Koh Lipe is a small island, about 2 km long, in the far south of Thailand's Andaman coast, close to the border with Malaysia. It lies within Tarutao National Marine Park and was first settled by the Urak Lawoi sea people. There are no cars, and you can walk between the main beaches. It suits snorkellers and people happy to spend their days on boats, but it takes most of a day to reach and many businesses close in the monsoon.
Where should you stay on Koh Lipe?
The island is small enough that every area is within walking distance of the others. Walking Street, lined with shops, restaurants and guesthouses, runs for about 20 minutes between Pattaya Beach and Sunrise Beach.
| Area | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Pattaya Beach (south) | First visits, eating out | Sheltered bay where boats arrive; the most bars, restaurants and boat traffic |
| Sunrise Beach (east) | Swimming | The longest beach, with views of Koh Adang and longtails to it |
| Sunset Beach (west) | A quieter stay | Smaller, with a few bungalows and bars |
| Walking Street | Budget stays | Good-value guesthouses set back from the beach |
How do you get to Koh Lipe?
There is no airport and no bridge. Most people go through Pak Bara pier on the mainland.
- From Bangkok: fly to Hat Yai, about 1 hour 30 minutes, then take a van to Pak Bara and a speedboat to the island. In total, plan on about 6 to 9 hours. Some airlines sell a single ticket covering flight, van and boat.
- From Hat Yai: combined van and speedboat tickets cost about ฿800–950 and take about 3 to 5.5 hours.
- From Pak Bara: speedboats take about 90 minutes and cost about ฿650–700. Most stop at Koh Tarutao or Koh Bulon on the way. In high season several boats run each day, mostly in the late morning and early afternoon. In low season there is usually only one.
- From Langkawi, Malaysia: ferries take about 90 minutes and run from about mid-October to May. Arrive at least an hour early for passport control. You collect your passport from the Thai immigration desk at Pattaya Beach.
- From Koh Lanta, Phi Phi or Phuket: seasonal speedboats take about 3 hours from Lanta, about 4 hours from Phi Phi and about 5 hours from Phuket.
Large boats stop at a floating pier offshore. A longtail to the beach costs about ฿50–70 unless it is included in your ticket. Depending on the tide, you may have to step into shallow water, so pack sensibly.
How do you get around Koh Lipe?
On foot. There are no cars and visitors cannot rent scooters. Motorbikes with sidecars carry people and luggage for about ฿50 per person, and longtails between beaches cost about the same.
What are the best beaches and things to do?
- Snorkelling trips: shared longtail trips cost about ฿600–800 per person and last 4 to 8 hours. A private longtail costs about ฿1,800–2,800. The inner-islands trip usually covers Koh Hin Ngam, Koh Yang and Koh Adang, with lunch on Koh Rawi.
- Koh Hin Ngam: known for its striped stones. Taking them is banned.
- Chado Cliff on Koh Adang: a steep trail of about 1 km, with ropes in places, takes 45 minutes to an hour to climb. The longtail from Sunrise Beach costs about ฿100 each way.
- Koh Kra: a small rocky islet a few hundred metres off Sunrise Beach, reachable by rented kayak.
- Diving: two dives cost about ฿3,000, and dive shops on Walking Street run trips to sites such as Stonehenge.
When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe?
November to April is the main season. December and January are the busiest and most expensive months, so book ahead.
From May to October the monsoon brings rough seas. Only the Pak Bara boats run, crossings are less frequent and depend on the weather, and at least half of the restaurants, bars and tour shops close. The park's listing says most attractions close from 1 June to 30 September, and access to Koh Adang outside high season varies by year.
What should you know before you go?
- Pay the park fee. Foreign adults pay ฿200 and children ฿100, usually at the pier. Keep the ticket for other islands in the park. Divers pay an extra ฿200 for each day of diving.
- Bring cash. There are ATMs on Walking Street, but many places want cash and cards often carry a surcharge.
- Leave plastic at home. The park has banned plastic bags and foam boxes.
- Take care on speedboats. The crossing can be bumpy. If you have back or neck problems, choose a larger, slower boat.
Tip: boats from Pak Bara mostly leave before mid-afternoon, so book an early flight to Hat Yai or spend a night near the pier.
Facts checked October 2026. Boat routes, times and fares are approximate and change with the season; many services stop from May to October. National park fees and closure dates can change, so check before you travel.
Sources
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