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Thailand · Updated October 2026

Koh Lipe island in Thailand: beaches, boats and seasons

Koh Lipe island in Thailand: where it sits, the boats from Pak Bara and Langkawi, when to go, where to stay and the snorkelling trips to book.

Find a place to stay How to get there
Aerial view along a Koh Lipe beach, longtail boats offshore and Koh Adang behind

Koh Lipe is a small island in Thailand’s Satun Province, 67 km west of Pak Bara1, on the border of Tarutao National Marine Park2, and it stays open through the monsoon3.

Where
Satun Province, Andaman Coast
Close to the Malaysian border
Speedboat from Pak Bara
1 hr 30 min
From ฿700 per person, all year
Marine park fee
200 Baht adult
100 Baht for children aged 3-14 (June 2026)
High season
October to June
Koh Lipe stays open through the monsoon

Lipe and its neighbours

Koh Lipe or Koh Adang: which island suits you?

South of Koh Adang and Koh Rawi2

Koh Lipe is the developed island of the group. It lies directly south of the larger islands Koh Adang and Koh Rawi2, and Wikivoyage says it is outside the park’s jurisdiction, which is why development is allowed there1. Koh Adang has a hilly jungle interior with two waterfalls4, while Koh Rawi has dense jungle1.

White sand beach and palm trees on Koh Lipe under a grey sky

Koh Lipe

The small, developed island, south of Koh Adang and Koh Rawi

  • Open to visitors all year
  • All of it can be covered on foot
  • Walking Street has a 7-Eleven with an ATM
Koh Lipe sandbar seen through a tree, with Koh Adang across the water

Koh Adang

Larger neighbour with a hilly jungle interior and two waterfalls

  • Pirate Falls: a 90-minute hike each way
  • Chado Cliff viewpoint
  • Adang-Rawi closes 16 May to 14 October (2019 report)

On Lipe itself, the guide to Koh Lipe’s main street covers Walking Street1. To weigh Lipe against another island, read Koh Lanta versus Koh Lipe.

Boats from the mainland

Getting there

Pak Bara speedboat: 1 hr 30 min5

The usual route is the speedboat from Pak Bara Pier, which takes 1 hr 30 min and runs all year5. Boats also come from Phuket, Koh Lanta and Langkawi6, and Tigerline lists Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe at 120 to 150 minutes7. The Langkawi ferry runs only from mid-October to mid-May2.

  1. Fly to Hat Yai or Trang

    The nearest airports to Koh Lipe are in Trang and Hat Yai; the trip continues by bus and boat.

  2. Van to Pak Bara

    Bundhaya Speed Boat sells a van-and-speedboat transfer from Hat Yai Airport: about 4 hours in all, from ฿950.

  3. Speedboat to Koh Lipe

    Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe takes 1 hr 30 min, all year, from ฿700 per person.

Booking via GetYourGuide, Klook or Viator may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure

Boat transfer One Way Speedboat Ticket Pakbara Pier to Koh Lipe From US$27

See dates on GetYourGuide

Coming from Malaysia, follow the step-by-step Langkawi island ferry guide. Every other route is set out in all the ways to reach Koh Lipe.

Seasons and closures

When to go

High season October to June2

Go in the high season, October to June2, when boats run from several places. From mid-June to mid-October2 the only way in is the speedboat from Pak Bara, though Koh Lipe stays open throughout the monsoon3. The neighbouring park islands shut for the monsoon: Nation Thailand reported that in 2024 Tarutao began closing on 16 May and was due to reopen on 30 September3.

Koh Lipe through the year
  • High season, most boats
  • Fewer boats, park islands shut

Rain and sea conditions month by month are in Koh Lipe weather by month.

Beaches and resorts

Where to stay

Sunset, Sunrise and Pattaya beaches2

The main beaches are Sunset Beach, Sunrise Beach and Pattaya Beach2, with Sunrise Beach on the east side and the smaller Sunset Beach on the west1. Pattaya Beach has the most nightlife, and Sunset Beach is best for sunset views1.

The whole island can be covered on foot1, so no beach leaves you far from the others. Our guide to where to stay on Koh Lipe compares every resort by beach and price.

Wide sand beach with palms and guesthouses on Koh Lipe

Pattaya Beach, Koh Lipe

Mali Resort Pattaya Beach

  • Children under 5 stay free
  • Snorkelling a few metres from the beach
  • Diving arranged with nearby dive shops
  • Breakfast included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Rates for 2 people; extra person ฿800

Trip.com says the restaurant is closed until 10 Jan 2027. A 30% deposit is required and the balance is charged 7 days before arrival. 7% VAT is mentioned.

Wikivoyage · Mali Resorts (resort) · Trip.com (booking agent)

฿3,200–8,000 a night (Wikivoyage, no year given)

Resort's own site

Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe

Wapi Resort

  • Family Sea View Cottage sleeps up to 6
  • Snorkelling right off the beach
  • Breakfast included

Extra guest ฿700 a night in some room types; resort lists low-season rates only

Wapi Resort (resort) · Wikivoyage

฿1,600–3,500 low season (undated); high season from ฿2,700

Resort's own site

Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe

Irene Pool Villa Resort

  • Romantic private pool villas
  • Family offer: kids stay free
  • Breakfast, VAT and service charge included in the resort's offer rates
  • Transfer package with speedboat from Pak Bara available

Offers need at least 3 nights, or full prepayment with no refund

Irene Resort (resort)

฿24,000–30,000 a night for a Sun Beachfront Pool Villa (Oct–Nov 2026 offers)

Resort's own site

Compare all 9 resorts

Reefs and islands

Things to do

Longtail snorkel day trips from THB5508

Snorkelling comes first. Wikipedia says 25% of the world’s tropical fish species2 are found in the area, and Wikivoyage puts some of Thailand’s best reefs1 within easy reach.

Boat trips to Koh Usen and Koh Kra2 are popular. The cheapest full-day snorkelling trip by longtail boat starts at THB550, though other sources give ฿600–8008. Adang Sea Divers runs up to four dives a day9 from its longtail boat or speedboat.

Clownfish in an anemone on a reef off Koh Lipe Snorkelling
  • 4.8 (676 reviews) on GetYourGuide, checked October 2026

Koh Lipe: Longtail Boat Snorkeling Trip Program A

from US$21

See dates on GetYourGuide
Small rocky islet and clear turquoise water near Koh Lipe Snorkelling
  • 4.7 (267 reviews) on GetYourGuide, checked October 2026

Lipe: Longtail Boat Snorkeling to Outer Islands Program B

from US$24

See dates on GetYourGuide

Compare Koh Lipe tour types and prices, pick from the snorkelling spots around Koh Lipe and plan your evenings with the Koh Lipe food and drink guide.

Questions people ask

Where is Koh Lipe on a map?

In the Adang-Rawi Archipelago of the Strait of Malacca, 50 km northwest of Langkawi and 200 km southeast of Phuket.

Is the speedboat hard on your back?

Wikivoyage reports serious back injuries on the speedboats and advises people with back or neck problems to take the ferry.

Has tourism changed Koh Lipe?

Yes. Fast development has brought water shortages and waste disposal problems.

How many islands are in Tarutao National Marine Park?

51 islands. It became Thailand's second marine national park on 19 April 1974.

Plan your trip

Find a place to stay How to get there

Photos: Wikimedia Commons. Authors and licences: image credits

Checked against 12 sources · last checked October 2026
  1. Wikivoyage · checked October 2026
  2. Wikipedia · checked October 2026
  3. Nation Thailand (news) · checked October 2026
  4. Wikipedia · checked October 2026
  5. Bundhaya Speed Boat (operator) · checked October 2026
  6. Ploysiam Speedboat (operator) · checked October 2026
  7. Tigerline Ferry (operator) · checked October 2026
  8. 12Go (booking agent) · checked October 2026
  9. Adang Sea Divers (dive centre) · checked October 2026
  10. Thai National Parks (travel guide) · checked October 2026
  11. Pattaya Mail (news) · checked October 2026
  12. Wikipedia · checked October 2026
Page history · last changed 17 October 2026
  • First written