Koh Lipe
เกาะหลีเป๊ะ
The most-southern island with white sandy beaches, crystal clear water and abundant marine life
Recommended by us
Sunrise Beach
The main beach on the east side — calm water, soft sand, and the best swimming on the island. Worth waking up for the name alone, but the rest of the day is good too.
Sunset Beach
Quieter than Sunrise, with rocks at one end that make for decent snorkelling at low tide. The west-facing position means the light here goes orange around 18:00.
Koh Adang
The uninhabited island you can see from Lipe — a short longtail ride away, with freshwater falls, jungle trails, and a snorkel reef off the south shore.
Koh Rawi
Further from the crowd, with some of the clearest water in the Tarutao group. Day trips from Lipe run to Rawi regularly — book through any dive shop on the beach.
Get to Koh Lipe
Fly to Hat Yai, then a minivan to Pak Bara pier and a speedboat to Lipe — around 4–5 hours total, or shorten it by flying direct to Trang and ferrying from there.
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Speedboat crossings, snorkelling, and scooters on an island with no helmets — sort cover before you go. Boats and water sports are often excluded on basic plans.
Getting to Koh Lipe
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Top sights & experiences
Things to do in Koh Lipe
Things to do on the map
Tap a pin for details — 11 places in Koh Lipe plotted.
Where to stay in Koh Lipe
Browse Stays in Koh Lipe
When to go
Nov–Feb Koh Lipe's peak season — clear Andaman waters for diving and snorkelling around Adang-Rawi, and direct speedboat service from Langkawi runs through the high season. No cars means Walking Street and the beaches are as good as Thailand gets.
Mar–Apr Heat builds but seas stay calm and dive conditions remain solid. Slightly lower prices than Christmas peak. The Langkawi boat continues to run, though check schedules as April is transitional.
May–Oct Koh Lipe essentially shuts down. Most resorts close, all boat services from Pak Bara pier stop, and the sea becomes too rough for safe crossings. This is the most decisive monsoon closure of any major Thai island.
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About Koh Lipe
Last updated June 2026
Koh Lipe sits in the southern Andaman Sea near the Malaysian border, part of the Tarutao National Marine Park. It’s a small island — you can walk end to end in 20 minutes — but it packs three distinct beaches into that space, each with its own character. The surrounding water is some of the clearest in Thailand, with visibility reaching 30 metres on calm days.
Beaches & Snorkelling
Pattaya Beach on the south side is the arrival point for speedboats and the busiest stretch of sand. Sunrise Beach on the east is calmer, shallower, and better for swimming. Sunset Beach on the west side is the smallest and quietest — a good spot for afternoon drinks and, predictably, sunsets.
The real draw is what’s offshore. Ko Adang sits directly opposite Sunrise Beach and has forested trails leading to a viewpoint overlooking Lipe. Ko Hin Ngam is covered in smooth black stones — no sand, just a surreal pebble beach with good snorkelling just offshore. Island-hopping longtails will take you to Ko Adang-Ko Rawi and the smaller islands around the marine park for 1,500-2,000 baht per boat.
Snorkelling gear rents for 100-150 baht/day and you can swim directly to coral from Sunrise Beach without a boat. Diving operators on Walking Street offer PADI courses and day trips to deeper sites.
Where to Stay
Accommodation runs from 300 baht beach huts to $163/night resorts, averaging $60/night. Buffalo Thai Home & Cafe (9.4 on Agoda) has some of the best-rated budget rooms on the island. Ananya Lipe Resort (9.2) sits on Sunrise Beach with direct water access.
Book ahead for December-March — the island fills up and prices double. Walking Street in the centre connects the three beaches and has the highest concentration of restaurants and bars.
Getting There
No airport. Most visitors fly to Hat Yai or Trang, then take a minivan to Pak Bara pier (1.5-2 hours) followed by a speedboat to Koh Lipe (1.5 hours). During high season (November-April), boats also run direct from Langkawi, Malaysia. There are no cars on the island — everything is on foot or by longtail.
Best Time to Visit
November to April is the only reliable window. The island essentially shuts down during the southwest monsoon (May-October) — most resorts close, boat services stop, and the sea gets rough. Peak season is Christmas through February.
Insider Tip: Walking Street floods during heavy rain — bring waterproof sandals. And book your return speedboat a day before departure in high season; they sell out.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Koh Lipe
How do I get to Koh Lipe?
There is no airport on the island. The most common route is to fly to Hat Yai or Trang, then take a minivan to Pak Bara pier (about 1.5–2 hours), followed by a speedboat to Koh Lipe (roughly 1.5 hours). During high season, direct boats also run from Langkawi in Malaysia. All transfers stop or reduce sharply during the monsoon (May–October).
When is Koh Lipe open and when should I visit?
The island is reliably open from November to April only. Most resorts and boat services shut down during the southwest monsoon (May–October) and the sea becomes too rough for safe crossings. Peak season is December through February — book accommodation well in advance as prices roughly double and rooms sell out.
Is there an ATM or cash on Koh Lipe?
There are ATMs on Walking Street, but they can run out of cash during busy periods and charge high withdrawal fees. Bring enough baht from the mainland — Hat Yai, Trang, or even the Pak Bara area have better-stocked ATMs. Most restaurants and resorts accept cards, but smaller stalls and longtail operators are cash-only.
How do I get around the island?
There are no cars or motorbikes on Koh Lipe. Everything is on foot or by longtail boat. The island is small enough to walk end to end in about 20 minutes. Walking Street in the centre connects all three beaches and has the highest concentration of restaurants and shops.
What is the snorkelling like on Koh Lipe?
It is among the best in Thailand during the dry season. Visibility can reach 30 metres on calm days and you can snorkel directly from Sunrise Beach without a boat. Gear rents for 100–150 baht per day. Longtail trips to Ko Adang and the smaller islands in the Tarutao Marine Park cost around 1,500–2,000 baht per boat and access deeper coral sites.
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