Koh Lipe Thailand
This small island sits at the Southernmost part of the marine park, and the name Koh Lipe (pronounced Lee Pay) comes from the local sea gipsy name, which means Paper Island.
Koh Lipe is also known as the Maldives of Thailand, as the waters here are amazingly crystal clear while the unspoiled beaches are donned with pure white sand.
The paradise is also known by many other spellings, such as Koh Lipeh, Ko Lipey, Ko Leepay and Ko Lipe, but the most common one would be Koh Lipe.
For many years, this paradise island was initially settled by a band of sea gipsies from Malaysia, known as the ‘Chao Lei‘ people.
The island was once a secret little backpacker haven with the only budget-styled beach chalets, while backpackers would bring wares to sell on the walking street and around the island. Some of the backpackers would even camp out on the beaches back then.
Resorts and Chalets are mostly fully booked while every business is fully operational. Families, backpackers and even couples are seen during this season, while the offseason caters to more budget travellers or those who did not know about the seasons.
Expect some rain while most of the businesses here are shut. The bonus is that you have almost the entire island to yourself, and isn’t that a dream come true?
 |
| Beach mats lined up along Pattaya Beach. |
Beaches at Koh Lipe
1. Pattaya Beach
2. Sunrise Beach
3. Sunset Beach
4. Karma Beach
Pattaya Beach is the main beach where most hotels and resorts are located. This is where you will find the crowds during peak season.
You will find upscale lodgings, boutique resorts and fancy resorts in Sunrise Beach. This place caters to those wanting a bit of everything.
Sunset Beach caters more to backpackers and divers, so if you are looking for some peace and quiet, this is one of the places. But this beach can get crowded during peak season during sunset hours.
Karma Beach is part of the Mountain Resort, which sits on the northernmost part of the island facing the beautiful Koh Adang. This is usually for the guests of Mountain Resort and is entirely private.
Depending on your likes and taste, I found all the beaches wonderful with white sands and turquoise-blue waters.
I prefer a middle-range resort or chalet. There are only 2 resorts for luxury travellers: 4-5 stars in Koh Lipe, the Sita Beach Resort and Bundhaya Resort.
Some resorts will sometimes ferry the guests to the boat, which can be a 10-minute walk. Walking is common here, as a walk from Pattaya Beach to Sunset Beach would take 20-30 minutes.
Besides the beautiful views and scenery, the main attraction is Koh Lipe Walking Street, located at Pattaya Beach, which stretches the island inwards. Here, you get all the restaurants, shops, and massage centres.
The walking street comes alive at night with food, music, shopping and partying. No actual proper bars or clubs, but you get the local island-style settings. Stretching about one kilometre long, there are countless places to spend your evenings.
From local Thai seafood to Chinese, Indian and Western cuisines, you can find almost anything popular throughout the street and various parts of the island.
 |
| Breakfast at Koh Lipe. |
As mentioned, walking around the island will only take less than two hours to explore the entire place.
There were literally no crowds, empty beaches and stunning scenery every day. It felt almost like paradise, and I have sworn to visit again next year for more diving here.
 |
| Dive shop signs on a tree. |
Scuba Diving at Koh Lipe
There are about 5 to 6 dive centres where you can take your PADI Diving Certificate at Koh Lipe or your advanced diving courses.
You can do so at Ko Rawi and Ko Adang for the camping enthusiast, but you need to get permission from the ranger station at each island. There is also a trek and a waterfall at Ko Adang Island.
 |
| Mountain Resort in Koh Lipe. |
While there, I took the time to explore the various Sea Gypsy Villages around Koh Lipe. There are six villages where you can easily walk around, and the local Chow Lays are friendly.
Some locals run small grocery shops from their homes and welcome anyone for business. A Buddhist Temple (Hantalay Temple) is located near the main island power generator.
Buddhism is still practised here, and if you want to witness the morning almsgiving, you can catch the monks at about 7-8am along the Lipe Walking Street. I recommend you observe them.
 |
| Castaway Resort in Ko Lipe with Unique double story chalets. |
Things to Take Note of Before Visiting Koh Lipe Island
There are no ATMs there(Update 22 Sept 2014: There is an ATM available now)- There is a 7-11 on the Walking Street. Update 22 Sept 2014
- There are ATM Machines in Pak Barra jetty or Langkawi jetty
- Some businesses on Lipe will make Credit Card Advances at a 5%-8% commission
- Foreign Currency can be changed at most resorts but at terrible rates
- There is only one Immigration Hut located at the end of Pattaya Beach next to Bundhaya Resort
- A local Police Station is also available behind the Immigration Office
- The only way in and out of Koh Lipe is via Ferry or Speedboat
- There are no taxis or cars on the islands
- Do not participate in Fishing Trips, as it is illegal
- There is only one small clinic in the local Chow Lay village called Topoe
- A helicopter landing area is there for major emergencies
- Visa on arrival over land or sea is only 14 days for foreigners (unconfirmed)
- Alternatively, you can do a visa run to Langkawi, Malaysia and back within a day
- There is a small local church available in the Chow Ley village
- Ko Lipe Walking Street is 80% closed during the offseason
- Room/chalet rates start anywhere from US$12 right up to US$250 a night
- Boat timings are crucial to and from Lipe. Check the low and high season timings
- From May until November, Koh Lipe can only be reached from the Pak Barra jetty
 |
| The speed ferry to Koh Lipe Island. |
The great thing is that there are no airports, so the only way here is via modern speed boat ferries. Journeys are estimated at about 1-2 hours, depending on which point you choose.
As for my experience, I have visited Koh Lipe during the high season via Langkawi and also during the low season via Pak Barra jetty in Satun, which is in Southern Thailand.
After you arrive at the immigration office for your passport chop and want to take a longtail boat taxi to your resort at the other beaches, they charge a fee of 40-50 Baht per person.
I have a friend who has been visiting this island every year for Christmas and New Year for the last 12 years, and he has seen the changes he feels should not have taken place.
Those who enjoy the islands and beaches around Southern Thailand stop at Koh Lipe Thailand, as you can do so from Langkawi Island or from Pak Barra town.
Share this content:
0 comments