Koh Lipe Beaches

Koh Lipe's Beaches

Koh Lipe is the only island of all Tarutao National Marine Park with tourism development. The small island of Adang-Rawi Archipelago is home to the largest permanent settlement, about 800 people, and the only with water available throughout the year. It was originally settled by a group of sea gypsies, also known as Chao Ley in Thai, originally from Malaysia; in fact, the island’s name means “Paper Island” in Chao Ley dialect. Koh Lipe, with an area of just 2 square kilometres is a real small tropical paradise, one of the most beautiful islands in Andaman Sea. In the island there aren't roads, just small walking paths that connect the coasts between them, no cars or scooters for rent, the vehicles are limited to few mini-taxis, like golf carts, owned by hotels and used to carry heavy luggage of tourists. Transfers between the beaches can also be carried on board of typical long-tails boats; however most of visitors like to walk on foot. The island's coastline is characterized by white sandy beaches surrounded by crystal waters and tropical vegetation, a stunning set that recalls the Caribbean landscapes. There are four main beaches on Koh Lipe: Pattaya Beach in the south, the most popular and main tourist centre; Sunrise Beach on the east, near Chao Ley village; Karma Beach in the north, facing the island of Koh Adang; and Sunset Beach in the west. In addition there are a few small sandy coves and the two privately-owned Sanom Beach and Bila Beach. Pattaya Beach, known as Hat or Haad Bundhaya by local, is a 1.5 km long strip of white and soft sand with a beautiful view over whole bay and its western limestone cliffs. Pak Bara Pier in Pak Nam, a small coastal town in La-ngu District, is nearest access to the island. Four companies offer speedboat services from the pier to Koh Lipe during the high season. Adang Sea Tours, Lipe Speedboat, Bundhaya and Forra Speedboat operates six daily speedboats from 1st November until 15th May, leaving Pak Bara at 09:00, 10:30, 11:30, 14:30, 15:00 and 15:30. Except a boat which stops at Koh Bulon all other dock at Ao Pante Malacca Bay Pier in Koh Tarutao. Koh Lipe has no pier so ferries and speedboats moor to a floating dock off Pattaya Beach; during the monsoon season, the boats often moor off the sheltered Sunrise Beach. The journey from Pak Bara to Koh Lipe takes 90 minutes and costs 650 THB one-way and 1,200 THB for the round trip. In the low season, there are only two boats per day to Koh Tarutao and Koh Lipe that leave at 09:00 and 11:30; the return trips depart at 09:00 and 16:00. Since Koh Lipe has become a popular tourist destination it also connected by boats with Trang, Koh Lanta, Krabi, Phi Phi Don and even Phuket. From 1st November to 1st May, you can travel from Phuket to Koh Lipe and vice versa, without ever setting foot on land. For more information on timetable and fares please refer to the page: Koh Lipe Ferries.Read More