The Ultimate Koh Lipe Travel Guide: The Maldives Of Thailand
Koh Lipe is a small Thai island that quickly became my favourite. It’s famous for its pristine beaches and snorkelling/diving opportunities (even being coined “the Maldives of Thailand”!). My Koh Lipe travel guide will help you plan the perfect trip to this idyllic island…
Discover how to get to Koh Lipe, find the best hotels and restaurants, learn how to get around the island, the best months to visit, and much more!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links for products or services that I personally endorse and love. Should you make a purchase, I may make a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Jess Eats The World!
Koh Lipe Quick Travel Guide
WHEN TO VISIT
December to March for sunny weather and mild temperatures (25-32ºC / 77-90ºF)
HOW TO GET THERE
By boat from Pak Bara pier (fastest)
By ferry from Phuket, Koh Lanta, Krabi, etc.
Nearest airport: Hat Yai Airport
HOW TO GET AROUND
On foot or by motorbike taxi
CURRENCY
Thai Baht (THB)
NATIONAL PARK FEES
200 THB per adult (100 THB per child) on arrival
HOW LONG TO VISIT
3-5 days
MY TOP HOTEL CHOICES
The Chic Lipe ($)
Serendipity Beach Resort Koh Lipe ($$)
Irene Resort ($$$)
BEST ACTIVITIES
Longtail Boat Snorkelling Trip
Private Longtail Boat Island-Hopping
Rent a Kayak
Take a PADI diving course
BEST BEACHES
Pattaya Beach
Sunrise Beach
Sunset Beach
North Point Beach
Moons Beach
Sanom Beach
BEST RESTAURANTS & BARS
Papaya Mom
On The Rocks Restaurant
Zodiac Beach Bar (Ting Tong)
Monkey Bar Lipe
Art Bliss Bar
How to get to Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is the southernmost island in Thailand, located in the Andaman Sea near the Malaysian border.
As part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, there is a one-time National Park fee of 200 THB per adult (100 THB per child) to enter Koh Lipe.
The island itself can only be accessed by boat, but here’s how you can reach it:
Plane
Koh Lipe doesn’t have its own airport. However, you can fly from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Phuket, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur to the nearest airport – Hat Yai Airport.
From there, you need to take a minibus or taxi from the airport to Pak Bara pier (1h 45m), and then catch a boat to Koh Lipe. Make sure to book an early flight, as the last buses to the pier depart at 11:30 AM.
I recommend booking the full journey through 12GoAsia, as it’s the best ticketing platform for travelling through Thailand, and all legs of the trip will be well-timed.
Ferry / Speedboat
You can book various ferry and speedboat options from Park Para Pier to Koh Lipe, and the journey takes 1.5-2 hours. I recommend choosing a speedboat over a catamaran, as you’re less likely to get seasick. Book in advance via 12GoAsia.
It’s also possible to reach Koh Lipe by ferry from various destinations such as Krabi (4-5h), Phuket (5h), Koh Phi Phi (4h), Koh Lanta (3h), Koh Kradan (2h), Koh Tarutao (1h 30m), and Langkawi (30 min).
Given that many ferry journeys are on open sea, I would avoid lenghtier sea crossings during low season, or if the weather is stormy or particularly windy. Bear in mind that availability and schedules vary depending on the season.
Minibus + Boat (from Krabi)
I personally chose to book a minibus + speedboat journey from Krabi to Koh Lipe on 12GoAsia, to avoid the long ferry journey when it was quite windy.
Best time to visit Koh Lipe
The best months to visit Koh Lipe are in the dry season between December and March. This is the period with the least chance of rainfall, as well as milder temperatures (25-32ºC / 77-90ºF) for a pleasant beach holiday, snorkelling, and diving.
However, this is also the busiest and most expensive season to visit Koh Lipe (especially around the Chinese New Year dates). I recommend booking your hotel 3-6 months in advance, as Koh Lipe is a small island.
April and November are shoulder season months in Koh Lipe, with unpredictable rainfall, but lower accommodation prices. Make sure to avoid the Songkran Festival dates in April, though.
When not to visit Koh Lipe
The monsoon season between May and October brings frequent tropical showers and storms, although temperatures remain warm (24-30ºC / 75-86ºF). As such, the island sees the least number of tourists during this time, and some businesses may close.
Ferries and speedboats run less frequently, with possible cancellations due to rough seas (particularly between August and October).
This period is best for budget travellers or digital nomads who can stay for longer, avoiding the crowds and enjoying cheaper prices at the expense of unpredictable weather.
What to do in Koh Lipe?
Koh Lipe is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, and the primary island from where it’s possible to take longboat tours to nearby islands for snorkelling, diving, and wildlife-watching. You can also rent a kayak and snorkel around the island on your own.
There are various PADI-certified diving schools in Koh Lipe to enrol in a dive course. Tarutao National Marine Park is one of the best diving regions in the world.
The best time to go diving in Koh Lipe is between November and April, for the best overall conditions. However, it’s still possible to dive in select dive sites around Koh Lipe between May and September, when the higher levels of plankton increase the chances of spotting whale sharks!
Want to use a drone in Koh Lipe? Read my guide on how to register your drone in Thailand and get permission from the National Park!
Is Koh Lipe Expensive?
Koh Lipe is a small island only accessible by boat, therefore you might notice some items at shops may be slightly more expensive than on the mainland. It’s a good idea to stock up on items like mosquito repellent before travelling to the island.
I didn’t notice a significant difference in the food prices at restaurants in Koh Lipe compared to Krabi. It’s easy to find affordable food options at 100-150 THB per main dish.
Beach resorts tend to be pricier, especially during dry season, given the small size of the island. I highly recommend planning a trip to Koh Lipe 3-6 months in advance to take advantage of the more affordable hotel offers before they sell out.
Where to stay in Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is a small island where you can walk pretty much everywhere. No matter where you stay, you will never be too far from the main beaches and Walking Street.
In general, accommodations around Pattaya Beach tend to be more affordable and convenient, with easy access to the Walking Street. Hotels by Sunrise Beach are often more upscale and offer a quieter atmosphere.
Again, I recommend booking hotels in Koh Lipe 3-6 months in advance, due to the limited number of accommodation on the island.
Hotels I recommend in Koh Lipe:
Budget ($)
The Chic Lipe
Koh Lipe also has options for backpackers on a budget, and this hostel offers great comfort and modern rooms. Whether you go for a private room or a bed in a dormitory, you’ll be only a couple minutes’ walk from the beach!
Mid-Range ($$)
Mali Resort Pattaya Beach Koh Lipe
I stayed at this hotel right by the beach on the less-busier side of Pattaya Beach. While not a luxurious option, the convenient location right on the beach (yet away from busier areas) is perfect for a relaxing holiday.
Premium ($$$)
Serendipity Beach Resort Koh Lipe
If you want a hotel with Thai character as well as modern amenities (and perhaps a private pool!), then check out Serendipity. You won’t regret waking up to some of the the best sea views of Koh Lipe!
Luxury ($$$$)
Irene Resort
This is the most luxurious resort in Koh Lipe, located in the most privileged beachfront area on Sunrise Beach. The resort has only 16 rooms, including its famous beachfront pool villas. Perfect for honeymooners and those looking for the ultimate luxury!
How to get around Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is a very small island, roughly 2 square kilometers (0.77 square miles) in area, and walkable within 30 minutes end-to-end. Additionally, there are no cars in Koh Lipe!
While the island is easily walkable and there are no cars, there is also an option to take motorbike taxi rides (not too dissimilar from tuk-tuks) that take you anywhere on the island for a fixed price of 100 THB per person.
Food & Drink in Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe, like the rest of Thailand, has plenty of delicious food options! The main dining area is along Walking Street, where you’ll find the majority of restaurants and shops on the island.
We took our time strolling through the street and peeking inside some restaurants looking for good traditional meals. I especially loved Papaya Mom – they serve great smoothies and the main dishes are hearty, delicious, and huge!
Outside Walking Street, there are a few trendier restaurants, such as the On The Rocks Restaurant, run by the Serendipity Beach Resort. The view is fantastic and the food (while pricier than more traditional options) is tasty and varied.
There are also quite a few beach bars dotted around the island, perfect for a sunset drink. Zodiac (now seemingly rebranded as Ting Tong) is a good choice near North Point Beach, while the Ananya Lipe Resort Beach Bar offers a similar vibe on Pattaya Beach.
Monkey Bar is an especially good spot for sipping on a drink while watching their fire shows each night after sunset!
Koh Lipe Map
Feel free to use my free Koh Lipe travel guide map below! The map features restaurants, beach bars, and the best beaches.
Last thoughts
Koh Lipe quickly became my favourite island in Thailand, and I fantasise about returning there at the next chance I get.
It is 100% worth visiting Koh Lipe, and despite many claims that the island gets overcrowded in high season, I still felt like I was in paradise there and it felt much less touristy than other parts of Thailand. Visiting at either end of the dry season helps avoid the higher prices and busier seasons, too.
If you’re planning a trip to Koh Lipe, I hope my travel guide is helpful to make the most of your time!
Feel free to write any questions you may have in the comments – I’ll do my best to help.
Visiting Thailand soon? Pin my Koh Lipe travel guide to save it for later!
