Located ridiculously close to Malaysia, tiny Koh Lipe, Thailand is famous for its white sandy beaches, turquoise waters and abundant marine life. The island is easily accessible from the closest pier of Pak Bara or via the island of Langkawi in Malaysia.
No cars or annoying tuk-tuks disrupt the perfect island ambiance; internet speeds aren’t on the high and electricity isn’t always a guarantee. Even still, don’t expect total isolation. You’ll find plenty of things to do while staying at the favorite island on the Andaman side of Thailand.
While several solid backpacker accommodation options remain, the development on the island is increasing. New resorts are being build as old ones expand, replacing the pristine jungle by concrete walkways and boutique hotel resorts.
Somebody is working on their tan.
Koh Lipe has three main beaches, each with its own distinct vibe. Pattaya beach to the southwest has the finest white sand. There are plenty of accommodation options ranging in price. Big part of the island’s social scene is spread out on this beach, with a variety of restaurants and bars that attracts the younger set.
The view from the Sunrise beach is equally beautiful.
On the northwest shore lies the much smaller Sunset beach. As the name implies, this is the best place to watch the sunset. The development on this side is less compared to other beaches with only few bungalows and restaurant near the beach. Most of them are closed during the low season.
The most popular beach is the Sunrise beach where visitors arrive from the floating pier. Here during the low tide you can explore the abundance of the underwater life without having to know how to dive. At low tide the shoreline expands deep into the sea, leaving many corals above the water level. Sea clams, sea cucumbers, octopus and urchins are just few of the marine species you may discover.
How to Get to Koh Lipe
Getting to Koh Lipe during the high season is easy; plenty of boats ranging in speed and price connect the island with Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Pak Bara on the mainland, Trang, and Langkawi in Malaysia.
During the low season months of June to October, your only option for getting to Koh Lipe may be via Pak Bara. Depends on the type of the boat you take, the trip may take around two hours.
