Koh Lipe is a small island in the Southernmost Adang-Rawi archipelago of the Andaman Sea in Thailand. It is part of the much larger Tarutao National Marine Park under Satun Province. There are three major beaches in Koh Lipe: Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach.
Pattaya Beach
Pattaya Beach is the busiest beach among the three beaches, especially in High Season. The area gets crowded the whole day, as tourists lined up for their ferryboat.
Many tourists in Pattaya Beach enjoy the heat of the sun as they do water activities while others enjoy sunbathing in the white sands to get tanned or just watching the beautiful view of the beach and enjoying a sip of fresh juices. The nightlife in Pattaya beach is set in front of the resorts while drinking and partying with other guests. Most of the restaurants and bars are open until 2 PM.
Pattaya Beach
Sunrise Beach
Sunrise beach is more reclusive, less crowded but the turquoise water and pristine white sand and the long sand bar are the best attractions. There are three islets seen from the far end of the island and at the other side is the nearby Koh Adang mountainous area.
Sunset Beach
For sunset lovers, Sunset beach is the best area, but it has the shortest sand bar and rocky beachfront. Tourists who love the sunset sit in the beachfront and wait for the stunning sunset.
Sunset Beach
Visa Requirements
From the tourists coming to Malaysia, the immigration office in Koh Lipe near the Bundhaya Beach Resort during High Season (November to May) and the speed boat arrival is in Pattaya Beach. During Low Season (April to October), immigration will be thru Satun Province and the arrival of speed boat will be in Sunrise Beach near the Baan Koh Adang School. The speed boat will come from Pak Bara during Low Season.
Mountain Resort Koh Lipe
Things to Remember during your trip
From Langkawi, Malaysia
Buy a ferry ticket at Kuah Jetty Pier or in Telaga Harbor Park. There are ferry's going to Koh Lipe in the morning and in the afternoon, usually at 9 AM, 11 AM and 2 PM. You have to be at the ticket office 1 hour ahead for Visa processing.
From Krabi, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi
There are regular ferry boats in the morning and afternoon from Krabi, Phuket and Koh Phi Phi going to Koh Lipe.
There's no pier in Koh Lipe. The speed boats will stop near the beach area, and long-tail boats will transfer passengers to get to the beachfront. There are no cars or taxis in Koh Lipe.
There are motorbikes taxi with sidecar in Walking Street (the main street) and Taxi Boat station on the beach if you want to transfer to the different areas on the island. The best way is also on foot on the small concrete roads.
Walking Street
Accommodation
I stayed at Seaside Resort at the heart of Pattaya Beach. I booked thru Agoda prior to my trip. Seaside Resort has a real beach vibe accommodation because of the bungalow with a veranda and a hammock outside. There's no restaurant in Seaside Resort, but beside it and on the beachfront is the Family Sung Restaurant. It's open early in the morning until midnight. For budget-friendly and expensive restaurants, you can go to the Walking Street. The internet connection is good and the Seaside Resort staffs are friendly.
Seaside Resort, Pattaya Beach, Koh Lipe, Satun, Thailand: +66 80 543 1466
Seaside Resort
There are so many resorts, hostels and inns in Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach and Walking Street but you should book ahead especially during high season because they said that finding an accommodation is not easy if you don't do it in advance.
Things to do in Koh Lipe
1. Wake up early and go to Sunrise Beach
2. Wait for the sunset in Sunset Beach
3. Island hopping using a Taxi Boat
4. Scuba diving and snorkeling with the tour package
5. Party at night in Walking Street and Pattaya Beach
6. Swimming and sunbathing in the three beaches
7. Eat out and enjoy different cuisines in Walking Street
8. Rejuvenate with Thai Massage
Itinerary
Day 1
I arrived in Kuah Jetty Port, Langkawi Malaysia at 8AM. At 9AM, I rode a speed boat one and a half hours to travel to Koh Lipe. Upon arrival to Koh Lipe, we were transferred to a long tail boat to reach the shores of Pattaya Beach.
After immigration, I checked-in at Seaside Resort but I have to wait for an hour before settling down. I explored Walking Street just a few meters away from Seaside Resort and had lunch. I ate at a local food stall found in the area. After settling down, I explored Walking Street where all the shops were available – money changer, groceries, 7-11 shop, hotels, hostels, restaurants, shopping stores, massage centers and a small hospital. I surveyed the walking street to check how to get to the two different beaches of Koh Lipe. I checked the small roads going to the Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach to be familiarized with the area. For the rest of the afternoon I stayed at Pattaya Beach.
I was craving to eat pasta so I looked for an Italian Restaurant called Capriccio during dinner along Walking Street where the owner personally accommodated me and also gave me a discount for my food.
Koh Lipe
Day 2
I went to Walking Street and entered a private resort going to Sunrise Beach. I went to the far end of the sand bar going right to Kathalee Beach Resort. The far end of the beach has rock formations. I went back and stayed for 2 hours in Sea La Vie Beach Bar and enjoyed the fruit shakes and scenery. Then I walked again and found different resorts along the beach including the taxi boat station in the middle of Sunrise beach. I stopped and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of the wide and long beach of Sunrise Beach going to the Mountain Resort. I had a late lunch in Thai Lady Pancake and rested for a while in the resort. Before the sun goes down I went to Sunset beach and check the sunset with other travelers.
Sunrise Beach
Day 3
I had a Thai massage on the third day. Since I love Sunrise Beach, I went back to the Sea La Vie Beach Bar. I stayed there for a long time while enjoying the view from the treehouse and the rave music. I also enjoyed swimming and the fruit shakes during a hot afternoon. Other tourists were there sunbathing and swimming in front of the Bar.
I had a late lunch again in Pooh Restaurant. I enjoyed the Pattaya Beach for the rest of the afternoon. I had dinner with the Family Song Beach resort near Seaside and enjoyed the evening with other foreigners in the area.
Day 4
I checked-out at the resort. I waited for the immigration in Bundhaya before going back to Langkawi and took a last look at Pattaya beach which I stayed for the last four days. I had coffee at Harmony Café in Bundhaya Beach Resort while waiting for the Speed boat.
