Sunrise Beach (Koh Lipe)

Sunrise Beach — locally called Hat Chao Ley after the Urak Lawoi (Chao Ley) sea-nomad village at its centre — runs for roughly 1.2 km along the eastern flank of Koh Lipe. Because it faces east, it catches the dawn light, and the water here is calmer in the morning than on any other beach on the island; the combination of shallow sand and gentle current makes it the easiest beach for swimming.

The water is clear and warm, turning an intense blue-green over the sandbar that extends about 100 metres offshore. Longtail boats anchor along the beach throughout the day — they run snorkelling trips to the small islets of Koh Kra and Koh Usen a short distance away, and pick up passengers for day trips to Koh Adang. The boats make the beach look dramatic from shore, but they also bring noise and fuel smell that you’ll notice in the shallower water closer to the anchorage. A handful of restaurants and small boutique resorts line the beach road, and the Walking Street — the island’s main strip of shops and bars — connects Sunrise Beach to Pattaya Beach in about five minutes on foot.

Watch out: During the wet season (roughly May to October), the beach accumulates debris washed in by storms, and jellyfish become more common in the shallows — wear water shoes if you’re visiting out of season. Ferry frequency drops sharply in low season when Andaman seas are rough, and some operators suspend the Pak Bara crossing for stretches; high-season service (November to April) from Pak Bara and Langkawi is frequent. Check current sailings before booking low-season travel.

Insider Tip: Arrive at the beach before 7 am during the dry season and you’ll have long stretches of sand largely to yourself. The light on the water at dawn, with longtails silhouetted against the sea, is the image most people associate with Koh Lipe — and you’ll see it without the crowds that arrive by mid-morning.