Koh Lipe Travel

Best time to visit

The best time to visit Koh Lipe is from November to April when temperatures are at a comfortable 25-30 degrees and there is little rain.

Low season runs from May to October. Expect to have a mix of rain and sunshine during this period. However, although hotels are much more affordable, some shops and restaurants may be closed.

Check the below table for the general idea of Koh Lipe weather throughout the year.

Koh Lipe’s current weather and 7-day forecast

KOH LIPE WEATHER

Koh Lipe is far less crowded than other places like Krabi, or Bangkok. It is not a party island and therefore attracts a different kind of tourist. The small tropical island can be explored within 30 minutes on a bicycle and is all about beaches.

These are the things to do in Koh Lipe, Thailand.

1. The Best Beaches of Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe has some truly stunning beaches to relax on. There are three main beaches and a few smaller less-visited ones. The beaches are wide, so you don’t have to worry about a lack of space. 

Sunrise Beach (west) 

This is obviously best place for sunrises and has the best beach bars. Visit the small secret beach opposite Ten Moons Lipe Resort. 

Sunset Beach (east) 

This is the best spot to see the sun go down into the ocean. It is a little less attractive, as it isn’t as clean and white as the others, but great for sunset while sipping a fresh coconut. Go a little further down the island for the picturesque Pitiusas Beach. 

Pattaya Beach (south)

Pattaya Beach where the port is located, is a long stretch of white sand merging into the lesser-known Sanom Beach.

2. Snorkeling or Kayak 

Snorkeling, diving, and kayaking are great things to do in Koh Lipe. The clear water makes for perfect conditions for snorkeling or diving. Colorful fish and corals can be found around the island but due to global warming, and our standard (toxic) sunscreens, the corals are slowing disappearing.

Kayaking is most popular at Sunrise Beach, especially at the northern tip where you can kayak to a tiny island named Ko Kra. The price for renting a kayak on Koh Lipe ranges from 150 – 250 baht per hour. 

3. Koh Adang Day Trip

Koh Adang is Koh Lipe’s much bigger neighboring brother. It is easy to reach by longtail boat transfer, which can be found at Sunrise Beach.

Apart from a small restaurant and resort, Koh Adang is uninhabited and perfect to spend a day visiting the viewpoint, beach, and small waterfall.

When weather conditions are optimal, kayaking can be another way to reach the island but be prepared for quite the paddle.

4. Beach bars

Although it is definitely not a party island, there is a great selection of beach bars to spend your days in Koh Lipe. Drinks are a bit more expensive when comparing it to other hot spots like Koh Tao or Bangkok, but the stunning sunsets will easily make up for that.

Spend your afternoon at:

• Sea la Vie beach bar
• Maya bar
• Castaway Resort

5. Walking Street

Directly after sunset, the road going from Pattaya Beach all the way down to Sunrise Beach daily transforms into a pedestrian-only street. Countless great restaurants and good handicraft shops (like Munay Designs) are based on this 600-meter long street.

Local Thai cuisine, like freshly caught fish, can be found here at the ‘market-like’ eateries. The walking street is a great thing to do on Koh Lipe.

Where to stay in Sunset Beach, Koh Lipe

The hotels in Sunset Beach are more secluded, you will see fewer people and will feel more in contact with nature. The accesses to the hotels and resorts in Sunset Beach are on the opposite way to Sunrise Beach and the Walking Street, which means that in general, it’s a quieter area. The only busy moment is the happy hour sessions when people come to the beach to have a drink and enjoy the sunset. If you are fond of vegetarian or vegan food, then you should consider booking your hotel at Sunset Beach. Benny’s on the Beach is located there, and it’s one of the best restaurants in Koh Lipe. 

Here are our top picks of accommodation in Koh Lipe Sunset Beach:

Asara Private Beach Resort Koh Lipe 

As the name suggests, the Asara Resort sits on a private beach, so you can unwind away from the crowds. The elegant and spacious rooms have a sun terrace with a hot tub. The resort also features family rooms and a staff who will go above and beyond to attend guests’ desires and needs, whether it’s some outdoor activity or private transportation. If you want a chilled place to stay in Koh Lipe, you just found it.  

Bayview Hill Resort Koh Lipe  

Imagine having nature’s perfection at the reach of your door handle. At Bayview Hill in Sunset Beach you can, as the resort is really just right on the beach. Enjoy extraordinary views with delicious drinks and local dishes. Daily housekeeping will keep your rustic chalet always neat and cozy.

Bayview Sunset Koh Lipe  

At Bayview Sunset you’ll find great service at a superb location without spending that much. Need more? The food on the beach bar is praised (a lot), there are family rooms available, and some units include a balcony and garden view. Guests can also enjoy activities such as hiking and cycling, or even rent a kayak.

Where to stay in Pattaya Beach, Koh Lipe

An advantage of booking a hotel in Pattaya Beach is that you don’t need to carry your stuff too far. Koh Lipe is a small island with no cars, which means you will need to walk with your luggage all the way from the beach to your hotel. Some hotels in Koh Lipe offer pick-up service with a tricycle to take your bags to the properties. But if you book a resort in Pattaya Beach you won’t have to worry about that. Another positive aspect of choosing accommodation in Pattaya Beach is the food scene. You’ll find many restaurants on the beach and on the Walking Street.

The accommodation in Pattaya Beach is very democratic, with luxury resorts, good hotels, beach bungalows, and cheap accommodation. Check below the best hotels in Koh Lipe Pattaya Beach:

Ananya Lipe Resort 

High-end travelers will fall in love with Ananya Lipe Resort. Huge rooms, awesome pools (with all the amenities), impeccable service, amazing food, and close to some of the best spots for snorkeling. If you want to be pampered on your beach holiday, you just found your place.

Mali Resort Pattaya Beach 

Mali is a beautiful resort with rooms facing the stunning blue sea of the Pattaya Beach, as well as the vivid green of the property’s garden – from where you can have breakfast overlooking the ocean. Free coffee available all day long will keep you energized for some stand-up paddle (with the gear that you can borrow at no extra charge). This is of the most popular resorts in Koh Lipe because of its value for money and quality of service.

Family Song Koh Lipe 

Only a few steps away from the beach, the Family Song Koh Lipe has simple yet charming and comfortable rooms in a quiet (and good) location. The staff is friendly, and the beachside restaurant serves excellent food. An excellent choice for a peaceful and affordable hotel in Koh Lipe.

Where to stay in Koh Lipe Walking Street 

Walking Street is a perfect address for backpackers or people who want to socialize. Most of the budget accommodation and hostels in Koh Lipe are located there, and of course, the bars and restaurants. It’s busy, so only stay in the Walking Street if you don’t mind a bit of noise. For a quieter experience, book your hotel in the streets around, they are more peaceful, and you’ll still be close to everything.

Keep in mind that most of the budget accommodations will offer rooms with fan and cold water, or rooms with air conditioning and hot water. Read the hotel description carefully before booking your hotel in Koh Lipe.

As being a busy and crowded area, there aren’t big resorts or hotels in the Walking Street. They are mostly small properties, guesthouses, and cool hostels, making it the right place for an affordable stay in Koh Lipe. 

Bloom Cafe & Hostel 

Location, comfort (the beds are especially awesome), breakfast, and good service. As per guests’ compliments, everything is perfect at Bloom Cafe & Hostel. Super clean and organized facilities complete the reason why this is a top choice for backpackers in Koh Lipe.

The Street Hostel

The Street is a stylish hostel in Koh Lipe right on the Walking Street and near to Pattaya Beach. They don’t have breakfast but offer water, coffee, and lots of complimentary snacks for guests. The shared bathroom is equipped with a good shower, toiletries, and a hairdryer. Also, there’s a lovely atmosphere in the living room for travelers to mingle, which explains why it’s one of the best hostels in Koh Lipe.

Lipe Inn Hotel 

Lipe Inn is an affordable hotel in Koh Lipe with a friendly vibe in the middle of the Walking Street. Expect big rooms with good air conditioning and comfy beds, making it a good value for your money. Fresh towels and free water every day! It’s central but still quiet, and it’s surrounded by delightful restaurants.

The recent development of the island brought a certain improvement in the types of cuisine at Koh Lipe. Of course, Thai cuisine and seafood are the most represented genres, but visitors can now enjoy a larger choice of dining opportunities. Western, Italian, Indian, vegetarian, and Halal options make Koh Lipe a gourmet destination similar to other tourist destinations in Thailand. 

On the Rocks (at Serendipity Resort), Lekka Lipe, Elephant Books & Coffee, La Luna, Sunrise Beach restaurant, Café Lipe, La Cantina, Family Restaurant, Jack’s Jungle, Mama Pappaya, just to name a few, are among the favourite diners at Koh Lipe.
 

Get in

By plane

Air Asia offers an island transfer package that includes a flight from Bangkok to Hat Yai, a bus to Pak Bara, and a ferry to Ko Lipe.

By boat

The following companies operate boats in the high season (Nov-May):

•    Adang Sea Tours operates three daily speedboats from 1 Nov-15 May, leaving Pak Bara at 09:30, 11:30, and 15:30. The speedboats stop at Ko Tarutao or Ko Bulone. The journey from Pak Bara takes 90 minutes and costs 650 baht one-way, 1,200 baht round trip. The boats leave Ko Lipe at 09:30, 13:30, and 16:00 for the return trip (Feb 2016).

•    Bundaya Resorts and Lipe Speedboat Company also operates speedboats from Pak Bara, leaving at similar times and costing the same as above.

•    Forra Speedboats Operates two daily speedboats from 1 Nov-15 May, leaving Pak Bara at 11:30 and 13:30. The speedboats stop at Ko Tarutao. The journey from Pak Bara takes 90 minutes and costs 650 baht one-way, 1,200 baht round trip. The boats leave Ko Lipe at 09:30 and 13:30 for the return trip.

•    Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club operates a daily boat from Ko Lanta, leaving at 13:00 and stopping at Ko Ngai, Ko Muk, Ko Bulone, before reaching Ko Lipe at 16:00. The boat leaves Ko Lipe at 09:00 for the return trip. The company offers transfers to this boat from Phuket. The company also operates two daily speedboats from Telaga Terminal at Telaga Harbour Marina in Langkawi, Malaysia, 42 km from Ko Lipe. These boats dock at the south end of Pattaya Beach. The boats leave Langkawi at 09:30 and 14:30 for the 60-minute journey, costing approximately RM120 (Malaysian ringgit). The boats leave Ko Lipe for the return journey at 10:30 and 16:30.

•    Tigerline Ferries operates a daily speedboat to/from Langkawi, leaving Langkawi at 08:00 and arriving at Ko Lipe at 09:00, and returns from Ko Lipe to Langkawi at 16:00. The trip costs 1,200 baht. The company also operates a daily speedboat to/from Hat Yao Pier in Trang, leaving Ko Lipe at 10:00 and arriving in Trang at 12:30. The trip costs 750 baht. The company offers boat service to Ko Lanta (1,500 baht total, arrives 15:30), and Phi Phi (1,800 baht total, arrives 17:00). For the journey to Ko Lipe, the boats leave Phi Phi at 08:00 and arrive in Ko Lipe at 15:30.

•    Tropical Charters operates ferries from Ko Lipe to Langkawi (Kuah jetty) twice per day during the high season at 11:00 and 16:00 from Ko Lipe and 09:30 and 14:30 from Langkawi. During the low season, the company only has morning trips. Price is RM118 one way (RM100 if you book online), including the longtail boat transfer and Thai custom fee (2015). Registration 90 minutes before departure at the Bundhaya Speed Boat office at Bundhaya Resort. The trip takes 90 minutes. Arrival in Langkawi is at Jetty Point in Kuah.

In the low-season, there is one boat per day from Pak Bara leaving at 11:30.

Boats from the mainland dock at an off-shore pontoon during high-season. During low-season ferries arrive on Sunrise Beach. Before you are allowed to proceed you must pay a 200 baht national park admission fee even though Ko Lipe is not in the national park. From there longtail boats will take you ashore for 50 baht or offer transfers to anywhere on Ko Lipe for negotiated price.

Get around

All of Ko Lipe can be covered on foot, although its size at first can be a little deceiving. There are many motorcycles and saleng on the island, none of them for rent. The saleng are motorcycle sidecar taxis (labeled as such with drivers wearing numbered blue vests) that charge 50 baht per person from any point on the island to any other point on the island (or 300 baht per hour), they are typically parked near the 7-Eleven or ordered by phone (phone numbers are displayed on many of the electric poles). There are pickup trucks on the island belonging to resorts and used to transfer their customers' bags on arrival/departure and as shuttles (certain resorts also operate golf carts as shuttles). Small concrete roads link the various beaches.

Contact us to get more information