Thailand: Koh Lipe

The small island of Koh Lipe is located off the southwest coast of Thailand and was the last hop in our epic Andaman Sea Island Hopping Adventure after which we were travelling on to Langkawi in Malaysia.

Koh Lipe is actually closer to Malaysia than it is to Thailand.

And, for those like us who were continuing south by ferry, the immigration office where you can get your passport stamped out of Thailand is right on the beach!

Koh Lipe is one of the islands in the amazing Tarutao National Marine Park often referred to as ‘The Maldives of Thailand’ and so known for its stunning beaches, clear turquoise waters, vibrant marine life and distinctly bohemian island vibe.

We’d travelled to Koh Lipe by speedboat having spent several days relaxing on Koh Bulon where my ideal of a perfect tropical island experience in Thailand had been met….

But that’s not to say I wasn’t excited about getting to Koh Lipe.

Andaman Sea Island Hopping Route Map - The Backpacking Housewife — *Our Andaman Sea Island Hopping Route*

FIRST IMPRESSIONS – NOT SO GOOD

We’d planned to spend two nights on Koh Lipe in a small resort overlooking the main beach.

But I’m sorry to tell you that our first impressions were not good.

There was certainly no ‘wow factor’ that we’d experienced from first setting eyes on other islands in this archipelago.

And, after just a few hours on the island, we decided to cut short our stay and leave on the morning ferry to Langkawi.

Boats on the tideline prevented access into the sea on Koh Lipe Beach. The Backpacking Housewife — *Boats on the tideline prevented safe access into the sea*

Our first impressions of Koh Lipe was a busy beach with hotels and beach bars and shops and tourists and a wall of longtail boats all bobbing about on the tideline preventing any safe access into the sea.

But it wasn’t the touristy busyness or the shops and beach bars that bothered me.

It was the lines of longtail boats as far as my eye could see along the beach that disappointed me most.

Longtail boats for as far as the eye could see on Koh Lipe - The Backpacking Housewife — *Longtail boats as far as the eye can see*

NOT THE PARADISE I’D BEEN EXPECTING

To me, this certainly was not the paradise I’d been expecting.

To our frustration, we found walking along the beach was almost impossible, because the rope lines anchoring the boats were pegged in across the sand leaving just a narrow strip of beach.

After the peaceful solitude of Koh Bulon we’d found this to be a bit of a shock.

A walk along the beach was almost impossible because of rope lines from longtail boats — *A walk along the beach was almost impossible…*

BEST PLACES TO STAY

There is a variety of accommodations for all budgets and I recommend looking up and booking your accommodation with Booking Dotcom.

We’d booked to stay at a small resort on Pattaya Beach.

I’ve since been told by traveling friends who know and love Koh Lipe that if we’d stayed on Sunrise Beach instead – said to be the best beach to stay on Koh Lipe – then we’d have certainly wanted to stay for longer.

Had we been a little hasty?

Had my middle-age expectations made me cynical?

Perhaps we hadn’t given Koh Lipe the chance it deserved?

BEACHES

Pattaya Beach: This is the main beach where most of the boat arrivals occur and it is lively with many bars, shops, restaurants, and accommodations.

Sunrise Beach (Hat Chao Ley): Located on the east side of the island I’m told this beach offers a quieter atmosphere and offers beautiful sunrises.

Sunset Beach (Hat Pramong): Situated on the west side it’s perfect for watching sunsets and has a more laid-back vibe.

On Pattaya Beach I finally found an area cordoned off for swimmers to give safe access to the sea.

On Koh Lipe I found an area of the beach and sea with swimming access. The Backpacking Housewife — *I found an area of the beach with safe access to the sea*

ACTIVITIES ON KOH LIPE

From my short stay on Koh Lipe I found the island is small enough to explore on foot.

I saw there also motorbike taxis and bicycle rentals available.

We did explore Walking Street which is a popular street for bars and for shopping and is the focus for most nightlife on the island.

Thai massages on Walking Street and on the beach and in resorts are popular and widely available at affordable prices.

Kayaking and paddle boarding are popular activities due to the calm and clear waters around the island.

The surrounding coral reefs are home to diverse marine life, including colourful fish, sea turtles, and various corals and clear waters of the marine park make Koh Lipe a popular destination for snorkelling and diving.

You can also help protect the island by participating on beach clean ups.

THE VERY BEST THINGS TO DO ON KOH LIPE

I do believe the best things to do on Koh Lipe is to take advantage of all those boats that line the beaches waiting for your business and take a day trip out to a neighbouring island.

At least then you’ll be able to swim safely, sunbathe on a quiet beach, and get your tropical island fix.

You can also go island hopping to the nearby islands such as Koh Adang, Koh Rawi, Koh Bulon and other islands in the Tarutao National Marine Park.

ACCOMMODATION AND DINING

Most accommodations are located near the main beaches and options range from budget hostels and guesthouses to mid-range bungalows and luxury resorts.

Koh Lipe offers a variety of dining options including street food stalls and beachside restaurants serving local Thai cuisine, fresh seafood, and international dishes.

The beach stalls offering food, drinks, and trinkets. The Backpacking Housewife — *The beach stalls offering food, drinks, and trinkets*

GETTING THERE

Koh Lipe is accessible by ferry and speed boat from several locations in Thailand, including Pak Bara, Krabi, Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan, and Koh Bulon Le.

We arrived on Koh Lipe via Bundhaya Speedboat from Koh Bulon Le.

Our Speedboat transfer from Koh Bulon To Koh Lipe

There are also boats to and from Langkawi Malaysia.

The main ferry point for incoming and out going boats is at the end of Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe.

Which is not to be confused with Pattaya City on the Gulf Coast of Thailand.

We left Koh Lipe through the immigration office and on the Bundhaya Speedboat Ferry to Langkawi.

The main ferry point for incoming and out going ferry boats — *The main ferry point for boats on Koh Lipe*

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT KOH LIPE

November to April: The best time to visit Koh Lipe, Thailand, is during the dry season, which typically runs from November to April.

The dry season features sunny days, clear skies, and calm seas, making it perfect for beach activities, snorkelling, and diving.

Temperatures are warm but not excessively hot, generally ranging from 25°C to 32°C (77°F to 90°F) and the sea is calm and visibility is excellent so ideal for underwater activities like snorkelling and diving.

This period includes popular holidays and festivals such as Christmas, New Year, and Songkran (Thai New Year in April), which can add fun to your trip.

December to February: This is when the weather is at its best with plenty of sunshine and little rain. It is also the peak tourist season, especially during Christmas and New Year, when accommodations and activities can be more expensive and crowded.

It’s advisable to book in advance and I’d recommend using Booking Dotcom.

November and April: This is the shoulder season when the island will be less crowded compared to the peak season and you might find better deals on accommodations and activities.

The shoulder season can offer a good balance of great weather and fewer tourists.

May to October: The wet season is characterised by higher humidity and frequent rain especially from June to October.

Storms can affect sea conditions, making boat travel and water activities less predictable although temperatures remain warm, ranging from 24°C to 31°C (75°F to 88°F).

In wet season there will be fewer tourists visit, which can make for a quieter, more relaxed experience with lower accommodation and activity prices.

Although, some businesses may close or operate on reduced hours.

Dry season is the best time to visit Koh Lipe and typically runs from November to April — *Dry season typically runs from November to April*

MY TRAVEL TIPS

While the dry season from November to April is generally the best time to visit Koh Lipe for optimal weather and sea conditions, the shoulder months of November and April offer a good compromise between good weather and fewer crowds.

The wet season, while less predictable, can provide a quieter and more budget-friendly experience.

My visit to Koh Lipe was at the end of November and the weather was perfect.

You can find out more in my post The Best and Worst Time To Visit Thailand.

The local currency is Thai Baht (THB). I think it’s smart to exchange money before arriving or at major entry points like Bangkok or Phuket for better exchange rates.

Cash is still king on Koh Lipe but there are a couple of ATMs on the island on Walking Street and outside the 7-11 Store.

You should be able to pay for most accommodation and transportation with cards and online if you are booking with Booking Dotcom but it’s always best to check and to have an emergency cash fund as a backup.

Make sure to book boat tickets in advance using 12Go if you are travelling in peak season.

As this is part of a national park, it’s important to respect the local environment by not littering and avoid touching or stepping on coral reefs and using a reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine ecosystems.

Do make sure you have adequate travel insurance. I recommend getting a no-obligation quote from Genki Travel Insurance and also from World Nomads Travel Insurance.

If you are travelling in midlife, you might like to read my post on Travel Insurance for the Over 50’s

IS KOH LIPE WORTH VISITING?

Our stay was really nothing more than a pit stop on our island-hopping route down the Andaman Sea.

But I have spoken to many people since our visit who urge me to give Koh Lipe another chance.

I would certainly like to have visited more islands on day trips from Koh Lipe like the nearby Koh Adang and Koh Rawi in the national marine park.

And, I’ve been told that particularly since the pandemic, the island vibe has improved substantially.

Like Koh Phi-Phi (of ‘The Beach’ fame) the natural environment in and around Koh Lipe has benefitted from the time and space and the island has once again become one Thailand’s most enchanting and natural destinations.

Okay… I’m certainly willing to give Koh Lipe another visit.

Is Thailand or Malaysia on your travel list?

Have you ever visited Koh Lipe?

What were your impressions?

Let me know – leave a comment below.

I’ll be delighted to hear from you!

THE BACKPACKING HOUSEWIFE SERIES OF BOOKS

Did you know that the heroine, Lori, in my bestselling series of The Backpacking Housewife books published by Harper Collins also travels to all the islands on this Andaman Sea Island Hopping Itinerary?

I’ve used my very own experiences of travelling through these islands to meld with Lori’s (fictional) story.

I think it is wonderful that readers contact me to say that they too have travelled this route – or plan to do so – after reading The Backpacking Housewife books and being inspired by these travels!

For more on my books visit MY BOOKS PAGE.