Spend time in the lap of nature that is Koh Lipe, Thailand, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and myriad things to do.
Koh Lipe is one of the best islands to visit in Thailand, offering picturesque seascapes, golden sand beaches, and plenty of soft coral reefs. It is located within Tarutao National Marine Park, home to several smaller islands. The perfect escape for a nature lover, Koh Lipe is far away from the crowds, providing a haven for those seeking offbeat destinations in Thailand. A tropical paradise on the shores of the Andaman Sea, this place offers an incredible array of marine life, ensuring it is the perfect playground for snorkelling and scuba diving enthusiasts. A laid-back atmosphere, rustic beach shacks, long-tail boat rides, the opportunity to go island-hopping, spectacular sunsets, and many other things to do make Koh Lipe a must-visit in Thailand. If you have been planning a trip to a sunny, relaxing spot, why not choose this beautiful island? Read on to learn all you need to know with our extensive guide to its charms.
The best time to visit Koh Lipe
The best time to visit Koh Lipe is from November to March when the weather is dry and pleasant. The chances of rain playing spoilsport with your day-tripping plans are minuscule. With average temperatures between 24°C and 32°C, this is the ideal time to engage in various activities and myriad festivals such as Loy Krathong.
How to reach Koh Lipe
There are no airports or railway stations on the island. The best way to reach Koh Lipe is to arrive in Hat Yai and take the Pakbara Koh Lipe (Pattaya Beach) ferry.
By Air: Hat Yai International Airport is approximately 130 km away.
By train: Hat Yai Train Station is approximately 141 km away.
Places to visit in Koh Lipe
Sunrise Beach
Sunrise Beach is one of the most popular places to visit in Koh Lipe. It offers stunning views of the rising sun at dawn. Although it is not a large beach, there are plenty of things to do and see here. You can go on a long walk alongside the beach, enjoy snorkelling, or embark on a long-tail boat ride to explore the sea and nearby islands. Sunrise Beach is family-friendly, offering several beach shacks that sell the freshest seafood.
Love beaches? Our story in the 10 most affordable beach destinations to live in around the world is here to inspire you.
Pattaya Beach
With quieter stretches of sand towards its edges and a roped-off swimming area, Pattaya Beach is a must-visit for those looking for peace and solitude on an otherwise bustling island. The beach has a gentle slope and calm waters, ideal for families with kids. You can also enjoy snorkelling from Pattaya Beach,, although the options are limited compared to some other beaches in Koh Lipe.
Pirate Waterfall in Koh Adang
Pirate Waterfall is a little away from Koh Lipe, in Koh Adang, and requires you to hike a fair way. But the views themselves are breathtaking, as is the exciting trek. Once here, you can swim, enjoy a picnic with stunning island views, and spend some time away from the hustle and bustle of the main town.
Koh Lipe Walking Street
Koh Lipe Walking Street is the place to go for everything you might need, from daily essentials to sundowners in the evening. Come evening, the bustling marketplace turns into a bustling nightlife hub, with inviting bars, restaurants, and cafes offering visitors happy hours and live entertainment. While some shops open at 6 a.m. and close by 10 pm, most restaurants stay open until 1 am.
Things to do in Koh Lipe
Go beach-hopping
Koh Lipe has several picturesque beaches, offering vibrant turquoise waters and soft, sandy shores. There is also a wide range of activities to indulge in, from the bustling Sunrise Beach to Sunset Beach, which is ideal for couples, to the smaller Sanom Beach, which is equally bewitching. When here, reserve a day solely for walking from one beach to the next.
Take a boat to a nearby island
One of the closest islands to Koh Lipe is Koh Adang, a mere 10-minute boat ride away. Hire a long-tail boat to take you to the island, where you can enjoy a wide range of activities, from snorkelling and scuba diving to nature walks and challenging hikes. Or you could visit Koh Kla or Koh Usen, where you might spot a wide range of birds and amphibians, from geckos to flying squirrels. It is a popular way for visitors to spend the day, especially those looking for less-crowded options.
Elevate your trip with our guide to some of the quiet islands in Thailand you may not have heard about.
Hike to Koh Lipe Viewpoint
Are you looking for something more adventurous and demanding to do with your time in Koh Lipe? Consider hiking to the Koh Lipe Viewpoint in Koh Adang’s Chado Cliff, from where you can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the island. The hike, with a marked path and ropes to hold onto, takes about 30 to 40 minutes to complete. There are three separate viewpoints, all three offering stunning views.
Go snorkelling and scuba diving
Koh Lipe is home to some of the best snorkelling and scuba diving spots thanks to its crystal-clear waters and calm sea. At some diving points, visibility is good even at a depth of 30 metres, ensuring you can spot schools upon schools of fish and other marine creatures. You can spot dolphins, crabs, manta rays, sperm whales, a wide range of turtle species, and maybe even whale sharks if you go deeper. You can also spot soft and hard corals and take the most beautiful photographs here.
Check out our story on Thailand’s national parks, including marine national parks with untouched coral reefs.
Indulge in a host of non-swimming adventure activities
If swimming in the sea is not your cup of tea, you might like to take a chance on stand-up paddle boarding, rent a kayak to visit a nearby island or lie on the beach getting a tan. Or you could take part in the occasional beach-cleaning drives that locals and tourists go on to keep the beach areas and the sea clean. It’s always a good idea to leave a place cleaner than you found it!
Major festivals in Koh Lipe
One of the significant festivals in Koh Lipe is the Chao Lay Boat Floating Festival, which is held twice a year (dates for 2025 are yet to be announced). The festival sees local fishermen push intricately decorated long-tail boats into the sea. The boats are set adrift with various items, such as dolls and certain food items, to bring good luck to the island and drive away evil. The island residents celebrate all national and regional festivals with equal gusto here, be it Songkran, Loy Krathong, or the Chinese New Year.
Nightlife in Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is home to a vibrant nightlife scene, with a walking street and market area resplendent with tourist-friendly bars and cafes. While you might not find it bursting at the seams like a few places in Pattaya and Phuket are, it is relatively busy and the ideal place to socialise and sample the island’s cuisine and shopping opportunities.
Restaurants in Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is your place if you enjoy dining with a view. With restaurants offering stunning seascapes and a wide range of culinary delights, from the freshest seafood to must-try Thai dishes, you can indulge your inner foodie here. While there are plenty of beachside eateries for you to try, there are also several fine-dining restaurants. Some of the best eateries include The Season By The Cliff Lipe, On The Rocks Restaurant at Serendipity, and Ten Moons’ Restaurant. A few of the best Thai dishes to sample in Koh Lipe include grilled squid, Khao Pad Pla (mackerel fried rice), shrimp wrapped in tofu skin, Gaeng Som (sour curry), green curry, stinky bean curd, and pineapple fried rice.
Shop the best travel experiences here
Shopping in Koh Lipe
The best place to visit for shopping here is Koh Lipe Walking Street, a mix of high-end boutiques, compact shopping centres, and local shops and outlets. Furthermore, you will find charming local markets near every beach here, offering the usual mix of staples such as casual clothes, daily essentials, handmade souvenirs like fridge magnets and jewellery, homemade condiments including oyster sauce, dried and fresh spices, as well as handcrafted bags and wallets.
Insider tips for people visiting Koh Lipe
- You can rent a bicycle or motorbike to explore the island.
- Make sure to embark on an island-hopping trip to explore the nearby wonders of Koh Lipe.
- The boat ride to Koh Lipe can be rough, especially if the water is choppy. As a precaution, taking medicine before getting on the boat is recommended if you suffer from seasickness.
- Enjoy a boat ride to take in a stunning sunset.
- Carry enough cash with you since some shops don’t accept cards.
- Keep yourself hydrated and apply sunscreen regularly to avoid getting sunburnt.
- Pack lightweight apparel, comfortable walking shoes, and plenty of waterproof footwear, bags, and coverings.
(Feature image credit: WIL/Flickr)
This article originally appeared in Travel + Leisure Asia.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, with plenty to see and do in Koh Lipe, it is indeed a great destination for families.
Grilled seafood, cold rice paper spring rolls, Som Tum green papaya salad, and the ubiquitous Pad Thai.
Yes, Koh Lipe can be considered a good honeymoon destination, since it offers plenty of picturesque spots, adventure activities, great hotels, and lots of beautiful places to explore.
Thai is the prevalent language spoken in Koh Lipe, with English as most people’s second language.
Yes, most high-end hotels have their fitness centres for resident guests.
A lot of hotels and restaurants in Koh Lipe promote a more sustainable way of life.
Yes, there are pet-friendly hotels and restaurants on Koh Lipe, so you can bring your furry friends along.
Tags
Written by
Esha is a traveller at heart, with a penchant for exploring the unchartered. She has previously worked with TravelTriangle and Internet Moguls. When not in work mode, she can be found downing endless cups of coffee while reading Enid Blyton/Sidney Sheldon.
Most Popular
