A remote, largely undeveloped island on the fringes of Tarutao National Park, Koh Lipe offers turquoise waters and clean white beaches. Diving and snorkeling are the two main pastimes, followed by dining and relaxing. The island is home to a sea gypsy settlement and is a popular jumping-off point for Andaman island tours.
Koh Lipe has a sprinkling of resorts, bars and restaurants, but is refreshingly free of public transport. There is no ATM here, so travellers should bring adequate cash.
Sunrise Beach is the least busy and most pristine of Koh Lipe’s three beaches. Aside from being the very definition of “island escape”, Koh Lipe is a boon for divers, with coral reefs found just offshore and easy access to the protected areas of Tarutao National Park.
There are six other main islands to explore, each more deserted than the next. Outside of diving or sailing, travellers can kayak, hike on the larger Koh Tarutao, or have a Thai massage the way it was intended at the Koh Lipe school of massage.
A significant surge in Koh Lipe’s popularity comes from Swedish travellers, but Thais have known about this little island hideaway for a while.
The best time to visit is between November and May during the high/dry season when ferries are most frequent. During Christmas, New Year, Thai New Year and public holidays, Koh Lipe books up because it’s a popular domestic getaway.
Ferries depart from Pak Bara pier, two hours from Hat Yai’s minivan hub, all year round. Ferries also depart from Phuket, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi and Trang. Once in Koh Lipe, visitors are transported to the beach of their choice by sea gypsies in longtail boats transport people from the ferry to their beach of choice for a small fee.
Many travellers praise the quality of diving and snorkelling and recommended kayaking to nearby islands.
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