By Kylian Dev
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Sunrise Beach & Sunset Beach
The clearest water on Sunrise, calm and sunsets on Sunset.
Destination guide · Andaman Sea
Koh Lipe: the best things to do, where to stay and budget
A small 2 km² car-free island near the Malaysian border, inside Tarutao marine park. Three white-sand beaches, coral a few strokes from shore and no airport: you arrive by speedboat from Pak Bara or Langkawi.
- Best: November to April
- €27 - 119 / day
In short
Koh Lipe (Andaman Sea) — A car-free island in Tarutao park: white-sand beaches and coral reefs. Best time to go: November to April; average temperatures 30°C. Budget: about €27 - 119 / day. Weather: 30°C • Calmest, clearest sea from November to April
RegionAndaman Sea
TypeIsland
Best seasonNovember to April
Avg. temperature30°C
Budget / day€27 - 119 / day
Thai nameเกาะหลีเป๊ะ
Must-sees
Things to do in Koh Lipe
A car-free island in Tarutao park: white-sand beaches and coral reefs
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Free snorkelling at Koh Kra & Koh Usen
Swim among anemones and clownfish straight from the beach.
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The islands of Tarutao park
Longtail tour to Koh Adang, Jabang and Hin Ngam, from October to May.
More things to do in Koh Lipe
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Walking Street
FoodEveningThe central street between Pattaya and Sunrise comes alive after 6 pm, with its night market and bars open until around midnight. Main dishes cost 100 to 150 THB. No cars and no scooter rental: sidecar motorbike taxis charge 50 THB per person.
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Pattaya Beach
BeachHalf a day or moreThe main arrival beach, with seafood restaurants on the sand in the evening. Calm water, good for swimming. Immigration for arrivals from Malaysia is here.
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Koh Adang and its viewpoint
ViewpointHalf dayThe large island opposite Lipe rises to 690 m: a 1 km trail climbs to a viewpoint over Lipe, another 2.5 km trail leads to a waterfall. Take a longtail across; Adang is part of Tarutao park.
- 7
A longtail snorkelling tour
Sea & islandsFull dayShared tour from 9 am to 3 pm to Jabang, Hin Ngam, Koh Yang and Koh Adang: 700 THB per person from October to May, 800 THB for the far islands. The park entry fee is not included. Private longtail: from 2,000 THB for 1 to 4 people.
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Diving at Stonehenge and Eight Mile Rock
Sea & islandsHalf dayMore than 20 sites between 5 and 35 m, with soft corals and, with luck, manta rays at Eight Mile Rock. Try dive from 2,800 THB, Open Water 12,000 to 15,000 THB, plus a 200 THB park diving fee.
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Sunset at Sunset Beach
ViewpointAbout 1 hThe calmest beach, on the west side, a 10–15 minute walk from Pattaya over the hill, for watching the sun go down.
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Kayaking and snorkelling from the beach
Sea & islands2 to 3 hMask and snorkel rent for 100 THB a day, kayaks for 150 THB an hour or 500 THB a day. Sunrise Beach has the clearest water for swimming from the sand; bring reef-safe sunscreen.
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Koh Hin Ngam
Sea & islandsAbout 1 hAn island covered with smooth black pebbles. Local legend says taking one brings bad luck, so leave them.
Great forBeaches & RelaxingDiving & Reefs
Weather
When to go to Koh Lipe?
30°C • Calmest, clearest sea from November to April. Month-by-month outlook:
- JanIdeal
- FebIdeal
- MarIdeal
- AprIdeal
- MayRain / monsoon
- JunRain / monsoon
- JulRain / monsoon
- AugRain / monsoon
- SepRain / monsoon
- OctRain / monsoon
- NovIdeal
- DecIdeal
IdealFairRain / monsoon
Budget
Budget in Koh Lipe: how much per day?
Plan on roughly €27 - 119 / day per person, excluding international flights.
Mid-range
27–119 € / day
Split of a typical day (mid-range traveller)
Accommodation
~28 €
Food
~14 €
Activities
~18 €
Local transport
~3 €
Transport
How to get to Koh Lipe
Transport tip
Speedboat from Pak Bara (1.5 hours, from 700 THB one way, departures at 11.30 am and 1.30 pm), or from Langkawi (Malaysia) from mid-October to mid-May.
From Bangkok → Koh Lipe
Long haul: a domestic flight or night bus/train is usually easier
Flight
~1065 km
Nearest destinations
Koh Lipe → Koh Lanta
Boat
2h30–3h
Koh Lipe → Trang Islands
Road
~140 km · ~4.5 h by road
Koh Lipe → Koh Phi Phi
Road
~196 km · ~6.5 h by road
Times and tickets Bangkok → Koh LipePartner link
Where is Koh Lipe?
Accommodation
Where to stay in Koh Lipe
The best-known areas to base yourself:
Pattaya Beach
Where the boats arrive, with Walking Street and restaurants: the liveliest area, busy until late. Air-conditioned guesthouse with private bathroom: 1,800 to 2,500 THB a night.
Sunrise Beach
The clearest water and snorkelling straight from the beach, in a calmer setting. 3-star hotel with pool: 3,000 to 4,500 THB; beachfront bungalow (here or on Pattaya): from 5,000 THB.
Sunset Beach
The quietest beach, with few places to stay, a 10–15 minute walk from Pattaya over the hill. For peaceful nights and sunsets.
Inland (Walking Street)
Fan bungalows and hostels: 400 to 800 THB a night, dorm beds from 400 THB. In January and February, book at least a month ahead.
Food
What to eat in Koh Lipe
Mild yellow prawn curry with pineapple
Mild yellow prawn curry with pineapple
Morning catch barbecued on the Walking Street
Fresh mango sliced to order
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Health and safety
Healthcare and useful numbers in Koh Lipe
The numbers to call, the hospitals and clinics on site and, when the nearest hospital is elsewhere, how long the transfer takes. Save this before you go.
Hospitals and clinics
- Andaman International ClinicClinicDirections
Serious cases are transferred to Satun, about 1.5 h by boat and road.
Private hospitals ask for a payment guarantee on admission: keep your insurance certificate and assistance number on your phone.
Choose your travel insuranceFAQ
Frequently asked questions about Koh Lipe
What are the best things to do in Koh Lipe?
The must-sees are Sunrise Beach & Sunset Beach, Free snorkelling at Koh Kra & Koh Usen, The islands of Tarutao park. Also worth your time: Walking Street, Pattaya Beach, Koh Adang and its viewpoint, A longtail snorkelling tour.
How do I get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok or Hat Yai?
Fly to Hat Yai, then take a van to Pak Bara pier (120 to 130 km, 2 to 2.5 hours) and the speedboat (1.5 hours). A combined van + boat ticket costs from 950 THB for a 4 to 4.5 hour journey; vans leave the airport at 9.30 am and 11.30 am. Allow 20 THB pier fee at Pak Bara and 50 THB for the longtail to the beach: the island has no pier.
What time is the last boat to Koh Lipe?
From Pak Bara, speedboats leave at 11.30 am and 1.30 pm (1.5 hours, from 700 THB one way); the return boats leave Lipe at 9.30 am and 11.30 am. Pick a flight that lands in Hat Yai before the 11.30 am van, or you will spend the night on the mainland. From mid-June to mid-October, Pak Bara is the only way to the island.
Can I get there from Langkawi, Koh Lanta or Phuket?
Yes, in high season only. Langkawi to Lipe: 90 minutes, 1 to 2 sailings a day from mid-October to mid-May, RM 130 to 180 one way (1,100 to 1,500 THB); bring your passport, Thai immigration is on Pattaya Beach. Island-hopping boats start from 1,700 THB from Koh Lanta (3 hours), 2,350 THB from Phi Phi (4 hours) and 2,500 THB from Phuket (5.5 hours).
When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe?
From November to April the sea is at its calmest and clearest, with 20 to 30 m visibility for diving; February to April are the best months for big fish. January and February are the busiest. Lipe stays open all year, but from May to October hotels, restaurants and boats thin out, and the islands of Tarutao park close in stages between mid-May and mid-October.
How much does a day on Koh Lipe cost?
On a backpacker budget, allow 580 to 920 THB a day excluding accommodation; with a tour and restaurant meals, 1,500 to 2,000 THB. Everything comes by boat, so the island is 20 to 50% more expensive than the mainland: a bottle of water costs 15 THB instead of 7. Benchmarks: pad thai 80 to 100 THB, beer from 90 THB, grilled fish from 300 THB a portion.
Are there ATMs on Koh Lipe?
Yes, but withdrawals are capped at 25,000 THB per transaction with fees of up to 250 THB, and machines can run dry on holiday weekends. Cards often carry a 3 to 5% surcharge, so arrive with cash. The Tarutao park entry fee (200 THB per adult, 100 THB per child aged 3 to 14) is paid in cash on arrival; keep the receipt, boat crews ask for it.
What if I have a health problem on the island?
Lipe has no hospital, only clinics open 24 hours for minor issues. For anything serious, the transfer to Hat Yai takes about 5 hours (speedboat then road) and can cost up to 10,000 USD, so travel with insurance that covers it. Emergencies: 1669; tourist police: 1155. Tap water is not drinkable.
Plan your trip
Tools to plan your stay in Koh Lipe
Compare with the other destinations
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