Is Koh Lipe Worth Visiting? Read This Before Deciding

Planning a trip to Thailand and wondering “is Koh Lipe worth visiting?” this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to help you decide

Often dubbed the Maldives of Thailand, Koh Lipe is a small slice of paradise with crystal-clear turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, and palm-tree lined shores.

But its location near the Malaysian border means it’s not the easiest place to reach, so you might be wondering whether it’s even worth it.

During my 3 weeks in Thailand I spent four incredible days exploring Koh Lipe, discovering exactly why it’s becoming such a popular destination.

So if you’re wondering, “is Koh Lipe worth visiting?”, read on to find out why I think it absolutely is.

➡️ If you’re planning a trip to Koh Lipe, I’d recommend booking your transport ahead of time with 12Go. They show the most up to date ferry times and compare different providers to get you the best price.
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IS KOH LIPE WORTH VISITING? PROS & CONS

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PROS

• Amazing beaches and scenery
• Much less crowded than other islands
• Very easy to get around

CONS

• Hard to reach
• More expensive than other Thai islands
• Not a great choice of accommodation

IS KOH LIPE WORTH VISITING?

To help you make your mind up about whether it’s worth visiting Koh Lipe, I’ve broken down my thoughts into 9 categories.

1. How easy it is to get to

I’d imagine one of the biggest reasons you’re asking yourself whether Koh Lipe is worth visiting is because of how tricky it is to reach.

Located in Southern Thailand close to the border Malaysian border, it’s not on the typical tourist route, so it will require some extra effort to reach it. But that’s exactly why I think Koh Lipe is worth visiting.

Although it’s growing in popularity (it’s not the off the beaten track island I imagine it once was), it doesn’t attract the same crowds as islands like Koh Samui and Koh Tao, so whilst it might take you a bit longer to get here, it’s well worth the journey.

FROM BANGKOK

The quickest way to get to Koh Lipe is to fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai or Trang, and then take a minivan or bus to Pak Bara Pier, which is the main gateway to Koh Lipe.

From Pak Bara, you can catch a ferry or speedboat to the island. The total journey from Bangkok can take anywhere from 6 to 10 hours, depending on your connections.

FROM MALAYSIA

As Koh Lipe is so close to the Malaysian border, lots of people choose to visit after Langkawi – an archipelago off Malaysia’s Northwest coast.

There’s a direct ferry service from Langkawi to Koh Lipe, which takes about 1 and a half hours, but it only runs during the high season.

If you’re coming from Malaysia, you’ll need to go through immigration when you arrive in Koh Lipe, so make sure you have the correct visa.

FROM OTHER THAI ISLANDS

During peak season, there’s boat services connecting Koh Lipe with other islands like Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket.

We arrived in Koh Lipe from Railay Beach on a ferry that was supposed to take 5 hours, but ended up taking the whole day (we left the house at 8am and arrived in Koh Lipe at 6pm).

SOMETHING TO NOTE ABOUT THE FERRY

And that leads me onto a very important point about the journey to Koh Lipe – the ferry services are abysmal.

We booked a ferry with Tigerline, which was due to leave Railay beach at 8:15am and arrive into Koh Lipe at 1:30pm. But when we arrived at the pier we were told that the boat wasn’t coming and we’d need to get the next one at 10:15am.

Apparently the captain decides each day whether the earlier boat will run (yet they still sell tickets for it…).

To avoid this problem I’d recommend booking on 12Go rather than through Tigerline directly, as they seem to show more up to date timetables.

We waited at Railay pier for the next boat, and after a short journey to Koh Lanta, we were all bundled off and told to wait an hour for our next boat to Koh Lipe.

One hour turned into two, communication was poor, and when our boat finally did turn up, we were left in the blistering midday heat whilst the staff loaded our luggage with no real urgency.

The boat is listed as a ferry but they’re actually speedboats, and even on a calm day, the crossing was choppy and very uncomfortable.

There’s little regard for safety, and a quick Google of these companies bring up some pretty scary stories of reckless driving and boats running out of fuel in the middle of the ocean.

I don’t say this to scare you, but I can’t in good conscience skip over the fact that the journey to Koh Lipe is a bit sketchy.

Unfortunately there’s no real way around it, except perhaps trying to minimise the amount of time you’re at sea by departing from Pak Bara pier, but if you’re coming from Phuket, that’s a very long drive.

As soon as I stepped foot on the powdery white sand though, the journey was a distant memory.

2. Atmosphere and tourism

When I was planning my Thailand itinerary, I deliberately searched for more “off the beaten track islands”.

My all night party days are (mostly) behind me, so I wanted to find places with fewer crowds, beautiful beaches and good places to eat.

Although Koh Lipe did tick all of those boxes for me, it was busier than I was expecting.

Up until the early 2000s, Koh Lipe was a relatively remote and undeveloped island, inhabited primarily by the Urak Lawoi’ people, who are part of the Sea Gypsy community.

Koh Lipe has seen such rapid development over the last 20 years, which has had a direct impact on the way the locals live, and it feels as though its pushing the limits of whats sustainable for an island of its size.

But despite it not being as unspoiled as I imagined, I fell in love with the vibe of Koh Lipe, it’s size means you’ll regularly spot the same familiar faces around the island, and there’s a real feeling of community here.

3. Getting around the island

Koh Lipe is a really small island, so you can walk pretty much everywhere. There’s no cars here but you can hire a motorbike or a scooter if you prefer.

If you’d rather not drive yourself, you’ll be able to get motorcycle taxis and Tuk-Tuks. There’s a set fare of 50 THB per person, no matter where you’re going on the island.

4. Restaurants and bars

The majority of restaurants and bars in Koh Lipe are on the very busy Walking Street, which stretches up from Pattaya beach. Outside of here, it’s mainly restaurants in the resorts dotted around the island.

You won’t find fancy eateries or Michelin star restaurants on Koh Lipe, but we found a few great places to eat and drink that I’ve listed below.

RESTAURANTS

ELEPHANT CAFE | A brilliant all-day cafe serving mostly Western food. There’s a great selection for vegetarians and vegans, and the burgers will keep meat eaters happy. It’s slightly pricier than the surrounding restaurants, but it’s worth the splurge.

TONKOW | Famous for their slow cooked Massaman curry, this was our favourite place in Koh Lipe. There’s nearly always a queue so be prepared to wait – it’s worth it.

MOJO CAFE AND BISTRO | A good spot for a Western breakfast with unlimited coffee.

BARS

Koh Lipe isn’t a party island, so if that’s what you’re searching for, it probably won’t be for you. But, I was pleasantly surprised to find a few good bars that attracted a decent crowd.

HOME BAR | Our favourite bar on the island, Home Bar is a hint at island life long before the cocktail bars arrived. It’s run by a very eclectic Thai man who loves to challenge you to a quiz under the guise of free drinks if you get the answers right. You’ll never get the free drinks, but you will meet brilliant people, and probably end up staying until the early hours (he only closes the bar when the last person decides to leave).

ZODIAC | This beach bar is the liveliest spot on the island, and the closest thing to a night out you’ll find in Koh Lipe. They’re especially famous for their full moon parties, where you can dance under the stars to the backdrop of DJs.

RAINFOREST | A cocktail bar in the middle of Walking Street, they play good music with a great selection of drinks.

THE LIVING ROOM | A small bar serving delicious cocktails, including an excellent Espresso Martini.

TAPEO | Owned by a man hailing from Barcelona, this rooftop bar serves tapas and a selection of cocktails and Spanish drinks.

5. Beaches

There’s three main beaches in Koh Lipe, and a handful of secluded coves if you go exploring.

Pattaya Beach

Pattaya Beach is the most popular and built up beach on Koh Lipe. It’s the island’s main arrival and departure point for ferries, and is lined with beach clubs and bars.

Although I didn’t spend too much time here in the day, it’s a great place for a sundowner. Grab a spot on the beanbags at Art Beach Bar, part of the Ananya Resort.

Sunrise Beach

Sunrise Beach was my favourite beach on Koh Lipe, with powdery white sand, bright blue water, and long tail boats lining the shore, it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen.

Unsurprisingly, the sunrises here are spectacular, so make sure you set your alarm early to catch at least one.

Sunrise Beach is where I’d recommend spending your days in Koh Lipe, more specifically, walk towards Mountain View Resort and you’ll come to North Point beach, known for its distinctive white sandbar that cuts through the turquoise water.

There’s a couple of bars here and their sunbeds are free so it’s a great place to base yourself for the day, although I wouldn’t bother with the food.

*There’s a lot of jellyfish in the water here, so please be careful when you’re swimming

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach is located on the western side of the island and, as you might expect, is the best spot to catch stunning sunsets.

It’s the smallest and most secluded of Koh Lipe’s main beaches, and you won’t find many bars here. If you’re a fan of more rugged coastline, Sunset Beach is perfect.

6. Things to do

If you’re looking for an island with endless activities, Koh Lipe probably isn’t the island for you.

But if you’re searching for a place to relax and recharge for a few days, then it’s definitely worth a visit.

SNORKELLING & DIVING

One of the best things to do in Koh Lipe is to head out snorkelling or diving. The waters here are home to 25% of the world’s tropical fish species, making it a paradise for underwater enthusiasts.

You can rent snorkelling equipment from beach resorts and head out on your own to discover the coral reefs along the shores at Sunrise Beach.

If you’re interested in diving, you can book a tour from one of the dive schools on walking street.

MASSAGES

Unwinding with a massage is one of the best ways to spend your time on Koh Lipe.

If you’re staying in a resort you’ll most likely be able to have one in your room, but if not, you can find lots of massage shops on Walking Street. Expect to pay around 350 THB for a 1 hour massage.

VISITING NEARBY ISLANDS

Koh Lipe is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, made up of 51 islands and renowned for its clear turquoise waters and diverse marine life.

You’ll find long-tail boats dotted along the coastline in Koh Lipe, and they can take you across to the surrounding islands (no need to book in advance).

The most popular island to visit from Koh Lipe is nearby Koh Adang, just a 15-minute boat ride away, or a slighter longer kayak if you’re feeling adventorous.

Although Koh Adang is much bigger than Koh Lipe, it’s far less developed, and home to dense jungle and secluded beaches. Hike to the viewpoint for incredible views over Koh Lipe.

My favourite spot was Ko Kla, a tiny island with a hidden beach and incredible waters. It cost us 200 THB for a return journey from Sunrise beach, but you could easily kayak there.

7. Accommodation

As Koh Lipe is such a small island, there’s not loads of accommodation to choose from, and you’ll pay more for hotels here than on other Thai islands, especially if you book last minute.

When I was searching for somewhere to stay, I found a lot of badly rated hotels and guesthouses, so I’d really recommend planning ahead of time to find the best places, as options are limited.

We stayed at Irene Resort, which is one of very few luxury hotels on the island. It’s located on Sunrise beach, has a swimming pool, restaurant, spa and a gym, as well as bedrooms with private pools and direct access to the beach.

8. Cost

Due to its remote location, you can expect to pay slightly more for food, drink and accommodation here compared to other Thai islands.

Our meals were definitely more expensive here than in other places we visited in Thailand, and we struggled to find affordable accommodation that was decent quality (although we were booking very last minute so that could have played a role).

9. Weather

Koh Lipe has a tropical climate with two main seasons: the dry season and the rainy/monsoon season.

Dry Season (November to April) is the most popular time to visit Koh Lipe, with daily temperatures averaging around 30°C (86°F).

The sea is much calmer during this period, making it ideal for water activities such as snorkelling, diving, and swimming.

Rainy Season (May to October) brings heavier rainfall, and due to the aforementioned boat issues, I’d personally avoid visiting Koh Lipe during this time. The choppier the weather, the worse the boat ride.

SO, IS KOH LIPE WORTH VISITING?

Yes, Koh Lipe is definitely worth visiting. This tiny slice of paradise may be a little harder to get to than some of the other Thai islands, but it’s well worth the effort.

It’s seeing a rapid increase in popularity though, so I’d recommend planning a trip sooner rather than later, as I imagine it’ll feel like quite a different place over the next few years.

PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO KOH LIPE

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Get this: Book your transport in advance with 12Go

Bucket list experience: Spend the day discovering the vibrant marine life on a snorkelling trip around the nearby islands

Flights | Find the cheapest flights to Thailand with Skyscanner 

Stay | Find the best places to stay on Koh Lipe on Booking.com

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR TRIP

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travel insurance

Travel insurance was always bottom of my priority list when it came to booking a holiday, and I’d often only remember to get it when I was already in a country, by which point it’s usually too late, as most insurance is invalid if the trip has already begun.

Perhaps it’s just because I’m older, but travel insurance is now top of my priority list these days. And it should be top of yours too, no matter what age you are.

I use SafetyWing for my travel insurance – they have an easy to use dashboard which keeps your documents in one place so they’re easy to find if you need them, you can add extras such as technology cover, children under 10 are free of charge and you can even start the policy when you’re already on a trip.

DON’T TRAVEL WITHOUT

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Liquids bag for the airport | I NEVER travel without this bag and I’ve recommended it to all my friends, and so now they all have one too. It’s a game-changer. No more scrambling around before security shoving your liquids into a sandwich bag. It’s the correct size for the amount you can take on board, so just pack it beforehand and breeze through security.

Extension cable | One of my favourite travel hacks and also something I’d never travel without is an extension cable. This way, you only need one travel adapter. The one I have and swear by is this one – there’s 3 plugs and 6 USB slots, which is more than enough room for both mine and Conor’s devices.

Travel adapter | With an extension cable, you’ll just need one travel adapter, but I always like to buy them before my trip so I’m not frantically searching for a shop when I arrive. Plus, it’s usually a lot cheaper. I’d really recommend getting a worldwide adapter – it can be moved to work with any plug across the world.