Where am I again?
Region: Southern Thailand> Province: Satun> Location: Ko Lipe

Getting There and Away

Boat

Ko Lipe is usually reached from the town of Pakbara. Ferries to Lipe currently run only half the year, from November to April; though there have been rumours of an extended service for years, there's nothing yet organised for the low season. The monsoon lashes Lipe with particularly intense storms, so it can be dangerous to attempt the crossing from Pakbara pier between May and October.

Still, lucky travellers may be able to snag a seat on one of the longtails supplying Lipe in monsoon season -- expect to pay around 400B. Otherwise, it costs 3,000-4,000B to charter a longtail to Lipe. Most resorts and restaurants are closed in the monsoon season, and you may need to make prior arrangements for meals. On the upside, the few bungalow operations open have deeply discounted rates.

Ferry companies in Pakbara will sell you a discounted ticket if you buy a return ticket, but remember the ticket cannot be refunded nor used on another company's boat. Many choose to buy a one way ticket.

Almost everyone on Ko Lipe sells ferry tickets. Try asking the staff at Pooh's or Friends Tours.

Ferry services take three hours to reach Lipe, leave at 11:00 and 13:30 and cost 550B one way or, 1,000B return. Boats return to Pakbara from Ko Lipe at 9:00 and 10:00. There are sometimes additional boats to Lipe at 12:30 and 16:00 on weekends and holidays.

Speedboats take one hour to reach Lipe and leave twice a day at 11:30 and 13:30 and cost 650B one way or 1,200B return.

Tigerline Travel runs a ferry between Ko Lipe and Langkawi. The ferry departs from Lipe at 15:30 and arrives in Langkawi 1.5 hours later and costs 1,100B. Going the other way, the boat leaves Langkawi at 8:00 and arrives in Lipe at 09:30. The ferry continues on to Trang and Ko Lanta. Tigerline Travel can also arrange joint ferry/bus tickets to Krabi, Phuket, Surat Thani, and Bangkok. Bookings can be made on their website www.tigerlinetravel.com.