Krabi ko lipe. Lost heaven. Ko Lipe. Thailand. Approximate boat schedule Pakbara - Koh Lipe
Ko Lipe is a remote island located in the south of Thailand, 20 km from the border with Malaysia. Washed by the waters of the Andaman Sea as part of the Adang Ravi archipelago - no longer wild island, but an actively developing global resort.
Today the island is one of the largest sea islands in all of Southeast Asia. national park Tarutao. Distance from the mainland is 70 km. The number of local residents hardly exceeds 800 people, these are the sea gypsies, Chao Lei (Chao Lei) or Urak Lawoi (Urak Lawoi), who came to Thailand on the island of Lipe, from Malaysia, about 100 years ago.
Ko Lipe on the map of Thailand
Very often the name of the island is interpreted differently: Koh Lipe, Koh Lipe, Koh Laip and Koh Lipei. At the beginning of the new century, since the 2000s, with the development of low-cost air travel and sea communications, the island of Koh Lipe has become truly popular tourist centre, is also one of the protected islands where tourists visiting Thailand can freely relax.
As for the island as a whole, activity usually calms down around midnight. Main entertainment on Koh Lipe: trips to the islands of Tarutao National Park, diving, snorkeling, sea activities, fishing and of course beach holidays.
It is worth considering that previously there were no ATMs on the island, but now you can find ATMs on the street, next to the 7/11 supermarket. As for exchangers, they are located almost every step, but the exchange rate is extremely unfavorable.
Take care of this in advance by exchanging currency in advance, for example in Bangkok.
Prices for food and drinks in shops, bars, and restaurants are absolutely affordable. Finding a restaurant where the cost of meals is very affordable, below 100 baht, is not difficult; most are located directly on the beaches. In retail stalls and shops on the island, prices do not differ from those on the mainland, within the range of prices of the 7/11 store chain.
How to get to the island
There is no airport on the island, the closest is in Hat Yai. Several airlines operate flights from Suvarnabhumi: Nok Air, Tiger Air and Air Asia. Ticket prices start from 1200 baht.
Transport routes
Arriving at Hat Yai Airport, you can take advantage of the transfer service to the island, which includes a trip by minivan to Pakbara Pier, then by boat to Koh Lipe. The cost of providing services is 800 baht per person. Travel time is 1.5-2 hours from the airport to Pakbara pier, and approximately 2 hours to Koh Lipe.
You can take a bus from the bus station in Sai Tai Mai (Southern Bus Terminal) to Hat Yai. You can purchase tickets in the terminal building. Travel time Bangkok - Hat Yai, 10 - 11 hours. Ticket prices depend on the class, from 700 baht per seat on an air-conditioned bus.
From Phuket, Krabi and other resorts you can get there by ship. The main carrier is Tigerline Travel. They provide good, fast boats.
Estimated cost of providing Tigerline Travel services:
- From the resorts of Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta from 1500 - 2000 baht;
- From the resorts of Ngai, Kradan and Koh Muk from 1000 - 1500 baht;
- From Hat Yao pier in Trang, approximately 750 baht.
Please note high season, October - April. The rest of the time, ships go to the island much less often.
Transport
In general, the island is small, you can easily get around it on foot in a couple of hours. That's why public transport absent. There are few cars on the island; they are mainly used as freight transport.
Local taxi.
But at any time you can use the services of local taxis (TAXI) - a motorcycle with a sidecar that ply around the island, delivering tourists from beach to beach.
Taxi prices.
You can rent a bicycle for 200 baht per day. A fairly popular means of transportation - boats, are also the main link with neighboring uninhabited islands. You can rent them on the shore.
Weather
The resort has a tropical climate. The year is conventionally divided into two seasons, the first of which is dry, the second is wet. The low season, also known as the wet season, lasts from May to the end of November. At this time, the weather on the islands is quite gloomy and it often rains. The second season is dry, with little rainfall. This is the season that most tourists choose to go on holiday to Thailand. At this time, the sea is quite calm, the weather is not too hot, and beautiful photos are obtained against the backdrop of blooming nature.
Housing
There is a decent selection of accommodation on the island. You can stay in a bungalow, rent an apartment or rent a hotel room starting from 500 baht, photo below. Rooms and bungalows with air conditioning and hot water average 1000 - 1200 baht per day. There are enough such offers even during peak season, on the beaches of Sunrise, Sunset, Pattaya and the central part of the island.
Koh Lipe hotel prices vary depending on comfort and season. In order to get good accommodation, it is better to resolve the issue in advance by booking a room or bungalow a month before your trip. Because, as a rule, by the high season prices rise significantly by 1.5 - 2 times. On average, a night's stay in a decent hotel in high season will range from 1,500 - 2,000 baht.
Map of hotels on Koh Lipe
In addition to the fact that you can stay in hotels during your vacation, local hotels, as a rule, also offer a number of additional services. One of the most budget options for the traveler - a tent. There are campsites on the island, mostly on Sunset Beach.
Beaches
The resort island consists of four large beaches: Pattaya, Karma, Sunset and Sunrise. All beaches are connected by small paths through which you can quickly get from one place to another. Small and secluded beaches of the island: Sanom Beach and Bila Beach.
Main beach - Pattaya ( Pattaya Beach). Located in the southern part of the island, it is the most popular among tourists; its shape resembles a small horseshoe. The entire length of the coast is covered with fine white sand, the sea is calm.
On the busy Walking Street, not to be confused with the street of the same name Pattaya resort, for which Thailand is so famous, there are many cafes, bars and restaurants with different cuisines.
Walking Street in Koh Lipe.
Many establishments have the Internet, and you can also pay by card.
Sunrise Beach, as its name suggests, is best suited for watching sunrises; you can often find similar photos on the Internet. In addition, the clear water makes this place almost ideal for snorkeling and diving.
There are budget and luxury luxury hotels on the beach.
Sunset Beach is a cozy bay where you can take great photos of sunsets and relax with your loved one. The coast is quiet and peaceful, and there are some very interesting exotic restaurants on its territory.
The last of the large beaches on the island is Karma. In fact, this is just a continuation of the previous beach, which stretches far to the north. Calm sea - you can swim with children, a quiet cozy environment and the best panorama on the entire island, against which you can take great photos.
The beach infrastructure is constantly being improved, built good hotels, Internet is provided. You can buy fresh food right on the beaches. True, at the same time, you will not find a wide variety of products. Try different ones for which the country is so famous.
Koh Lipe is one of the best holiday destinations that Thailand has given the world. Good conditions for relaxation and the beautiful landscapes are good for doing best photos as a souvenir of a heavenly holiday.
Koh Lipe Island is part of the Adang Ravi archipelago, located in the Andaman Sea at a distance of 70 kilometers west of the coast of Satun province (borders Malaysia in the south). On the map its name can be indicated differently: Koh Lipe, Ko Lipe or Ko Lipey. Directly next to it is the island of Ko Adang, and Ko Tarutao, after which the Marine National Park is named, is located thirty-seven kilometers to the southeast. The island of Langkawi is forty kilometers to the east - but this is already Malaysian territory.
The island of Koh Lipe in Thailand, despite its small area(about two square kilometers) is truly a piece of paradise on the edge of Thailand. And just over 700 people live on it, all of them come from Malaysia and are members of one tribe, Chao Lei, which is often called sea gypsies.
Koh Lipe island in Thailand practically unknown Russian tourist, and those who have visited there note the unusually clear sea and magnificent white sand beaches. This piece of sushi will be boring for those who love crowded parties and extreme entertainment. Daytime relaxation on the shore gives way to quiet gatherings in one of the many bars. By midnight, life on the island comes to a complete standstill. Adding to its attractiveness are the many uninhabited islands nearby, where you can spend the whole day in solitude - fishing, snorkeling, etc.
Despite the Andaman Sea teeming with life around you, you won’t find much variety in seafood dishes. But everything on the plates is guaranteed fresh. Moreover, at very affordable prices. If you are not tempted by a permanent fish day, you can go to a restaurant, and there are many of them, where they serve familiar European dishes. In general, the cost of a check in a restaurant is the same as at.
If you want to see something in Thailand that is not yet too trampled by tourists, you should hurry up and visit this island. Behind last years the pressure of civilization intensified. For example, electricity is provided 24 hours a day, there is even Internet (though the speed is not so great). Bungalows on the shore are replaced by fairly decent hotels.
Beaches
Famous for its beaches. It has four sections of coastline - Karma Beach, Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach and Pattaya Beach. For those who are unpretentious and seeking privacy, we can recommend Bila Beach and Sanom Beach. There are even wilder and smaller ones. All sections of the coast are connected by paths and it won’t be difficult to get around them in a few hours. You can stop wherever you like.
Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach on Koh Lipe (also known as Hat Pramong) is the smallest beach compared to the two main ones - Sunrise and Pattaya. It is located in a secluded lagoon with large boulders sticking out of the sand and water. This place offers stunning sunsets that draw a crowd of onlookers.
Vacationers come here to relax and get away from the busy places on the island. The journey from Walking Street to Sunset Beach takes no more than 10 minutes. Near it you can find several restaurants and bars, so you won’t have to go far to satisfy your hunger.
Sunrise Beach
Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe (also known as Hat Chao Ley Beach due to its proximity to the Chao Ley native village) has the longest coastline and wonderful views of the nearby mountain island Ko Adang.
Despite the fact that Sunrise Beach is less visited than Pattaya Beach, it constantly attracts tourists who love diving at shallow depths. This beach is probably the best place for this type of activity. The large abundance of representatives of the underwater world swimming in this area will undoubtedly amaze vacationers.
Tourists visit it primarily to admire the beautiful sunrise (translated into Russian this beach is called “Sunrise”) and enjoy the cool breeze on hot days.
Pattaya Beach
Pattaya Beach is called the “postcard of Koh Lipe” because of its beauty. This is the main beach of the island with 1.5 kilometers of absolutely white sand with turquoise water. In addition, this beach is crossed by Walking Street, which attracts tourists from all over the island.
Some tourists visit Pattaya beach Beach in order to taste the menu in dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes, others - to play volleyball, frisbee, go kayaking, get a massage or spa treatments in one of the salons, or just take a nap in a hammock under the palm trees.
In the evening, fishermen from Chao Lei village come here to catch crabs. This time is considered very interesting for visiting the beach.
Entertainment
The island of Koh Lipe in Southern Thailand is quiet and patriarchal. For entertainment, you will be offered fishing, diving and snorkeling, as well as excursions to the islands, of which there are countless in the Tarutao Marine National Park - from uninhabited rocks to relatively large and well-inhabited ones.
In the evening, you can choose one of the many restaurants, focusing on your taste preferences (European or), level of service and prices. Most of them are located on Walking Street - a street stretching across the entire island from Pattaya Beach to Sunrise Beach (not to be confused with).
Climate
Koh Lipe is the closest to the equator in Thailand. Therefore, there is a pronounced tropical climate, in which there are only two seasons - rainy , from late April to November; and dry - the rest of the year. Best weather And greatest number tourists stay on the island from December to January.
If you don't mind the occasional rain and want relative peace, go to Koh Lipe at the end or beginning of the high season - these are October and November, as well as February and March.
From April to September the most risky period: there is a storm at sea, and the rains are prolonged. However, miracles also happen when there is not a cloud in the sky for a whole week.
Hotels
Hotels on Koh Lipe island in Thailand very diverse in terms of comfort and price. You can find a very cheap guesthouse with only air conditioning or stay in a room with all imaginable European amenities. It is worth noting that during the low season most of hotels are closed and the choice is significantly limited. The minimum price per night is 500 baht. A decent room at the beginning and end of the high season is from 1.5 to 2 thousand baht. At the peak of the tourist rush, prices soar – they are twice as high. However, due to the growing popularity of the island, you should take care of booking a hotel on websites or one and a half or two months in advance. Otherwise, you risk being left on the street.
How to get there
The answer to the question about how to get to Koh Lipe island in Thailand, is both complex and simple. no, they come from the mainland. In (late April to November) the only departure point is Pak Bara pier. In other months you can get there from Langkawi Island (there is an airport), the Pier near Trang or from Phuket, visiting all the islands starting from Phi Phi. Airports are located in the cities of Trang and Hat Yai, the latter is more comfortable. For those who are not in a particular hurry, the ferry departure points can be reached by either. Preference should be given to state-owned companies. With private passengers, you will most likely make more than one transfer. Try looking for tickets on a Thai public transport booking service.
Koh Lipe island on maps of Thailand
Koh Lipe island on Google maps showing hotels is The best way exploring the area from above with a choice and in the most suitable place for you.
Map of boat and ferry routes
As we wrote above, you can get to the island of Koh Lipe only by water transport, the route map of which is presented below. As you can see, ferries go all the way from Phuket itself, making stops in many provinces and islands.
Map with beaches and hotels
Ko Lipe is so small that there is no public transport there; you can get from one point of the island to another in just a couple of hours. There are more than enough hotels that compete with each other. The cheapest hotels are on Walking Street.
Walking Street Map
The island of Koh Lipe has acquired a pedestrian street, Walking Street, which houses drinking establishments, hotels and other entertainment. Well, why not - the one in? The only thing missing is sex entertainment (but it’s quite possible we’ve already reached this island).
Yesterday at 8 am we left the house and by lunchtime we were already in Krabi. We checked into a guest house in the town and, without wasting time showering and changing clothes, immediately went to Ao Nang. We walked along familiar streets, looked into the condo where we used to live, and in the evening we met our readers. Towards nightfall we met with friends from Hua Hin in the town. And this morning we all started together in Koh Lipe.
How to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe
Rassada pier in Phuket is located near Phuket Town. One of the pink city buses goes there. But since the departure time is at 8 am, the easiest way would be to take a taxi from your hotel in Phuket or from the bus station in the town. You can order a taxi to Rassada Pier online follow this link.
From Phuket to Koh Lipe by plane
Another convenient option. From Phuket you can take a direct flight from Bangkok Airways to Hat Yai, and from there take a minibus to Pak Bara Pier, then a speedboat to Koh Lipe. Here is the link to Phuket-Hat Yai air tickets.
How to get further? I don’t know for sure, but at the airport you may be immediately offered a comprehensive ticket for a minibus and boat to Ko Lipe. We ourselves took a different route, so I’m not sure that there will be an opportunity to buy such a ticket.
If there are no offers, go to Hat Yai Bus Station, from where you will take a bus to Pakbara Pier. Next take a speedboat to Lipe Island. You can order bus + boat tickets at 12goAsia website.
Bus Phuket - Trang, minibus to Pak Bara pier, boat to Koh Lipe
Go to Phuket Bus Terminal 2 and buy tickets for the Phuket - Trang bus. You cannot buy such tickets online anywhere, only at the station ticket office. Tickets will cost about 300 baht give or take. When you arrive in Trang, right at the station you can buy a minibus ticket to Pak Bara Pier. Here is a website where you can buy a comprehensive ticket for minibus and speedboat Trang - Koh Lipe.
If you need to stay overnight in Trang, book a hotel on Booking via this link.
How we got to Koh Lipe from Phuket
We were driving on land. Friends were waiting for us in Krabi in a car. We stopped for the night in Krabi town, and in the morning we left by car in the direction of Pakbar Pier. By car it takes about 3-4 hours to travel from Krabi. Next, I’ll tell you how we spent the evening in Krabi, visited Ao Nang beach, as well as our first impressions of Koh Lipe.
Evening in Krabi
We got to Krabi by minibus in 3 hours with central bus station, 140 baht per person. The driver was apparently a former motorbike biker - he threw on energy drink all the way and drove quite aggressively. We noted for ourselves that in the future it is better to avoid traveling on minibuses.
Ao Nang is not the best beach in Thailand
What's new to tell you about Krabi? We walked around Ao Nang. We felt a little nostalgic. We wanted to give the beach a second chance, but... Ao Nang Beach is really disappointing! This is how we wrote an article 2 years ago, and it’s still the same! Dirty muddy brown water, sand that hurts to walk on, muddy bottom... Noise from motor boats it stands like it's not Coast, and construction with bulldozers... Only the unique mountains of Krabi save the situation. If there were no mountains, there would be nothing to do there at all. Who would have thought that at such a highly advertised resort with beautiful name, Krabi, one of worst beaches Thailand
We are in Krabi!
The guys are really screwed, someone will think... I don’t know, maybe that’s true, especially after. I hope fans of Ao Nang will forgive me, but the bottom in the Moscow River looks exactly the same
Dirty Ao Nang beach
By the way, in the far left corner a full-flowing stinking river flows into the sea. Very very smelly
Krabi is the most expensive mainland resort in Thailand
Prices in Krabi are a separate matter. There is a myth among travelers that Phuket is the most expensive island... Nonsense! Ao Nang is much more expensive than Phuket! Is transport expensive in Phuket? The most expensive route in Phuket costs 40 baht, and the songthaew from Ao Nang to Town costs 50.
Nepalese
Nepalese are everywhere! Nepalese is available in all stalls. They are very easy to identify by their displeased facial expression and Indian appearance. Katya forgot her glasses on the bus and needed to buy new ones. In Phuket, in any tent, sunglasses cost 100 baht. These impudent Nepalese mugs tell us 350. You just have to be indignant about why this is such a triple markup, and they wave their hand at you and defiantly leave. I’m not even saying that their etiquette doesn’t include a basic “Hello” and a smile to the buyer. They sit with dissatisfied faces, buried in the phone.
Sunset
We met some guys living in Krabi who, as it turned out, had been reading our blog for a long time. They are not even offended that we wrote about Krabi at one time not the most best reviews(the truth). We admired the wonderful sunset together.
Krabi town
Everything in the town is Thai. We had a hearty meal of soup for 80 baht and pancakes with banana for dessert. We met with friends from Hua Hin and drove to Makro. For the coming nap we decided to have a beer and go to bed.
The next morning we had to get up early. We snacked on sandwiches and coffee from 7-11 and drove further by car towards the Pakbar pier.
Koh Lipe Island - first impressions
We will definitely describe the island of Koh Lipe in more detail. For now I’m sharing my first impressions. The water is clean and clear. But not turquoise, like on the Similan Islands.
View of Koh Lipe from the floating jetty 
Sunset Beach
First impressions of Koh Lipe
- You have to pay for every step - for a ticket to the speedboat, for passage to the pier, for the boat from the speedboat to the beach, for entry to the island
- There are no bounty beaches here
- The beaches are lined with boats
- There is a lot of garbage and devastation, you just need to get off the central Walking Street
- Products in stores are more expensive. Prices in tourist cafes are about the same as everywhere else - dishes cost 100-150 baht
- Many Russian tourists
- Many tourists of other nationalities
- In the evening on the beach there is music, fire shows and cozy bars, just like in Goa
- The island is a large market with restaurants, bars and hotels among the shopping arcades.
By the way, the main beach on Koh Lipe is called Pattaya Beach
We didn’t want to spend the night in cheap thatched bungalows; this is romantic only for those who have never been to the tropics. We checked into a decent hotel - . A day costs as much as 2000 baht ($55). Well, this is Koh Lipe, that's normal!! Everything is great, the hotel is new, the bed is clean, but... There is no hot water! Well, how is that possible, huh?? They rent out rooms for 2 thousand baht a day and cannot buy any cheap water heaters!
- Read:
Hotels on Koh Lipe
- AKIRA Lipe Resort
- Bundhaya Villas
- Lip Sunset Beach Resort
- Harmony Bed & Bakery
- The Reef
All hotels in Koh Lipe
Swimmed at Sunset Beach. Without much pleasure. The tide was low, very shallow, literally knee-deep, and there were a lot of stones at the bottom, and we didn’t take swimming shoes. Tomorrow we'll swim in Pattaya or go exploring to the third beach. For beach holidays on this island, see the new article.
- Read:
Ko Lipe is considered a national park. We paid 200 baht ($6) for entry. And the island itself is full of dirty places like this, where garbage, building materials, something has been dug up and then abandoned. I understand that the Thais themselves put it into nature. But is it really so difficult to somehow improve everything, since they charge money for entry? Thousands of tourists from all over the world come here, but they are not ashamed to make a mess and not clean up anything afterwards.
Ko Lipe is not the same anymore (c)
Our friends are not happy yet either. In the evening we ate in a cafe, took a trip around Chang and went to the beach. The mood improved, we liked the evening Pattaya Beach. So, so far the impressions of Koh Lipe are mixed.
Have any of you been to this island? Write how you like it? What did you like, what didn’t? Where to eat deliciously, what excursions did you take?
PS: I’m already anticipating comments from smart people, like “what kind of attitude you drove in, that’s what you got” or “what you see inside is what you see outside” and similar philosophical nonsense. So, I’ll answer right away, we were driving in an excellent mood and expected to see the level of Similan :)
Added the next day: today we swam all morning at Pattaya Beach and the neighboring beach. Wonderful blue water that you don’t want to get out of! The mood and impressions of the island are improving!
The article contains all useful information about the island of Koh Lipe in Thailand: how to get to the island, what to do, Koh Lipe beaches, hotels and other infrastructure. And, of course, our review with photos and advice.
On the island of Koh Lipe in Thailand
Koh Lipe: general information
Koh Lipe Island- a small island in the south of Thailand in the Andaman Sea in the province of Satun, located next to Malaysia (the nearest Malaysian island is only 30 km away). Koh Lipe island on the map
Koh Lipe is part of the sea national park Tarutao, for visiting which you need to pay 200 baht per person (don’t throw away your tickets, they will come in handy if you go on an excursion to the neighboring islands, and even before leaving the island we were required to show our tickets!).
The island of Koh Lipe became known among tourists relatively recently: some 40 years ago it was inhabited by sea gypsies from Malaysia, and the first European tourists appeared in the 90s of the last century.
Koh Lipe: Sunrise Beach I was lucky enough to visit Koh Lipe in Thailand in 2006 and find a small piece of paradise :) At that time, the island was already equipped for tourists, but, of course, not on the same scale as now: on Koh Lipe there were only cheap wooden bungalows, almost deserted beaches, one store in the center of the island and Pooh Bar – the only place on Koh Lipe, where there was the Internet :) And in general, all Europeans gathered every evening in this bar for dinner and beer :) There were no concrete roads on the island of Koh Lipe, there was sand everywhere, and before entering any room you had to take off your shoes, and in general, shoes were not needed on the island - we walked barefoot everywhere.
Ko Lipe in 2006 A couple of years later, the total development of the island began, the first large hotels(some of them even have a swimming pool), the old wooden bungalows were also reconstructed, and a little later Koh Lipe was connected by sea to Langkawi; an immigration office appeared on the beach for passport control when arriving from Malaysia and departing from Thailand. A little later, the central street was concreted - this is how the walking street appeared.
Immigration office on Koh Lipe in the center of Pattaya Beach 
Entrance to the promenade from Sunset Beach 
Volkin Street: the central street was concreted and a walking street with shops, cafes, bars appeared 
Roads almost all over the island have been repaired 
Although there are still clay and sandy roads on the island, and there are deposits of garbage on the way to Sunrise Beach 
Signs in the center of the island 
Houses of local residents 
But there are also shacks of local residents that have not changed at all in 10 years... The funny thing is that in such houses there are huge plasma TVs hanging on the walls :) 
Locals islands 
There are many well-groomed cats and dogs on the island Of course, the development of the island’s tourism infrastructure could not but entail an increase in the flow of tourists, and crowds, huge crowds of vacationers flocked to Koh Lipe. For some reason, the island of Lipe is especially loved by the Chinese (every self-respecting Chinese wants to have a selfie with Koh Lipe and 🙂). And there are plenty of other Asians there now; Thais and Malaysians especially like to come to Lipe Island on holidays and weekends. There were times when there were so many tourists on the island that they couldn’t fit in the hotels, and people spent the night in tents on the beach!
According to rumors, travel agencies even tried to send our compatriots “package travelers” to the island of Koh Lipe and people were very unhappy with what hole they were sent to (where are the entertainment and shopping centers, as in? :)
But now, fortunately, the unhealthy excitement for the island has subsided, there are no our package travelers on Koh Lipe, but Chinese tourists They come in large numbers, especially in winter for Chinese New Year.
Bright colors Ko Lipe Sketch map of Koh Lipe island
Map of the island Seasons and weather on Koh Lipe: when is the best time to go to the island
There are two main seasons on the island of Koh Lipe:
- Rainy and stormy season: April-May to October
- Dry season: November to April
Previously, the island was “closed” for the summer; due to strong storms at sea, sea communication with the mainland almost completely ceased, hotel workers went on vacation :) In recent years, communication with the island and mainland Thailand doesn't stop all year round, only the number of flights is reduced. And the weather and climate are now so changeable that even in the summer you can find good sunny weather, but during the peak season you can get caught in the rain.
But hotel prices usually differ according to the three seasons:
- Low season: summer
- High season: October – November and March – April
- Peak season: December - February
When is the best time to go to the island?
The most good weather on Koh Lipe in winter, in December - February, but during this period there are a lot of tourists on the island and prices for everything, especially accommodation, rise significantly. In summer there is a rainy season, but deserted beaches and low prices to hotels. In my opinion, the optimal time to visit Koh Lipe in Thailand is November and March-April.
The weather on the island depends on the seasons. Best season in winter, but at this time there are a lot of tourists How to get to Koh Lipe
The island of Koh Lipe in Thailand is located in the Andaman Sea, the island is small, there is no airport here :) The airports closest to Koh Lipe are:
- Hat Yai (Thailand)
- Trang (Thailand)
- Langkawi (Malaysia)
You can only get to Lipe by water - on fast boats or speedboats by sea that go from the piers:
- Pakbara Pier, Thailand. You can say this is the main pier, the connection from Pakbar to Lipe is year-round
- Trang (Hat Yao Pier), Thailand
- Kuah Jetty, Malaysia, Langkawi
- Telaga Harbour, Malaysia, Langkawi
Direct boat service between Langkawi and Koh Lipe is closed during the low season.
Also in the high season, sea communication opens between the islands of Lipe.
Many boats and boats take tourists to the island Briefly, the algorithm for getting to Lipe Island is as follows:
- Flight to or. We are looking for air tickets
- Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, from Bangkok to Hat Yai or Trang, or you can get to Hat Yai by land - by bus or train
- Taxi/minibus/transfer to the pier
- Boat to Koh Lipe
Very detailed article with prices and tips on how to get to Koh Lipe from different places Thailand, Malaysia and from Russia:
Transport on the island: what to use
There are no big roads on the island of Lipe, there are no cars and few bikes (some locals ride bikes, but they don’t rent them to tourists :)
Ko Lipe is a small island and you can move around it:
- on foot
- if necessary, take a motorbike taxi (this is a bike with a trolley) for 50 baht per person one way, or ride around the island for 400 baht / hour
- bicycles for rent - 200 baht per day.
- You can also move between beaches by boat. But taxi boats on the island are not as common as, for example, on or in, because... You can easily walk between almost all the beaches of Koh Lipe
Prices for motorcycle taxis around the island Koh Lipe hotels: where to stay on the island
Every year more and more new hotels open on the island, but despite this, finding accommodation on site can be a problem during peak season. Therefore, I advise you to book Koh Lipe hotels in advance.
Most hotels in Koh Lipe are located directly on the coastline, many are bungalow hotels, although there are also hotels with rooms in buildings.
Air-conditioned bungalow right on the beach: Andaman Resort 
A very popular hotel among Europeans 
New villas on the green lawn of the Z-Touch Lipe Island Resort 
Some of the hotels in the center of the island Koh Lipe hotel prices are quite high:
- a double room in an average lousy hotel on the beach will cost +/- 3000 baht
- cheap bungalows on the beach – from 1000 baht
Prices are for high season; in summer, housing is half the price. Perhaps you can find huts for 500 baht, for example, the huts in the photo below are located right on the beach and belong to the Andaman Resort hotel. The cost was not known.
Very budget houses right on the beach Example of prices for hotels in Koh Lipe
Detailed article about Koh Lipe hotels with their features, prices, recommendations:
Our review of the hotel where we stayed for several days:
All Koh Lipe hotels can be booked on the following booking sites:
Koh Lipe hotels on the map
Beaches of Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe island in Thailand is famous for its gorgeous beaches. The following main beaches are distinguished:
- Pattaya Beach
- Sunrise Beach
- Sunset Beach
- Karma Beach or northern beach
- Beaches in bays
Pattaya beach
The most popular beach in Koh Lipe is Pattaya Beach. It is located in a bay in the south of the island. Snow-white White sand, clear sea, close to the shore alive coral reef with fish. Good infrastructure, but can sometimes be noisy and crowded, especially when boats with tourists from the mainland and Langkawi arrive and in the evening before sunset. Details about Pattaya Beach:
Pattaya Beach in the south of Koh Lipe 
View of a piece of Pattaya Beach from the sea 
Long and pretty wide beach Pattaya 
The beach can get crowded before the boats leave 
Before sunset, a crowd of vacationers also gathers here :) Sunrise Beach
Sunrise Beach is the second most popular beach in Koh Lipe. I liked it for its silence and tranquility. The beach has snow-white coarse sand, a good sharp entry into the sea. More details about this beach here:
Sunrise Beach: southern part 
Sunrise Beach: Northern part
Central part of Sunrise Beach Sunset Beach
Beach in the west of Koh Lipe. The sand is grayish, the entry into the sea is very smooth, there are many picturesque stones on the shore. To be honest, this beach did not impress me at all, perhaps we were there at the wrong time...
Sunset Beach in the west of the island Karma beach
Karma Beach or the beach next to the Mountain Resort hotel is the northernmost beach of the island with a beautiful sand spit (the spit is washed closer to winter, it may not be there in summer). The sand is very coarse, white, the sea is bright turquoise, beautiful view to the neighboring island of Adang. This beach often experiences strong winds in winter. More details here:
Picturesque sand spit in the north of the island - the symbol of Koh Lipe :) 
Karma Beach in the north of the island 
Beach in the north of the island What is the best beach on Koh Lipe? – it’s hard for me to answer this question, I like both Pattaya Beach and Sunrise Beach :) Detailed description all beaches of Koh Lipe:
Almost all Koh Lipe beaches are good :) Infrastructure
The tourist infrastructure on the island is well developed. Of course, there are no large stores like Tesco and Big C on Lipe Island, but there are:
- two 7-eleven (which for some reason have eternal queues)
- small shops with water and food
- shops with souvenirs and beachwear
- a huge variety of cafes and restaurants, which offer not only Thai cuisine and seafood, but also Indian and European food
- bars and coffee shops
- stalls with pancakes, fruit shakes, ice cream
- massage parlors
- and even beach club on Pattaya beach 🙂
- several ATMs, currency exchange (the rate at exchange offices is not favorable, it is better to come to Koh Lipe with cash in baht)
- travel agencies where you can buy excursions, tickets, exchange money, etc. and so on.
- pharmacies
- hospital
There are two 7-elevans on the island 
Several pharmacies 
Shops with souvenirs and beachwear 
Cozy bars 
Cafe with delicious ice cream 
Pancakes, baguettes, croissants, fruit shakes, smoothies 
Walking along Volkin Street 
Evening relaxation on the beach Basically all the infrastructure is located in the center of the island on the walking street. More details here:
Prices for Koh Lipe
The following can be said about prices in Koh Lipe: here expensive hotels, prices at 7 eleven are higher than on the mainland, fruits are expensive, but the prices in the cafe are quite reasonable, I would say even low for such quality food.
This is not the first time I have noticed a strange feature: on small islands in Thailand everything is usually more expensive, except for food in a cafe. This was the case, for example, on Phi Phi - the island is not cheap, but the food in the cafe is not only tasty, but also inexpensive!
For example, our average bill for a beer dinner in Koh Lipe never exceeded 500 baht (except for one evening when we went to the Progress restaurant for an unlimited buffet dinner).
Some prices for Koh Lipe:
- Water 1.5 liters at 7 elven – 26 baht
- Yogurt – 21 baht
- Coffee in seven – 60 – 65 baht
- Prepared food in boxes at 7 eleven (for example, rice + meat) – 70 – 80 baht
- Beer Chang 0.6 in seven - 90 baht, in a small shop - 65 baht
- Packaging of water 6 bottles of 1.5 liters in a store - 100 baht
- Pancakes with different fillings ~ 40 – 70 baht
- Fish in a cafe ~ 240 baht
- Squid, shrimp in a cafe ~ 150 baht
- Tom yum ~ 120 – 150 baht
- Rice with meat or seafood ~ 80 baht
- Beef steak at Steakhouse – 450 baht
- Coffee in a cafe ~ 70 – 90 baht
- Breakfast in a cafe – 200 – 300 baht
One of our dinners 
Seafood buffet at Progress restaurant on Walking Street 490 baht per person 
Around 6 pm, restaurants and cafes begin to put fish on display. Prices for photos 
Cocktails in bars average 200 baht, beer 100 baht Things to do in Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe - an island for relaxation beach holiday, there are no noisy parties, nightclubs or attractions here :) The main attraction of Koh Lipe is its beaches, the neighboring islands of the national park and undersea world. Therefore, the list of things to do on Koh Lipe is not that long:
- Visit and swim at all the beaches of the island
- Go snorkeling. The island of Koh Lipe is the only place in Thailand where we have been where there is good snorkeling close to the shore
- Go to
- Swim to the neighboring Adang Island
- Take a course at a diving school - there are excellent diving spots near Koh Lipe
- Eat – drink – sleep – go for a massage – relax :)
Cost of diving in Koh Lipe 
Cost and description excursion tours from Ko Lipe 
Visit neighboring islands during one of the excursions 
View of Adang Island, which can be visited by renting a boat 
Adang: filmed with extreme zoom Koh Lipe Island reviews
You know, there are such places on earth that at first sight sink into your soul. I had a similar situation with Koh Lipe :) I fell in love with the island not even at first sight, but even earlier, when I read about it on a forum (if I’m not mistaken, this was in 2003). Soon my dream came true: I flew to Thailand. But for the first time, the route was simpler and did not include the island of Koh Lipe, but included - -.
A little later I ended up in Lipe and stayed in absolutely delighted from this tropical paradise. Years passed, countries alternated and most beautiful islands(just look at the beauty in the Philippines or the islands of Saraya and Kanawa in Indonesia), but the island of Koh Lipe in Thailand always remained in my memory and I knew that someday I would definitely return there :) And I returned after more than 10 years!
Yes, the island has changed (but I read about it and this fact did not come as a shock to me), but I still like it just as much as before. Most likely for those who are looking for parties, shopping, etc. and so on. It will be boring in Lipa (in this case it’s better to go to Phuket), but it’s just right for us :)
Ko Lipe has been my love for many years :))) How many days to spend on Koh Lipe?
Many people advise not to spend more than 3-4 days on the island of Koh Lipe in Thailand, but we spent almost a week on Lipe and didn’t want to leave at all. If you are traveling around Asia, then you can combine Koh Lipe with some more large island and city, for example the routes can be as follows:
- Bangkok – Phuket – Koh Lipe – – Bangkok
- Bangkok – Hat Yai – Koh Lipe – Langkawi – Kuala Lumpur
- Kuala Lumpur – – – Langkawi – Koh Lipe
And many other options :) Enjoy your holiday!
Lost heavenKoh Lipe is a tiny island in the Andaman Sea in the very south of Thailand.
I visited it for the first time at the end of 2006.
And I realized that I had found a place for which I have only one definition - it’s paradise!
There are perhaps more beautiful places in Thailand, for example, the postcard Pi-Pi Don.
But Lipa had a unique combination of beauty, a special atmosphere, nature almost untouched by man, and what was especially pleasing was a very small number of people.
I was constantly being pulled back.
But as often happens, when something is close to you and easily achievable, you choose it last.
So, having traveled almost everything over the past 5 years Southeast Asia, the second time I got to Lipe was only this February.
We flew from Bangkok. First we watched the planes landing for a bit.
airport
and here is our plane
Then a taxi, a boat and the first thing we see when we land on the island:
Oopssss, we're late, there's no more heaven...
There are now many hotels on the island, most of the beaches have turned into piers for boats and there are people, people, people everywhere.
Fortunately, it turned out that not everything is so sad! And pieces of the former paradise can still be found.
Fantastic water color.
Snow-white, fine sand.
It was my sister’s first time on the island; she didn’t suffer from comparisons with what had happened before.
So her verdict is the best place in Thailand.
Every day we had dinner at the Daya Resort restaurant, on the seashore, by candlelight.
Freshly caught fish is brought to them right before dinner. Cooked on the grill.
We ordered a grouper there - it was great!
In the mornings we went for a walk around the island, you can walk around it all in a few hours
Clear, clear water with vibrant underwater life
It's interesting to snorkel. Watching the fish.
During the week we saw several moray eels, stingrays, boxfish, schools of fish... But we saw the most interesting living creatures from the shore. Fortunately!!!
The meeting was unforgettable. We walked from the restaurant along the shore in the evening. The water was well illuminated by the lanterns of one of the hotels. At the same time, my sister and I saw some multi-meter hose swaying in the surf near the shore. As a joke (since this does not happen) they suggested that it was a snake. We managed to agree with each other that it was probably a loose cable from one of the boats. We came almost close to the shore and then the “cable” floated out into the sea with several smooth, sliding movements. Fantastic! It was a snake after all. At least 4-5 meters long.
With all my love for photography and dislike of being photographed.
A rare photo of my sister and I together.
I'm reflected in my glasses)))
Local wildlife
The island is inhabited by sea gypsies
Cheerful chorus girls sat and proudly drank their soda.
And only the girl on the far right thought that life was not fair and for some reason she didn’t get soda.
The decision took about five minutes to mature. All the fun ended in a fight with a massacre)))
Beggar. Literally begged me to eat something)
A farewell look at your favorite island
The only photo left from the day in Hat Yai. A small pleasant Thai town.
No special attractions. But the lanterns were impressive
And lastly a couple of orchids from the airport in Hat Yai
Is it worth going to the island now? For me the answer is clear. Yes!
Lipe still remains one of the best and most beautiful places in Thailand.
You can still find deserted beaches there. And in some places amazing views.
How long? I think no. A couple more years and the last pieces heavenly place will be swallowed up by more hotels, bars and boat docks.
So we need to seize the moment now. There are not many places like this island in the world.
Practical information.
Ko Lipe on the map:
How to get to Koh Lipe:
1. Evening train to the city of Hat Yai, then by minivan to Pakbara + boat to the island of Ko Lipe.
On the train it is better to take second class with a fan (with air conditioning - this is death from icing). Costs approximately 900 baht one way.
Minivan + boat 450-700 baht depending on the company where you buy the transfer.
2. You can also get to Hat Yai by plane. The cheapest tickets can be purchased from AirAsia.
If you buy in advance and at a promotion, you can get it almost free :)
My tickets, purchased 8 months before the flight, cost 400 baht for the flight Bangkok - Hat Yai - Bangkok.
My sister's tickets, which were purchased about a month before departure, cost 3 thousand baht
To get to Lipe on the same day, choose the first morning flights.
From the airport by minivan to the bus station (80 baht per person). From the bastion as in the first option to Pakbara, etc.
You can get to Pakbara by taxi. Price 2-2.5 thousand baht.
Where to live in Lipa:
My choice Mountain Resort - great beach, the place is wonderful.
If you want to save money, then there is Andaman Resort nearby.
You can make a reservation here.