If you asked me the synonym for "Heaven on Earth", then I'd open the world map and point to Koh Lipe, Thailand. Koh Lipe is a place which many people in my social circle hadn't even heard of, till I actually went there with my family and posted about it. Therefore, in this post I'll provide you with a Koh Lipe Guide so that you can experience the best of this island popularly called the Maldives of Thailand.
WHY VISIT KOH LIPE?
It is one of those exclusive islands which you should visit for the following 7 reasons -
- Not easily accessible so there's less crowd.
- Beautiful beachfront hotels and bars that provide divine views of sunrise & sunset.
- Pristine white sand beaches and water with more shades of blue than I know names of.
- Crystal clear waters with a diversely rich aquatic life making it a heaven for snorkelling.
- Availability of good Thai vegetarian food so vegetarians don't have to survive on fruits.
- It is both - appropriate & safe for families as the wild parties of Bangkok, Pattaya and Koh Samui are replaced by classy, chilled out & calmer laid back nights here.
- The accomodation may be a bit expensive but the food & shopping is relatively cheap.
KOH LIPE MAP - WHERE IS KOH LIPE?
Koh Lipe is situated to the extreme south of Thailand in the Andaman Sea and is one of the many islands that make up the Adang Archipelago. It is a little island on the border of the Tarutao National Park and 30 kms away from Langkawi, Malaysia.
The fact that Koh Lipe is a small island in size makes it easy to cover by foot in a few hours. As far as the actual size of Koh Lipe is concerned, it's about 3.5 km in length and 2.5 km in width. You can explore a number of tropical islands near Koh Lipe through day trips. The closest pier to Koh Lipe is in the town of Pak Bara. The closest airport to Koh Lipe is Hat Yai airport.
KOH LIPE WEATHER - WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KOH LIPE?
Koh Lipe has only two seasons - Wet & Dry with the average temperature being around 27 degrees celsius. Even with the limited number of people that book a trip to Koh Lipe, there is a high season & a low season to visit Koh Lipe.
High season with warm temperatures and little to no rainfall is from November- April. I have been to Koh Lipe in November and would say that November-April is the best time to visit Koh Lipe. The weather in Koh Lipe is really pleasant at this time with little to no chances of rain.
Peak season time is December-January. So if you're planning to go there for Christmas/New Year's eve, be sure to book your accomodations and transport well in advance. Hotels and resorts are generally the most expensive in this period.
Off-season is May-October. So you'll find that hotel rooms are almost half the rate as compared to the peak periods. But many smaller hotels are shut for maintenance & certain businesses are shutdown due to low traveller frequency. Weather in Koh Lipe is unpredictable during this time with rains threatening to spoil your travel experience. So if you have budget constraints and can brave some rainfall on your day trips, then go ahead with your booking during this period.
HOW TO GET TO KOH LIPE?
There are no airports in Koh Lipe. The nearest airport to Koh Lipe is the Hat Yai airport. And the nearest pier is the pier in Pak Bara town. The island is accessible all year round with atleast two boats running to & fro from Pak Bara pier to Koh Lipe.
However, during peak season, the number of boats increase and you can get to Koh Lipe from other places like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Krabi, Ao Nang and Bangkok.
To travel from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe, click here to book your ferry tickets online.
To travel from Hat yai to Koh Lipe, click here to book your tickets online.
NOTE : Remember that while entering Pak Bara Pier to board your ferry to Koh Lipe, you'll be buying tickets to the Tarutao National Park priced at 200 Baht per person and a Pak Bara Pier entry fee of 20 Baht per person.
Keep the Tarutao National Park tickets with you at all times because when you're doing day trips to the surrounding islands, you are required to show these tickets to the officials at the island.
To travel from Bangkok to Koh Lipe, first take a flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai, then book a shuttle/minivan from Hat Yai airport to Pak Bara Pier by clicking here & finally take the ferry from Pak Bara pier to Koh Lipe.
To get to Koh Lipe from Phuket, you can either take a one hour flight from Phuket to Hat Yai and then a shuttle from Hat Yai airport to Pak Bara pier followed by a ferry from Pak Bara pier to Koh Lipe or you can book a direct ferry from Phuket to Koh Lipe by clicking here
And if you're planning
- to travel from Krabi to Koh Lipe, then click here
- to travel from Ao Nang to Koh Lipe, then click here
- to travel from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe, then click here
- to travel from Phi Phi to Koh Lipe, then click here
TRANSPORT IN KOH LIPE - HOW TO GET AROUND?
It's an extremely small island so the basic mode of transport within the island is a cool motorbike taxi (with a sidecar). The fixed price that they charge to anywhere in the island is 50 Baht per person. The motorbike taxi fits a maximum of 3 people without luggage & 2 people with luggage.The taxi drivers wear a purple vest so you can spot them from a distance. If you wish to go to the Walking Street or any of the beaches, then just have your resort book one for you.
BEACHES IN KOH LIPE
The biggest attractions in Koh Lipe, Thailand are it's beaches. There are three main beaches in Koh Lipe - Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach & Pattaya Beach.
1. Sunrise Beach
The Sunrise beach borders the eastern part of the Koh Lipe island. It's my favourite of all the three beaches. The reason being the gorgeous sunrise view. The general sunrise time is 6:15-6:20 am. The beach is perfect for those long walks with soft white sand and not many tail boats disturbing you.
You can easily take a dip in the ocean or go without crashing into people underwater as there's less crowd. The best resorts are located on the Sunrise Beach.
It's just a few minutes walk from the "Walking Street" and has a number of beach-view restaurants and bars. If you wish to enjoy the sunrise views or chill later in the evening over a nice relaxing massage by the beach with a cocktail in hand, then Sunrise Beach is for you. In my opinion, it's the best beach in Koh Lipe.
2. Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is the smallest of the three beaches in Koh Lipe with a secluded feel to it. It's isolated of sorts with very select few resorts and restaurants and bars for you to chill. If you are tired of seeing people and crave absolute privacy, then Sunset Beach is appropriate for you.
Besides exclusivity, the Sunset Beach provides you with jaw-dropping views of the sunset. The waters here are particularly calm and you can see many boats at night doing the "Bio luminescent Phytoplankton" tour to spot some glowing flora/fauna in the ocean.
3. Pattaya Beach
Pattaya Beach is the main beach in Koh Lipe. Majority of the ferry boats from Pak Bara Pier arrive at the Pattaya Beach. Though it has the clear white sands and turquoise blue waters in it's favour, it's just too crowded. At night many parties and fire-shows take place here.
There are a number of beach bars and bungalows lining up the beach. However, if you crave peace and tranquility, then I would not recommend you to stay here. The sight of plastic trash spread throughout the beach during the evening isn't a pleasant sight either. It's the closest beach to the Walking Street and both Sunrise & Sunset Beach are 10-15 minute walk from here.
KOH LIPE HOTELS - WHERE TO STAY IN KOH LIPE?
Accommodations in Koh Lipe are a bit on the pricey side since it's the southern part of Thailand. There are 3 beaches namely Pattaya, Sunrise & Sunset beaches at which you can choose your hotel or resort in Koh Lipe. But from my experience of having stayed there, the best bet is to stay at a hotel/resort on the Sunrise beach.
Why Sunrise Beach? Because it's the cleanest, biggest, most stunning & least crowded of all the beaches. It not only provides the best views of sunrise but also has many good beach view restaurants. Add to that, it's the quietest of the 3 beaches at night and you have a clear winner!
BEST KOH LIPE LUXURY ACCOMMODATION AT SUNRISE BEACH
Idyllic Concept Resort, Koh Lipe
There are many luxury resorts out there on the Sunrise beach but the one that I absolutely recommend is the Idyllic Concept Resort, Koh Lipe. I have stayed here with my family and we loved the resort.
And here's why I suggest this luxury resort in Koh Lipe to you -
- They have the best rooms from all the resorts with trendy, modern and luxurious interiors, with my favourites being the i-breeze & the i-Pano rooms. Book them if you get a chance and see the best sun rise view from your balcony (literally!!)
- a private beach where you can enjoy the sunrise and sunset views,
- a bar within the pool area so you can enjoy your cocktails and mocktails while sitting in the pool,
- Free kayaking service for an hour- every day during your stay,
- Cheap snorkelling and diving equipment rentals at just 50 Baht per day,
- Private boats for day trip tours to surrounding islands - Inner Island tour, Outer Island Tour & a combo of the two as well if you're short on time.
- They have a separate lunch-box service where they pack food for you when you choose to do a day-trip with them.
- Their buffet breakfast menu packs a lot of variety and flavours covering American, Continental and Thai cuisine. For vegetarians, they prepare dish/items separately if you inform them in advance. Being vegetarians, we had no issue with respect to food at all as our demands were met with a smile and some lip smackingly yummy food.
- They have live musical performances every night and fire-shows by a certain "Mr. Boom" every 2 days so you are kept entertained while gorging on delicious seafood buffets. They have an a la carte vegetarian menu as well so you don't have to stress about finding vegetarian food.
- Their Spa massages are the best I had in Thailand and moderately priced. (win-win!!)
- They give you discount vouchers for dining (for each room that you book) both at their Cove Bistro and at the Serendipity beach resort's restaurant.
You can book your stay at the best Koh Lipe Sunrise Beach hotel here.
BEST KOH LIPE LUXURY ACCOMMODATION AT SUNSET BEACH
Cliff Lipe Resort, Koh Lipe
Had I not stayed at the Idyllic Concept Resort, then my choice of stay would undoubtedly be The Cliff Lipe Resort.
I did not stay at the place but I did go there to enjoy the a few cocktails while enjoying the sunset views from their private deck and believe you me, it was surreal.
So much so that I booked an ocean view dinner at their private deck with sunset view the next day with my family. I found the rooms of Idyllic Concept Resort better but if rustic earthy rooms are your choice, then this is the place for you.
The views of the ocean here are second to none so you have to come here to experience the sunset and book a dinner at their private deck. People on a honeymoon to Koh Lipe should definitely try their sunset dining experience.
The other thing I like about their resort is that they provide free pick-up and drop to the Walking Street through their private taxi, something which Idyllic resort did not provide. However, Idyllic's basic room is far better than the basic room here so things are balanced that way. As I said, if not Idyllic, then this is the best place to stay in Koh Lipe.
You can book your stay at the best Koh Lipe Sunset Beach hotel here.
BEST KOH LIPE LUXURY ACCOMMODATION AT PATTAYA BEACH
Mali Resort, Koh Lipe
If you don't mind a bit of crowd and like a hot & happening place, then you'd want to book a luxury resort at the Pattaya beach. My personal favourite is the Mali Resort.
Picture courtesy @TripAdvisor by dickengeke
Lovely wooden cottages with sleek modern cozy interiors, large french windows, located right at the beach, a hip bar nearby - it has all the amenities you expect of a luxury resort and more!
Add to that sun terraces and well manicured gardens, Spa wellness centre, a European cum Thai style buffet breakfast and you have a winner. The two main things in it's favour are it's prime location and affordable luxury prices.
You can book your stay at the best Koh Lipe Pattaya Beach hotel here.
KOH LIPE GUIDE - 11 THINGS TO DO IN KOH LIPE
1. WITNESS SUNRISE AT THE SUNRISE BEACH
Wake up you late risers! Because Sunrise Beach provides you an enchanting sunrise view. If you are staying at The Idyllic Concept Resort on the Sunrise Beach, then you'll see the sun literally emerge out of the ocean from your balcony! That itself makes it worth staying at the Sunrise Beach.
Nothing compares to the faint sound of the waves hitting the shore as the breeze kisses your face first thing in the morning. It just sets the tone for the rest of the day. So go grab your coffee/green tea and enjoy this marvellous spectacle of nature.
2. GO ISLAND HOPPING
If you've come all the way to Koh Lipe, then you might as well explore the alluring islands nearby. There are mainly two island hopping day trips that you can do in Koh Lipe. They're called Program 1 & Program 2.
PROGRAM 1 :
In this day trip you cover the inner islands of the Adang archipelago like Koh Rawi, Koh Jabaang, Koh Hin-Ngam, Koh Yang and Koh Adang.
- You depart at 9:30 am and return at 4 pm.
- Travel time in this day trip is less as the islands are nearby which means not just more snorkelling time but also more time to explore the islands.
- Package price is 550 Baht per person
- I prefer this day trip to Program 2 as I found the islands much more beautiful. Koh Rawi in particular is my favourite island near Koh Lipe. You get to spend more time doing water activities and exploring the islands without rushing.
- Remember to carry the Tarutao National Park ticket (that you purchased during entry at the Pak Bara Pier) with you. The entry ticket (worth 200 Baht) to the Park is not included in your package.
- The package includes snorkel, fins, mask, a water bottle per person, lunch & fruit (watermelon or pineapple).
PROGRAM 2 :
In this day trip you cover the outer islands of the Adang archipelago like Koh Lok Goi, Koh Hin Saun, Koh Dong and Koh Pung besides Koh Hin-Ngam and Koh Bulu.
- You depart at 9:30 am and return at 4 pm.
- This day trip involves more travel time on the boat which means lesser time snorkelling and exploring islands.
- Package price is 650 Baht per person.
- Remember to carry the Tarutao National Park ticket with you. The entry ticket (worth 200 Baht) to the Park is not included in your package.
- This package includes snorkelling equipment, water bottle, lunch & fruit just as Program 1.
3. GET A RELAXING THAI MASSAGE
When in Thailand, do as the Thighs do. Okay, that wasn't an intelligent pun. But getting a relaxing Thai massage in Koh Lipe that soothes your senses is definitely an intelligent decision.You can choose to either get a massage done at your resort which can cost you 100-200 Baht more or at the beach which costs you 300 Baht. Oil massage in general costs you 400 Baht and an aloe massage post all the skin burn costs 500 Baht.
Massage places at Koh Lipe beaches are shut by evening. So if you wish to get a massage post sunset then the good news for you is that massage parlours at the Walking Street are open till 11pm. The rates are same as that of the beach massage and are consistent across all parlours throughout the Walking street.
NOTE - If you have a sunburn, then forget the Thai massage and choose a refreshing aloe vera massage instead. Any other massage will have you giving a memorable Opera performance.
4. EXPLORE THE WALKING STREET
Walking Street is the connecting link between Pattaya Beach and Sunset Beach. After having spent all day getting a sun tan at the beach, you'll enjoy a leisurely walk around this colourful street. It wouldn't be wrong to call it the backbone of Koh Lipe.
The street comes alive at night with vendors outside restaurants and bars selling you the best seafood buffet in Koh Lipe. Do try the authentic Thai vegetarian food served in little restaurants as the food is finger-licking good!
You'll find all the things you expect from a Thai market - massage parlours, restaurants, bars, hostels, and shops selling footwear, clothing, souvenirs and handmade jewellery. Shopping is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Koh Lipe as everything is really cheap.
NOTE - Golden rule for shopping at the Walking Street is bargain, bargain and bargain.
5. GO KAYAKING
You can rent a Kayak at about 200 Baht per hour and paddle across the waters to your heart's content. If you go kayaking from the Sunrise beach, then you'll enjoy the view of the imperious island of Koh Adang to the north of Koh Lipe.
There's a little island called Koh Kra with small rock formations nearby. You can paddle across the waters and either rest at the secluded beach there or enjoy swimming.
NOTE - Resorts like the Idyllic Concept Resort provide FREE Kayaking service for an hour every day till the end of your stay. So don't forget to enjoy the perks from your resort!
6. GO ON A DAY TRIP TO KOH ADANG
Koh Adang is a large island situated to the north of Koh Lipe. You can rent a private long tail boat to the island for a day trip to escape from Koh Lipe for a while.
Walk a bit till the north end of the Sunrise Beach and you'll see a boat taxi stand. The rate for hire is 100 Baht per person one way. Remember to tell the driver in advance about the time you'd like to return from Koh Adang.
You can do a variety of activities at Koh Adang which makes it a hot spot for a day trip from Koh Lipe.
Hike to the Koh Lipe viewpoint
On reaching Koh Adang, walk to the Visitor Information Office/Centre. There you can ask them directions for the hike to the viewpoint up to Chado Cliff that overlooks the island of Koh Lipe.
- Take a picture of the map at the centre for self-guidance and better understanding.
- I hiked to the Koh Lipe viewpoint with my parents. It's a 45 minute hike one way. The route isn't easy and is a steep topsy-turvy path. So remember to carry good hiking shoes with you because you won't be as lucky as me - doing the entire hike in my crocs with a 12 kg bag on my back and returning safely. It is pretty challenging but fun at the same time.
- There are 3 viewpoints up the Chado Cliff hike. Viewpoint 1 is a 15-20 minute hike up hill. Viewpoint 2 is a further 10 minute hike from there and Viewpoint 3 is a 15 minute hike from Viewpoint 2. We hiked till Viewpoint 2 as my mum's feet were hurting from a shoebite and we didn't want to risk it with such steep paths.
- The views from both the viewpoints are majestic with mesmerising sights of not just Koh Lipe but also the other islands in the endless blue ocean.
- A certain level of fitness is required so I won't advice people with an injured knee to do the trek. My parents aged 50+ did it and their fitness was impressive to watch.
- Do carry a bottle of water or juice with you to stay hydrated as you can sweat profusely if trekking during the afternoon. There are ropes to hold onto at certain places and signboards to guide you in between your journey so don't worry.
Hike to the Pirate Waterfall
This is another hike which you can do at Koh Adang. That's the hike to the Pirate Waterfall.Enquire the directions from Visitor Centre clearly as it's a 90 minute (approximately 3 km) hike one way. We couldn't do this hike as we didn't have enough time on our hands. So if you leave a bit early in the morning to Koh Adang, then you can do this hike easily.
Relax at the Koh Adang beach
After hiking the lengths and breadths of the island, you'll want to relax at the beach. Take a beach mat and rent the snorkel gear with you from Koh Lipe for the day. The rent for the snorkel gear is 50 Baht per person for a day.
This way you can either sit on the white sand (which can get pretty hot during the day) or snorkel near the shore exploring the wonderful coral reefs near the island.
7. GO SNORKELLING
Time to say Hi to Ariel and Flounder!
Pick your snorkelling mask and fins and be prepared to explore the rich aquatic flora & fauna that the island has to offer. Koh Lipe apparently has 25% of the world's tropical fish species in it's waters.
Now though I didn't keep a count of the species, I can vouch for the fact that Koh Lipe has the clearest waters which allow you to enjoy watching the best coral reefs and tropical fish in it. Watching the sheer diversity of aquatic life made snorkelling one of the best things to do in Koh Lipe. The interesting part is that the coral reefs are just a few meters away and waiting to be explored.
You can rent out the equipment at a low price of 50 Baht per person for a day. Rates are the same whether you rent it from your resort or from an independent vendor at the beach. So go apply that moisturizer and experience some bliss in the divine waters!
NOTE - Be doubly careful while snorkelling during low tide as you'll be swimming extremely close to the ocean floor. There's a chance you might bump into or touch a coral reef so stay aware. Some islands in the National Park even fine as much as 5000 Baht for coming in contact with a coral reef.
8. ENJOY THE SUNSET WITH COCKTAILS
Watching the sunset with a chilled cocktail in hand has to be one of the most satisfying things to do in Koh Lipe. Make no mistake, it's nothing like you've ever seen.
Cruise ships sailing in the calm waters, waves giving a romantic peck to the shore, waters reflecting the pink colour that the sky turns into as the sun slowly hides behind a mountain. No words can describe the sight at that very moment. An absolutely romantic setting to say the least!
My parents were well off in that department though. Good for them. You can either enjoy the sunset from the Sunset beach or at an exclusive secluded private deck. The Sunset beach comes with cheaper cocktails and more people for company while the latter an be enjoyed from the Cliff Lipe Resort.
The cocktails are a bit expensive here but it's worth every penny for the view and experience that this resort provides. I came here with my parents to enjoy the sunset over a few drinks but was so overwhelmed by what I saw that I booked their private garden deck for a royal family dinner date the very next day!
Hands down THE most magical place I've ever wined & dined at. We were totally blown away - both by the views and the hospitality. If you wish to book the royal gourmet sunset dining experience for yourself, then do let me know and I'll help you get a discount. I can't recommend this activity enough!
9. JOIN THE TRASH HERO PROJECT
Koh Lipe is one of the cleanest islands in Thailand. And it's not just by chance, but by effort. I know picking trash is not exactly your idea of spending a luxurious holiday but trust me it feels good when you do your bit for the place.
Campaigns like the Trash Hero Project are working towards a more cleaner and less polluted Koh Lipe. Join in their weekly beach clean-up every Monday at 10 am. You don't have to pay anything or sign up in advance.
Just show up at the entrance to the Walking Street at Pattaya Beach & join the volunteers wearing bright yellow tees that read - "No cost, No Sign Up, Just Show Up".
10. WATCH A FIRE SHOW
Had enough of water throughout the day? Bring on the Fire!
Watch daredevil performers paint the night sky with fire as they dribble, toss and bounce sticks of fire like a basketball. Fire shows are not as wild and extravagant as those at Krabi or Phi Phi islands but they keep you entertained. You can see fire shows at the Idyllic Concept Resort with a certain Mr. Boom spitting fire & synchronising his stunts to the tunes of songs.
You can also enjoy watching fire shows at the Pattaya Beach with performers trying acrobatics with fire.
11. EXPERIENCE THE KOH LIPE NIGHTLIFE
There are many bars in Koh Lipe where you can enjoy some good music, hip ambience, drinks & delectable food. The two bars that I'd recommend you personally would be The Happy Vibe Bar & Maya Bar.
The Happy Vibe Beach Bar has a relaxed simplistic feel to it. It's situated next door to the Salisa Resort and has a picturesque sea view. Relax on the sunbeds at the beach (at no extra charge) with an adorable cat & a dog for company. The ambience is calm yet funky, drinks are moderately priced and food quality is good too.
Maya Bar is a cozy party place that's located next to Bloom Cafe at the Walking Street. It plays some of the best house and progressive music. The vibe of the place is pretty chilled & laid back. Sink yourselves in the cushions on sand or sit at the bar area and enjoy your cocktails that start at 200 Baht on an average. Beers are expensive here but the atmosphere makes up for it.
OTHER FACILITIES IN KOH LIPE
- 7-Eleven - For grocery, cheap drinks and other basic stuff you want to purchase, you have 7-Eleven stores available. Two of them are located on the Walking Street. One 7-Eleven is situated near the Idyllic Concept Resort.
- ATM - The ATM fees is high in Thailand, so I'd rather suggest you to have enough cash with you. However, if you choose to withdraw money then there are 2 ATM's that I know of. Both of them are in the middle of the Walking Street near the 7-Eleven store.
- Hospital - There's a large private hospital on the Walking Street about 150-200 m from the Pattaya Beach. The doctors speak good English and certain major travel insurances are accepted. There's also a small local hospital next to a school on the Sunrise Beach but don't expect high-tech treatments. The doctors know a bit of English & can provide first aid along with basic medical supplies.
- Police - You'll spot the Police station when you first arrive at the Pattaya Beach by ferry. It's located behind the Immigration counter. There's also the Tourist Police (walking around in black t-shirts) that can help you out if you have any concerns. They speak good English.
I hope this Koh Lipe guide helps you plan & enjoy your trip to the island. Also, if you have any doubts or want to ask something then go ahead and comment down here and I'll be happy to help you.
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