Ko Lipa Island is a true paradise on the edge of Thailand.

Ko Lipa Island is part of the Adang Ravi Archipelago in the Andaman Sea, 70 km west of the shore of Satun Province (in the south it is bordered by Malaysia). On the map, its name can be labeled differently: Koh Lipe, Ko Lipe or Ko Lipey. Immediately adjacent to it is the island of Ko Adang, and Ko Tarutao, which is the name of the Marine National Park, is thirty-seven kilometers to the southeast. Langkawi Island, on the other hand, is forty kilometers to the east – but this is Malaysian territory.

The island of Ko Lipa in Thailand, despite its small area (about two square kilometers) – is a truly paradise on the edge of Thailand. It is home to a little over 700 people, all of whom are from Malaysia and are members of the Chao Lei tribe, often called the Sea Gypsies.

The island of Ko Lipe in Thailand is almost unknown to the Russian tourist, but those who have been there, note the unusually clean sea and gorgeous white sand beaches. On this piece of land will be boring for those who like crowded partying and extreme entertainment. A relaxing day on the beach is followed by a quiet drink in one of the many bars. By midnight, life on the island dies down completely. The many uninhabited islets nearby, where you can spend the day fishing, snorkeling and diving in solitude, add to its appeal.

Despite the teeming Andaman Sea all around, you won’t find much variety in seafood dishes. But everything on the plate is guaranteed to be fresh. And what’s more at very democratic prices. If you are not tempted by the permanent fish day, you can go to a restaurant, and there are many of them, where they serve the usual European dishes. In general, the cost of the check in the restaurant is the same as in Phuket.

If you want to see something in Thailand that hasn’t yet been too trampled by tourists, you should hurry up and visit this island. The pressure of civilization has increased in recent years. For example, electricity is available 24 hours a day, there is even an Internet connection (though the speed “bad”). Bungalows on the shore are replaced by fairly decent hotels.

Beaches

Ko Lipa Island in Thailand is famous for its beaches. It has four stretches of coastline – Karma Beach, Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach and Pattaya Beach. The Bila Beach and Sanom Beach can be recommended to the unpretentious and those seeking solitude. There are even wilder and smaller ones. All sections of the coast are connected by paths and it is easy to walk around in a few hours. You can stay 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 set in a secluded lagoon with large boulders sticking out of the sand and water. It offers spectacular sunsets that draw crowds of gawkers.

Holidaymakers come here to relax and get away from the lively places on the island. It takes no more than 10 minutes to get from Walking Street to Sunset Beach. Several restaurants and bars can be found near it, so you don’t have to walk far to satisfy your hunger.

Sunrise Beach

Sunrise Beach on Ko Lipe Island (also known as Hat Chao Ley Beach because of its proximity to the Chao Ley Native Village) has the longest shoreline and wonderful views of the nearby mountainous island of Ko Adang.

While Sunrise Beach is less visited than Pattaya Beach, it constantly attracts tourists who like shallow diving. This beach is probably the best place for such activities. The great abundance of the underwater world swimming in this area is sure to amaze vacationers.

Tourists visit it primarily to see the beautiful sunrise (translated into Russian as “Sunrise”) and enjoy the cool breeze on hot days.

Tourists visit it first of all to see the beautiful sunrise (translated into Russian as “Sunrise”) and enjoy the cool breeze on hot days.

Pattaya Beach

Pattaya Beach is called the “postcard of Ko Liepe” because of its beauty. This is the main beach of the island with 1.5 kilometers of perfectly white sand and turquoise water. It is also crossed by the Walking Street, which attracts tourists from all over the island.

Some tourists visit Pattaya Beach for a taste of the menu in dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes, others to play volleyball, frisbee, go kayaking, get a massage or spa treatment at one of the salons or just to snooze in a hammock under the palm trees.

In the evening, fishermen come here on longtails from Chao Lei village to catch crabs. This is considered a very interesting time to visit the beach.

Entertainment

Ko Lipa Island in Southern Thailand is quiet and patriarchal. The activities available range from fishing, diving and snorkeling to tours of the many islands in Tarutao Marine National Park, which range from uninhabited rock formations to relatively large and well connected islands.

In the evening, you can choose one of the many restaurants based on taste preference (European or Thai cuisine), level of service and prices. Most of them are on Walking Street, a street that stretches across the island from Pattaya Beach to Sunrise Beach (not to be confused with the same name street in Pattaya).

Climate

Ko Liepe is the closest to the equator in Thailand. So it has a distinctly tropical climate, with only two seasons – rainy_, from late April to November_; and dry – all the rest of the year. The best weather and the greatest number of tourists stay on the island from December to January.

April to September is the riskiest period: the sea is stormy and the rains are prolonged. However, miracles do happen when there is not a cloud in the sky for a whole week.

From April to September is the most risky period: the sea is stormy and the rains are long.

Hotels

Hotels on Koh Lipe in Thailand vary greatly in comfort and price. You can find a very cheap gesthouse with air conditioning or stay in a room with all imaginable European comfort. It is worth noting that in low season most hotels are closed and the choice is limited. The minimum price for a night stay is 500 baht. Decent room at the beginning and end of the high season from 1.5 to 2 thousand baht. At the peak of tourist frenzy prices soar – they are twice as high.

However, because of the growing popularity of the island, you should take care of booking a hotel at Hotellook.ru or RoomGuru.ru a month and a half or two months in advance. Otherwise, you risk staying on the street.

Cheap
Cheap
Popular
With a sea view

How to get there

The answer to the question of how to get to Ko Lipe Island in Thailand is both complicated and simple. Airport is not there, there are steams or speedboats from the mainland. During the rainy season (late April through November), the only point of departure is the Pak Bara pier. In other months, you can get there from Langkawi Island (there is an airport), Pier Pier near Trang or from Phuket, calling at all the islands starting from Phi Phi Phi.

The airports are in Trang and Hat Yai, the latter is more comfortable. For those not particularly in a hurry, the ferry departure points can be reached by bus or by railway. You should give preference to state-owned companies. With private companies you are likely to make more than one transfer. Try looking for tickets on Thai public transport booking service 12go.asia.

Ko Lipe Island on maps of Thailand

Ko Lipe Island on Google Maps showing hotels is the best way to explore the area from up high with the ability to choose and book hotels in the location that best suits you.

Map of boat and ferry routes

As we wrote above, you can get to Koh Lipe Island only by water transport, the map of routes is shown below. As you can see, the ferries go all the way from Phuket, stopping at many provinces and islands.

Map with beaches and hotels

Co Lipe is so small that there is no public transportation, it only takes a couple/three hours to get from one point on the island to another. The hotels that compete with each other are plentiful. The cheapest hotels are on Walking Street.

Walking Street map

The island of Ko Lipe has a pedestrianized Walking Street, lined with eateries, hotels and other attractions. Isn’t Walking Street the one in Pattaya? All that’s missing is sex entertainment (but it’s quite possible Thai carrots have already made it to this island).