Things to do in Koh Lipe

As this is one of the last remaining beautiful, unspoiled islands in the south of Thailand, many may wonder what the things to do in Koh Lipe are. Having visited this stunning island in the Andaman Sea twice a year, I have compiled a list of activities you can enjoy while there.

Koh Lipe, also known as Ko Lipe, is situated on the west coast of Thailand, located far south, past Phuket and Krabi, and bordering Malaysia’s Langkawi Island. Getting here is no simple task, as there are no airports or roads here; the only way to arrive is via speedboat ferries from either Pak Bara in Trang, Phuket, or Langkawi.

I also wrote an article on how to visit Koh Lipe, which provides more information, especially about ferry timings. So you love islands and beaches? This is one of the most beautiful islands left, and here are the things you can do at Koh Lipe.

1. Chill Out on Koh Lipe

Nothing beats going to an island and just chilling out, doing nothing and absorbing the sea and sun. Koh Lipe offers a range of relaxation options, from luxury retreats to backpacker-style guesthouses and lodges.

Poshtels is also the rave where boutique hostels have popped up in recent years. Some resorts offer spas, while the smaller ones are plain and straightforward, leaving the traveller to explore the local massage places along the main Lipe Walking Street.

In the evenings, beachside restaurants offer to lounge on the sand of the beach with cocktails and drinks while watching the sunset behind the Andaman Sea. Travellers are also seen with whiskey buckets, strolling and finding spots on the sand where they can chill and relax.

2. Snorkelling at Koh Lipe

If you love the beach and the sea, you must at least do some snorkelling around Koh Lipe, and there are many spots to do this. There are pre-designated areas for snorkelling, while proper snorkelling is conducted with the island hopping tours, which take you to other islands to do snorkelling.

The colour of the waters here is gorgeous, with shades of aquamarine and turquoise, while the clarity of the water is beyond imagination.

3. Scuba Diving in Koh Lipe

This island is also known as a scuba diver’s paradise, boasting several excellent diving spots on Koh Lipe that are highly recommended. As for dive centres, there are three popular ones located around the island.

You can also take your scuba diving license or dive courses here with reasonable fees. Diving gear is readily available here, and for first-timers, the Discover Scuba Diving (DSD) program is offered.

4. Go Kayaking at Koh Lipe

Most beachside resorts and hotels offer kayaking to their guests. Some may be free for the guest, while others may charge a small fee. If you are interested, inquire with the resort or hotel where you are staying about this, but ensure you have experience in kayaking.

Activities at Koh Lipe

5. Jungle Trekking at Koh Lipe 

For the adventurous traveller, some jungle treks and nature walks are located on the opposite island, called Koh Adang, which is a protected national park. One needs to obtain a permit to engage in trekking here, which can be arranged through local tour operators on the island or at your hotel or resort.

Among the popular routes are the waterfalls trek and the viewpoint, where you can see the entire Tarutao National Park. Most resorts or hotels offer jungle trekking or hiking packages, and you can enquire with them.

6. Camping at Koh Lipe

Outdoor lovers will be pleased to know that you can do some serious camping at Koh Lipe island. However, various styles are available, including hardcore camping at Koh Adang or Koh Rawi, and resort-assisted camping, where resorts arrange a spot on their land for you to camp. You can check with the operators for more information.

Please note that Koh Tarutao National Park is only open from November to May. Campers who arrive on the islands during the monsoon season can stay at the park’s accommodations. However, they must bring their food from the mainland, as there are no shops or other amenities on the different islands.

7. Island Hopping at Koh Lipe

The tour takes you to a few islands, but the star here is Black Rock Island, also known as Koh Hin Ngam, where small, palm-sized black rocks dominate the island landscape, accompanied by a unique and forbidden history.

You will hear boatmen tell you stories of Leonardo DiCaprio and his experience here when he was filming the popular backpacker movie ‘The Beach’ at Koh Phi Phi. He made a stopover on Black Rock Island, but I will leave the rest of the story for the boatmen to tell you if and when you visit this unique island.

Island hopping is a day trip that costs around 500 to 600 Baht, including lunch and snorkelling equipment per person. Usually, the tours take you to Koh Rawi, Black Rock Island and a few other nearby islands. You can book these from your hotel, resort, or even some small tour counters along the walking street.

8. Eating and Drinking in Koh Lipe

Yes, as the title says, you can live like a wannabe prince and eat, drink and be happy throughout your vacation here. There are numerous local and international restaurants on the island, including those offering Halal food for Muslim travellers.

Additionally, seafood is featured prominently on the menu, and several local Thai hawker stalls offer the famous Thai pancakes, known as Rotee, as well as Mu Ping (หมูปิ้ง), Barbecued pork or chicken skewers.

Bars are found on the main beaches of Pattaya, Sunrise and Sunset beach, while general stores sell beer and soft drinks along the walking street. In general, everything revolves around the Ko Lipe walking street.

9. Doing Absolute Nothing on Koh Lipe

The best remedy for the island is actually to go there and do nothing! Why do people even bother to fill their days with activities? The objective is to go on holiday, not to maximise your vacation and come back tired, needing another holiday to recover from the first one. So, I recommend visiting Koh Lipe and simply doing nothing there; go with the flow, relax, and enjoy yourself.

What Else to Know About Koh Lipe?

If you have never been to Koh Lipe before, I want to emphasise that the island is relatively small, allowing you to walk from one end to the other in under 30 minutes. The island is incredibly laid-back; there are no cars or roads here.

Some motorbikes and bicycles are likely used to get around the island, and these are primarily for locals. For a better understanding and to see the resorts and layout of the island, here is a Koh Lipe Map.

Some of the budget chalets are along Sunrise Beach.

For food and entertainment, there is a central area called Lipe Walking Street, where all the action is concentrated. When you arrive, ferries or speedboats stop out at sea, and you board a transit platform before taking a local longtail boat to the island.

Please note that this article was written in 2014, and significant changes have occurred since then. But there are still no cars here!

Conclusion

The island has four main beaches – Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach, and Karma Beach at the back of the island facing Koh Adang.

The most popular are Sunrise and Pattaya Beach. There is an ATM and a Pharmacy available, while the rest are simply restaurants, bars, cafes, general stores, and massage centres. Overall, this article is written for those seeking to discover the various things to do in Koh Lipe, Thailand.