Ko lipe island on the map of thailand. The island of Koh Lipe is truly a piece of paradise on the edge of Thailand. Tourists in Koh Lipe

On a small island in the south of Thailand, Ko Lipe, is more difficult to get to than Samui or Phuket, but it is worth the effort and time spent on the road. From this article you will learn which transport is most convenient to get to the island of Koh Lipe from Bangkok, Krabi, Koh Lanta and other regions of Thailand, as well as from the Malaysian island of Langkawi, how much tickets cost, how and where you can buy them and how long it will take road to Koh Lipe.

Koh Lipe on the map - nearest airports and piers (seaports)

No matter how you plan to get to Koh Lipe, at least the last leg of your journey to small island Lipe will pass through the sea.

Nearest port on the territory of Thailand, from which they depart speed boats and ferries on Koh Lipe, called Pak Bara Pier(Pak Bara Pier) and the distance to Lipe Island is 63 km in a straight line. Approximately the same distance to port on the island Langkawi(Malaysia).

Nearest to Koh Lipe airports are located:

on the island Langkawi (Malaysia)- about 60 km by sea,
in the city Hat Yai (Thailand)- about 123 km by land to the Pak Bara pier and then another 63 km by sea.

Koh Lipe Island, neighboring islands, ferry and speedboat routes

How to get to Koh Lipe from Phi Phi and Koh Lanta islands

During the calm sea season (from October 20 to May 15) between Koh Lipe and other islands Andaman Sea there is a message by sea - speed boats, which can take you to Koh Lipe from Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Muk and Kradan. Using such a speedboat, you can move from one island to another, taking turns relaxing on any island you like along the route.

My advice: when buying tickets, choose a transport company that is famous for its new boats, trained staff and punctuality.

Schedule and route of speed boats from Koh Lipe to the islands of the Andaman Sea

Duration of the trip, cost of a ticket for a speedboat to Koh Lipe from other islands with links to the website where you can buy tickets:

- the journey by speedboat will take about 5 hours and cost 3,400 baht.
- 4.5 hours, cost - 2600 baht.
- 3 hours, cost - 1900 baht,
- 2.5 hours on the road, cost - 1600 baht,
- 1 hour and 45 minutes travel time, ticket price - 1400 baht,
- 2 hours travel, price - 1400 baht.

Speed boat from Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta

If you decide to relax on one of the islands along the speedboat route, here are ready-made links to hotels on each island that will save your time searching for hotels:

hotels in Ko Phi Phi: booking.com and agoda.com,
Ko Lanta hotels: booking.com and agoda.com,
hotels hotels Ko Ngai: booking.com and agoda.com,
Ko Mook hotels: booking.com or agoda.com,
hotels Ko Kradan: booking.com or agoda.com,
hotels in Ko Lipe: booking.com or agoda.com.

Pattaya Beach and Bunbhaya Villas 4* hotel on Koh Lipe

How to get to Koh Lipe Island from Bangkok

To get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok, you need to overcome three sections of the route:

Bangkok - Hat Yai (plane, bus, ),
Hat Yai - port Pak Bara Pier (,),
port Pak Bara Pier - Lipe Island ().

More details about each stage of the journey from Bangkok to Koh Lipe:

1. First, let's figure out how to get there from Bangkok to Hat Yai and how much are the tickets:

tickets cost from 855 baht and depend on the class of carriage and the corresponding amenities. The train is a convenient transport option if you want to experience Thai trains and are not in a rush (the journey takes about 15 hours).
bus from Bangkok to Hat Yai, in which you will have to travel for about 20 hours, I would not recommend (why suffer in a bus seat for 20 hours if there are other more comfortable and faster transport options),
cheap air tickets from Bangkok to Hat Yai from 750 baht can be found on the Aviasales website and Skyscanner.

2 and 3. From the city Hat Yai to Pak Bara Pier You can get there by minibus or private taxi. From Pak Bara Pier to Koli Lipe there is only one option - a speedboat.

for 600 - 900 baht per person includes travel minibus from Hat Yai to the pier plus a place in speedboat to Koh Lipe(the journey will take 5.5 hours).
For families with children, companies of more than 4 people, tourists with large suitcases or those who like an individual approach, the following option is more suitable:
- from Hat Yai to Pak Bara Pier, which costs 2000 baht per car (2 hours on the road),
- , a ticket for which costs 600 baht per person (the journey takes 2 hours).

How to get to Koh Lipe from Krabi and other regions of Thailand

From Krabi or Ao Nang to Koh Lipe you can get:

by sea:, which promises to get from the pier in the city of Krabi or the Railay Peninsula to Lipe Island in 4.5 hours for 1800 - 2400 baht.
by land and sea: for (600 baht per person) or

Lipe Island ( Koh Lipe) in the province of Satun, in Thailand is perhaps the most pleasant place for connoisseurs of leisurely and calm beach holiday. Excellent and clean beaches, wonderful diving and snorkeling, and at the same time sufficient distance from the main tourist package flows - these are the main features of the island of Koh Lipe.

A good idea to “stick” to Lipa is to combine business with pleasure - go and then have a long beach relaxation.

When is the best time to go to Koh Lipe?

The most better weather in Lipa from December to March. However, you can come here as early as October 20. The season from October 20 to November 16 and from April 1 to May 16 is considered low. At this time the most low prices, but there may be rain and the sea is rough.
It should be taken into account that the island is small and there is little accommodation, so hotels for December and January must be booked in advance (6 or more months in advance).

How to get to Koh Lipe on your own

You can get to Lipe Island from Phuket, Phi Phi Islands, Lanta, Langkawi, etc. - it depends on where you are coming from. From Bangkok, you first need to get to the nearest pier, and then sail by sea to Lipa.

There are no airports on Lipa; you can only get there by sea, and not in any month. Navigation in this water area begins on October 19 and ends on May 16.

In the photo: ferry to Koh Lipe at Hat Yao pier

If you are flying from Europe, the route will be something like this: flight to Bangkok – flight to Hat Yai – bus to the pier – ferry or boat to Lipa. In fact, everything is much simpler than it seems.

The easiest option is to buy a single ticket on the website from Bangkok immediately with a transfer to Koh Lipe. Then you will simply board the plane in Bangkok, and then you will be accompanied everywhere, all the way to the island.

Important! Please note that in Bangkok, AirAsia flies from Don Mueang Airport (this is NOT the airport you will fly into from Russia, Ukraine or Europe). We still need to get to this airport. Therefore, getting from Europe to Koh Lipe in 1 day will be too tiring. It's better to at least spend the night in Bangkok.

Buying a ticket to Koh Lipe looks like this: in the “where” field, look for “Thailand (Island Transfer)” and select “Lipe”.

You will first fly to Hat Yai, then you will be taken to the port and board the ferry to Koh Lipe. The entire journey will take from 6 to 9 hours. Along the way, you will be accompanied by company employees. Everything is simple, clear and understandable.

How to get to Lipe on your own, without a transfer

Most tourists travel to Koh Lipe either by ferry from the Malay island of Langkawi, or from Thailand, using combined bus and ferry tickets, which are sold at any travel agencies throughout Thailand. To decide which places are best to get to Koh Lipe, see the map:

I'll tell you more:

How to get from Penang (Malaysia) to Koh Lipe
1. First take a ferry to Langkawi, price 70RM, 3 hours ride.
2. Then transfer from Langkawi to the ferry to Koh Lipe, price 118RM, ride 1.5 hours. It is better to leave for Langkawi from the Telaga pier.
Single tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in Penang.

How to get from Bangkok to Koh Lipe
1. Fly to one of the nearest airports – Krabi or Hat Yai.
2. Next, take buses or minivans to the Pak Bara or Hat Yao piers.
3. Then another transfer by ferry or boat.

Prices depend on the route and transport chosen, e.g. approximate price Krabi Airport – Koh Lipe (ferry + minivan) 1400 baht/person. Speedboats are more expensive.

How to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe
Many tourists travel to Lipe Island directly from the water, on speedboats or ferries. However, this option is only for those who can tolerate pitching well. Long and tedious.
A direct ticket can be bought in Phuket at any travel agency right on the street.

In the photo: tourists disembarking from the boat. Lipe Island

By the way, Lipa does not have its own pier, so at the very last stage you will have to transfer from the ferry to small boats - longtails, with subsequent disembarkation into the water. So prepare 50 baht and take care of good shoes and cameras :)

The quietest months on Lipe Island are October and April. In other months there are many tourists.

Beaches of Koh Lipe

As elsewhere in Thailand, Koh Lipe does not have a single circular beach along which one could go around the entire island. Lipa has only three major beaches - Sunrise, Sunset and Pattaya. And several small ones that can only be reached by boat. The beaches are somewhat similar - the sand is clean and white everywhere, the entrance to the water is gentle. However, there are also differences, which are what they take advantage of. experienced tourists. So, let's look at the map of Ko Lipe.

On the map Lipe looks like a horseshoe

Pattaya Beach is primarily a transshipment base. Teams of tourists arrive and depart here, there is also a Thai immigration office and several large hotels. The beach is long and clean, and quite suitable for swimming, but this is not Bounty, if you know what I mean :)

In the photo: the most crowded beach on Lipe Island - Pattaya Beach

Sunset is the most picturesque and “wild” beach in Koh Lipe. There are steep slopes, there are more stones along the shore and, accordingly, fewer boats.

Pictured: the end of Sunset Beach on Ko Lipe

Sunrise Beach is perhaps the most balanced. There is enough space for everyone, both beachgoers and boats.

In the photo: at Sunrise Beach on Lipe Island

In the photo: complete relaxation on Sunrise Beach in Koh Lipe, Thailand

The best beach bars are located on Sunrise, where it is so pleasant to spend evenings chatting with friends, listening to music and drinking Chang.

In the photo: “Sea La Vie” – one of the best beach bars in Ko Lipe

Diving and snorkeling in Lipa

In the photo: newcomers to Lipa quickly master diving

Lipe Island is located in national park Ko Tarutao, so the surrounding waters are simply ideal for good diving. The surrounding coral reefs are rich in many species of tropical fish, and you can also admire turtles, barracudas and dolphins. Beginner divers should take training tours to the neighboring islands of Sawang and Chabang. The most advanced diving companies: “Adang Sea Divers” and “Ko Lipe Castaway Divers”.

If you are looking for budget accommodation, you will most likely stay in the center of the island, in one of the guesthouses around the local Walking Street. A little noisy, but close to the whole tourist scene: cafes, bars, shopping. One of the newest and inexpensive hotels is “A Plus Deluxe Hotel”. You can view prices and book

In the photo: inexpensive and modern hotel “A Plus Deluxe Hotel”, Koh Lipe

Hotels on the west coast of Lipe Island (especially on the hills) are quieter and have gorgeous views from the rooms, but they have their own problem - nightly transport - either constantly calling a local "taxi" or walking, which is inconvenient in the dark.

In the photo: view from the window at the Mountain Resort hotel on Lipe Island

If the main purpose of your vacation is diving, it is best to stay in one of the authentic resorts of Sunrise Beach, like “Adang Sea Divers & Eco Lodge”- simple, but very cheap. Here you can spend more time among fellow submariners, practice with equipment, and loading onto boats will be more optimal for you.

In the photo: a party of divers at the Castaway resort

Comfortable hotels in Ko Lipe

The most luxurious hotels on the island are definitely the Serendipity Resort, Mali Resort and the modern Idyllic Concept Resort. If your budget allows, be sure to live in one of them!

In the photo: view from the veranda of the Serendipity Resort Hotel, Lipe Island

Budget accommodation in Ko Lipe

In the photo: cheap bungalows of the “Izgoy” resort – exoticism in its purest form

Oddly enough, cheap and hippy bungalows hotel “Castaway Resort”

Updated: Sep 17, 2018

The Adang Archipelago, located in the southern part of the Andaman Sea, near the mainland of Thailand and Malaysia, is often called the “Thai Maldives”, primarily for its snow-white sand. Ko Lipe (Thailand) is the only inhabited island in this archipelago. Tourists come here to enjoy the serenity and tranquility. In addition, the island attracts divers, because many marine inhabitants live off the coast - almost a quarter of all those existing in nature. The island is the southernmost point of Thailand and many tourists are frightened by the question of how to get to Koh Lipe. However, the number of travelers is increasing every year. We have prepared detailed information for those planning a trip to the island.

general information

The island of Koh Lipe in Thailand is located in the southern part of the Andaman Sea and belongs to the Satun province. This is nothing more southern point countries. On a sunny, cloudless day, you can see the coast of Malaysia from the island, namely the Langkawi archipelago, located at a distance of 30 km.

The distance to Phuket is 250 km, to Krabi – about 220 km, and to mainland Thailand – 70 km.

The length of the island is only 3 km, it is easy to get around on foot; there are about 800 indigenous people on Koh Lipe. The main source of income is fishing and tourism.

Interesting fact! Indigenous people belongs to the sea gypsies - immigrants from Malaysia who arrived on the island about a century ago.

Koh Lipe has a themed marine park Tarutao, which was given national status, was named the second largest in Thailand at the end of the 20th century.

Tourist infrastructure and recreation features

Every year the number of tourists on the island of Koh Lipe in Thailand increases, despite the fact that you can only get here by water. The infrastructure is accordingly developing rapidly - the resort is flourishing and attracting more and more vacationers. The first and main reason why tourists come here are the beaches, where you can enjoy a relaxing holiday or take an exciting dive or snorkel.

Interesting fact! Not far from Koh Lipe there are several uninhabited islands where you can go on an excursion tour or stay in a tent for several days.

Walking Street

The island of Koh Lipe in Thailand boasts a walking street - Walking Street, where there are souvenir shops, a pharmacy, travel agencies, cafes and an exchange office. Prices on the main street of the island are quite high, and the exchange rate is unfavorable, so it is better to stock up on everything you need on the mainland. The local attraction begins at Pattaya Beach and stretches to Sunrise Beach. The signs indicate that the street is open from 6:00 to midnight, but Walking Street does not close; many cafes, restaurants and bars open in the afternoon. Of course, most establishments are empty and close by midnight, but you can still find a few bars that invite tourists.

Relatively recently, there were no bank branches or banks on the island, but today withdrawing money is not difficult. It should be taken into account that you will have to pay a commission to withdraw money, and the exchange rate is unfavorable. Also in some hotels you can pay for your room and services with a plastic card, but a fee is charged for this. IN exchange offices You can exchange dollars and the Malaysian currency – ringgit.

Koh Lipe in Thailand has Wi-Fi; Internet access points are available in hotels and Internet cafes.

Most cafes and bars are located on the coastline, the maximum distance to the sea is 200 meters. There are no discos and other entertainment venues, as well as attractions, on the island.

Interesting fact! The maximum distance between beaches on the island is 1 km, so during your vacation you can easily visit them all. A walk from one to the other will take about a quarter of an hour. If you don't like to walk, rent a bike.

Why is it worth getting to Koh Lipe?

Seascapes. Already on the way to the island, on the ferry, you can do beautiful pictures.
Bright undersea world. There are a lot of fish and marine inhabitants off the coast of the island; even tourists who cannot swim can take beautiful photographs. To do this, you don’t need to wear special equipment, just a mask and snorkel are enough.
Big choice excursion tours. Most of them are on deserted islands; it’s easy to stay here for a few days. There are tours with night swimming, which shimmers with the abundance of plankton, a trip with a barbecue against the backdrop of a sea sunset. The cost of the excursion is about $17-19.
Snow-white beaches and clear turquoise water. Despite the fact that getting to the island is not so easy, and Koh Lipe in Thailand has minor drawbacks, the beaches are attractive and allow you to ignore minor inconveniences. Here you can find fabulous sunrises and sunsets, numerous bars offer drinks and delicious treats right on the shore.
Large selection of seafood dishes. Every restaurant and bar offers delicious treats from sea creatures you've never even heard of. Some dishes are prepared right in front of tourists.

Good to know! In addition to traditional restaurants, there are buffets on Walking Street; for a certain amount you can try the entire range of dishes. The cost is about $15-17.

It would be wrong to talk only about positive aspects islands in Thailand. If you decide to travel and get to Koh Lipe, be prepared for the following unpleasant surprises:

garbage, the island authorities simply do not have time to remove it;
boats are the real scourge of the island, they are moored on all the beaches;
cats and dogs, some of them annoying;
prices for products are higher than in stores on mainland Thailand.

A natural disadvantage is strong ebbs and flows. During high tide, the shore is under water, there is simply no place left for sunbathing. At low tide, the sea becomes so shallow that only children can swim in the sea.

Interesting fact! The only place on an island where there are no ebbs and flows - the northern edge of Sunrise Beach.

There are no large stores on the island; there are small grocery stores. Be sure to try the pancakes - they are sold in street stalls.

Transport

Getting to the island is not so easy, but on Koh Lipe we can solve the issue of transportation. There are no cars here, there are few bikes, public transport does not go. Travelers are offered several ways to get around the island:

on foot;
motorbike taxi;
bike rental;
Boats regularly ply between the beaches.

Accommodation on the island

Every year new hotels open on Koh Lipe in Thailand, but in high tourist season Finding available accommodation is not so easy, so it is better to book a room several months before your trip. Most hotels are built right on the beach, many have the appearance of bungalows, but you can also find a traditional hotel.

During the tourist season, rates for accommodation in a three-star hotel are about 3 thousand baht, and a bungalow can be rented for 1 thousand baht. In no high season prices are halved.

Hotel features in Koh Lipe (Thailand):

Good to know! In addition to hotels, the island also has a budget option accommodation - tents in camping sites. Most of them are located on Sunset Beach.

Find out PRICES or book any accommodation using this form

Beaches of the island

The first and main advantage of Koh Lipe is its beaches, which are considered the best in Thailand. Coastline It’s better only on the Similan Islands. Several decades ago, the island’s beaches were deserted, but today the situation has changed - infrastructure has appeared, but the exotic nature has been preserved. It is for the sake of the beaches that many tourists decide to go to Koh Lipe. We have made a selection for you best places for a holiday on the island.

Pattaya Beach is located in the south of Koh Lipe and has a long coastline of almost 1.5 km. The shore is covered with white and very fine sand. In sunny weather, the water takes on a turquoise hue, but in the low season, strong waves appear due to the wind, which bring garbage to the shore. The descent into the water is gentle and smooth. Pattaya Beach has strong ebbs and flows, and given the smooth entrance to the sea, it is difficult to find a place to swim.

There is a reef near the shore, so be sure to take your mask and snorkel with you. Unfortunately, there are a lot of boats off the coast, but they moor in an orderly manner, leaving areas for swimming. In the evening there is a fire show on the shore. There are quite a lot of hotels, cafes and restaurants on the first line.

Good to know! Pattaya Beach is located tourist office for visitors from Malaysia and mainland Thailand. In addition, there are representative offices of all shipping companies here.

The eastern coast of the island is Sunrise Beach, where the sand is coarse and quite loose, and the descent into the sea is sharp. On the right side there are corals and many different fish.

The coastline stretches for 1.5 km, and the width varies depending on the tides. The widest part is in the northern part, and the narrowest is in the central part.

Good to know! There are no entertainment venues or discos here; by 10 p.m. the shore is empty. To get to Walking Street, you need to pass by the local slums.

There are hotels, cafes and restaurants on the shore, you can purchase an excursion to mainland Thailand, to uninhabited islands archipelago and rent a kayak. There are also diving schools.

The only thing that mars your holiday on Sairaz Beach is the chaotically moored boats.

Interesting fact! It is believed that the beach has the most beautiful sunrises, which is why the place is called Sunrise Beach.

Western part of Koh Lipe. It is small, cozy beach, where the most beautiful sunsets are, that’s why the beach was named Sunset Beach. The shore is covered with stones, and in some places there are large stones in the water. The sand is coarse, of uneven color - white interspersed with gray and dark colors. The sea is quite shallow, there are fish in the water, but not many of them. This place is calm, uncrowded, and there are many boats in the central part of the beach.

Good to know! The sand is unpleasant to the touch due to shell fragments, so take shoes with you.

On the left side of the bank there is a cafe and sun loungers. There are hotels on the first line. The distance to Walking Street can be covered on foot in a quarter of an hour.

A sheltered, quiet beach, it is often called a secret beach. To get here, you need to go right along Pattaya Beach, get to the wooden bridge and cross it. Not all tourists come to this part of the island, so not everyone knows about the beach.

Good to know! There is only one bungalow built on the shore.

Cross the bridge with caution, it looks fragile, and the creaking boards do not give you confidence. Under the bridge lie huge boulders, and the turquoise water splashes quietly.

There is a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere on the shore - some are swimming in the calm sea, some are drinking a cocktail on the shore, and some are taking photographs beautiful views.

The beach is perfect for swimming - the water is clean, the sea is calm, the slope is gentle. The seabed is soft, covered with sand, without stones.

Weather and climate, when is the best time to come?

Koh Lipe - an island of two seasons:

dry – begins in late autumn and lasts until mid-spring;
rainy - begins in mid-spring and lasts until the second half of autumn.

Today, the island's communication with mainland Thailand remains open throughout the year. Earlier in the summer, in the low season, when the sea was stormy, Ko Lipe was closed, hotel employees went on vacation. IN last years The climate on the island is so changeable that even in the low season there is good, sunny and clear weather.

As for the pricing policy in hotels, there are three seasons:

low – three summer months;
high season - two autumn months - October and November, two spring months - March and April;
peak – from December to February.

To get to the island you need:

come to Trang or Hat Yai;
get to Pakbara pier;
purchase a ticket for a boat that goes to Koh Lipe.

There are several ways to get to Trang or Hat Yai.

by plane;
by bus – flights depart from southern bus station, travel schedule is from 6-00 to 20-00, the journey takes 13-14 hours, tickets cost about 1000 baht;
by train - from Bangkok flights depart to Hat Yai, the route takes 13-17 hours, to get to the island on the day of departure from Bangkok, you need to leave no later than 15-30, fare from 400 to 900 baht;
complex ticket - provides travel by plane, minibus (to the pier) and by boat (to Koh Lipe), flights are provided only in the morning.

Koh Lipe (Thailand) – how to get there on your own from Phuket.

By sea.

During high season, the most convenient way to get to the island is by water. Yellow boats regularly operate between Phuket and Koh Lipe. Departure from Rassada Pier. Tourists spend 4 hours on the road. The fare is about 2100 baht.

The first route is by bus. The algorithm is as follows: take a bus from Phuket to Hat Yai. It is most comfortable to travel on night flight VIP 24. Departure is at 21-45, transport arrives at the destination at 06-00. Then you need to get to the pier and from there by boat to the island - departure at 9-30, and arrival at 11-30.

Another route is by plane. There are direct flights from Phuket to Hat Yai - departure at 7-25, arrival at 8-30. Ticket price is about 1700 baht. You can purchase a transfer online - from the airport to the pier, then to the island. Sales of transfer tickets stop three days before the trip. Travel agencies also sell complex tickets.

Compare accommodation prices using this form

How to get to Koh Lipe in Thailand from Krabi

The only way to get from Krabi (Ao Nang) to the island is through Hat Yai. Direct air traffic no, so you can choose the following method:

by bus;
mini bass;
Taxi.

The cost of a comprehensive ticket is about 1200 baht

Prices on the page are for September 2018.

What Koh Lipe (Thailand) lacks in attractions, it more than makes up for with beautiful beaches. To fully enjoy nature and spend your vacation in a bungalow on the seashore, prepare for your trip in advance - choose a hotel, book tickets.

In total, there are 5 main beaches on Ko Lipe. The beaches of Koh Lipe are truly good, one better than the other. But each has its own characteristics. On one there are fewer people, on another there are more, on the third it is better to come only in the morning, on the fourth there are stones, etc. And in terms of the best, our choice, as always, differs from the generally accepted one.

Koh Lipe beaches: our rating

Pattaya beach - the best beach on Koh Lipe

No matter how strange it may sound, but in terms of “beautiful views - quality of swimming”, the best beach on Koh Lipe is Pattaya beach. There is an opinion on the Internet that Pattaya is the worst. I can even imagine how this opinion was formed, someone wrote on the Vinsky forum or in Lonely Planet that he didn’t like it here, because there were too many boats, and everyone else picked it up, and when they come to the island, they don’t even try to walk around it on the beach a little further from the boats, try to swim, because there is an incorrect assumption in your head that it is supposedly dirty here. We destroyed this stereotype. Swimming and relaxing are great!

Read our review:

Hotels on Pattaya Beach

AKIRA Lipe Resort
Bundhaya Villas
Charming Lipe Villa
Mali Resort Pattaya Beach Koh Lipe
Bella Vista Beach Resort

All hotels in Ko Lipe

Photo Pattaya beach Koh Lipe

Sunrise beach

The beach stretches all over east coast islands. Sunrise Beach is considered the best on LP. Indeed, the views here are gorgeous, bright blue water, white sand, huge stones, palm trees, thatched bungalows. In terms of swimming, I didn’t really like it. Therefore, we put it in second place.

Read:

Hotels on Sunrise Beach

Kathalee Beach Resort & Spa
Idyllic Concept Resort
Anda Resort
Salisa Resort
Adang Sea Divers & Eco Lodg- the cheapest option on Sunrise!

Sunrise beach photo

Where can I order a transfer from the airport?

We use the service - KiwiTaxi
We ordered a taxi online and paid by card. We were met at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You've already talked about your experience In this article.

Sanom beach

A small cozy beach, which is located on the west coast, 200 meters from Pattaya Beach. You can get to it via a bridge on the stones. It’s very tiny, there are few people, the water is clean and clear, we swam here with great pleasure. Sanom beach is one of best beaches on Koh Lipe. Detailed reviews, photos and a short video, see the article:

Sanom Beach Photos

Karma beach

Karma is the left side of Sunrise Beach and also the most recognizable view of Koh Lipe. Here it is Observation deck, and the beach itself is a sand spit from which you can swim in the open sea or in the lagoon. Again, swimming here did not seem ideal to us, since entry from the sea is inconvenient due to shells and stones, and there are boats in the lagoon and the water is more muddy. See our review of the beach and photos here:

Hotels on this beach

Mountain Resort Koh Lipe

Karma Beach Photos

Sunset beach

The last place went to Sunset Beach because it seemed somewhat untidy to us, the central part is used for unloading boats, and there are large stones on the sides. It's not normal to swim at low tide. The area around is unkempt, there are unfinished or destroyed bungalows everywhere, and a lot of garbage. We weren't here in the morning, maybe everything looks nicer in the morning. Read more in the review:

Hotels on Sunset Beach

Lip camping zone
The Hut
Sawan Resort

Sunset beach photo

The island of Koh Lipe is located in the south of Thailand, on the border of the territorial waters of Thailand and Malaysia.
There are several options for getting to Koh Lipe

1) Any airport in Thailand-> Hat Yai (air) -> taxi to Pakbara (1800 baht). Pakbara -> Koh Lipe by high-speed ferry or speedboat 3 times a day.

For example from Bangkok (Don Mueang) to Hat Yai flight Lion Air at 7:45.
At 9:15 in Hat Yai. Receipt of baggage.
Exit and select a transfer (group by minibus or individual by taxi) to Pakbara. Travel time 1:30.
Pakbara: buying speedboat tickets 11:30 to Koh Lipe (450 baht) + 20 baht fi pier.
Travel time to Koh Lipe is 1:30.
Disembarkation either directly onto the shore or onto a floating platform (depending on the tide).
If disembarking on the platform, then +50 baht for delivery ashore by boat at 13:00

2) Malaysia. From the island Langkawi(Langkawi), Malaysia on the ferry Langkawi - Koh Lipe ().
3) Koh Lanta. From Koh Lanta island (Krabi province) by speedboat.
4) Trang. From the pier Hat Yao Pier(Trang) on the yellow high-speed ferry http://www.tigerlinetravel.com/
5) Phuket. From the pier Rassada(Phuket) by high speed ferry with two stops Phi Phi and Hat Yao (Trang):

I described in detail how we got to Koh Lipe from Phuket
Transfer connection: morning (7:15) flight Phuket – Hat Yai + taxi to Pakbara + a speedboat to Koh Lipe allows you to be on Koh Lipe by lunchtime on the same day.

There are several more exotic options, but due to their exotic nature and time-consuming nature, I will not consider them here.
However, option 3 is also not interesting to describe since the transfer is on a speedboat - therefore it is very seasonal and depends on the weather (cancelled if there is a lot of bumpiness).
The most common option: a trip by speedboat or ferry (from November to May) to Koh Lipe from the pier of the village of Pakbara, Satun Province (the nearest airports are Hat Yai and Trang).

What is the village of Pakbara famous for?

It used to be a terrible hole
When I first came to Pakbara, there was not a single hotel in the fishermen's village, except for 4 rooms on the second floor of a grocery store with one toilet in the corridor for everyone. And the ship that brought tourists from Pakbara to Koh Lipe was made of wood and resembled a Spanish galleon of the 15th century (it broke down twice per voyage)

Now you won’t recognize Pakbara: a 7/11 store, ATMs, seafood restaurants (though Muslim ones with menus in Thai)
The port in Pakbar is a building made of stone and glass
It’s a pity I don’t have any photographs of the port of Pakbara-2002 at hand: on the river bank there are sandbags on which 2 boards are thrown

How to get to Pakbara

Airports closest to Pakbara:
– Trang(Trang)
– Hat Yai(Hat Yai)
Trang Airport is slightly closer to Pak Bara than Hat Yai Airport.

For example: you flew to Trang from Bangkok ()
Exit to the arrivals hall and go to the transfer counter (left side of the hall).
A taxi to Pakbara costs 2,200 baht and takes an hour and a half to travel. The price is fixed and written on the board in front of the counter.
If you have high speed ferry tickets Tigerline, then you need to take a taxi to the pier Hat Yao– it’s 50 minutes from Trang airport)

You can team up with someone and split the cost of a taxi.
You can go to high road and try to find a ride or negotiate with a taxi directly.
But the fact remains: a taxi from Trang airport to Pakbara costs 2,200 baht.
Taxi ride from Trang Airport to Pakbara Pier: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Speedboat schedule from Pakbara to Koh Lipe

The schedule varies depending on the season, the weather and the number of tourists going to Koh Lipe.
In general, it is better to clarify the information on the spot.
As of August 2016, the schedule looked like this:

You can see something on the website http://kohlipethailand.com/koh-lipe/transport/boat-timetable/
Speedboats depart from Pakbara at 9:30, 11:30 and 15:30 during low season.
The best option will take the first speedboat at 9:30 so as to be there (in Koh Lipe) at 11-11:30
To do this, you need to arrive in Pakbara the day before leaving for Koh Lipe.

See what flights arrive to Trang or Hat Yai at
Add 20 minutes to collect your luggage and find a taxi.
Add 1.30 for the road to Pakbara and 10 minutes for buying tickets and figure out which speedboat you have time for.

Where to stay in Pakbar

There was a simple hotel near the pier - Best House.
But in August it looked like this, although it was offered by Agoda.

But there is something nearby - Marina Resort and Restaurant.
If you want more comfort, it is better to stay in the city Langu 7 km from Pakbara.
For example, they praise Farmsuk residence and resort or Bara Resort 3 km from the pier (on the right) - not in the booking, but the houses are good.

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