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A comprehensive travel guide featuring the best things to do in Koh Lipe, as well as how to get there, where to stay and more! Get ready to discover one of Thailand’s finest paradise islands!
Over the years whispers of the ‘Maldives of Thailand’ began to emerge, depicting a tropical heaven with turquoise waters and powdery white sand akin to those found in the paradise islands of the Maldives.
This heaven that people talk of is the tiny island of Koh Lipe, found in the southwestern corner of Thailand. Around 60km off the coast of the mainland, it’s very close to the country’s border with Malaysia.
Koh Lipe is also one of the islands within the Tarutao Marine National Park. A place that is known for its pristine underwater world!
It’s not the secret island it once was and over time the inevitable tourism development has taken place. However, Koh Lipe has done well at maintaining its beautiful tropical island charm. There are no high-rise hotels overlooking the beaches here, rather beach bungalow resorts suited to that secluded island getaway feeling.
The vibe on Koh Lipe is more laidback and less party-orientated than some of Thailand’s other well-known islands such as Koh Phangan, Koh Phi Phi and Phuket. This, combined with some beautiful bungalow resorts just steps from the white sandy beaches, makes Koh Lipe the perfect place for a romantic couple getaway or tropical honeymoon.
That being said, there are plenty of epic things to do in Koh Lipe suited to all travellers who love sand, sea and palm trees. As such, it’s a great addition to your Thailand itinerary whether you’re travelling as a backpacker, family, solo or couple!
- 12 Awesome Things To Do In Koh Lipe
- 1. Relax on The Idyllic Koh Lipe beaches
- 2. Take a day trip to Koh Adang – Hike to Koh Lipe Viewpoint
- 3. Snorkelling
- 4. Island Hopping Snorkel Trip
- 5. Scuba Diving
- 6. Have a Drink at a Beach Bar
- 7. Kayak/SUP to tiny islands
- 8. Watch a Fire show after dark
- 9. Wander Along Koh Lipe Walking Street
- 10. Watch the sun go down on Sunset Beach
- 11. Massage on the beach
- 12. Explore the Island on foot
- How to get to Koh Lipe
- Where to Stay In Koh Lipe
- Koh Lipe FAQ
- Final Thoughts
- Pin It For Later!
- More Thailand Posts
12 Awesome Things To Do In Koh Lipe
If you are wondering what to do in Koh Lipe to make your time here memorable, then wonder no more. This is the Koh Lipe guide for you!
Dive into this ultimate list of epic things to do during your trip to the Maldives of Thailand!
1. Relax on The Idyllic Koh Lipe beaches
There’s no surprise that the number one thing to do on an island paradise like Koh Lipe is chill out on the blissful tropical beaches. They boast powdery white sand and the most beautiful turquoise water just perfect for relaxing and swimming.
Koh Lipe is one of the best beach destinations in Thailand and has people travelling from all over the world to enjoy this slice of tropical heaven. To be quite honest, I wouldn’t blame you if your whole time here was spent soaking it up on the sand!
My first taste of island life in Thailand was on Koh Lipe and while I’ve visited many others since, the beaches on this island still rank as some of my favourite in the whole country!
The three main beaches on Koh Lipe are:
Sunrise Beach
A long and beautiful stretch of white sand that makes up the majority of the east coast. The long tail boats lined up in the shallow water make for a stunning scene – the kind that you see advertising Thailand in travel magazines!
Pattaya Beach
This large bay to the south will likely be where you take your first steps on Koh Lipe as it’s where the ferries arrive during the high season. However, it’s also a top spot for sunbathing, swimming, and watching a fire show in the evening.
Sunset Beach
In the northwest lies the smallest of the three main beaches. However, as you might have guessed it’s the best place to be to watch the sun drop below the water at the end of the day.
While these may be the most popular beaches, there are more secluded and less visited bays to be found on this tiny island. Some charming ones to visit include the small beach outside Ten Moons Lipe Resort, Sanom Beach and Pitiusas Beach.
Read The Full Guide: Best Beaches In Koh Lipe
2. Take a day trip to Koh Adang – Hike to Koh Lipe Viewpoint
A worthwhile day trip from Koh Lipe is to the neighbouring Koh Adang. This island is much larger and can easily be seen from the northern and eastern shores.
Although Koh Adang’s facilities are limited to a single resort, restaurant, and campground, there are a few adventurous things to do here. These include snorkelling and hiking to viewpoints and waterfalls.
*Note: The restaurant on Koh Adang closes during the low season so be prepared with plenty of water and snacks/lunch.
How to get to Koh Adang
Getting to Koh Adang is very straightforward. You can simply hire one of the taxi boats that are lined up along Sunrise Beach to take you across. This costs 100 baht per person (one way) for the short 20 minute trip but make sure to organise a time with the captain for your return.
I’ve heard people say you can kayak over to Koh Adang but it’s further than it looks and the currents can be strong. So unless you know what you’re doing I’d recommend sticking with the taxi boat.
Things to do on Koh Adang
As mentioned, there are a couple of adventurous things to do on Koh Adang, such as the hike to Pirate Waterfall and exploring the great snorkel spots off the beach. Koh Adang is known to have some of the best snorkelling in Tarutao Marine National Park.
However, our main reason for taking the trip over was to hike up to the island’s viewpoints. Here you’re rewarded with a magnificent bird’s eye view of Koh Lipe and the astounding blue and turquoise tones that surround the island!
This was one of my favourite activities during my Koh Lipe trip and trust me, the view is worth the climb!
There are 3 viewpoints on the hike, each one more impressive than the last as you gradually get higher. It took us around 45 minutes to reach the highest viewpoint and while the hike isn’t too strenuous, I’d recommend wearing trainers as it can be steep and tricky in places.
It’s also a good idea to hike in the morning as it can get very hot and sweaty up there in the midday sun!
*Note: The trail can be a little difficult to find (especially if visiting in low season when the ranger’s station is closed). But we found the app Maps.me to be super helpful for pinpointing the start point.
3. Snorkelling
One of the best things to do while on Koh Lipe is to get in the water and go snorkelling. Being located within Tarutao Marine National Park and having crystal clear water make it an incredible place to explore the underwater world and marvel at the coral and colourful fish.
If you don’t have your own equipment then don’t worry, snorkel masks and fins can be rented from many of the resorts and dive shops that line the beaches and Walking Street.
Some of the best Koh Lipe snorkelling spots are found at:
- The southern tip of Sunrise Beach in the bay outside 10 Moons Resort.
- Sunset Beach
- Koh Usen
- Koh Kra
Koh Usen and Koh Kra are tiny islands located just off Sunrise Beach. If you’re feeling adventurous you can kayak over to be rewarded with some of the best snorkelling on Koh Lipe!
4. Island Hopping Snorkel Trip
Once you arrive on Koh Lipe it’s easy to feel like you never want to leave this beautiful island. However, there are more underwater adventures to be found at the other nearby islands.
The best way to explore more of the surrounding coral reefs is to join one of the island-hopping snorkelling trips. Expect to enjoy colourful reefs, tropical fish and stunning islands with secluded beaches and unique rock formations. Oh and possibly some pesky monkeys!
You can opt for a group tour or a tour on your own private longtail boat. The latter is naturally more expensive but is great for privacy and the flexibility of exploring at your own pace.
There are a couple of different routes/tours to choose from and there are plenty of agencies and dive shops to book with on the island. Or you can easily arrange your Koh Lipe snorkelling tour online. Most of these tours will also include lunch and equipment.
5. Scuba Diving
Looking to explore deeper into the underwater world? Koh Lipe and the surrounding Tarutao Marine National Park is one of the best places in Thailand for scuba diving.
There’s an abundance of tropical marine fish to discover – 25% of the world’s tropical fish species to be exact. There’s also the possibility of seeing some bigger marine life such as whale sharks, manta rays and turtles!
The area boasts some amazing dive spots within its crystal clear waters. A few of the most famous are Stonehenge, 8 Mile Rock and the Yong Hua Shipwreck.
If getting PADI Certified is on your bucket list then what a place to do it!
Dive trips are available all year but there’s a trade-off between high season with the best visibility and conditions and low season where conditions may not be as favourable but you’ll get some cheaper deals.
A few of the top-rated dive shops on Koh Lipe to check out include Pura Vida Diving, Ko Lipe Diving School, and Adang Sea Divers.
6. Have a Drink at a Beach Bar
Koh Lipe’s nightlife isn’t nearly as crazy as the likes of Koh Phangan and Koh Phi Phi, but whether your tipple is a fancy cocktail or an icy Chang beer there are a great selection of beach bars to chill out at in the evening.
On Sunrise Beach you’ll find great spots like Zodiac Beach Bar and Sea La Vie. Over on Pattaya Beach there’s Monkey Bar and Lipe Bar.
Our favourite is Zodiac Beach Bar located at the northern tip of Sunrise Beach. We absolutely loved the atmosphere here. There’s a driftwood bar and collection of bean bags, chairs, and benches on the beach.
Zodiac has the ultimate chilled vibe and is perfect for a sunset drink after a day in the hot sun! They also have an awesome fire show that commences after dark and is worth staying for!
You can also find some buzzing bars along Walking Street which is the best place if you’re looking for a lively atmosphere. If this sounds like you then check out Rainforest Bar and Maya Bar.
7. Kayak/SUP to tiny islands
The underwater experience around Koh Lipe is second to none. However, a kayak or stand-up paddleboard adventure is also a fantastic way to enjoy the island.
Glide along the turquoise water, look back at the palm-fringed shore and even venture out to explore the tiny islands of Koh Usen and Koh Kra. Both aren’t too far from the shores of Sunrise Beach – which is the best spot to go for a paddle.
You can rent both kayaks and SUPs at various resorts and dive shops along Sunrise Beach, including Castaway Resort. It’s possible to rent for the whole day or by the hour.
8. Watch a Fire show after dark
After the last of the days light turns to dark, the fire shows take centre stage. This is when the evening entertainment begins.
Grab a drink, sit back on your bean bag, and enjoy the thrilling performance. You might even get to take part!
While most of Koh Lipe’s fire shows can be found on Pattaya Beach, our favourite was the performance at Zodiac Beach Bar at the northern end of Sunrise Beach. The chilled vibe and epic performance made this one of our Koh Lipe highlights!
9. Wander Along Koh Lipe Walking Street
In the heart of the island is Koh Lipe’s Walking Street. This is a 600m vibrant blue walkway connecting Pattaya Beach to (nearly) Sunrise Beach. I say nearly as when you exit on the east side you’re still a street or two away from the sand of Sunrise Beach.
Koh Lipe’s Walking Street is lined with everything from restaurants, bars, and the island’s 7-11 store to dive shops, souvenir stores and massage parlours. It could also be thought of as Koh Lipe shopping street! You’ll also find seafood restaurants displaying their fresh catch of the day.
If there’s something you need, this is where to find it!
After 6pm Koh Lipe Walking Street turns into a pedestrian-only zone. This is when it really comes to life with a buzzing atmosphere!
10. Watch the sun go down on Sunset Beach
One of my favourite things to do on any tropical island is to take in the sunset every night. There’s just something special about watching the sun drop below the distant horizon on a beautiful beach surrounded by palm trees. A perfect end to the day if you ask me!
For the best place to watch the sunset on Koh Lipe, the aptly named Sunset Beach is where to be!
Located in the northwest of Koh Lipe you can easily walk to Sunset Beach from Walking Street within 15 minutes. Alternatively you can hire one of the moto taxis to take you there.
After a day basking in the sun or having fun in the water, this is the perfect place to unwind for golden hour before the fire shows on Sunrise and Pattaya beaches light up the dark sky.
Related Post: Awesome Things To Do On Koh Phangan
11. Massage on the beach
Get a massage in Thailand you say? I’d take a guess that you’ve heard that recommendation before! For good reason though – there’s always a selection of affordable massage parlours wherever you visit.
This includes Koh Lipe which has countless parlours found along Walking Street offering various treatments such as traditional Thai and oil massages with prices starting at 300 baht per hour. However, one of the most relaxing things to do in Koh Lipe is to have a massage at one of the parlours on the beach. A truly blissful way to relax during your island escape.
Sunrise and Pattaya beaches are the best places to take your Koh Lipe massage to the next level!
12. Explore the Island on foot
Did I mention that Koh Lipe is a very small island? Well, to give you an idea of how small, it’s only 2km long by 1km wide! This means that you can essentially walk from one side to another – no transport needed.
So, if you’re feeling restless on the beach you can head off and explore…literally the whole island!
If feeling adventurous, head over to the west of the island and discover some of the secluded coves and beaches.
How to get to Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is one of the harder to reach islands in Thailand. It’s located in the very south of the country and so the transfer takes slightly longer than some other destinations.
There’s also no airport on Koh Lipe so all routes will require taking a ferry at some point.
The closest airport to the island is located in Hat Yai. And to get from Hat Yai to Koh Lipe you must transfer to Pak Bara Pier for the 1.5 hour speedboat to the island.
If travelling from Bangkok to Koh Lipe, there’s quite a distance to cover. The best option is to first fly to Hat Yai, and then follow the steps above. The same goes for a journey from Chiang Mai to Koh Lipe.
During the high season (mid-October to mid-May) you can take a speedboat ferry to Koh Lipe directly from other hot spots within the south of Thailand. These include Phuket, Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, and Koh Lanta, as well as Langkawi Island in neighbouring Malaysia.
However, during the low season (June – September) Pak Bara Pier is the only place that speedboats to Koh Lipe depart from. This means that you’ll need to take a minivan transfer here first.
For transfers within Thailand and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, I always recommend 12Go Asia as you can conveniently book combination tickets online so all your transfers are included in the same reservation.
Book your direct or combination transfers to Koh Lipe
*Note: Koh Lipe is located within the Tarutao Marine National Park which has a 200 baht entrance fee. You must pay this at the ticket booth when you arrive on the island and this is valid for 5 days. However, the Marine Park closes between 1st June and 30th September so our experience in the month of August was we were only charged 20 baht each before boarding our ferry at Pak Bara Pier.
Where to Stay In Koh Lipe
There are accommodation options to suit all budgets on Koh Lipe but remember that prices will fluctuate depending on the time of year you visit. Sunrise Beach is the best area to stay in Koh Lipe in my opinion. It’s the most beautiful and the line of longtail boats creates a postcard-worthy scene. It’s also far from where all the boats roll in and out during the high season.
Best Hotels in Koh Lipe
To save you time researching, here are my top picks for hotels on Koh Lipe with something for every budget.
Best Budget Choice: The Chic Lipe
This is a relaxed and stylish hostel close to the bustle of Walking Street. It has a trendy lounge that is perfect for escaping from the sun, reading a book, socialising, or playing pool.
They offer spacious and air-conditioned dorms that have single bed, double bed, and female-only options. There are also private double rooms which are competitively priced compared to the other air-conditioned privates on the island.
Best Mid-Range Choice: Castaway Resort Koh Lipe
With a beachfront location on the idyllic Sunrise Beach this eco-friendly resort has bungalow and double-storey Thai-style beach huts. The floor-to-ceiling windows make for sensational sunrises and sea views from the comfort of your cabin.
Best Luxury Choice: Ten Moons Lipe Resort
Soak up the tropical island vibe with a touch of style in one of Ten Moons’ boujee wooden bungalows. Situated in the southern corner of the powdery white Sunrise Beach, it’s a great place to enjoy a sea view from your spacious balcony while also being just steps away from one of the best snorkel spots on Koh Lipe.
Best Ultimate Delux Choice: Bulow Casa Grand View Resort
Located in arguably the most stunning corner of Koh Lipe at the northern tip of Sunrise Beach, this is the perfect spot to enjoy both sunrise and sunset. This small resort is the epitome of luxury with lavish bungalows and an exclusive feel. If you want to enjoy paradise in style this is where to book!
Koh Lipe FAQ
When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe?
When deciding the best time to visit the island it’s important to consider the weather in Koh Lipe. This is generally dictated by the two seasons that the island experiences:
Dry Season (November – April) sees very little rain, mostly sunny days and has the best water visibility and conditions for snorkelling and diving. This is also the high season so the island will be at its busiest. During this time it’s important to book accommodation, transport, and activities in advance.
Wet Season (May – October) is when the monsoon brings plenty of rain and rough seas. This is also the low season which sees fewer tourists and cheaper deals on accommodation and activities. However, be aware that some restaurants and shops will be closed.
A great time to visit Koh Lipe is during the shoulder season in October. This is the best time to strike a good balance between great weather, moderate temperatures and fewer tourists while not having to pay peak season prices!
How long to stay in Koh Lipe?
It is important to take the transfer time and your planned activities into consideration when deciding how many days to stay in Koh Lipe.
With the extra time it takes to get to this island, you don’t want to have to make that journey again after only two nights! If you are planning on undertaking a multi-day dive course then you’ll also want to factor that time in too.
Considering the size of the island, we found five nights to be the perfect amount of time. This is perfect to lounge on the beach, get to know Koh Lipe and enjoy some water activities and trips.
How to get around Koh Lipe?
Koh Lipe is a very small island which you can easily get around solely on foot.
However, there are moto-taxis available on the island to take you where you want to go for a flat rate of 100 baht. These can come in handy when you are arriving or leaving with your luggage!
Where to eat in Koh Lipe?
There’s a variety of restaurants on Koh Lipe serving a range of dishes from freshly caught seafood to international cuisines.
Saying that, I think Thai food is one of the best cuisines in the world and where better to eat it than in Thailand itself! For great Thai food on Koh Lipe at a reasonable price head to Papaya Mom on Walking Street. This was our favourite place to eat and easily one of the best restaurants in Koh Lipe!
As always, it’s good practice to check out Google reviews when choosing where to eat and bear in mind that not all restaurants will be open if you’re visiting in the low season.
Is Koh Lipe worth Visiting?
Due to its location and size Koh Lipe is slightly more expensive and challenging to get to than most other Thai islands which tends to deter some travellers from making the trip here.
Now you might then ask is Koh Lipe worth the effort?
Well, if a tiny tropical island with beach bungalows, powdery white sand and clear water sounds like your vibe or if you’re looking for a great scuba diving experience then I’d say yes Koh Lipe is worth it!
It’s not been coined as the Maldives of Thailand for no reason and is home to some of my favourite beaches in Thailand!
Are there ATMs In Koh Lipe?
There are a couple of ATMs on Koh Lipe that you can withdraw cash from. However, there are no actual banks and being a tiny tropical island the ATMs may run out of cash from time to time.
Just to be safe, I’d recommend withdrawing enough cash for the duration of your stay on Koh Lipe before heading to the island.
Remember to make sure to have a fee-free debit card for withdrawing and spending in Thailand as international fees can add up quickly!
Final Thoughts
Koh Lipe is the definition of a tropical island paradise and the powdery beaches, mesmerising turquoise water, and colourful underwater world are just some of the reasons that make it worth adding to your Thailand itinerary!
I hope this Koh Lipe travel guide has helped you plan your island adventure!
If you have any questions about Koh Lipe leave a comment below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
Pin It For Later!
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