Ko Lipe
Travel Guide
About 20 years ago, whispers of an idyllic island far out in South Thailand's Andaman Sea began to surface within the international traveller community. Unlike the rest of Tarutao National Park's protected islands, development was possible on tiny Ko Lipe due to it being inhabited by the indigenous Chao Lay (literally "people of the sea") who retain ancestral rights to the island.
Within five years there were a handful of resorts popping up, and today Ko Lipe has become one of Thailand's premier tourism hotspots, boasting close to 50 resorts suited to all budgets. In high season Lipe is filled with a dizzying crowd of swimsuit-clad travellers who come for the picture-perfect whitesand beaches, renowned diving and snorkelling, nature-oriented daytrips to nearby islands, and relaxed yet lively atmosphere.
With far more foreigners roaming its beaches than locals, Ko Lipe has quickly become an unlikely international enclave -- we met people living and working here from over 20 countries spanning every continent, and that was just in the first day. Due to this eclectic mix of people, Lipe has developed an outstanding food scene.
While several solid backpacker accommodation options remain, Lipe is following an upmarket trend and development is unceasing. New resorts are being built as old ones expand upward and inward to the island's interior. Sadly, most of the pristine jungle in the middle of the island has recently disappeared, replaced by a flat, dusty lot, which will undoubtedly be developed in the not so distant future. Lipe's lush northwestern peninsula remains relatively unscathed, for now.
Despite the increasing development, Ko Lipe has finally begun to plan for a more sustainable future. Thanks in large part to the persuasion of environmentally conscious resorts like Pooh's, Castaway, Serendipity, Greenview and Jack's Jungle, the regional electric and trash collection company now recycles plastics and other materials on a major scale. They've also switched to a highly efficient central generator, and have even set up a large composter. Indeed, these are very positive developments, but with several of the older, larger resorts still running without septic systems and "dealing" with their trash by burying or burning it, Lipe is not in the clear just yet.
The tide does seem to be turning, however, and environmental awareness is prevalent. To do your part, ask resorts if they have environmentally sound waste management systems before booking your stay (the names of all business owners who participate in the recycling and trash collection programme are posted on a sign in the middle of the island, so proof is readily available), take advantage of the water bottle refilling services at Pooh's, Ricci Resort and Castaway, dine only at restaurants that serve farmed fish, and never, ever eat an especially exotic looking fish -- it's almost certainly been caught illegaly from the Marine Park's protected reefs.
Ko Lipe has three main beaches, each with its own distinct feel. Pattaya Beach to the southwest has the finest white sand and is popular with the younger set thanks to its lively atmosphere. With more than a dozen bars, most of which are clustered near the entrance to Walking Street, Pattaya Beach is the place to be for nightlife. To the east lies Sunrise Beach, the longest stretch of sand on Lipe. During high season it's windier and the sea choppier here, but Sunrise still retains a refreshingly low-key atmosphere. The much smaller Sunset Beach lies a 10-minute walk to the island's northwest shore, and here you'll find a funky, chilled-out vibe that's popular with hipsters and skinny dippers. Connecting Sunrise and Pattaya beaches is Walking Street, which is lined with restaurants, coffee shops, travel companies and convenience stores.
There's a small medical dispensary near the Chao Lay village at Sunrise Beach, and visitors with medical expertise are invited to register here in case there's an emergency on the island.
There are still no ATMs on Ko Lipe, but tourist offices on Walking Street will exchange foreign currencies and traveller's cheques for a commission. Many resorts offer internet cafes for guests, and WiFi is free for patrons at Pooh's, OMG! Sports Bar and Harmony Bed and Bakery.
Accommodation: Pattaya Beach
Blue Tribes Garden Beach Resort |
Bundhaya Resort |
Cafe Lipe and Resort |
Greenview Resort |
Sanom Beach Resort |
Seaside Resort |
Varin Resort |
Accommodation: Sunrise Beach
Andaman Resort |
Castaway Beach Resort |
Gipsy Bungalows |
Lipe Beach Resort |
Serendipity Beach Resort |
Viewpoint Resort |
Zanom Sunrise Resort |
Accommodation: Sunset Beach
Bila Beach Bungalows |
Porn Resort |
Accommodation: Walking Street and inland
Harmony Bed and Bakery |
Jack's Jungle |
Pooh's |
Serene Resort |
The Reef Hotel |
Text and/or map last updated on 30th December, 2011.
Jump to a different destination in Thailand
Get orientated with a map of Ko Lipe, Thailand
Have your say
Photo gallery
Add your photos to this via Flickr More info
Jump to a destination
- Hot spots
- Bangkok & surrounds
- Central Thailand
- Northern Thailand
- About this region
- Ban Huay Kon
- Ban Toei
- Chiang Dao
- Chiang Kham
- Chiang Khong
- Chiang Mai
- Chiang Rai
- Chiang Saen
- Chom Thong
- Doi Inthanon
- Doi Khun Tan N.P.
- Doi Phukha N.P.
- Fang
- Hang Dong
- Hot
- Kamphaeng Phet
- Khun Yuam
- Lampang
- Lamphun
- Mae Chaem
- Mae Na Chon
- Mae Hong Son
- Mae Salong
- Mae Sariang
- Mae Sot
- Mae Sai
- Nan
- Nan to Ban Huay Kon
- Pai
- Phayao
- Phitsanulok
- Phrae
- Phrao
- Phu Chee Fah
- Phu Lang Ka
- Sanpatong
- Si Satchanalai
- Soppong
- Sukhothai
- Tak
- Tha Ton
- Umphang
- Northeastern Thailand
- About this region
- Ban Chiang
- Buriram
- Chaiyaphum
- Khao Yai N.P.
- Khon Kaen
- Khong Chiam
- Muang Tam
- Mukdahan
- Mukdahan N.P.
- Nakhon Phanom
- Nakhon Ratchasima (Khorat)
- Nong Khai
- Pak Chong
- Pha Taem N.P.
- Phanom Rung
- Phibun Mangsahan
- Phimai
- Phu Sa Dok Bua N.P.
- Sri Chiang Mai
- Surin
- That Phanom
- Ubon Ratchathani
- Udon Thani
- Yasothon
- Eastern Thailand
- Southern Thailand
- About this region
- Ao Nang
- Ao Phang Nga N.M.P.
- Ban Krut
- Bang Saphan Yai
- Betong
- Cha-am
- Chumphon
- Chumphon Beaches
- Haad Nopphara Thara
- Hat Yai
- Hua Hin
- Khao Lak
- Khao Sam Roi Yot N.P.
- Khao Sok N.P.
- Khuraburi
- Krabi
- Nakhon Si Thammarat
- Nakhon Si Thammarat Beaches
- Narathiwat
- Pattani
- Phang Nga Town
- Phattalung
- Phetburi
- Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Railay Beach
- Ranong
- Satun
- Sungai Kolok
- Surat Thani
- Tak Bai
- Takua Pa
- Trang
- Yala
- Islands in Thailand
- About the islands
- Coral and Raya Islands
- Ko Adang
- Ko Bulon Lae
- Ko Chang
- Ko Chang Noi
- Ko Kham
- Ko Kho Khao
- Ko Kradan
- Ko Kut
- Ko Lanta
- Ko Lao Liang
- Ko Libong
- Ko Lipe
- Ko Maak
- Ko Muk
- Ko Mun Nork
- Ko Ngai
- Ko Pha Ngan
- Ko Phayam
- Ko Phi Phi
- Ko Phra Thong
- Ko Ra
- Ko Samet
- Ko Samui
- Ko Si Chang
- Similan islands
- Ko Sukorn
- Ko Surin
- Ko Tao
- Ko Tarutao
- Ko Wai
- Ko Yao Noi
- Ko Yao Yai
- Phuket
Onward travel
-
Ko Adang
Ko Tarutao
Ko Bulon Lae
Langkawi (Malaysia)
Pakbara
Ko Lao Liang
Ko Sukorn
Ko Libong
Satun
Ko Kradan
The above are all within 200km of Ko Lipe.
From the blogs
Changes on Thailand’s Ko Lipe
5:52 pm, 13 Apr 2013
Boat trip: Ko Lipe to Ko Hin Ngam, Ko Rawi and Ko Adang
4:25 am, 8 Apr 2013
Basic Ko Lipe bungalows
7:53 am, 24 Dec 2012
Sunset in Ko Lipe
7:50 am, 2 Dec 2012
Daytrip: Khao Lak to the Similan Islands
1:13 am, 18 Nov 2012
Review: Long Beach Chalet, Ko Lanta
1:30 am, 17 Sep 2012
Review: Baan Pakgasri Hideaway, Ko Lanta
12:05 am, 3 Sep 2012
Photo essay: Life in the Andaman Sea islands
2:29 am, 22 Jun 2012Thailand’s Ko Phra Thong
1:17 am, 25 Apr 2012Ko Phi Phi beach getaways
9:11 am, 14 Apr 2012
The Cambodia blog
The Indonesia blog
The Laos blog
The Malaysia blog
The Singapore blog
The Thailand blog
The Vietnam blog
Travelfish on Facebook
Newsletter signup
Sign up for Travelfish Burp!
Our weekly wrap on Southeast Asian travel.
Click here to see a recent newsletter.
Thailand FAQ
-
How much should I budget per day for a holiday in Thailand?
What should I pack for a holiday in Thailand?
What is the voltage in Thailand?
Is Thailand safe?
Is Thailand a safe place to travel alone to?
What is the weather like in Thailand?
Can I drink the tap water in Thailand?
Should I bargain for everything I want to buy in Thailand?
Should I bring travellers cheques, credit/debit cards or cash to Thailand?
What standard of acommodation can I expect for US$5?
Can I use drugs in Thailand?
Can I trust the Thai police?
What shouldn't I pack for a holiday in Thailand?
Should I take my own padlock for the door of my room while travelling in Thailand?
What are Thailand's visa requirements?
Ko Lipe reviews
Backchat from the Travelfish community
Best Beach for You
Which is the best beach on Lipe? Depends on personal preferences.
On my return in early March I found he most pristine bit of sand is at the far northern end of Andaman (Sunrise) beach just before it curves around to the spit in front of Mountain Resort. Lovely white sand, very clear water with some okay snorkelling and there are plenty of trees in back of beach for shade. Doesn't get very crowded. One downside is a fair few passing longtail boats, but few land on this beach.
You like a neat little self-contained not busy beach? Viewpoin'ts/Serendipity's beach, Sanom Beach, Bila Beach and Pitisusas's beach do this. The last is north coast and so do a few other small patches of sand along here although most tend to be a bit scratchy in quality (lotsa rocks, sand disappears at high tide). An exception is Sunset** (Porn's/Fisheries Dept's beach) which may be a bit big for some, although it is small compared to Pattaya and particularly Andaman.
All-rounders - nice sand, water, okay snorkelling, lots of accommodation, restaurants, bars etc. Both Pattaya beach and the rest of loooong Andaman beach fit the bill. Pattaya probably wins just about all these categories but may be too busy for some.
Most sheltered beach in wet season? Andaman and Viewpoint/Serendipity are sheltered from the monsoon winds on blustery days (Andaman can be a bit windy in early high season. When the wind changes out of the western quadrant around to the eastern it can often get pretty strong several days a month - we are usually talking November/December). This wind is offshore at Pattaya and gives no problems - in wet season mid and western sections of Pattaya is sheltered by the high headland. I think I would avoid the north coast beaches in wet season - they can often be pretty exposed.
A beach for hard partying campers? La Luna on the north coast would do it well.
Thing is I wouldn't stress about trying to find accommodation on what you consider the best beach for you. Lipe is so small that all beaches are within 20 minutes walk wherever you are staying - most closer. My March 2013 accommodation at Gipsy 2 Rivendell was off the beach near Walking Street 5 minutes from both Pattaya and Andaman. I picked it on a value/design/good reviews basis, not on being at the beach.
** take care booking Sunset Beach. The adjacent scratchy beach to the east has two new bungalow joints and both are claiming the name Sunset Beach - we have Morgan Sunset Beach Resort and Lipe Sunset Beach Resort. The place popularly known as Sunset Beach at Porn Resort/Fishery Dept Bungalow just over the headland to the west is really called HAT PRAMONG....seems visitors started calling it Sunset Beach on account of the..um..sunsets.
By tezza (dabbler)
Written on 2nd May, 2013 after a visit to Ko Lipe in March, 2013
Also reviewed by tezza: Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park, Coral and Raya Islands, Haad Nopphara Thara, Haad Sai Khao, Kanchanaburi, Khao Lak, Ko Bulon Lae, Ko Kho Khao, Ko Kut, Ko Maak,
It was ok -- until
I wish I would have read the information here before going to Koh Lipe. I stayed on the island for two days during the low season on 18-20 July. Because it was low season, the place was pretty deserted which was nice. My girlfriend and I stayed at the Sita Beach Resort and Spa which is a very nice hotel. Rooms were spacious and the bathroom was especially nice. Food and staff were nice and helpful.
We were enjoying our stay until a member of the hotel staff decided it was time to burn some trash and lit a fire on the beach fronting the hotel. As noted above, the trash fires usually contain plastic and the acrid and toxic smoke wafted into the hotel premises for hours. I was finally enraged enough to go to the front desk and complain. A member of the hotel staff immediately reacted to my request and dowsed the fire. It was just an incredibly stupid thing to do. Later in the evening, I asked to talk with the hotel owner but I never did hear from him and I doubt that my request was communicated to him. I have been in Thailand for six years now and I can say the customer service is severely lacking in most instances when a guest complains about a serious issue. This is something that Thailand is going to have to deal with if it really wants to become a world class tourist destination.
As for Koh Lipe, the environmental problems must be addressed and resolved in a meaningful way. But as many things in the 'third' world, I doubt that this will happen anytime soon.
By manao (dabbler)
Written on 23rd July, 2011 after a visit to Ko Lipe in July, 2011
Koh Lipe Review
We know Thailand quite well so have a good balance of views about various locations. Our 18 year old son (6 months back packing) had recommended a visit so we were a bit concerned that our needs may conflict with his expectations! - We island hop with wheeled suitcases and hair straightners!
The island was a revelation. A great mix of ages and a terrific balance for all visitors. We stayed at Lipe Resort as we MUST have air-con! It was great. The beach has a good amount of shaded areas from trees which were welcome in March heat.
Found probably the best massage spa ever. Moonlight Bungalows right on the centre of Pattaya Beach has a first floor open view of the sea with THE BEST spa in the Islands. Run by a very bright and well qualified young lady from Bangkok and down to earth native from Lipe (John!) Top quality everything for same price as everywhere else. They also have a few very well appointed new bungalows that are very reasonablly priced.
Highly recommended ( as long as you do not want air-con)they also have travel and watersport facilities and are lovely people.
One disappointment: Mountain Resort have a dreadfully inefficient and very arrogant attitude to reservations -- they don't deserve to get business on this basis. Emails ignored for days, Phones not answered. Plus when you get there there is NO shade on the beach and whilst the views from the resort are stunning the steps are a killer and the bungalows are reminiscent of Butlins. The land side approach to the resort is a filthy disgrace. Need to try much harder!!
By neillbarker (dabbler)
Written on 26th March, 2010 after a visit to Ko Lipe in March, 2010
Lazing on a Sunny Afternoon
Is there anything better than lounging on the beach mat under a palm on Lipe's Ao Pattaya half blitzed on duty-free rum while listening to a running commentary from the Southern Illawarra Dairy Princess (1992) beside you on the passing parade of gap-yearers, neo-hippies, pirate wannabes, Miss Swedens, grey nomads, Kelly Slater clones, rasta-baby beach boys, swaggering divers in rolled down wetsuits, circumferentially-enhanced youth-challenged farangs with sleek young friends from Isan, beer and footy bovver boys, Russian oligarks with their hot blond mistresses, giggling Thai daytrippers in the orange life-vests and Chavs/Chavettes straight from central casting?
Well yes, there are better things, but it sure is entertaining.
I got back to Lipe in early December 09. This is what stuck in my mind:
BEST BEACH - I changed my mind about Pattaya which I previously thought had got too crowed. It wasn't despite 2 of our days coinciding with a Thai public holiday. The water was pristine, the sand cleanest. Next best were Sanom Beach just west of Andaman, Bila Beach west of Sunset and Viewpoint's northern beach just south of Andaman/Sunrise. Sunrise was not all that clean and was suffering from exposure to strong easterlies. Sunset Beach was heavily eroded by monsoon storms (note beaches can re-establish themselves very quickly given fine weather) and looked like it had only been cleaned once since wet season. Popular Porn Bungalows had a lot of junk lying around behind bungalows.
NEW ACCOMMODATION - the luxury Sita Resort on Pattaya is open as is the similar Idyllic on Sunrise. 3 traditional travellers' places I didn't see on my trip last year - Varin Viillage/Varin 2 on Sunrise, and Sanom plus Bila Beach Bar and Bungalows on the beaches of the same names. All looked pretty sweet. Note Bila has a DORM, the first on Lipe as far as I know.
HIGH PRICES - Lipe is expensive - it is doing a Phi Phi. Prices to me seem 20 to 50% higher than you would pay on many popular islands. 800 and 900 for a fan bungalow with bathroom is outrageous compared to similar places on say Phangan or big Chang, and particularly to the good value islands like little Chang, Phayam, Jum. Lowest prices can be found just off the cross-island track. On the beaches some to try are Viewpoint, Fisheries Dept on Sunset if it is open, Handicraft on Pattaya and bungalows behind the restaurant at Pattaya Song/Pattaya 2. And of course Bila's dorm and Porn's overflow tents.
RUBBISH/CLEANLINESS - The promised rubbish removal service by the Satun provincial government has started. A large barge was beached in the centre of Pattaya for about 5 hours and a shuttle of trucks was transferring both domestic rubbish and building junk from the central island tip.
New rubbish bins with RECYCLE, NORMAL and ORGANIC were set up in several places.
People who have been away for more than 18 months will find the former dusty/muddy cross island track is paved and now called WALKING STREET because motor cycles etc are banned in the evening dinner/strolling period. Some of the side streets off Walking Steet have been concreted too.
Building has finished on Walking Steet and the new shopfronts look way neater than the mish-mash before.
But the beaches had gone downhill since my 08 visit - maybe because the resort owners had not got around to cleaning up wet season junk and glass fully. The area in front of the village was a disgrace. However Pattaya was pristine.
OVERBUILDING - People returning to Lipe after some time get a shock at the amount of new places. It seems most obvious beach places have been taken - but I reckon we will start to see more joints on sea-side rocks, headlands like Tao, Phangan etc.
The other process will probably be more of the knock down the cheap joint and build a flasher place - like at Sita. And of course expand and redevelop the joint as Varin has so successfully done on its Pattaya site.
Most new building was this visit was taking place on the side streets of the village - whole rows of shopfronts etc.
FASHION/TRENDS - some old Euro guys are trading their Speedo sluggos for Billabong boardies - a big plus. But legs down to shin level are just not Kelly Slater.
Tramp Stamps aka ArseAntlers, tatts just above low rider bikinis, are so yesterday.
By tezza (dabbler)
Written on 22nd December, 2009 after a visit to Ko Lipe in December, 2009
Also reviewed by tezza: Ao Phang Nga National Marine Park, Coral and Raya Islands, Haad Nopphara Thara, Haad Sai Khao, Kanchanaburi, Khao Lak, Ko Bulon Lae, Ko Kho Khao, Ko Kut, Ko Maak,
Small,warm and relaxing
After doing a lot of research via Travelfish and various other sources my wife and I decided to spend a week on Ko Lipe in Feb 09.
After hearing of the problems with pollution/overdevelopment/rubbish/sewage and long tail noise it was with a bit of trepidation that we booked a couple of night's accommodation so we could decide for ourselves. And we couldn't have been happier to stay on this great little island.
Lipe has a very relaxed feel to it, more than places like Ko Lanta or Ko Chang (east coast). I think this is because it takes just a little more effort to get here so it seems to attract a certain sort of traveller. There is a great diversity of nationalities and most people we met really were enjoying it. I met one Italian guy who had stayed here 2 years ago and was commenting on how much development was happening inland so the comments above about seeing Lipe sooner rather than later hold true.
We stayed at Varin Resort on pattaya beach as we were prepared to pay for the flashpacker bungalow with air-con etc.February is blindingly hot there but met a lot of people who were staying in backpacker places for 400B a night so there is a good selection and range of accommodation to suit all budgets.
Being such a small island it was easy to access the other two beaches away from Pattaya Beach if you wanted total solitude but we found it quite easy to wander down Pattaya and find a spot to ourselves. On the issue of long tail noise to be honest we didn't notice this after a couple of days and this issue is certainly not confined to Lipe in regards to Thailand.
Food and drink was plentiful pretty varied and reasonably priced as per the islands. Plenty of seafood bbq's for the night; lunches could be on the main pathway between the beaches for the best deals or overlooking the water at a higher price. Catching longtails to another beach not only changes the scenery but provides income for the chao lay people. Mountain View has spectacular views and an expensive but great menu that has to be seen once. The beach bars are very relaxed with some low key music which most people seemed to enjoy and was still easy to get an early night if you wanted it.
Diving and snorkelling and swimming is the go here and while Lanta probably shades Lipe for quality dive sites Lipe has a lot to offer and yet again the operator I dived with was organised yet not regimented so everyone enjoyed themselves no matter what level of proficiency. Also the water is stunningly clear, although this was mid Feb and that obviously changes from month to month.
So overall we thought Lipe to be a great island to dive eat swim relax read a book or stroll down the beach. Sure there some issues with pollution and rubbish and overdevelopment but hey where isn't there issues like that in S.E.Asia. Highly recommended.
By swag (dabbler)
Written on 13th May, 2009 after a visit to Ko Lipe in February, 2009