Koh Lipe: the Thai Maldives, and why the journey is worth it

At the far south of the Thai Andaman, just 60 kilometres from Malaysia’s northern coast, there is a tiny island that for fifteen years has earned a well-deserved nickname: the Thai Maldives. Koh Lipe measures just over 2 square kilometres, is walkable in 20 minutes, has three granular white-sand beaches, transparent water to a depth of 5 metres, and a living reef metres from the shore. This is not tourist hyperbole: Koh Lipe has, effectively, the country’s best beach-accessible snorkelling.

The problem is getting there. And that problem explains why, despite its beauty, Koh Lipe has so far avoided Phi Phi’s fate.

Where it is and why it’s different

Koh Lipe belongs to the Tarutao archipelago, a marine national park covering 1,490 km² and more than 50 islands stretching from Satun province — the southernmost in Thailand — to near the Malaysian islands of Langkawi. The island sits right on the imaginary border between the two countries and was for decades mostly frequented by chao ley fishermen (sea gypsies), until tourism discovered it in the 1990s.

Today the island has a pedestrian street (Walking Street) with restaurants, shops and bars, about fifty accommodations and an active snorkel and diving scene. But being part of a national park and quite far from everything, development has been limited: no car roads — only motorbikes and tuk-tuks — no international chains, no banks (just ATMs), and supplies arrive by boat from the mainland.

The three beaches

Pattaya Beach (south). The main one. Very white sand, turquoise water, where boats arrive and where most resorts concentrate. At dusk it becomes the island’s social heart: all bars set out low tables on the sand.

Sunrise Beach (east). My favourite. Longer, less developed beach than Pattaya, with views of the uninhabited islets of Koh Adang and Koh Rawi at dawn. The name explains it: the best sunrises of the archipelago are here. Snorkel directly from the shore.

Sunset Beach (west). Small beach on the northwest side of the island, quieter, with trail access. As the name suggests, ideal for watching the sunset.

The three beaches are connected by paths and tracks; you can walk around the island in 20-30 minutes.

Snorkel and diving

This is the real treasure of Koh Lipe. Tarutao Marine National Park has one of the best-preserved coral reef states in Thailand, with fish density and living coral far higher than the reefs of Phuket or Phi Phi.

Snorkel from shore: Sunrise Beach has reef 20-40 metres from shore, with tropical fish, some turtles, and occasional harmless small black-tip sharks. Bamboo Beach (small beach to the north) is also excellent.

Longtail snorkel tours. The classic tour is five islands in a full day: Koh Hin Ngam (beach of stones smoothed by waves), Koh Yang, Koh Adang, Koh Rawi and Koh Dong. 700-1,200 THB per person with lunch. Snorkel spots on these islets are extraordinary.

Diving. Koh Lipe has several very serious schools (Castaway Divers, Forra Diving, Ocean Pro Divers). Dives are exceptional, with notable biodiversity, vertical walls and moderate currents. Eight Mile Rock is the area’s star site: an underwater mount with occasional whale shark between February and April.

Open Water certifications. The island is a recognised place for Open Water, with prices slightly higher than Koh Tao (11,000-13,000 THB in Lipe vs. 9,500-11,500 THB in Tao) but with objectively more beautiful underwater landscapes.

What else to do

Koh Lipe has no “cultural tourism” but it does have memorable experiences:

Dawn kayak. Rental 200-300 THB/hour at Sunrise Beach. Paddling to Koh Adang in 30 minutes and back is one of the Andaman’s most beautiful experiences.

Walk to Chao Ley Village. Visit to the chao ley fishing village in the island’s interior. A fascinating community with traditions distinct from Thai Buddhism.

Night on Walking Street. Night market with street food, crafts and bars. The island’s only “nightlife”, of a relaxed profile.

Getting there: a long journey

Here is Koh Lipe’s difficult side. The options:

From Pak Bara (Thai mainland). Fast ferry 1h30m-2h, 700-900 THB. Pak Bara is in Satun province, 700 km south of Bangkok. Access is flight to Hat Yai (1h20m from Bangkok, 1,500-2,500 THB) + minibus Hat Yai-Pak Bara (2h, 250-350 THB). Total from Bangkok: 5-6 hours.

From Langkawi (Malaysia). Speed boat 1h15m, 1,200-1,500 THB. The most comfortable route for those combining with Malaysia or arriving on cheap flights to Langkawi.

From Koh Lanta. 4h-4h30m speed boat with stops at Koh Kradan and Koh Muk, 1,900-2,300 THB. Only operates in high season (November-May).

From Phuket or Krabi. Speed boat 5-6h with stops, 2,000-2,800 THB. Very long.

On arrival, you pay the park entry: 200 THB foreigners. You disembark at Pattaya Beach’s “floating pier”: there is no dock, you jump from the boat into shallow water and walk to the sand.

Where to sleep

Pattaya Beach. Castaway Resort (mid-high, 3,500-5,500 THB), Forra Diving Resort (mid, 2,500-3,800 THB), Idyllic Concept Resort (high, 5,500-9,000 THB).

Sunrise Beach. The Cliff Lipe (mid, 2,500-4,500 THB), Sita Beach Resort (mid, 2,200-3,500 THB). Less night noise than Pattaya.

Walking Street (centre). Varadero Koh Lipe, Salisa Resort. Double 1,500-2,800 THB. Two minutes from both beaches.

Backpacker. Pitiusas Beach Resort, Green View Lipe. Bungalow 700-1,500 THB. Limited options.

In December-January prices rise 50-80%. Book three or four weeks in advance.

When to go

November to mid-May. Official season. Calm sea, perfect snorkel, all services operational. Best stretch: December-February.

Mid-May to October. The island closes almost completely. Most resorts shut, ferry connections reduce, the sea closes to the national park due to rainy season. Not recommended.

This calendar — closed half the year — is uncommon in Thailand and explains why Lipe preserves a certain quality.

How many days

Two nights: minimum. A five-island tour day, a rest day. Three-four nights: ideal. Allows diving, exploring beaches calmly and disconnecting. A week or more: increasingly what Europeans do. The island’s pace allows it.

The full Far Guides Thailand guide includes a detailed map of Koh Lipe, step-by-step itinerary from Bangkok and Langkawi, diving school recommendations and comparative table of snorkel spots by difficulty level.