Hero photo · Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe An independent guide · Tarutao National Marine Park · Satun, Thailand
The Best guide to Koh Lipe.
Written by a resident dive instructor with twelve years on the island. Diving, snorkeling, accommodation, food, travel and local info — no paid placements, in seven languages.
About this guide
What is Koh Lipe?
Koh Lipe is a small island in southern Thailand's Satun Province, inside Tarutao National Marine Park. It sits in the Adang-Rawi archipelago, roughly two kilometres long, with three main beaches — Pattaya in the south, Sunrise on the east, Sunset on the west. The water is clear, the reefs are healthy, and the high season runs November through April.
The island is reached only by boat: ferries from Pakbara on the Thai mainland (1.5 hrs), from Langkawi in Malaysia (1.5 hrs), or longer hops from Phuket and Krabi. There's no airport on the island and no roads in the conventional sense — getting around is on foot, by motorbike taxi, or by longtail boat.
This guide is written from twelve years of living on the island. There are no paid placements, no affiliate links on content pages, and every recommendation is based on first-hand experience.
At a glance
Koh Lipe in 60 seconds.
The numbers and answers most visitors ask for first.
- Location
- Satun Province, southern Thailand
- Inside
- Tarutao National Marine Park
- Size
- Roughly 2 km long, 3 main beaches
- High season
- November to April
- Park closure
- Mid-May to mid-October
- Park fee
- ฿200 / foreign adult, valid 5 days
- Currency
- Thai Baht (฿). ATMs on Pattaya Beach.
- Language
- Thai. English widely spoken.
- Time zone
- ICT (UTC+7), no DST
- Power
- 230 V — type A, B, C plugs
01 · The guide
Explore nine parts of the island.
Pick a thread. Each section is a guide in itself — handwritten, locally checked, and kept up to date.
02 · Featured dive sites
Twenty-five reefs, pinnacles and wrecks in the Adang-Rawi archipelago.
Six of the most asked-about. The full list is in the diving section.
03 · Orientation
A two-kilometre island with three beaches.
Sunrise Beach in the east, Pattaya Beach on the south, Sunset Beach on the west. Walking Street crosses the middle. You can walk from one side to the other in about twenty minutes.
- 1 Sunrise Beach · east coast — best for snorkeling EAST
- 2 Pattaya Beach · main pier, shops, bars SOUTH
- 3 Sunset Beach · quiet, viewpoint nearby WEST
- 4 Walking Street · food, cafés, night market CORE
- 5 Chao Leh village · Urak Lawoi community CORE
- 6 Bundhaya Pier · ferry arrivals & departures SOUTH
04 · On-island
Emergency & useful numbers.
The nearest full hospital is on the mainland in Satun — plan for a 90-minute speedboat transfer in a serious emergency. For most things, the on-island clinic is the first stop.
All information pages
07 · Quick answers
The questions we get asked most.
Each section page has its own deeper FAQ — these are the island-wide ones.
- When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe?
- November to April. Visibility peaks in February and March, the sea is calm, and the marine park is fully open. May through October is monsoon — the park closes mid-May to mid-October and most accommodation shuts.
- How do I get to Koh Lipe?
- There is no airport on Koh Lipe. The four common entry points are Hat Yai International (90 minutes by van + 1.5 hours by ferry from Pakbara pier), Trang Airport (similar drive + ferry), Langkawi in Malaysia (direct 1.5-hour ferry), and Krabi (shared speedboat hopping islands south).
- Do I need a visa for Thailand?
- As of 2026, most nationalities receive 60-day visa-exempt entry on arrival, extendable to 90 days at the immigration office on Koh Lipe. Thai visa rules change frequently — always check the current policy with the Royal Thai Embassy or a reliable visa service before you book.
- How long should I stay on Koh Lipe?
- Four to seven days suits most visitors. A short trip (3–4 days) covers the snorkel highlights and one beach. A longer trip (7+ days) lets you take a diving course, do day trips to Adang and Rawi, and slow down.
- Is Koh Lipe expensive?
- It's mid-range by Thai island standards — more expensive than Koh Lanta or Koh Tao, less than Phuket or Phi Phi. Expect ฿2,500–4,000 per person per day for mid-range accommodation, meals, and one or two activities. Budget travellers can manage on ฿1,200–1,800 per day.
- Is the snorkeling good for beginners?
- Yes. The reefs at Sunrise and Sunset beaches are accessible from shore in waist-deep water. Half-day and full-day boat trips include guides, life jackets and snorkel gear. Hin Ngam and Jabang are particularly family-friendly.
- Is Koh Lipe family-friendly?
- Very. Pattaya Beach has the gentlest swimming, the night market on Walking Street works for picky eaters, and most accommodation accepts kids. Family snorkel trips run daily in season.
- What's the marine park fee?
- ฿200 per foreign adult (around US$6), collected on arrival at Bundhaya Pier. The fee is valid for 5 days inside the entire Tarutao National Marine Park.
References
- Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (Thailand) portal.dnp.go.th
Tarutao National Marine Park — park rules, fees, operating season. - Tourism Authority of Thailand tourismthailand.org
Official guidance on travel to Satun and the Andaman coast. - ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity — Heritage Parks programme aseanbiodiversity.org
Designation and conservation status of Tarutao. - Thai Meteorological Department tmd.go.th
Seasonal weather norms for the lower Andaman region. - Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy hydro.navy.mi.th
Authoritative tide predictions for Satun waters.