Koh Lipe Guide
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Stay first. Then what to do.
Koh Lipe is tiny — you can walk across it in about 15 minutes — so every area is close to everything. First time? Pattaya Beach is easiest, as the boats land right there. Want the prettiest beach? Choose Sunrise Beach. On a budget or love food? Stay on Walking Street. Want peace and sunsets? Head to Sunset Beach and the north. Tap an area, or if you're not sure, use the quick picker below.
Two quick taps and we’ll match you to the right part of Koh Lipe.
A simple solo plan for Koh Lipe: stay on or near Walking Street for food and a friendly feel, join a snorkel or dive trip to meet people, and head to Sunset Beach for quiet evenings.
Restaurants, cafés, ATMs, massage shops and dive centres are all on your doorstep, and two beaches are a few minutes away.
Koh Lipe’s friendly hostels and the daily snorkel and dive trips make it very easy to meet other travellers.
Small resorts, sea views and quiet evenings, still only 10–15 minutes on foot from Walking Street.
Koh Lipe has lots of friendly dive centres and calm, clear water — a great place for a first course.
There are no cars on Koh Lipe. You walk almost everywhere, and motorbike taxis with sidecars and long-tail boats cover the rest.
Walking Street has the best choice of hostels and good-value small hotels on the island.
Koh Lipe links by boat and road with Krabi and Koh Lanta, and by flight from Hat Yai with Bangkok and Phuket. Langkawi in Malaysia is only about 90 minutes away by boat.
Which beach suits you? Koh Lipe is a tiny island in the Andaman Sea near the Malaysian border, part of Tarutao National Marine Park. It has three main beaches, each a few minutes’ walk from the others. Here is how they compare.
The long, white-sand main beach on the south coast, with Walking Street starting in the middle.
Powdery sand, very clear water and views across to the mountains of Koh Adang.
A small, quiet cove on the west coast with the best sunsets on the island.
A soft-sand beach at the north tip of the island, with clear water and big views to Koh Adang.
Long-tail boats take you to the white-sand beaches of Koh Adang, Koh Rawi and Koh Hin Ngam on day trips.
Krabi has limestone cliffs and island-hopping, and Phuket has big, busy beaches and nightlife — both link up with Koh Lipe by boat or by road and air.
Pattaya Beach is the long, curving main beach on Koh Lipe’s south coast, with soft white sand and calm, clear water in the dry season. It is where the speedboats from Pak Bara, Krabi and Langkawi drop you off, so you can walk straight to your hotel. Resorts, beach restaurants and dive shops line the sand, and the south end of Walking Street starts in the middle of the beach, so food and shops are only a few minutes away.
Koh Lipe’s main beach: a long, soft white curve with calm, clear water in the dry season and a small island just offshore.
The small island just off Pattaya Beach, with a tiny beach and coral around its edges. Long-tail boats will take you over.
A long-running café in the middle of Pattaya Beach, close to Walking Street, popular for breakfast, coffee and smoothies.
A small gelato shop near the beach end of Walking Street, loved for its home-made ice cream — perfect after a hot beach day.
One of the highest-rated dive centres on the island, at the west end of Pattaya Beach, with fun dives, beginner courses and snorkel trips.
Walking Street is the island’s main lane, a car-free path that runs across the middle of Koh Lipe from Pattaya Beach to Sunrise Beach in about 10 minutes on foot. It is packed with restaurants, cafés, massage shops, dive centres, small shops, ATMs and 7-Elevens. Staying here puts everything on your doorstep, with two beaches a short walk away — and it is where you will find most of the island’s good-value hotels and friendly hostels.
One of the most popular spots on the island, near the Pattaya Beach end of Walking Street, for coffee, food and drinks from morning to night.
A very well-reviewed Indian restaurant just off Walking Street, with rich curries, tandoori dishes and fresh naan.
A busy, long-running Thai restaurant near Walking Street, known for papaya salad, curries and seafood barbecue.
A small, very highly rated noodle shop near Walking Street — simple, tasty and great value.
A small, friendly Muay Thai gym near Walking Street, with beginner-friendly classes.
Sunrise Beach runs along Koh Lipe’s east coast, with powdery white sand, very clear water and views across to the green mountains of Koh Adang. Many people think it is the prettiest beach on the island. It has some of the best resorts, beach restaurants and dive shops, and the little island of Koh Kra sits just offshore. The north end of Walking Street is only a few minutes away.
A long, powdery white beach with very clear water and views across to the green peaks of Koh Adang.
A tiny island just off Sunrise Beach, with coral and fish around its rocks. A favourite spot for an easy snorkel.
A very popular restaurant on the rocks at the south end of Sunrise Beach, with sea views, seafood and Thai dishes.
A friendly, well-reviewed bar and restaurant on the sand at Sunrise Beach, with food, drinks and a laid-back feel.
A very highly rated yoga studio near Sunrise Beach, with classes for all levels.
The quiet side of Koh Lipe. Sunset Beach is a small, peaceful cove on the west coast, reached by a short jungle path, with a few bars and the best sunsets on the island. Around it are hillside villas and small resorts on the west headland, and at the north tip there is North Point Beach, with soft sand and views to Koh Adang. You are away from the boats and the crowds, but Walking Street is still only about 10–15 minutes on foot.
A small, peaceful cove on the west coast, reached by a short jungle path — the best place on Koh Lipe to watch the sun go down.
A lovely soft-sand beach at the north tip of the island, with clear water and big views across to Koh Adang.
A very highly rated sunset bar on the west headland at The Cliff Lipe, with sea views and cocktails.
A relaxed beach bar at the north end of the island, with drinks on the sand and views to Koh Adang.
A well-reviewed restaurant at the north end of the island — handy if you stay in the north.
Koh Lipe is a lovely island for families who don’t mind a boat trip to get there. In the dry season the water is calm and very clear, the beaches are soft and white, and there are no cars, so children can walk around safely. Pattaya Beach is the easiest base, with food and shops close by, and Sunrise Beach has great snorkelling just off the sand.
Getting there with kids: the last leg is always a speedboat of about 1½ hours from Pak Bara, and the sea can be bumpy. Boats land on the beach, so you step off into shallow water — staff carry the bags.
Soft white sand and calm, clear water in the dry season, with food, ice cream and shops a few minutes away.
On calm days children can see fish and coral close to the shore, especially around the little island of Koh Kra.
A half-day trip by long-tail boat to the beaches and reefs of nearby islands — a big adventure for children.
A small, very well-loved gelato shop near the beach end of Walking Street — a daily treat for most families.
Soft sand, calm water and space to play at the quiet north tip of the island, with big views to Koh Adang.
There are no cars on Koh Lipe, so families can stroll safely between the beaches and Walking Street.
Genuinely well-rated hotels that suit families.
White sand, clear water, no cars and sunsets over the Andaman Sea — how to plan a romantic trip to Koh Lipe.
Walk the short path to the quiet west-coast cove and watch the sun drop into the sea — the most romantic hour on the island.
Get up early for soft light over the mountains of Koh Adang, an empty beach and a quiet swim.
Hire your own long-tail boat and driver for the day to visit Koh Hin Ngam, Koh Rawi and quiet reefs at your own pace.
Koh Lipe has lots of small massage shops and a few resort spas — a perfect way to end a day on the boat.
A steep jungle climb on Koh Adang leads to a rocky viewpoint over Koh Lipe and the turquoise sea. Unforgettable together.
Many couples add a few days in cool, green Chiang Mai, with temples, night markets and mountain resorts.
Koh Lipe is made for slow days — no cars, soft sand and plenty of small massage shops and yoga classes. Here are the best ways to unwind.
One of the best-reviewed massage shops on Koh Lipe, near the west end of Pattaya Beach, for Thai, oil and foot massages.
A very highly rated spa in the quiet north of the island, at Irene Resort.
A very highly rated yoga studio near Sunrise Beach, with classes for all levels.
From May to October Koh Lipe gets heavy showers, and even in the dry season a storm can roll in. On a small island the best rainy-day plan is a long massage.
Rain is perfect for a long massage. This small, very well-reviewed shop is in the south of the island, near Sunrise Beach.
Another well-loved massage shop near Walking Street, for Thai, oil and foot massages.
A friendly massage shop just off Walking Street — easy to pop into when a shower rolls in.
Out to the islands of Tarutao National Park — or on to Krabi, Phuket, Koh Lanta and Langkawi. Use 12Go to book your own boat, van or bus.
The classic Koh Lipe day out: a long-tail or speedboat trip to the reefs and beaches of Koh Adang, Koh Rawi, Koh Hin Ngam and smaller islands nearby.
A short boat ride to the big, green island opposite Sunrise Beach for the climb to Chado Cliff, a small waterfall and a quiet beach.
A simple Krabi, Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe plan (10 nights, high season):
1. Krabi, 3 nights — Ao Nang, Railay and island-hopping.
2. Koh Lanta, 3 nights — about 2–3 hours from Krabi by boat or van. Long, quiet beaches.
3. Koh Lipe, 4 nights — about 3–4 hours by speedboat from Koh Lanta. White sand, snorkelling and island trips.
Then take the speedboat to Pak Bara and a transfer to Hat Yai Airport, or the boat to Langkawi in Malaysia.
A large, wild island in the same national park, with jungle, long beaches and a history as a former prison island. A long but special day.
The big Malaysian island is only about 90 minutes away by boat, with cable cars, beaches and duty-free shopping. Bring your passport — you leave Thailand.
Limestone cliffs, Railay and island-hopping. Reach it by boat via Koh Lanta in high season, or by speedboat to Pak Bara and then road.
Big beaches, Old Phuket Town and nightlife. The quickest way is speedboat to Pak Bara, road to Hat Yai and a short flight, or boats via Koh Lanta in high season.
A relaxed island with long beaches between Krabi and Koh Lipe — an easy stop on the way, with direct boats in high season.
Where to actually eat — fresh seafood, home-style Thai cooking, halal southern dishes and a surprising choice of restaurants for such a tiny island, most of them on or near Walking Street.
A busy, long-running Thai restaurant near Walking Street, loved for papaya salad, curries and seafood barbecue.
One of the most-reviewed restaurants on the island, with rich curries, tandoori dishes and fresh naan.
A very highly rated seafood restaurant just north of Walking Street, with fresh fish and Thai classics.
A popular, friendly Thai restaurant near the Sunrise end of Walking Street, with a big menu and fair prices.
A well-loved local restaurant near Walking Street, known for home-style Thai cooking.
A friendly seafood and Thai restaurant near Walking Street, with big portions and fresh fish.
A very highly rated halal café near Pattaya Beach. Satun is a mostly Muslim province, and its southern Thai and Malay-style dishes are a treat.
Simple, well-loved places worth a visit.
A small, very highly rated restaurant just off Walking Street, with tasty Thai dishes and friendly service.
A tiny noodle shop with near-perfect reviews — simple, tasty and great value.
A long-running Italian restaurant near Walking Street, with pasta and wood-fired pizza.
A long-running café near Pattaya Beach, popular for breakfast, coffee and smoothies.
A very popular restaurant on the rocks at the south end of Sunrise Beach, with sea views and seafood.
Sunset bars, beach bars and small cosy bars — from the west headland and the north tip to the lanes around Walking Street.
A very highly rated bar on the west headland, with cushions, cocktails and a front-row view of the sunset.
A relaxed bar on the sand at the north end of the island, with views across to Koh Adang.
A cosy, well-reviewed bar just off Walking Street, with friendly staff and good drinks.
A laid-back bar among the trees near Walking Street, with a relaxed island feel.
A small bar with perfect reviews in the south of the island, near Sunrise Beach — friendly, chilled and fun.
Koh Lipe is relaxed after dark — there are no big clubs. Walking Street and Pattaya Beach have most of the bars, Sunrise Beach has a few chilled beach bars, and Sunset Beach and the north are quiet. Pick your base to match.
In the evening the lane fills with people strolling between restaurants, bars, ice cream and little shops.
Bars with cushions and low tables on the sand, music and cold drinks — the liveliest spot on the island after dark.
A popular bar in the middle of the island, known for a fun, sociable crowd.
A friendly little bar near Walking Street, good for a drink and a chat.
Big-screen sport, pub food and cold drinks, just north of Walking Street.
Start the evening on the quiet west coast as the sun goes down, then stroll back to Walking Street for dinner.
Festivals, busy times and things to plan your Koh Lipe trip around.
Every evening Walking Street comes alive, with restaurants putting out fresh seafood, little shops open late and people strolling between the beaches.
On the full moon of November, people float little flower baskets with candles on the sea to say thank you to the water. Lovely on the beaches of Koh Lipe.
The busiest time of the year on Koh Lipe, with festive dinners and fireworks on the beaches on New Year’s Eve. Hotels and boats are full and prices are highest.
Thailand’s famous water festival. Koh Lipe is calmer than the big cities, but expect friendly water splashing on Walking Street.
Koh Adang, Koh Rawi and the other islands around Koh Lipe close from 16 May to mid-October for the monsoon. Koh Lipe itself stays open, but fewer boats run.
The classic trip: a long-tail boat to several islands and reefs around Koh Lipe, with snorkelling and beach stops.
A faster trip to the islands and reefs, so you can reach more places in a day.
A boat to Koh Adang for the climb to Chado Cliff viewpoint, a jungle waterfall and a quiet beach.
Coral reefs, rock pinnacles and plenty of fish around the islands near Koh Lipe. Dive centres run trips every day in season.
A beginner experience with an instructor, starting in shallow water and then a real dive. No licence needed.
Get your diving licence in three to four days, in calm, clear water with small groups.
Learn to dive on one breath with an instructor, in calm water off the island.
An evening long-tail or speedboat trip around the islands to watch the sunset from the water.
A long day to the large, wild island of Koh Tarutao, with jungle, mangroves and empty beaches.
Hire a kayak or paddleboard on Sunrise Beach and paddle out to Koh Kra on a calm morning.
Beginner pad-work sessions with friendly trainers at Bonus Muay Thai near Walking Street. No experience needed.
Morning and evening classes for all levels at Keirita’s Yoga near Sunrise Beach.
On calm days there is easy snorkelling right off Sunrise Beach and around Koh Kra, and at the ends of Pattaya Beach.
Tap the one that matches your trip. You’ll get the best areas and what they’re like.
You want a beautiful beach, a lovely room, good dinners and calm nights.
Best areas: Sunrise Beach for the prettiest beach and the best resorts, or Sunset Beach and the north for peace, villas and sunsets
What it’s like: Powdery sand, clear water, sunrise swims, sunset drinks and dinners by the sea.
Do together: Sunset at Sunset Beach · private long-tail trip · Chado Cliff on Koh Adang · couples massage · dinner at On The Rocks
Usually skip: Rooms right on Walking Street if you want quiet nights.
🚤 Safety tip: book island trips with your hotel or a well-reviewed company, and check there are life jackets on board.
Sunrise Beach →Sunset & North →Koh Lipe is a tiny island near the Malaysian border, and it has no airport. Most trips go to Pak Bara pier on the mainland, then a speedboat of about 1½ hours. Boats land on Pattaya Beach — there is no proper pier, so you step off onto a floating platform or into shallow water, and staff carry your bags.
From Krabi: A van from Krabi Town or Ao Nang to Pak Bara takes about 4 hours, then the speedboat. Many tickets include both. In high season (about November to April) you can also go by boat via Koh Lanta, or fly from Krabi to Hat Yai.
Staying in Krabi first? See our Krabi guide →
From Phuket: The quickest way is a short flight to Hat Yai, then about 2 hours by road to Pak Bara and the speedboat — take an early flight to catch the afternoon boats. In high season you can also go by boat via Phi Phi or Koh Lanta, which takes most of the day.
Staying in Phuket first? See our Phuket guide →
From Bangkok: Fly to Hat Yai in about 1½ hours, then road to Pak Bara and the speedboat. You can do it in one day with an early flight.
From Hat Yai or Trang airports: Transfers to Pak Bara take about 2 hours, and many include the boat ticket.
From Langkawi, Malaysia: A boat of about 90 minutes, mainly from mid-October to mid-May. Immigration is done on Koh Lipe in high season. Malaysia is one hour ahead of Thailand.
Park fee: Foreign adults pay about 200 baht (children about 100 baht) for Tarutao National Marine Park, usually at Pak Bara, plus a small pier fee.
Getting around: There are no cars. You walk almost everywhere — the island is about 15 minutes across. Motorbike taxis with sidecars charge about 50 baht per person, and long-tail boats can take you between beaches.
Koh Lipe has some lovely villas, especially on the quiet west headland and in the north of the island.
Best areas: Sunset Beach and the north (pool villas and hillside villas with sea views), and the east end of Pattaya Beach.
What it’s like: More space and privacy, but some villas are up hills or along sandy paths, a 10–15 minute walk from Walking Street.
Good if: You’re on honeymoon, travelling as a family or group, or want a special treat.
Tap a plan to see it day by day. Getting to Koh Lipe takes most of a day, so give yourself at least three nights — four or five is better.
Planning when to visit Koh Lipe? The dry season, from November to April, is the best time, with calm, clear seas and plenty of boats. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings rain and rougher seas, fewer boats run and some places close. Here’s a simple guide.
Quick pick: Want the best weather → aim for December–March. Want island trips → go between mid-October and mid-May. Want lower prices → try November or April. Want to avoid the crowds → skip Christmas–New Year.
Best: November to April · Rainy season: roughly May to October
November to February is dry and sunny, with calm seas. March and April are hot. From about May to October the south-west monsoon brings heavy showers and bigger waves.
Effect on travel: In the rainy season the speedboat crossing can be rough, boats from Krabi, Koh Lanta and Phuket run less or stop, and some resorts and restaurants close. The speedboats from Pak Bara keep running.
Best areas in the rainy season: Walking Street and Pattaya Beach, where more places stay open.
💡 Leave a spare day before an onward flight in the rainy season, in case a boat is cancelled.
Nearby islands open about 15 October to 15 May
Koh Adang, Koh Rawi and the other islands of the Adang–Rawi group close every year for the monsoon. Koh Lipe itself stays open all year.
Effect on travel: If island trips and Chado Cliff are a must, come between mid-October and mid-May. Trips can be cancelled on rough days, so book them early in your stay.
Best area for island trips: Sunrise Beach, where most long-tail boats leave from.
💡 Book your island trip for your first or second day, so you have spare days if the weather changes.
Late December to early January · Mid-April (usually 13–15 April)
Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive weeks on Koh Lipe. Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, is friendly and fun but much calmer than in the big cities.
Effect on travel: Hotels and boats fill up, prices rise and some resorts ask for a minimum stay over the holidays.
Best areas when it’s busy: Sunset Beach & the north stays calmer than Walking Street.
💡 Book rooms and boat tickets months ahead for Christmas and New Year.
| When | What happens | Effect on travellers |
|---|---|---|
| November – February | Dry season (best weather) | Sunny, calm seas, all boats running — busiest time, book early |
| March – April | Hot season | Very hot, calm seas, great visibility for diving; Songkran in mid-April |
| May – October | Rainy season | Showers, rougher seas, fewer boats, some places closed, low prices |
| Mid-October – mid-May | Nearby islands open | Island trips, Koh Adang and Chado Cliff |
| November (full moon) | Loy Krathong | Candle-lit krathongs floated on the sea |
| Late December | Christmas & New Year | Peak prices and crowds, fireworks on the beaches |
| April | Songkran | Water splashing on Walking Street, busier hotels |
Planning rule: On Koh Lipe, the season matters most. Come between November and April for sunshine, calm seas, easy boats and island trips, and book early for Christmas and New Year.
It can be, if you want a very quiet island and low prices. But the boat trip can be rough, fewer boats run, the nearby islands are closed and many places shut, so most people are happier between November and April.
At least three, because the journey takes most of a day each way. Four or five nights gives you time for an island trip, Koh Adang and plenty of beach days.
Yes — especially over Christmas and New Year, and generally from December to February. Prices are lowest from May to October. Book as early as you can for peak dates.
Tap any tip for the short version. Practical stuff that saves you a bad first day.
There are no cars on Koh Lipe. The island is about 15 minutes across on foot, and Walking Street links Pattaya Beach and Sunrise Beach in about 10 minutes.
Motorbike taxis with sidecars charge about 50 baht per person, handy with luggage or for the north and west. Long-tail boats can take you between beaches and to the nearby islands — agree the price first. Some paths are sandy and unlit, so carry a torch at night.
Pattaya Beach is the easiest first base, because the boats land right there and Walking Street starts in the middle of the beach. Sunrise Beach is a great choice too, with the prettiest beach and good resorts a few minutes from Walking Street.
Take a van from Krabi Town or Ao Nang to Pak Bara pier (about 4 hours), then a speedboat of about 1½ hours. Many tickets include both. In high season, from about November to April, you can also go by boat via Koh Lanta. See our Krabi guide.
The quickest way is a short flight from Phuket to Hat Yai, then about 2 hours by road to Pak Bara and a speedboat of about 1½ hours. In high season there are also boats via Phi Phi or Koh Lanta, which take most of the day. See our Phuket guide.
No. The nearest airports are Hat Yai and Trang on the mainland. From there, transfers run to Pak Bara pier, where speedboats leave for Koh Lipe.
Fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai in about 1½ hours, then take a transfer to Pak Bara and the speedboat to Koh Lipe. With an early flight you can do it in one day.
Yes. Boats run between Koh Lipe and Langkawi in Malaysia in about 90 minutes, mainly from mid-October to mid-May. You pass through immigration, so bring your passport, and remember Malaysia is one hour ahead.
Koh Lipe is in Tarutao National Marine Park. Foreign adults pay about 200 baht and children about 100 baht, usually at Pak Bara before boarding, plus a small pier fee. Keep the ticket.
November to April is the best time, with dry, sunny days, calm seas and all the boats running. From May to October it is the rainy season, with rougher seas, fewer boats and some places closed.
No. You walk almost everywhere — the island is about 15 minutes across. Motorbike taxis with sidecars and long-tail boats cover longer trips.
Yes, in the dry season. The water is calm and clear, the beaches are soft and white, and there are no cars. The journey is long and there is no hospital on the island, so it suits families who are happy with a boat trip and a simple island holiday.
Hotel prices on Koh Lipe change a lot by season, between low and high season, and with special offers, so a fixed price would often be wrong. Tap Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia or Trip.com on any hotel to see today’s live price in your own currency. Christmas, New Year and December to February are the most expensive times.
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