"Koh Lipe is a small island located in Satun Province, Thailand and close to Langkawi Island, Malaysia. It is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park which is a large group of over 70 islands and also part of Adang Archipelago."
Koh Lipe is famous for its pristine white beaches and sky blue seas as well as for its diving and snorkeling spots.
How to get to Koh Lipe
The easiest and fastest way to get there is via Langkawi, Malaysia. Ferries and speedboats from Langkawi depart from 3 different points; Telaga Harbour, Resort World Langkawi (previously known as Awana Porto Malai) and Kuah Jetty.
Its and hour speedboat ride (shortest route via Telaga Harbour) to the island. Downside, the speed boat only operates during the high season between October-May (though there have been rumors they might start operating all year). Alternatively you can go to Koh Lipe via Satun or Pak Barra to name a few. The boat times are 930am or 230pm to Koh Lipe and back to Langkawi at 1030am or 430pm (bear in mind Koh Lipe is +7GMT) So plan your flight comfortably to be able to reach the harbour at least an hour before your boat schedule.
Ticket price per person for a return trip is RM240 using Telaga Terminal or Bundhaya Speedboat (these two operators collaborate so its the same either way). Book online to get a discount and do it as early as a week before. If you're coming from a different country other than Malaysia, do check if you need to apply for Thai visa beforehand as they do not provide Visa-on-Arrival service. More info on these websites:
Upon arriving Koh Lipe, do make sure you have 20 baht to pay for marine conservation and enough baht to get around during your stay as they do not have any ATM machine on the island. Koh Lipe does not have a pier, therefore you will be dropped off at the beach to collect your passports (it is advisable that you wear shorts and slippers for your journey). There, you will be given a Koh Lipe map and advised on the check-in time and meeting point for your departure from Koh Lipe. After clearing immigration, you can either walk (through inner roads via Walking Street or on the beaches) or take the longtail boats (around 50 -100 baht) to your pre-booked accommodations. In high season, do book you accommodation beforehand as they tend to get fully occupied.Koh Lipe is famous for its pristine white beaches and sky blue seas as well as for its diving and snorkeling spots.
How to get to Koh Lipe
The easiest and fastest way to get there is via Langkawi, Malaysia. Ferries and speedboats from Langkawi depart from 3 different points; Telaga Harbour, Resort World Langkawi (previously known as Awana Porto Malai) and Kuah Jetty.
Its and hour speedboat ride (shortest route via Telaga Harbour) to the island. Downside, the speed boat only operates during the high season between October-May (though there have been rumors they might start operating all year). Alternatively you can go to Koh Lipe via Satun or Pak Barra to name a few. The boat times are 930am or 230pm to Koh Lipe and back to Langkawi at 1030am or 430pm (bear in mind Koh Lipe is +7GMT) So plan your flight comfortably to be able to reach the harbour at least an hour before your boat schedule.
Ticket price per person for a return trip is RM240 using Telaga Terminal or Bundhaya Speedboat (these two operators collaborate so its the same either way). Book online to get a discount and do it as early as a week before. If you're coming from a different country other than Malaysia, do check if you need to apply for Thai visa beforehand as they do not provide Visa-on-Arrival service. More info on these websites:
image via kohlipethailand.com
Beaches
Koh Lipe has 3 beaches; Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach and Pattaya Beach
The name is pretty straightforward. Sunrise Beach, where the sun rises in the East is a good place to stay if you are a morning person and loves watching sunrise. Sunset Beach, where the sun sets in the West is great for watching sunsets.
If you want the best of both worlds, stay at the tip of Sunrise beach. The best place would be Mountain Resort which is located right at the tip of the island. Don't get worried just yet, Mountain Resort (although on the mountain) isn't totally just greens and rocks. You can still access the beach or stay in the chalets right on the beach. The villa on the cliff, overlooking the sea and Koh Adang Island is a dream.
View of Mountain Resort from the boat.
Where to stay
These are some of the accommodations i would recommend. I stayed in both Mali Resort and Andaman Resort. Both places have their pros and cons, it all depends on your budget and comfort level.
You can read my review on Mali Resort here:
http://www.tripadvisor.com.my/ShowUserReviews-g1024140-d3382172-r159092799-Mali_Resort-Koh_Lipe_Satun_Province.html
Splurge
- Idyllic Concept Resort (Sunrise Beach)
- Serendipity Beach Resort (Sunrise Beach)
- Anda Resort (Sunrise Beach)
- Mali Resort (Pattaya Beach)
- Mountain Resort (Sunrise Beach)
- Bundhaya Resort (Pattaya Beach)
- Zanom Sunrise Resort (Sunrise Beach)
- Castaway Resort (Sunrise Beach)
- Andaman Resort (Sunrise Beach)
What to do in Koh Lipe
Basically going to Koh Lipe is purely for relaxation and laid back nights. There isn't much to do there. You can explore Walking Street (open from 7pm to 12am) which is just a short stretch of souvenir shops and restaurants/stalls/bars. Some places also offer free movie screenings.
A good place to eat recommended by the locals would be Rak Lay Restaurant and Ne Ne Restaurant along Walking Street. Else, you can try Zanom Sunrise Resort and Mountain Resort too, the food there is quite good. Along Pattaya Beach, there are bars on the beach which lay mats on the sand for you to have drinks and watch the stars.
Enjoy your stay!!
Basically going to Koh Lipe is purely for relaxation and laid back nights. There isn't much to do there. You can explore Walking Street (open from 7pm to 12am) which is just a short stretch of souvenir shops and restaurants/stalls/bars. Some places also offer free movie screenings.
A good place to eat recommended by the locals would be Rak Lay Restaurant and Ne Ne Restaurant along Walking Street. Else, you can try Zanom Sunrise Resort and Mountain Resort too, the food there is quite good. Along Pattaya Beach, there are bars on the beach which lay mats on the sand for you to have drinks and watch the stars.
Enjoy your stay!!
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