Koh Lipe is the southern most island island in Thailand and one of the smallest. It may not be the easiest to get to, but definitely don’t miss this one on your trip if you can make it work!

How to get there?

The only way to arrive in Koh Lipe is via boat. There are daily ferries arriving from popular locations in Thailand such as Pak Bara, Koh Tartutoa, Koh Ngai, Koh Lanta, and Phuket, as well as a northern island in Malaysia – Langkawi.

We arrived to Koh Lipe via ferry from Langkawi, Malaysia for a day trip. However, I would highly recommend going for more than a day if you have the time.

See below if traveling from Langkawi

If traveling from Langkawi, you will need to arrive at the Telaga Harbour Marina in Pantai Kok, Langkawi. There is a 9:30am ferry each day that goes direct to Koh Lipe, but make sure to check the most recent ferry schedule online. Also make sure to book your tickets ahead of time if you have a specific day you are looking to go! The tickets will book up early during the higher travel times of year (i.e. Christmas and New Years). Note that Koh Lipe, Thailand is 1 hour behind Malaysia. So you will actually arrive to Koh Lipe at 10:00am.

When you go through immigration in Langawki, the boat driver and his team will take all the passports for the ride. You will receive your passport back once you are on the island. Note that this process can take a while as the Thai immigration will call for the passport owners one by one.  If you are only there for a day trip, you will have the added bonus that your name will get called first since you have limited time.

The Thai immigration will ask you return to the ferry terminal (AKA Pattaya Beach) at 2:00pm to go back through immigration. Again, they will collect your passports and you will receive them back on the boat back to Langkawi. Once you’ve done this, you can go back and lay on Pattaya Beach before going back again at 3:00pm to wait for the ferry. Note: I would recommend just chilling on the beach near Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club Lipe Ferry & Immigration Checkpoint rather than waiting in the holding area because you will likely be waiting for a boat from Langkawi to arrive and drop off passengers before you are able to leave. So until this boat arrives, just go sit on the beach nearby and enjoy yourself. The immigration area is probably the most hectic place on the island (and this island is a very slow pace), so soak up as much relaxation as possible sitting on the beach.  

You should arrive back to Langkawi between 6:30 and 7:00pm, just in time for sunset!

Where to stay?

Pitiusas Beach Resort

This resort is a little gem of a location. It’s tucked away on the north west side of the island. We actually didn’t get the chance to stay here, but it is owned by a man from Ibiza and has owned the property for the last 15 years. It is honestly a little oasis where you can just sit, relax, swim, and enjoy the ocean as the day passes by.

What to do?

Snorkelling and Diving

There are lots of tour companies that will offer trips around the island. Many can be found off the main street on the island – Walking Street. If only going for the day, I’d recommend renting some snorkel equipment to bring with you. Pura Vida Dive Center also offers snorkel equipment rentals as well.

Other Activities

• Sanom Beach (can be accessed at the end of Pattaya Beach on wooden planks that run along the water, access point right in front of the Chareena Hill Beach Resort)
• Pitiusas Beach
• Pattaya Beach
• Sunset Beach