectations of the Koh Lipe beaches were pretty high when travelling to this small island in Thailand’s far south.
I mean, when somewhere is known as ‘The Maldives of Thailand’ it surely means that the beaches are going to be comparable to those associated with a tropical dreamland, right?
Right!
Koh Lipe’s beaches are some of the best I visited during my three months in Thailand! Discovering these slices of paradise is definitely one of the best things to do during your trip to the island!
After spending nearly a week beach-hopping my way around the island, I’ve put together this ultimate guide to the best beaches in Koh Lipe to help plan your visit. The goal here is to make it easy for you to decide which beaches to spend your time on, allowing you to have the best trip possible!
Where to Find Koh Lipe’s Best Beaches – Koh Lipe Beach Map
All of Koh Lipe’s beaches are within walking distance of each other and below is a map of where to find them.
8 Best Beaches In Koh Lipe
There’s a large choice of beaches to choose from considering Koh Lipe is only two square kilometres in size. And each has its own charm.
However, what they all have in common is powdery white sand, clear and sparkling turquoise waters, and a fringe of palm trees that you’d expect from one of Thailand’s finest paradise islands!
So, from the large and touristy to the hidden and lesser-known, here’s a complete list of the best Koh Lipe beaches!
1. Sunrise Beach
Covering most of the island’s east coast is Sunrise Beach. This is one of Koh Lipe’s most famous and developed beaches with a silky white sand shore. It also has the kind of turquoise water that’s just asking for you to dive in!
If you’re looking for the best beach to stay on Koh Lipe then I’d say Sunrise Beach is the one. It has a great atmosphere and is also on the opposite side of the island to where the ferries dock in the high season. Which can get pretty busy in December/January with boats coming and going.
If you’re not staying in one of the bungalow resorts that line Koh Lipe’s Sunrise Beach, you can get there on foot from any other part of the island. There is a proper access road towards the northern end of the beach which leads to Ploysiam Pier (where many ferries arrive in the low season), or alternatively through one of the resorts.
To get to Sunrise Beach from Pattaya Beach we always walked along Walking Street and then through Varin Village Resort.
This huge 1km+ stretch of beach is lined with traditional long-tail boats in the shallow waters. There are also views out to the tiny islands of Koh Usen and Koh Kra to the east, as well as the much bigger Koh Adang to the north.
In short, have your camera ready to capture this picturesque tropical scene!
As you can probably guess from the name, Sunrise Beach is the best place for all you early birds to watch the sun come up first thing in the morning. Even if you’re not a morning person (like me) it’s worth the effort at least once!
Once the sun is shining, Sunrise Beach is a perfect spot to put your beach towel down and work on your tan. It then won’t be long until you’re cooling off in the inviting water!
It’s also a great spot to chill out at one of the beachfront bars. Zodiac Beach Bar at the northern end was our absolute favourite to enjoy a cold Chang beer!
If you’re feeling adventurous you can even kayak over to those tiny islands of Koh Usen and Koh Kra that I mentioned before. Kayaks can be rented by the hour or for the day from various resorts along Sunrise Beach including Castaway Resort.
2. Pattaya Beach
Firstly, don’t confuse Koh Lipe’s Pattaya Beach with the Pattaya that’s just south of Bangkok. They are very different places with very different vibes!
Pattaya Beach is Koh Lipe’s other main beach located on the opposite side of the island to Sunrise Beach. It’s a beautiful sweeping crescent and at around 1.5km long it’s Koh Lipe’s longest stretch of fine white sand.
This is likely where you’ll make your first impression of Koh Lipe as all speedboats arrive/depart from here during high season. It’s also where the immigration office is located for travellers arriving from the nearby Malaysian island of Langkawi.
The best way to get to Pattaya Beach from other spots on the island is via Walking Street. This leads right out onto the sand of Pattaya Beach.
With the greatest selection of resorts, hotels, and beachfront bars and restaurants, Pattaya Beach is the most lively, developed and touristy on the island. You could even say that after the sun goes down it becomes an extension of Walking Street with its lively atmosphere, beach bars and fire shows.
Pattaya Beach is another great beach to stay in Koh Lipe. It’s both stunning and conveniently close to all the action and restaurants on Walking Street.
Related Post: Best Beaches On Koh Phangan
3. Sunset Beach
Looking for the best beach on Koh Lipe to watch the sunset? This one’s easy – head to the fittingly named Sunset Beach in the northwest of the island.
This 200m bay is dotted with palm trees but isn’t as pristine as some of Koh Lipe’s other beaches. Instead, it has a more rustic vibe with only a couple of resorts and bars at the southern end.
While busy at sunset time, it can be a nice and quiet spot to enjoy during the day.
Sunset Beach from Walking Street is only a 10-15 minute walk along the main road heading west. Alternatively, you can walk around the coast from Sunrise Beach. Although, this route may have some rocks to climb over depending on the tide.
For those who don’t fancy walking, you can also take a moto taxi to Sunset Beach. This is typically a 100 baht flat fee for a journey.
Sunset Beach is also one of the best beaches in Koh Lipe for snorkelling, especially by the rocks at the southern end at high tide. However, in low season the westerly monsoon wind can create some big waves and bring in some plastic and rubbish.
4. Sanom Beach
Tucked around the western corner of Pattaya Beach is the tiny and unspoiled bay of Sanom Beach. It’s without a doubt one of Koh Lipe’s dreamiest beaches yet only a 15 minute walk from the action of Walking Street.
The best way to get here is heading to the western end of Pattaya Beach. Here you’ll find a rustic wooden bridge that navigates around the rocky coast taking you to Sanom Beach. When you arrive, it feels like you’ve found a little hidden spot after leaving behind the bustling and touristy Pattaya Beach.
It is also possible to paddle with a kayak or to hire a long-tail taxi boat to take you there.
Once you’ve made it to this charming bay you can pick your spot to relax with your beach towel. Sunbeds and umbrellas can also be rented from the attached Sanom Beach Lipe Resort for 300 baht.
The clear water at Sanom Beach is a great place to snorkel with a coral reef to discover just off the shore. Although, there may be sea urchins to be wary of! Again, snorkel equipment can be rented from the resort if needed.
Even if snorkelling isn’t your thing, a dip in the refreshing water is perfect in the heat of the day!
5. Ten Moons Bay / Maricilla Beach
One of the most picturesque beaches in Koh Lipe is a small yet charming bay outside Ten Moons Koh Lipe Resort. Here, the powdery sand and crystal-clear water are complimented by the scenic granite boulders that surround the bay.
The view of the tiny island of Koh Usen not too far from the shore completes this stunning tropical scene. This makes it a great spot to capture your Koh Lipe Instagram post!
To get here you have to keep walking behind the boulders that mark the southern end of Sunrise Beach. This takes you through to the Tens Moons Resort and restaurant but the adjacent beach is free for anyone to enjoy.
The Ten Moons Beach is also a top choice for snorkelling on Koh Lipe as there’s a coral reef and colourful fish to be explored just off the shallow shore.
6. Bulow Beach
Around the corner at the northern tip of Sunrise Beach, you’re welcomed by the paradise shores of Bulow Beach. Yet another of Koh Lipe’s idyllic beaches!
As well as boasting an epic view of neighbouring Koh Adang and having a location perfect for watching both sunrise and sunset, Bulow Beach has a stunning sand bar that creates an extension of sand as if primed for sunbathing!
Ideal for some relaxing beach time, this shoreline is only backed by one resort and tends to be quieter than the larger Sunrise and Pattaya Beaches while being just as pristine. Just be aware that there is very limited shade on this part of the island.
After baking in the hot Thai sun, you’ll no doubt be dying to cool off in the sea. Bulow Beach is arguably the best beach on Koh Lipe for swimming as the mesmerising turquoise water is the most inviting I came across on the whole island!
The best way to get here is to first make your way to Sunrise Beach. Then follow the coast north until you pass Zodiac Beach Bar and round the corner at the northern tip. If coming from Sunset Beach, you can simply walk around the coast. Although if the tide’s in you’ll have to climb over some rocks on the way.
Bulow Beach truly is one of the best spots on Koh Lipe for a day at the beach!
*Bulow Beach is also known as Karma Beach or North Point Beach and you can find it under the latter on Google Maps.
Related Post: Best Koh Tao Viewpoints
7. Pitiusas Beach
For peace and solitude, the further west you go from the busy Sunrise and Pattaya Beaches the better. One of Koh Lipe’s most peaceful beaches is Pitiusas Beach – located further westward along the coast from Sunset Beach.
The easiest way to get to Pitiusas Beach is by following the main road west from Walking Street until you reach Forever Restaurant. Opposite the restaurant is a sign for Pitiusas. Follow this to reach the steps which lead down to the beach.
From Walking Street this should take around 20-30 minutes to walk – or as always you can take a moto taxi.
If you’re feeling up for an adventure, you can follow the coast all the way from Sunrise Beach. When I visited, I took the road on the way there and followed the coast back to Sunrise Beach. This turned out as a great way to see all the tiny bays along this coast! But note there are some fairly large boulder sections to scramble over if the tide is in!
Once at Pitiusas Beach, you’re not only spoiled with a magnificent view of Koh Adang across the water but also a very chilled vibe. Not too many people venture this far from the touristy areas.
This is one of the best spots to really unwind and relax so take your towel and a book and laze the day away.
You’ll notice this is a much less developed part of the island. However, there are a small number of resorts and restaurants nearby including the highly rated Forever Restaurant.
8. Koh Lipe’s Most Secret Beaches
If the most secluded beach on Koh Lipe sounds more your style, then you’ll want to venture to the far west of the island to seek out Koh Lipe’s hidden beaches.
Here, you’ll be rewarded with finding a small collection of tiny bays. These are the least visited beaches on the island and the ultimate tourist escape!
However, I know I said all beaches in Koh Lipe are walkable but unless you take on a tricky jungle trail or time the tides perfectly to walk round the coast, you’ll need to get here by either kayak or long-tail taxi boat.
I regretfully never managed to make it here so if you do, make sure to leave a comment and tell me how they are!
Koh Lipe Beaches FAQ
Which is the best beach On Koh Lipe?
If I had to choose one overall best beach on Koh Lipe that would be Sunrise Beach. It has the best blend of holiday atmosphere, resorts, beachfront bars, and development while also being big enough to find your own relaxed spot.
Which is the best beach on Koh Lipe for swimming?
Bulow Beach was my favourite for swimming while on Koh Lipe. The crystal clear aqua water was just asking me to dive in for a swim and cool off after sunbathing on the picturesque sand bar!
However, depending on the weather and wind direction you may find Pattaya Beach more sheltered. The western end of Pattaya Beach is best for swimming as it’s away from where all the speedboats are arriving/departing.
Which is the best beach on Koh Lipe for snorkelling?
Sunset Beach and Ten Moons Beach are the best Koh Lipe beaches for snorkelling and exploring the underwater world.
At Sunset Beach you can experience some deeper snorkelling but should be aware of currents. The small bay at Ten Moons Beach is best for less experienced snorkelers as it has an amazing coral reef and colourful fish close to the shore in shallow water.
Final Thoughts
If days spent lounging at the beach is your top priority, then Koh Lipe is definitely a destination that you should be considering for your Thailand itinerary!
It epitomises that tiny tropical island vibe with the most encapsulating white sand, teal waters, and overhanging palm trees.
There’s a considerable selection of beaches to choose from once you venture past the famous three – each with its own appeal.
If you have any questions about Koh Lipe let me know in the comments and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
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