What to do in Koh Lipe in Thailand

Activities on Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is an island located in the far south of Thailand. It is truly a tropical paradise. Although the island is less known and more visited than, for example, Phuket or Koh Samui, Koh Lipe is a fantastic destination if you are looking for white sandy beaches and a beautiful underwater world.

The beaches of Koh Lipe are breathtaking. There are beautiful beaches such as Sunrise Beach or Karma Beach, where you can find clear blue water.

If you like water sports, Koh Lipe is the place to be for snorkeling and diving. Koh Lipe is one of the best diving spots in Thailand.

Besides water activities, there is much more to do on Koh Lipe. For example, take a day trip to nearby Koh Adang, where you can enjoy unspoiled nature and slightly quieter beaches. Or discover the local cuisine in the many restaurants and pubs that you can find in the Walking Street.

Koh Lipe should not be missed on your tour of the south of Thailand. View our itinerary here. Close to Koh Lipe, you can visit Koh Mook, another beautiful island in the south of Thailand.

Koh Lipe and Tarutao National Park

Koh Lipe is part of the Tarutao National Park. This park consists of 51 islands and is protected by the Thai government. To enter the park you pay 200 baht per person, which is used for the park’s maintenance. Your ticket is valid for five days and you must carry it with you at all times. Even if you go snorkeling, for example.

How to get to Koh Lipe

To reach Koh Lipe there are several ways depending on the season. The most popular option is to take a boat from mainland Thailand or nearby islands. Below are some of your options:

From Pak Bara Pier: This is the most commonly used route with daily speedboat and ferry connections to Koh Lipe. The journey takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. You can book tickets in advance here.
From Langkawi in Malaysia: During peak season (November-April) there are daily speedboats from Kuah Jetty on Langkawi to Koh Lipe. The journey takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. On the way, you have to pass the immigration point. But that all goes quite smoothly. In Langkawi, they will help you check in and fill out the correct documents. You can order tickets via Bundhaya here.
From Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, or Phuket: In high season, combined speedboat and minibus connections are available between these destinations and Koh Lipe. Travel time varies depending on the route. Take a look here for the best connections to Koh Lipe. You can fly from Bangkok to Phuket.

Please note that the boat trips are dependent on weather conditions and fewer options may be available during low season. Don’t forget to book your ticket in advance to avoid disappointment.

Beaches of Koh Lipe

The three most famous beaches on Koh Lipe are Sunrise Beach, Pattaya Beach, and Sunset Beach.

Sunrise Beach

Sunrise Beach, also known as Haad Chao Ley, is often considered the most beautiful beach on Koh Lipe. This beach is located on the east coast of the island and extends over its entire length. A long white sandy beach, crystal clear water, and a view of Kla Island.

On Sunrise Beach you will find many nice resorts and some beautiful bars such as the Castaway Resort (with a cozy restaurant) and the famous Zodiac Beach bar on the northern tip.

Pattaya Beach

Pattaya Beach is located on the south coast of Koh Lipe and is the busiest beach on the island. This beach also has plenty of amenities. This is also the beach where you arrive by ferry and have to go through immigration if you come from Langkawi.

Pattaya Beach is where you will find most of the resorts and bars.

TIP: You can take the taxi boat from one beach to another if you don’t feel like walking. Count on 100 Bath per person (€2.5). By mototaxi it costs 50 Bath per person.

Sunset Beach

As the name suggests, you can enjoy the sunset from Sunset Beach. It is located on the west coast of Koh Lipe and is less crowded than Pattaya Beach. We walked a little further north towards the Mountain Lodge resort. From there you also have a beautiful view of the sunset and Koh Adang.

Maricilla Beach

If you follow Sunrise Beach all the way to the southernmost tip, you can reach this small but super beautiful beach via the Ten Moons Resort. We didn’t see a sign that it was private, so you can go for a swim. From here you can also go to the On the Rocks restaurant.

Activities in Koh Lipe

Snorkeling and diving in Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is known for its beautiful underwater world and is an ideal place for snorkeling and diving. They call it the Maldives of Thailand. You can even go straight into the water from the beach to snorkel. A popular day trip is the island snorkel tour.

TIP: Take this coral-friendly sunscreen with you when you go snorkeling.

Anyone who is a fan of diving should do this in Koh Lipe. You will find many diving centers in the Walking Street.

Dive locations:

Sunrise Beach: Ideal place for novice snorkelers
Stonehenge: Known for its large granite stones and rich marine life
Eight Mile Rock: Challenging dive site with strong currents and the chance of large pelagic species such as manta rays and whale sharks

Kayaking

You can rent a kayak at Sunrise Beach to sail to Kla Island and explore the beautiful rocks and two sandy beaches. Be sure to bring snorkels because the environment is ideal. Make sure you have enough sunscreen and water.

You also have to take the tides into account. You cannot go there at low tide because you are too close to the coral. During the period we were there there was a lot of wind and we didn’t feel like paddling.

The price for renting a kayak is between 150 and 250 Bath per hour. (3,5€ – 6€)

Day trip to Koh Adang

Not far from Koh Lipe is the pristine island of Koh Adang. The island is part of the Tarutao National Park and is a perfect destination for a day trip from Koh Lipe. Explore the pristine beaches, hike through the jungle to the viewpoint, and enjoy the amazing views of the surrounding islands.

What you can do on Koh Adang:

Walk to one of the viewpoints and look for the Pirates’ waterfall
Swimming and snorkeling
Have a picnic on the beach or eat something delicious in the only resort on Koh Adang

The Walking Street

The Walking Street on Koh Lipe, Thailand, is a lively and pleasant street that connects Pattaya and Sunrise Beach. Here you will find everything, even an ATM.

From 6 p.m., the Walking Street comes to life, and vehicles are no longer allowed. You can go shopping there, including (swim) fashion, beach equipment, jewelry and souvenirs for the family back home.

But you can also go out for a nice meal. In Walking Street, you will find both traditional Thai food and Western dishes. The choice is great, especially for such a small island. so you will find a restaurant. We do recommend that you do not eat tropical fish, but opt for, for example, Red Snapper or Sea Bass. Elephant appears to be just about the most popular restaurant. And Madame Yoohoo the most famous…

Of course, you will also find many massage parlors. Treat yourself to a traditional Thai massage or a foot massage to completely relax and get ready for another wonderful day at Koh Lipe.

Restaurants and beach bars

The nicest beach bars in Koh Lipe

Zodiac Beach Bar:In our opinion, the nicest beach bar on Koh Lipe. Beautifully located on a beautiful stretch of beach in the north of Sunrise Beach. Plop yourself down in one of the many bean bags and enjoy the setting sun. As soon as it gets dark, there will be some fire show activities.

Castaway Restaurant / Bar: Delicious food or just enjoy a cocktail or beer with a view of the sea.

Art Beach club: enjoy a drink during sunset on Pattaya beach.

Restaurants in Koh Lipe

In Walking Street, you will find both street stalls and nice restaurants. The best known is Elephant where you can eat both Western and Thai food. Do you like Italian food? Then you can go to Capriccio.

At the sea itself you can go to On the Rocks, this restaurant is located on the rocks. Beautiful view and delicious food!

Sleeping on Koh Lipe

Bloom Cafe and Hostel

Bloom Cafe and Hostel is located on Walking Street and is perhaps the best budget option. During the day you can spend time on the beaches and in the evening you can enjoy a refreshing beer in their café.

Prices: From €9 per night.

View prices and availability here.

Ten Moons Lipe Resort

Ten Moons Lipe Resort is located at the bottom of Sunrise Beach, on the sea. You can choose between different bungalows. This place is usually fully booked in advance, so be sure to be there on time.

View prices and availability here.

Castaway Resort

At Castaway Resort you will find nice furnished wooden bungalows integrated into the natural environment. Each bungalow has its own terrace with a hammock. You can choose with or without a sea view. They also offer diving excursions, yoga, and snorkeling trips.

View prices and availability here.

Wapi Resort

This resort is also located on Sunrise Beach. You can rent a bungalow directly on the beach. There is also a restaurant where you can opt for a breakfast buffet in the morning (€5 pp).

View prices and availability here.