If you’re seeking white sand beaches, clear turquoise waters and laid back vibes, look no further than Koh Lipe, Thailand’s southernmost island. We put together this ultimate guide with everything you’ll need to know when planning a visit, including how to get there, things to do, and essential tips.
Traveling to the Thai islands can conjure images of gap year kids slurping on buckets of Thai whiskey and Coke on a beach packed with Westerners and chains like McDonalds just meters from the ocean.
Head to Phuket, Koh Phi Phi or Koh Phangan if that sounds like your type of beach vacation.
But if you are seeking an island vibe that’s more laidback and would like to get away from the crowds, consider a trip to Koh Lipe.
The southernmost Thai island, Koh Lipe, boasts clear turquoise waters and less development than many of its overcrowded counterparts. While Koh Lipe is getting more well known year after year, it is still far less touristy than most other islands in Thailand.
A trip to Koh Lipe has been on our bucket list for quite some time, and our visit to this island was everything we hoped for and more: powdery white sand beaches, epic sunsets with cheap mojitos, and an overall chilled out atmosphere.
We fell in love with this little slice of paradise and can pretty confidently say you will too.
In this article, we’re covering everything you need to know to plan your trip. From epic things to do in Koh Lipe to how to get there and where to stay.
Koh Lipe Travel Guide
- Best time to visit
- How to get there
- Getting around
- Things to do
- Where to eat
- Where to stay
- What to pack
Best time to visit Koh Lipe, Thailand
The best time to visit Koh Lipe (and the rest of the islands in the Andaman Sea – Thailand’s southwest coast) is during the dry season from November – April. This period offers pleasant weather with lower humidity and minimal rainfall, making it ideal for beach activities, snorkeling, and diving.
The high season, when the island experiences the most visitors, is from December to February. So keep that in mind as you book your accommodation and know that prices and crowds may be up during these months.
Monsoon season is May – September in this region, so you will likely want to avoid visiting Koh Lipe island during this time.
For an in-depth guide on the regional seasons, weather patterns and other factors, check out our complete guide to the best time to visit Thailand.
How to get to Koh Lipe
Being that Koh Lipe is a bit further from the mainland than some of Thailand’s more popular islands, some travelers are deterred. But honestly, it’s not all that hard to get to.
By airplane
There is no airport on Koh Lipe as it’s much too small for that, so you’ll have to fly into nearby airports on the mainland. This usually includes a shuttle transfer and a ferry.
We actually went from Chiang Mai to Koh Lipe using Air Asia’s Island Transfer. We flew from Chiang Mai to Hat Yai Airport, got a van transfer to the Pak Bara port and the two hour ferry to Koh Lipe all for around $100 USD each in March.
Another option is to fly into Krabi (or if you’re already staying in Krabi Town) and take a long 7-hour ferry, or shuttle down to Pak Bara Pier and take the 2-hour ferry from there.
By ferry
The nearest mainland port to Koh Lipe is Pak Bara Pier. From there, the ferry will take about 1.5 hours (on a speedboat ferry) or 2 hours (on a regular ferry).
If you are already in the southern islands, you can easily get a ferry from one island to the next.
- Ferry from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe
- Ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lipe
- Ferry from Phuket to Koh Lipe
- Ferry from Krabi to Koh Lipe
- Ferry from Langkawi (Malaysia) to Koh Lipe
Finally, if you are traveling to Loh Lipe from Langkawi, Malaysia, you’ll take the ferry from the Kuah Jetty. The ride takes about 2 hours and there will be immigration to clear when you arrive in Koh Lipe.
Note: We typically use 12go.asia for booking transportation around Southeast Asia. However, when we were leaving Koh Lipe to go to Koh Lanta, we noticed the prices online were more expensive than the prices on the island. If you are able to be flexible, we would recommend booking your ferry when you’re in Koh Lipe. But if it gives you more peace of mind booking ahead, we fully trust 12go.asia for all our transportation.
Psst! If you are continuing on to Langkawi, our friend Veronika has a great list of where to stay in Langkawi that you’ll want to check out. If you are traveling in Malaysia, head to our Malaysia country page for more articles.
Getting around Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is so small that you’re able to walk just about anywhere and there are no cars on the island. The main form of transportation here are tuk-tuk taxis.
These unique vehicles are a bench seat connected to a motorbike, and they are a great way to get your luggage to your hotel instead of carrying it in the heat. They are nice if you want to make it to the beach in time for sunset!
The cost of a tuk-tuk taxi ride on Koh Lipe is typically 100 baht ($3.20 USD) to go anywhere on the island.
Top things to do in Koh Lipe
For being such a small island, we were surprised by the amount of things to do on this island paradise.
If you’re looking for the very best things to do in Koh Lipe, here are our top recommendations.
- Watch the sun come up on Sunrise Beach
- Kayak to a tiny island
- Go snorkeling
- Day trip to Koh Adang
- Participate in a beach cleanup
Keep reading for more detailed information on each of these things and more ideas of fun things to do in Koh Lipe, Thailand.
1. Watch the sun come up on Sunrise Beach
I’m not exactly a morning person, but nevertheless, I’ve never regretted waking up for sunrise. And the sunrises on Koh Lipe did not disappoint.
Head to none other than Sunrise Beach for the best place to watch the sun peek above the ocean waters. Bring a sarong to sit on and a camera to capture the moment.
2. Kayak to a tiny island
From the north end of Sunrise Beach, you can see the small rocky island of Koh Kla not too far from shore. Rent a kayak (about 200 baht per hour) and paddle across turquoise waters to a little secluded beach on the north side of the island for swimming and sunbathing.
Another option is paddling across to Koh Usen from the southern side of Sunrise Beach. This island (only slightly larger than Koh Kla) has a nice white sand beach and viewpoint.
3. Go snorkeling
While there are plenty of snorkeling tours from Koh Lipe ranging from about 550 baht to 950 baht, you can do it yourself and save a lot of money!
There’s a nice coral reef on the south end of Sunrise Beach that is perfect for snorkeling. You’ll find all kinds of marine life like sea anemones, cute little clown fish, colorful parrot fish and puffer fish!
You can rent a mask and snorkel from one of the many shops on Walking Street or along Sunrise Beach. We rented ours for the day from Captain Yut’s Huts for 50 baht each. (Right next door, Castaway Beach Resort was renting them for 100 baht each.)
4. Day trip to Koh Adang
Get away from Koh Lipe for the day and take a long tail boat to Koh Adang, the large island north of Koh Lipe.
The boat taxi stand is at the north end of Sunrise Beach and there will be long boat drivers waiting for you. The cost one way per person is 100 baht ($3.20 USD) and just let the driver know when you would like to be picked up from Koh Adang.
Once you arrive on Koh Adang, you should visit the visitor center and pay the 200 baht per person entrance fee for Tarutao National Park.
There are a few cool things to do on Koh Adang:
Relax on Koh Adang Beach
Koh Adang is really nice because it is so open and a lot less busy than Koh Lipe. You can head down to the beach and be the only one in sight. We rented snorkel gear on Koh Lipe (50 baht each for the day) and swam around the corals that were close to shore.
Note: Be careful at low tide when snorkeling because you will be extremely close to the ocean floor and might come in contact with the reef.
Hike to the Koh Lipe viewpoint
Another popular thing to do on Koh Adang is to hike to the viewpoint up on Chado Cliff that overlooks Koh Lipe. There is a simple map at the visitor’s center that says the hike takes 45 minutes one way.
Be sure to have decent shoes because it is a pretty steep climb up the hill. At some points there are ropes to hold on to, so don’t try this hike in flip flops.
There are 3 viewpoints up the Chado Cliff hike:
- Viewpoint #1 is only about 10 minutes up hill and is an okay view but you only get to see half of Koh Lipe because part of the mountain is in the way.
- Viewpoint #2 is a much better view and is only another 15 minutes hike uphill.
- But the best view is at Viewpoint #3, which is just 10 minutes more.
- Once you see the blue ropes, you’re almost there. For us it only took us 35 minutes from the ranger station to Viewpoint #3, but that is because we were hiking in our Chaco sandals and not flip flops.
Hike to Pirate Waterfall
If you have lots of time on Koh Adang, you can make the trek to the Pirate Waterfall. It’s about 90 minutes (3 km) one way from the ranger station and looks pretty in pictures, but unfortunately we didn’t have enough time on the island. Be sure to get directions from the visitor center if you want to go, because we heard the path can be pretty tricky.
Set up camp and stay the night
If you want to really relax and soak up some island vibes, you can rent a tent on the beach. There’s only one restaurant, so come prepared with some of your own food and snacks.
And if a tent isn’t your style, you can stay in one of the few comfortable bungalows instead.
5. Participate in a beach cleanup
If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you know that we are passionate about traveling sustainably. We love finding companies, organizations or projects along our journey that are making this world a better place, and Trash Hero is one of them!
Join in their weekly beach clean up (all around Thailand!) and you will not be disappointed.
Every Monday at 10 a.m., Trash Hero leads a cleanup of one of the islands near Koh Lipe. It’s free to join and you don’t need to sign up in advance. Just show up to the entrance to Walking Street on Pattaya Beach and you’ll see volunteers wearing bright yellow Trash Hero shirts.
All those who are interested in the cleanup will board a longtail boat and head to a nearby island chosen by the Trash Hero team. The particular beach changes each week depending on the tides and where a cleanup is needed.
It took us roughly one hour in the longtail boat to reach the beach on our cleanup day. After disembarking, we were given brief instructions, one glove and a trash bag. We spent the next hour and a half or so searching the sand and jungle for garbage.
We found straws, plastic in all shapes and sizes, water bottles, ropes, shoes, balloons and lots and lots of Styrofoam.
There were roughly 50 volunteers, and together we collected about 20 large garbage bags that were stuffed completely full of waste. The beach we were cleaning was on an uninhabited island in Tarutao National Park, so all the waste we found was washed up on shore after somehow ending up in the ocean.
The last half hour was spent swimming in the clearest turquoise waters I think I’ve ever seen. When we returned back to Pattaya Beach, all volunteers were treated to a free lunch in exchange for helping out. This was one of our favorite things to do in Koh Lipe!
Tip: Be sure you’re on time, as you will board longtail boats that depart just after 10 a.m. If you’re late, the boats will have left. We saw a couple people that were left behind on the beach.
6. Go scuba diving
Koh Lipe is a fantastic spot to go diving, and there are plenty of reputable companies on the island to choose from.
Since Koh Lipe sits in the middle of the Tarutao National Marine Park, there are plenty of dive sites to explore. You can go on fun dives or get your Open Water Certification with any of the local dive shops.
If you want a more unique experience, check out diving liveaboards in Thailand. You get to sleep onboard a ship and dive up to four times a day. Ummm, sign us up!
We go over all the details in our review from when we stayed on a liveaboard in the Similan Islands.
7. See bioluminescent plankton at night
If you’ve seen the movie “The Beach”, you likely remember the scene where Leo and his lady interest are in the ocean at night and the water is aglow with blue glittering lights.
This is bioluminescent plankton. And as unreal as it seems, this is not just a special effect for Hollywood. That’s right – you can actually see this magical phenomenon yourself!
A couple years ago, we went on the Maya Bay Sleep Aboard tour (and spent the night at the actual beach where the movie was filmed!), and we were able to experience the water light up with plankton. It was pretty spectacular. But you can experience this phenomenon in Koh Lipe too!
There are plenty of tour companies selling half-day tours that end with a night swim with these special plankton. Just wander down Walking Street and find the company with the best vibe and prices.
UPDATE: As of 2019, we’ve heard that these plankton tours are not running at the moment due to environmental preservation.
Do it yourself: The good news is, you don’t need to go on a tour to see the bioluminescent plankton. If you’d prefer to save some money, wander down to the beach at night, away from the florescent lights of the beachside restaurants, and look for the sparkling blue dots washed up on the sand. They’ll look like little glowing beads in the sand.
8. Take a yoga class
If you’re feeling a little stiff after the bumpy speedboat ride to the island, get your downward dog on at one of the island’s two yoga studios:
- Castaway Beach Resort offers yoga classes on Sunrise Beach at 7 a.m., 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Classes last one hour and are 400 baht each and a package of 3 classes is 1,000 baht.
- Keirita’s Yoga is another studio that has classes daily at 6:00 a.m., 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. One drop in class is 400 baht and a package of 3 classes is 1,000 baht. Classes need to be pre-booked to reserve your space.
Also, can we all just take a moment and admire Ben’s tree pose?! *Crying tears of laughter…*
9. Visit the temple
While it’s not necessarily worth going out of your way for, Han Talay Monastery is located in the center of the Koh Lipe and makes a nice little stop if you’re walking from one side of the island to the other.
This tranquil temple is surrounded by jungle and makes a nice escape from the sun and people for a bit. You might see the monks doing their daily chores or overhear their morning and afternoon chants.
When we visited Koh Lipe, we had just come from a meditation retreat at Wat Pa Tam Wua in northern Thailand, and immediately felt at peace on the grounds of this small island temple.
10. Art Garden Batik Workshop
Take a break from the beach and head to the Lipe Art Garden. The laid-back vibe and colorful art is what drew us in.
They have art workshops throughout the week and this is a great place to bring the family. They also have a small kitchen on site that can whip up a yummy meal. The Art Garden is near the temple and you can check out their website here.
11. Get a massage on the beach
Island life is all about relaxation, and what better way to chill out than getting a massage while hanging beachside. There are plenty of massage places to choose from, but our pick are the open-air places right on the sand.
There’s even one place near the north-central end of Sunrise Beach with massage beds on the rooftop, overlooking the ocean.
Prices seem to hover around 300 baht for an hour-long Thai massage and 400 baht for an hour-long head, neck and shoulder massage.
12. Explore Walking Street
You can’t really miss Walking Street while in Koh Lipe. Honestly, it is a lot more developed than we were imagining, but it’s still worth a stroll. This street really comes alive at night when the seafood restaurants are bustling and the fresh catch of the day is being grilled right next to where you’re walking.
Most of the restaurants on the main drag have pretty steep prices for the fresh fish (a few of the places we asked said their fish starts at 500 baht each).
Get off walking street if you want seafood dinner on a budget, or head to King Crab Restaurant and order the BBQ skewer. You’ll get a grilled kebab with your choice of fish (or other meat) and vegetables, and it is served with a baked potato and small salad for 150 baht.
13. Relax on the beach
Koh Lipe is the perfect place to just unwind under the sun (or shade, if you burn as badly as Ben!).
Be sure to check out Sunrise Beach on the east coast, Sunset Beach on the central north coast, and Pattaya Beach on the south central coast for the most popular beaches on the island. If you want to get off the beaten path a bit, check out North Point Beach and Bulow Beach next door on the north coast, or Sanom Beach and Secret Beach on the south coast.
Whether you prefer a hammock or the sand and whether you want to nap or read a good book, you’ll surely find your bliss on this island.
14. Catch a sunset with cocktails in hand
While in Koh Lipe, you should make it a goal to see the sunset every night – it is breathtaking.
We’re sharing 2 great spots to take in the view:
Bila Beach Decho Bar
This was our favorite sunset spot as the view is spectacular and we were only one of 3 couples there. The drinks aren’t cheap (my mojito was 200 baht and Ben’s small Leo beer was 100 baht), but the secluded view is totally worth it.
Sunset Beach
As the name implies, this is a great spot for taking in sunset views.
Whether you choose to enjoy the sky change from blue to orange to pink from the sand or at Happy Mojito Beach Bar with a 100 baht mojito in hand is up to you. And even though this is a popular spot for watching the sunset, it doesn’t feel too crowded.
15. Enjoy the nightlife in Koh Lipe
Once the sun hits the horizon, everyone seems to leave Sunset Beach, head home for a shower, and then slowly make their way to Pattaya Beach for the party. (And when we say “party,” it’s pretty tame compared to other islands.)
There are plenty of fancy bars on the island like Maya Bar right on walking street or the Art Beach Club or Sea la Vie right on Pattaya Beach.
And after the sky turns dark, the fires comes out. Pattaya Beach is the place to be to see a fire show. They won’t be as wild or interactive like the shows in Koh Phi Phi, but you can sit back and relax with a cocktail as the performer nearly singes his eyebrows off.
Psst! For help finding authentic experiences at a great price, get personalized recommendations from actual locals in Thailand when you plan your trip with ViaHero.
Where to eat in Koh Lipe
There is no shortage of restaurants on Walking Street, though many of them blend together and serve the same overpriced food. We ate a couple meals on Walking Street and they were alright; but we mostly tried to get off the main street to find our food.
Cheap Local Food
Forever Restaurant: This sweet little mom and pop restaurant is well out of the way of the popular parts of town, but that’s part of its charm. We ordered beef and potato curry as well as cauliflower curry, both of which were delicious.
The family who owns this small restaurant is super sweet and we felt like we had discovered a hidden gem. The prices are some of the more reasonable on the island, and I was pleasantly surprised with a great gin and tonic.
Little BBQ Restaurant: One of our favorite restaurants in Koh Lipe isn’t on the map. This no-name restaurant is right across the street from the Green Hotel. It’s a tiny family-run four-table restaurant where the mother cooks in an open air kitchen and the elementary age sons serve the meals. Adorable!
We had a veggie pad Thai for 60 baht, tom yum gai soup for 100 baht and the cheapest grilled fish meal we could find for dinner for 200 baht.
Western Food
Elephant Coffee House and Bar: There are signs all over the island for this place, and it is one of the more popular establishments on the island (plus, it’s open all year long, while some restaurants close during low season). We had breakfast at Elephant Coffee House one day, and it was decent.
The coffee was good, the Western options were nice and the decor is adorable. The food was good — nothing super special and you’ll be paying high island prices — but no complaints really.
Bonus points for their free water fill-up station (if you have a Trash Hero water bottle available for purchase for 200 baht).
Time to Chill Resort: We ate breakfast at Time to Chill twice, mostly because it was just a short walk from our hotel. The breakfast set is a little expensive, at 200 baht, but comes with fresh squeezed juice, coffee/tea, and your choice of an omelet or pancake. We got one of each and split. Both were good!
Where to stay in Koh Lipe
The hotels in Koh Lipe seemed to be a lot more expensive (and overall not as nice) as the selection on nearby Koh Lanta. We started searching for hotels in Koh Lipe just a week before our trip, and we were having a hard time finding anything within our budget that got decent reviews.
We were visiting during high season (November to March), which meant the average rates we were seeing hovered around $80 USD per night. For us, this was a bit high, especially since the reviews were far from raving.
We landed on Baanpeangpor Hostel, which cost $26 USD per night on Agoda during high season. It was okay.
If we were to go back to Koh Lipe with a slightly higher budget, we would try to stay on Sunrise Beach.
Budget-friendly stay: Bloom Cafe & Hostel
Situated in town, his place offers a vibrant and budget-friendly accommodation option for travelers. With its cozy dormitories and inviting communal spaces, the hostel provides a social atmosphere, complemented by the on-site cafe serving delicious Thai and international cuisine.
Mid-range/couples stay: Castaways Resort
The location of this popular resort is great, the accommodation looked really nice when we had a peak, and they have an onsite restaurant, yoga classes and offer diving and other excursions.
Mid-range/couples stay: Ten Moons Lipe Resort
Traditional Thai-inspired bungalows and villas on the shores of Pattaya Beach, the resort offers a serene escape. The resort features modern amenities, a private beachfront, and stunning sunset views.
Mid-range/couples stay: Mountain Resort
Featuring comfortable bungalows surrounded by tropical gardens, this resort offers a serene ambiance, perfect for those seeking a quiet retreat while still being within easy reach of the island’s vibrant atmosphere and beaches.
Splurge stay: Idyllic Concept Resort
A luxurious beachfront retreat on Sunrise Beach, known for its contemporary design and upscale amenities. The resort offers stylish villas with private balconies, a beachfront pool, and an onsite restaurant.
Splurge stay: Asara Private Beach Resort
If you’re looking for luxury and don’t mind being a bit out of the way, this gorgeous resort, with its infinity pool overlooking a private beach, looks absolutely heavenly.
How much does Koh Lipe cost?
After living in Chiang Mai for 5 months, we knew the islands would be more expensive than what we were use to spending in Thailand.
When you consider that all food and supplies need to be brought to the islands, it’s easy to understand why things just cost more. But in exchange for spending time in paradise, the prices aren’t out of hand.
Here are some examples of prices we found around the island during the end of high tourist season:
- Pad Thai at a local (non-Western) restaurant: 60 baht
- Thai massage: 300 baht for one hour
- Bungalow: 700 baht per night (for 2 people during the end of high season)
- Mojito on Sunset Beach: 100 baht during happy hour
You can certainly find higher prices (or lower too if you search!), but hopefully this gives you an idea for a starting point.
What to pack for Koh Lipe, Thailand
Here are some specific items we’d recommend packing for Koh Lipe, Thailand:
- reef safe sunscreen
- insulated water bottle
- bug repellant (solids are the way to go)
- dry bag or waterproof phone case
- reusable straw & reusable bag
- loose, lightweight clothes & layers
- swimwear
- microfiber travel towel
- Chaco sandals (we’d recommend these for Thailand instead of hiking boots as they are less bulky and are good for walking through water) or other sturdy shoes
Be sure to download our complete packing list for SE Asia! It’s packed with good suggestions and insider tips to help plan your Italy trip. And it’s completely FREE, so why not!?
Are you planning a trip to Thailand?
We have TONS of resources on travel in Thailand and destinations throughout the country. Check out our Ultimate Thailand Travel Guide for all the answers to your most burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below.
- Best Time to Visit Thailand: When to Go & When to Avoid
- How to Travel Sustainably in Thailand and Why You Should Care
- Khao Sok National Park & Floating Bungalows Travel Guide
- 17 Amazing Things To Do in Koh Lanta, Thailand
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We want to hear from you!
Have you been to Koh Lipe, Thailand? What were your favorite things to do in Koh Lipe? Are you planning a trip and still have more questions? Let us know in the comments below!
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I just came back from Koh Lipe and I have to be honest I have really mixed reviews and personally wouldn’t go back! I traveled 3 hours from Koh Lanta. I was island hopping and had heard mixed reviews but wanted to see for myself. As I arrived I really was amazed by the clear water and white sand however as you approach Pattaya beach the water becomes murky and unclear. When I asked about diving I was told by multiple dive schools that it was impossible to see longer than 2 meters due to the pollution and natural erosion of the coral reefs, so I gave it a miss as it is more expensive here then Koh Tao. I stayed on Pattaya beach in a beautiful little bungalow so I could be close to the action ( be so careful of the fire shows as an event manager back in London I was so shocked by the health and safety and the danger aspects tourists walk way to close to inexperienced performers and can be badly hurt so sit back! never walk behind the performer either! ) ill be honest the food wasn’t great at all in my hostel but I generally found that about the entire island. I have been to a few places in the south of Asia and I thought it was more expensive. Walking street was really crowded and disappointing. The mainland is really dirty and there are stray dogs everywhere. The people are kind and welcoming and the sunsets are dreamy. I personally think there are better places to visit if you are quite far away don’t stress yourself to get there but if your close have a look it wasn’t a terrible experience.
thank you for the info! very useful. tomorrow i’m headed to koh lipe!
We are heading here for Christmas and can’t wait!
Hi! I am planning my honeymoon and have 10 days. I am planning on starting in Chiang Mai and then going down to the islands. Do you think it would be too much to do Chiang Mai, Kah Sak national park, and Koh Lipe?
Hi Ben,
This is so helpful as i am planning a trip there(yay!!) what time of year did you go? i am trying to understand the weather patterns
Me and my friend are currently chilling in Koh Lipe and this post helps us so much to plan out what to do around the island! Thank you so much for useful tips!!
You’re very welcome Yumiko! We’re happy to help you plan your travels in Koh Lipe. Enjoy!
hey guys,
Since you have been to both Koh Lipe and Koh Lanta, which one do you recommend for 2-3 days ? I only have time to visit one of the two, and I can’t decide which one to go to. Krabi is also an option, have you been to that?
Hey Valeria, All 3 are great options. I know it’s not an answer you probably want to hear, but it really depends on what you’re looking for.
Koh Lipe is more relaxed, and maybe has the least amount to do. But beautiful beaches and less touristy. Also, it takes the longest to get here so being that you have limited time it might not be the best choice.
Koh Lanta has a ton to do, but it can be difficult to get around if you don’t drive a motorbike.
Krabi has lots of caves and rock cliffs. A really great place to try rock climbing, and there is a really nice lookout hike. Easy to get to and no need for a motorbike.
Hope that helps! Happy travels ☺
Hi guys, i love your blog! Just one question : i am planning to go to Koh Lipe in beginning of March. I saw that you went the same Time this year. Is it Busy? Or still you get the feeling for laying back.
Hey Manuel, March in Koh Lipe was not too busy. The island wasn’t deserted and it wasn’t over crowded either. I think it was a pretty good time to visit because high season is just slowing down. Enjoy your time in Koh Lipe!
Hi guys! I have loved reading your guides to Thailand (Chiang Mai, Koh Lanta + Ko Lipe). Planning a trip there in March. Will have 7 nights for islands and we are thinking Koh Lanta + Ko Lipe. Any advice on getting to and away from those islands (i.e is it better to fly into Karbi and out of Hat Kai or v. versa?) We will be coming from Chiang Mai and then have to depart to Bangkok. Thanks for the tips and blogs.
I spend One Month in Koh Lipe, Slept in 3 different resorts, the best for quality/price is Gecko Lipe Resort. Eco-friendly resort near the walking street, site in the Lipe natural Original forest where you smell the nature and the freedom of Thailand.
Recommended Restaurant:
Thai restaurants: "Fino restaurant" and "nee Papaya". wester restaurant: "Capriccio" Italian mediterranean cuisine. Indian restaurant: "Bombay"
Hey Marino! Thanks so much for you additional tips on what to do in Koh Lipe! Sounds like you had a great time!
we are planning a trip to Thailand and want to spend 6-7 nights in the islands? which is your favorite? Right now we are thinking a few nights in Ao Nang to do some day tours and a few nights in Koh Lanta?
We were first leaning towards Phuket but the more I have read the more we are less interested?
Thank you
Hi Mary, we really loved Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta, and Railay Beach (near Ao Nang). I would plan doing at least two of those three for your 6-7 nights. To be honest, Phuket gets a lot of hype for what it really is. Some beaches are nice, but you have to travel far on busy streets to get to them. It feels more like a city than an island. I would stick with what you are planning. Let us know if you have any more questions. We are happy to help.