Koh Lipe is a small island off the coast of Thailand that is part of the archipelago of Tarutao National Park. Originally settled by sea gypsies, it has retained its easy, laid back vibe. Surrounded by pristine clear, blue waters perfect for snorkeling, Koh Lipe is must for those seeking an exotic beach getaway. During a long weekend, I visited Koh Lipe and immediately fell in love.
Getting There
It isn't hard to get to Koh Lipe at all. Simply take a mini van to Pak Bara Pier in Satun and catch a ferry to the island. Prices to Satun vary depending on where you are coming from. When I went, I caught a van from Hat Yai, the nearest big city to Songkhla. I bought a combo ticket for 700 baht (I could have bartered for less and I should have!) that included my ride to the pier and the ferry ticket, which was convenient. After a two hour ride, we arrived at the pier and were met by a man with the ferry tickets. Once we had these in hand, we walked straight to the dock for boarding. When you arrive at the pier, you do have to pay a fee of 20 baht when entering. They will ask you for your receipt when you get down to the dock, so make sure not to skip it.
The ferries leave for Koh Lipe from Pak Bara at 10:30 and 11:30 AM (the latter time is only available during peak season from 1 Nov until 10 May). They return to Pak Bara from Koh Lipe at 9:30 AM and 1:00 PM (Again, the latter time is only available during peak season from 1 Nov until 10 May). I highly recommend buying your return ticket before you get to the island! I almost got stranded there when they said the ferry was sold out. We managed to find one that had space, but it was a close call.
Once at the dock, you wait for the number on your ferry ticket to be called and then board. Bags are placed in the front of the boat in compartments by the crew while everyone boards. There are a couple of options for seating: in the front you will get plenty of fresh air and wind, but the sun will be on you the whole time. Inside, the closer you sit to the back, the more you will smell the gas from the engine, but the more of a breeze you will get.
The ferries going to Koh Lipe all make a 10-20 minute stop at Koh Tarutao, a National Park. Get off the boat, stretch your legs and take in the scenery! If you need to purchase water or snacks, you must ask at the entrance to the park, since technically you must pay to enter. They will allow one person at a time to run over to the little store.
After a 1.5 – 2 hour ride, Koh Lipe lays before you! Unfortunately, you are not quite there yet. The ferry will drop you off at yet another dock where you are required to pay an entrance fee to the island (200 baht each for foreigners) and then pay for a long tail boat to your resort (50 baht each). After getting your receipt, climb down to the long tail which will drop you off right in front of your resort! And finally you have arrived!
Where to Stay
There are three main beaches where visitors to the island can stay: Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach, and Sunset Beach. Each beach is beautiful with many different options. There are also options to stay more inland, but if you are visiting this island, you must stay on the beach! Check out some options below.
Pattaya Beach – This is the largest of the three beaches and closest to the Walking Street. There are several bars along its length as well as a range of accommodations.
- Mali Resort – Rated one of the top hotels on the island, the Mali Resort is luxury at its finest. Steps from the beach, the Bali-style accommodations are sure to impress any traveler. If you love your stay, they recently opened another location on Sunrise Beach in December 2015 and plan on opening another one on the northern part of the island! For booking details check maliresorts.com
- Green View Beach Resort – For those on more of a budget, the Green View Beach is a good option. Also located right on Pattaya, this eco-friendly hotel has several sized bungalows that look out on the beach or are nestled in a tropical garden. For booking details check greenviewkohlipe.com
Sunrise Beach – If you're willing to wake up early to catch it, the sunrises over this side of the island are stunning. It is a bit quieter than Pattaya and has one of the nicest stretch of pure white sand beach!
- Lipe Beach Resort – During my visit to Koh Lipe, I stayed at the Lipe Beach Resort located on Sunrise Beach. It had everything you could possibly want at a resort and different bungalow options for a range of budgets. Because we booked rather last minute, we got the last possible bungalow for the weekend – a Bamboo Bungalow with a garden view. This meant we were a few rows back from the beach but we didn't mind since we paid such a good price! Their restaurant had excellent food and even better drinks! You could even get a massage right on the beach. For booking details check lipebeachresort.com Read more about my stay at Lipe Beach Resort: A Review
- Serendipity Resort – For those who want more luxury on Sunrise Beach, the Serendipity Resort is the number one hotel on the island (according to customer reviews on TripAdvisor). The hotel is located at the Southern end of the beach and rises up onto an outcropping of rocks. Bungalows look out at the sea, and some even include a plunge pool! For booking detail check serendipityresort-kohlipe.com
Sunset Beach – For amazing sunsets, you can't beat this side of the island. It is even quieter than Sunrise Beach and a bit further from the action of Walking Street, but for a relaxing beach vacation, it's perfect. Hotels on this beach are a bit swankier, but more private.
- Sawan Resort – If you are looking for a small intimate and charming place to stay, than the Sawan is your best bet. With only 5 villas, amazing views, and a small private beach, this hotel is perfect for a beach getaway. They even provide a free taxi into town since they are slightly off the beaten path. For booking details check sawanresortkohlipe.com
- Mountain Resort Koh Lipe – Though you do have to climb a few sets of stairs if you stay here, you are well rewarded with stunning views of the ocean. Rooms are spacious, the beach is basically private, and they have a pool. They also provide a free shuttle into town. For booking details check mountainresortlipe.com
Things to Do
Walking Street – Located directly off of Pattaya Beach, but within easy walking distance of most hotels, is the Koh Lipe Walking Street. Here you can find loads of bars, restaurants, and shops. There is always something to see and do! The street, while open during the day, really comes alive at night between the hours of 6:00 PM and midnight.
Snorkel/Dive Tours – On Walking Street, there are lots of tour companies who can arrange day trips for you. We found a trip that went to several different snorkeling spots, provided a snack, a sunset BBQ dinner on the beach, and finally a chance to swim in the plankton that light up at night! It was a fun filled day that I will never forget.
Kayaking – Rent a kayak for a few hours and explore the shoreline of Koh Lipe for yourself. These can be booked on Walking Street or through your hotel.
Fire Dancers – Once the sun sets on Pattaya beach, the fire dancers come out to play! They are easy to spot (look for the fire swirling around in the dark) and usually set up shop in front of a bar. If you are brave enough, you can even get the chance to try it for yourself!
Relax – What better way to enjoy the beauty of Koh Lipe than to relax and relish in it? I could easily have lounged on the beach for a full week and still not had my fill of this beautiful island.
Have you visited Koh Lipe? Share your experience in the comments below!