เกาะหลีเป๊ะPowder sand and turquoise water on Thailand's southernmost island.
Koh Lipe is a tiny island, barely 2 km across, inside Tarutao National Marine Park near the Malaysian border. It has the white powder beaches and aquamarine water that make the Andaman famous, but it is more compact and, outside peak season, much quieter than Phuket or Phi Phi. The island was settled by Urak Lawoi sea gypsies, whose descendants still live in a village at the eastern end, alongside resorts, dive shops and a walking street that has grown around the tourist trade.
Everything here is about the sea. Sunrise Beach and Pattaya Beach are for swimming and longtail boats, Sunset Beach is for golden light, and the surrounding islands of Adang, Rawi, Hin Ngam and Koh Kai are reached by boat for snorkelling and picnics. A hike to the Chado Cliff viewpoint on Koh Adang offers a superb panorama.
Access is seasonal. From about November to May, speedboats run from Pak Bara in Satun and from Langkawi in Malaysia, and the national park is open. In the monsoon the park is closed and most boats and businesses shut.
- Currency
- Thai baht (฿ · THB)
- Getting there
- Speedboat from Pak Bara (about 1.5–2 hours) or Langkawi (about 1.5 hours)
- Open season
- About November to mid-May
- Monsoon
- Mid-May to October: park closed, few boats
- Park fee
- About ฿200 for foreign adults
- Size
- About 2 km across; everything is on foot
Top things to do in Koh Lipe.
19 places we chose and described by hand. Open any of them, with photos, hours and directions, in the catalogue below or in the app.
Places to visit
- Chado Cliff Viewpoint (Koh Adang) Koh Adang
A panoramic viewpoint over Koh Lipe and the surrounding islands, after a forest climb.
- Pirate Waterfall (Koh Adang) Koh Adang
A cool waterfall and pools in the forest of Koh Adang, after a short hike.
- Koh Hin Ngam Tarutao Marine Park
A tiny island of polished black stones that glisten in the surf. Look, don't take.
- Tarutao National Marine Park Satun
Thailand's first marine park: 51 islands, jungle, caves and a former prison colony.
Beaches & islands
- Pattaya Beach Pattaya Beach
The island's liveliest beach: longtail boats, dive shops and the best evening scene.
- Sunrise Beach Sunrise Beach
A quieter east-coast beach with shallow turquoise water and sunrise views.
- Sunset Beach Sunset Beach
A beautiful west-coast beach for golden evenings and quiet stays.
- Koh Kai (Sandbar Island) Tarutao Marine Park
A tiny island with a sand spit that appears at low tide, perfect for a picnic.
Restaurants
- Walking Street Restaurants Walking Street
Thai, Western and vegetarian restaurants along the island's main lane.
- Beach BBQ Seafood Sunrise Beach
Barbecued fish, prawns and squid on tables by the water.
- Cafés & Bakeries Walking Street
Coffee shops and healthy breakfast spots along the Walking Street.
Activities
- Island-Hopping Snorkel Tour Tarutao Marine Park
A classic day trip to Koh Adang, Koh Rawi, Koh Hin Ngam and Koh Kai.
- Diving at Stonehenge & Eight Mile Rock Pattaya Beach
Reef walls and granite pinnacles with rays, barracuda and, sometimes, whale sharks.
- Kayaking & Paddle-boarding Sunrise Beach
Paddle around Sunrise Beach's calm bay at dawn or over the reef.
Entertainment
- Beach Bars & Fire Shows on Pattaya Beach Pattaya Beach
Barefoot bars, fire dancers and live music at the south end of the island.
Hotels & stays
- Beachfront Bungalows on Sunrise Beach Sunrise Beach
Wooden bungalows and small resorts a few steps from the shallow sea.
- Sunset Beach Resorts Sunset Beach
Upscale resorts with pools, spas and sunset terraces.
- Budget Rooms & Hostels Walking Street
Simple rooms and dorm beds near the Walking Street.
Shopping
- Walking Street Shops Walking Street
Beachwear, souvenirs, dry bags and snorkel gear.
Explore all 152 places in Koh Lipe.
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From the Thailand Guide app’s catalogue: OpenStreetMap places with traveller notes from Wikivoyage and photos from Wikimedia Commons. Photos marked “Representative” show the same kind of place, not this exact one. Neighbouring islands and day-trip areas may be included. “Open now” uses listed hours in Thailand time; confirm hours and access before travelling.
Best time to visit Koh Lipe.
The best time to visit Koh Lipe is December to March. Koh Lipe has a tropical monsoon climate. November to May is hot, sunny and calm, with the best beach and snorkelling conditions, and the national park and boats operate. From mid-May to October the southwest monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas, the park is closed, and most of the island shuts down.
Approximate long-term monthly averages in °C and millimetres of rain. These are planning notes, not a weather forecast.
Koh Lipe travel tips.
Protect the reefs
Don't touch or stand on coral, don't feed fish and use reef-safe sunscreen on boat trips.
Sea-gypsy community
The Urak Lawoi (Chao Leh) are the island's original inhabitants. Be respectful when visiting their village, and ask before photographing people.
Don't take stones or shells
National-park rules forbid collecting shells, coral or the polished black stones of Koh Hin Ngam.
Southern etiquette
The south of Thailand has a large Muslim population. Dress modestly away from the beach.
Keep your cool (jai yen)
Staying calm and smiling solves most problems in Thailand; raised voices lose face for everyone.
Plan Koh Lipe on your phone.
Save places, see what is open now, check the weather and air quality, and browse all twenty guides in the free Thailand Guide app. Works offline.