The article contains all useful information about the island of Koh Lipe in Thailand: how to get to the island, what to do, the beaches of Koh Lipe, hotels and other infrastructure. And, of course, our review with photos and tips.

On the island of Koh Lipe in Thailand

Koh Lipe: general information

Koh Lipe island- a small island in the south of Thailand in the Andaman Sea in the province of Satun, located near Malaysia (the nearest Malaysian island is only 30 km away). Koh Lipe on the map

Koh Lipe is part of the maritime national park Tarutao, for visiting which you have to pay 200 baht per person (do not throw away tickets, they will come in handy if you go on a tour of the neighboring islands, and even before leaving the island we were required to show tickets!).

The island of Koh Lipe became known among tourists relatively recently: some 40 years ago it was inhabited by sea gypsies from Malaysia, and the first European tourists appeared in the 90s of the last century.

Koh Lipe: Sunrise Beach

I was lucky enough to visit Koh Lipe in Thailand in 2006 and catch a small piece of paradise deserted beaches, one store in the center of the island and Pooh Bar - the only place on Koh Lipe where there was internet 🙂 And in general, all Europeans gathered every evening in this bar for dinner and beer 🙂 There were no concrete roads on the island of Koh Lipe, everywhere there was sand, and before entering any room, you had to take off your shoes, and in general, shoes were not needed on the island - everyone went barefoot everywhere.

Koh Lipe in 2006

A couple of years later, the total development of the island began, the first large hotels(some of them even with a pool), old wooden bungalows were also reconstructed, and a little later Koh Lipe was connected by sea to Langkawi, an immigration office appeared on the beach for passing passport control when arriving from Malaysia and departing from Thailand. A little later, the central street was concreted - this is how the walking street appeared.

Immigration office on Koh Lipe in the center of Pattaya Beach
Entrance to the promenade from Sunset Beach
Volkin Street: the main street was concreted and a walking street appeared with shops, cafes, bars
Roads almost all over the island were put in order
Although there are still clay and sandy roads on the island, and on the way to Sunrise Beach there are deposits of garbage
Pointers in the center of the island
Houses of local residents
But there are also such huts of local residents that have not changed at all in 10 years ... The funny thing is that huge plasma TVs hang on the walls in such houses 🙂
locals islands
There are many well-groomed cats and dogs on the island.

Of course, the development of the tourist infrastructure of the island could not but lead to an increase in the flow of tourists and crowds, huge crowds of vacationers, poured onto Koh Lipe. For some reason, the Chinese especially fell in love with Lipe Island (every self-respecting Chinese wants to have a selfie with Koh Lipe and with 🙂). Yes, and there are enough other Asians now, especially Thais and Malaysians like to come to Lipe Island for holidays and weekends. There were times when there were so many tourists on the island that they did not fit in hotels, and people spent the night in tents on the beach!

According to rumors, travel agencies even tried to send our compatriots to Koh Lipe, and people were very unhappy with what hole they were sent into (and where are the entertainment and shopping centers, as in? 🙂)

But now, fortunately, the unhealthy excitement for the island has subsided, there are no our packages on Koh Lipe, but Chinese tourists come to in large numbers especially in winter for Chinese New Year.

Bright colors Koh Lipe

Schematic map of Koh Lipe

Map-outline of the island

Seasons and weather on Koh Lipe: when is the best time to go to the island

There are two main seasons on Koh Lipe:

• Rainy and stormy season: from April-May to October
• Dry season: November to April

Previously, the island was “closed” for the summer, due to severe storms in the sea, sea communication with the mainland almost completely stopped, hotel workers went on vacation 🙂 In recent years, communication with the island and the mainland of Thailand has not stopped all year round, only the number of flights has been reduced. And the weather and climate are now so changeable that even in summer you can catch good sunny weather, and at the peak of the season get caught in the rain.

But hotel prices usually differ in three seasons:

• Low season: summer
• High season: October - November and March - April
• Peak season: December - February

When is the best time to go to the island?

The most good weather on Koh Lipe in winter, in December - February, but during this period there are a lot of tourists on the island and prices for everything, especially for accommodation, rise significantly. In summer, the rainy season, but deserted beaches and low prices to hotels. In my opinion, the best time to visit Koh Lipe in Thailand is November and March-April.

The weather on the island depends on the seasons. best season in winter, but at this time there are a lot of tourists

How to get to Koh Lipe

The island of Koh Lipe in Thailand is located in the Andaman Sea, the island is small, there is no airport here 🙂 The nearest airports to Koh Lipe are:

• Hat Yai (Thailand)
• Trang (Thailand)
• Langkawi (Malaysia)

You can only get to Lipa by water- on fast boats or boats on the sea that go from the piers:

• Pakbara Pier, Thailand. It can be said that this is the main pier, the connection between Pakbara and Lipe is year-round
• Trang (Hat Yao Pier), Thailand
• Kuah (Kuah Jetty), Malaysia, Langkawi
• Telaga Harbour, Malaysia, Langkawi

Direct water communication between Langkawi - Koh Lipe stops in the low season.

Also in the high season opens sea communication between the islands - - - Lipe.

Many boats and boats bring tourists to the island

In short, the algorithm for how to get to Lipe Island is as follows:

• Flight to or. We are looking for flights
• Flight from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi, from Bangkok to Hat Yai or Trang, or you can get to Hat Yai by land - by bus or train
• Taxi / minibus / transfer to the pier
• Boat/Boat to Koh Lipe

A very detailed article with prices and tips on how to get to Koh Lipe from different places Thailand, Malaysia and from Russia:

Transport on the island: how to move

There are no big roads on the island of Lipe, there are no cars and few bikes (some locals ride bikes, but they don’t rent them to tourists 🙂)

Koh Lipe is a small island and you can move around it:

• on foot
• if necessary, take a motorbike taxi (this is a bike with a cart) for 50 baht per person one way or ride around the island for 400 baht / hour
• bicycles for rent - 200 baht per day.
• you can also move between the beaches by boat. But taxi boats on the island are not as common as, for example, on or in, because. almost all the beaches of the island of Koh Lipe can be easily walked

Moto taxi rates around the island

Hotels Koh Lipe: where to stay on the island

Every year more and more new hotels open on the island, but despite this, finding accommodation on the spot during the peak season can be a problem. Therefore, I advise you to book Koh Lipe hotels in advance.

Most hotels in Koh Lipe are right on coastline, many bungalow-type hotels, although there are hotels with rooms in buildings.

Air-conditioned bungalow right on the beach: Andaman Resort
A very popular hotel among Europeans
New villas on the green lawn of the Z-Touch Lipe Island Resort
One of the hotels in the center of the island

Prices for hotels in Koh Lipe are quite high:

• a double room in an average hotel on the beach will cost +/- 3000 baht
• cheap beach bungalows - from 1000 baht

Prices are for the high season, in summer housing is half the price. Perhaps you can find huts for 500 baht, for example, the houses in the photo below are right on the beach and belong to the Andaman Resort hotel. The cost was not known.

Very budget houses right on the beach

Sample prices for Koh Lipe hotels

A detailed article about Koh Lipe hotels with their features, prices, recommendations:

Our review of the hotel where we stayed for a few days:

All hotels in Koh Lipe can be booked on the following booking sites:

Koh Lipe hotels on the map

The beaches of Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe island in Thailand is famous for its gorgeous beaches. There are the following main beaches:

• Pattaya Beach
• Sunrise Beach
• Sunset Beach
• Karma Beach or northern beach
• Beaches in the bays

Pattaya Beach

The most popular beach in Koh Lipe is Pattaya Beach. It is located in a bay in the south of the island. Snow-white white sand, clear sea, close to the shore coral reef with fishes. good infrastructure, but sometimes it is noisy and crowded, especially at the time when boats arrive with tourists from the mainland and Langkawi and in the evening before sunset. Details about Pattaya Beach:

Pattaya beach in the south of Koh Lipe
View of a piece of Pattaya Beach from the sea
Long and rather wide Pattaya beach
Before the boats leave, the beach can be crowded
Before sunset, a crowd of vacationers also gather here 🙂

Sunrise Beach

Sunrise Beach is the second most popular beach on Koh Lipe. I loved it for its peace and quiet. The beach has white coarse sand, a good sharp entry into the sea. More about this beach here:

Sunrise Beach: southern part
Sunrise Beach: North
Central part of Sunrise Beach

Sunset Beach

Beach in the west of Koh Lipe. The sand is grayish, the entry into the sea is very smooth, there are many picturesque stones on the shore. To be honest, this beach did not impress me at all, maybe we were on it at the wrong time ...

Sunset beach in the west of the island

Karma Beach

Karma Beach or the beach next to the Mountain Resort Hotel is the northernmost beach of the island with a beautiful sandy spit (the spit is washed closer to winter, it may not be there in summer). The sand is very coarse, white, the sea is bright turquoise, beautiful view to the neighboring island of Adang. There are often strong winds on this beach in winter. Read more here:

The picturesque sandy spit in the north of the island is the symbol of Koh Lipe 🙂
Karma beach in the north of the island
Beach in the north of the island

What is the best beach in Koh Lipe? – it’s hard for me to answer this question, I like both Pattaya Beach and Sunrise Beach 🙂 Detailed description all the beaches of Koh Lipe:

Almost all beaches of Koh Lipe are good 🙂

Infrastructure

The tourist infrastructure on the island is well developed. Of course, there are no large stores like Tesco and Big C on Lipe Island, but there are:

• two 7 elevens (in which for some reason there are eternal queues)
• small food shops
• shops with souvenirs and beachwear
• a huge variety of cafes and restaurants, which offer not only Thai cuisine and seafood, but also Indian and European food
• bars and coffee houses
• tents with pancakes, fruit shakes, ice cream
• massage parlors
• and even a beach club on Pattaya Beach 🙂
• several ATMs, currency exchange (the exchange rate is not favorable, it is better to come to Koh Lipe with baht in cash)
• tour agencies where you can buy a tour, tickets, exchange money, etc. etc.
• pharmacies
• hospital

There are two 7-elevens on the island
Several pharmacies
Shops with souvenirs and beachwear
Cozy bars
Cafe with delicious ice cream
Pancakes, baguettes, croissants, fruit shakes, smoothies
Walking along Volkin Street
Evening relaxation on the beach

Basically, all the infrastructure is located in the center of the island on walking street. Read more here:

Prices for Koh Lipe

We can say the following about the prices on Koh Lipe: there are expensive hotels, prices are 7 levs higher than on the mainland, expensive fruits, but the prices in the cafe are quite adequate, I would say even low for such a quality of food.

This is not the first time I have noticed a strange feature for myself: on small islands in Thailand, everything is usually more expensive, except for food in a cafe. So it was, for example, on Phi Phi - the island is not cheap, and the food in the cafe is not only tasty, but also inexpensive!

For example, our average bill for a dinner with beer on Koh Lipe never exceeded 500 baht (except for one evening when we went to dinner at an unlimited buffet at the Progress restaurant).

Some prices on Koh Lipe:

• Water 1.5 l at 7 lev - 26 baht
• Yogurt - 21 baht
• Coffee in seven - 60 - 65 baht
• Ready meals in boxes at 7 leven (e.g. rice + meat) – 70 – 80 baht
• Beer Chang 0.6 in seven - 90 baht, in a small shop - 65 baht
• Packing of water 6 bottles of 1.5 liters in a shop - 100 baht
• Pancakes with different fillings ~ 40 - 70 baht
• Fish in a cafe ~ 240 baht
• Squid, shrimp in a cafe ~ 150 baht
• Tom yum ~ 120 - 150 baht
• Rice with meat or seafood ~ 80 baht
• Beef steak at the Steakhouse - 450 baht
• Coffee in a cafe ~ 70 - 90 baht
• Breakfast in a cafe - 200 - 300 baht

One of our dinners
Seafood buffet at Progress restaurant on Walking Street 490 baht per person
From 6 p.m. restaurants and cafes begin to put fish on display. Photo prices
Cocktails in bars average 200 baht, beer 100 baht

Things to do in Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is an island for a relaxing beach holiday, there are no noisy parties, nightclubs or attractions here 🙂 The main attraction of Koh Lipe is its beaches, the neighboring islands of the national park and undersea world. Therefore, the list of things to do on Koh Lipe is not so big:

• Visit and swim on all the beaches of the island
• Go snorkeling. Koh Lipe is the only place in Thailand where we have been where good snorkeling is near the shore
• go to
• Swim to the neighboring island of Adang
• Take a course at a diving school - excellent diving spots near Koh Lipe
• Eat - drink - sleep - go for a massage - relax 🙂

Cost of diving in Koh Lipe
Cost and description excursion tours with Koh Lipe
Visiting neighboring islands during one of the excursions
View of Adang Island, which you can swim to by renting a boat
Adang: Taken at close zoom

Koh Lipe reviews

You know, there are places on earth that sink into the soul at first sight. I had a similar situation with Ko Lipe 🙂 I fell in love with the island not even at first sight, but even earlier, when I read about it on the forum (if I'm not mistaken, it was in 2003). Soon my dream came true: I flew to Thailand. But for the first time, the route was simpler and did not include the island of Koh Lipe, but included - -.

A little later, I nevertheless got to Lipa and was completely delighted with it. tropical paradise. Years passed, countries alternated and beautiful islands(what is the beauty in the Philippines or the islands of Saraya and Kanawa in Indonesia), but the island of Koh Lipe in Thailand always remained in my memory and I knew that someday I would definitely return there 🙂 And I returned after more than 10 years!

Yes, the island has changed (but I read about it and this fact did not come as a shock to me), but I still like it the same way as before. Most likely for those who are looking for parties, shopping, etc. etc. it will be boring on Lipa (in this case it is better to go to Phuket), but it’s just right for us 🙂

Koh Lipe - my love for many years :)))

How many days to spend in Koh Lipe?

Many advise not to spend more than 3-4 days on the island of Koh Lipe in Thailand, but we spent almost a week on Lipe and did not want to leave at all. If you are traveling in Asia, then you can combine Ko Lipe with some more major island and city, for example routes can be the following:

• Bangkok – Phuket – Koh Lipe – – Bangkok
• Bangkok - Hat Yai - Koh Lipe - Langkawi - Kuala Lumpur
• Kuala Lumpur – – – Langkawi – Koh Lipe

And many other options 🙂 Enjoy your holiday!

On a small island in southern Thailand, Koh Lipe, more difficult to get than Koh Samui or Phuket, but it is worth the time and effort spent on the road. From this article you will find out what transport is most convenient to get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok, Krabi, Koh Lanta and other regions of Thailand, as well as from the Malaysian island of Langkawi, how much tickets cost, how and where you can buy them and how long it will take road to Koh Lipe.

Koh Lipe on the map - nearest airports and piers (seaports)

No matter how you plan to get to Koh Lipe, at least the last leg of your journey to the small island of Lipe will take place by sea.

Nearest port on the territory of Thailand, from which they depart speedboats and ferries in Koh Lipe, is called Pak Bar Pier(Pak Bara Pier) and the distance from it to Lipe Island is 63 km in a straight line. Approximately the same distance port on the island Langkawi(Malaysia).

Closest to Koh Lipe airports are:

• on the island Langkawi (Malaysia)- about 60 km by sea,
• in the town Hat Yai (Thailand)- about 123 km by land to Pak Bara pier and then another 63 km by sea.

Koh Lipe, neighboring islands, ferry and speedboat routes

How to get to Koh Lipe from Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta

In season calm sea(from October 20 to May 15) between Ko Lipe and other islands andaman sea there is a message by sea - speed boats who can take you to Koh Lipe from Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta, Koh Muk and Kradan. Using such a speedboat, you can move from one island to another, taking turns resting on any island you like along the route.

My advice: when buying tickets, choose a transport company that is famous for new boats, trained staff and punctuality.

Schedule and route of speed boats from Ko Lipe to the islands of the Andaman Sea

The duration of the trip, the cost of a speedboat ticket to Koh Lipe from other islands with links to the site where you can buy tickets:

• - the road by speedboat will take about 5 hours and will cost 3400 baht.
• - 4.5 hours, cost - 2600 baht.
• - 3 hours, cost - 1900 baht,
• - 2.5 hours on the way, cost - 1600 baht,
• - 1 hour and 45 minutes on the way, ticket price - 1400 baht,
• - 2 hours on the way, price - 1400 baht.

Speedboat from Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta

If you decide to relax on one of the islands along the speedboat route, here are ready-made links to hotels on each of the islands that will save you time searching for hotels:

• hotels on Ko Phi Phi (Phi Phi): booking.com and agoda.com ,
• Ko Lanta hotels: booking.com and agoda.com ,
• hotels hotels Ko Ngai (Ngai): booking.com and agoda.com ,
• hotels in Ko Mook: booking.com or agoda.com ,
• hotels in Ko Kradan: booking.com or agoda.com ,
• hotels in Ko Lipe: booking.com or agoda.com .

Pattaya Beach and Bunbhaya Villas 4* Hotel on Koh Lipe

How to get to Lipe Island from Bangkok

To get to Koh Lipe from Bangkok, you need to overcome three sections of the road:

1. Bangkok - Hat Yai (airplane, bus,),
2. Hat Yai - Port Pak Bara Pier ( , ),
3. port Pak Bara Pier - Lipe Island ().

More about each stage of the journey from Bangkok to Koh Lipe:

1. First, let's figure out how to get there from Bangkok to Hat Yai And how much are the tickets:

• tickets cost from 855 baht and depend on the class of the carriage and the corresponding amenities. The train is a convenient transportation option if you want to get to know Thai trains and don't rush anywhere (the journey will take about 15 hours).
• Bus from Bangkok to Hat Yai, in which you have to travel about 20 hours, I would not recommend (why suffer in the bus seat for 20 hours if there are other more comfortable and faster transport options),
• cheap air tickets from Bangkok to Hat Yai from 750 baht can be found on the Aviasales and Skyscanner website.

2 and 3. From the city Hat Yai to Pak Bara Pier can be reached by minibus or private taxi. From Pak Bara Pier to Koli Lipe, the only option is a speedboat.

• for 600 - 900 baht per person includes transportation to minibus from Hat Yai to the pier plus place in speedboat to Koh Lipe(the journey will take 5.5 hours).
• families with children, companies of more than 4 people, tourists with large suitcases or those who like an individual approach, the option is more suitable:
  • from Hat Yai to Pak Bara Pier, which costs 2000 baht per car (2 hours on the road),
  • , a ticket for which costs 600 baht per person (2 hours on the way).

How to get to Koh Lipe from Krabi and other regions of Thailand

From Krabi or Ao Nang to Koh Lipe can be accessed:

• by sea: which promises to get from the pier in the city of Krabi or the Railay Peninsula to Lipe Island in 4.5 hours for 1800 - 2400 baht.
• by land and sea: on (600 baht per person) or

Koh Lipe is located in close proximity to the water border between Malaysia and Thailand. You can get to it from both Thailand and Malaysia. There is no airport on the island, so the only way to Lipa is by water.

The water communication of the island with the mainland depends on the season. In the high season, from November to May, the island can be reached from the Thai side (mainland: Pak Barra, Satun, Trang and many surrounding islands: Koh Tarutao, Koh Bulon, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Muk, Koh Kradang, Koh Laoliang, koh Ngai) and from the Malay side (Langkawi Island). During the low season, from May to November, only from the Pak Barra pier. Also, in any season, you should clarify the status of the flight the day before departure, as it can be canceled due to bad weather. You can view the boat schedule, as well as book tickets.

When planning a trip to Malaysia, we could not decide on the island that we wanted to add to our visit to Kuala Lumpur. Quite by accident, I stumbled upon the the best places for the rest of 2012 according to NG”, where there was a note about the pearl of the Andaman Sea, Koh Lipe, which has not yet been visited by tourists. And when it turned out that you can get there from the Malay island of Langkawi, to which budget AirAsia flies from Kuala Lumpur, it became finally clear that “you must take it!”. Now I will tell you how we got to Koh Lipe from Malaysia.

The exchange rate of the Malay rupee to the ruble for the duration of the trip: 1 Malaysian ringgit ~ 10 rubles

From Kuala Lumpur to LCCT

We flew from Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi regular flight low-cost airline AirAsia. Air Asia is one of the best low-cost airlines in the world and its routes cover almost all South East Asia. The company is Malay, so the main base point, which is also its own airport (!) Low Cost Carrier Terminal, is located near Kuala Lumpur. Plane tickets were bought in advance, through the company's website. They cost about 500RM (5 thousand rubles) for two in both directions.

Boarding a plane at LCCT

Before Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) from the center Kuala Lumpur can be reached in several ways:

• Taxi

The easiest and most expensive option. It will cost about 60RM (~ 600 rubles). You can read more about taxis and fares to LCCT

• KLIA Express + Shuttle Bus

The second option is to use the KLIA Ekspres express train, which runs to international airport Kuala Lumpur KLIA, and from there transfer to a special bus (shuttle bus) to LCCT. The bus fare is 1.50RM () The train leaves from Sentral Central Station and takes about half an hour. One way fare is 35RM.

• KLIA Transit + Shuttle Bus

• KTM Komuter + Bus from Nilai station

From the same Sentral Central Station or any other KTM Komuter station, you can get to Nilai station. The fare from Sentral to Nilai will cost 4.70RM. From this station there is a bus to LCCT for 1.50RM ()

• Shuttle Bus from Sentral to LCCT

Several companies operate on this route. Prices differ slightly 8RM-10RM. Tickets can be purchased at central station Sentral, as well as when boarding the bus. Click the link to view the schedule and details for each company. There are buses to LCCT from other places in Kuala Lumpur.

We used the latter option, since the departure was early, and the trains were not running yet. We got to Sentral from the Traders Hotel (KLCC) by taxi. The nightly rate came out to be something like 13RM. The taxi driver drove us to the place of boarding the buses, as we called it "the nook under the bridge" :)

Initially, we planned to take the Skybus from AirAsia, but as soon as we approached the buses, we were surrounded by guys with tickets who were actively gesticulating and saying something like: “get on quickly, departure now, here and there!” etc. In general, by the time we figured it out, it was already too late. We bought an Aerobus ticket as their guy was the most agile. From the outside, all the buses looked decent. Inside, the Aerobus turned out to be rather shabby and old. The condos blew terribly all the way and did not turn off. But it's cheaper

In the cabin, except for us, there were only locals, and they were sleeping. We drove in the dark, through a strong thunderstorm (epic), but arrived on time. The road took about an hour. They sat back on the same one, because it was leaving faster. So what, that old, we are not picky. It looked something like this:

Bus to LCCT

At LCCT airport

Buses stop almost at the entrance to the terminal. It's hard to get lost. Here we had breakfast and went to look for our flight. The LCCT terminal does not look like the usual airports, it is more of a train station. Only air. Everything here is simple and functional. Checking luggage security is pretty fun. Only large bags shine through, and then selectively. Checked luggage is simply affixed with a “security check” sticker. After that, you can safely exit the registration area back :)

The check-in hall was filled with huge queues, which was a little stressful. We stood at the end of the queue to one of the counters, over which P.Langkawi was burning. But besides our island, another direction was also burning there. All the neighbors in turn claimed that they were not flying to Langkawi ... Later it turned out that one counter registers several flights. Keep in mind and be on time!

After a short wait, we were invited to board. Landing is also fun: on foot on the airfield! Thankfully it's small. Special covered "sleeves" are laid to the planes standing far from the exit. From one sleeve you can get to several planes, the main thing is not to confuse! :) Employees help to navigate, but still, apparently, there were cases. After boarding the plane, we were told for 10-15 minutes where the plane was flying. On the return flight, we just walked to the plane, it stood almost near the exit. Fly to Langkawi for about an hour.

On the island of Langkawi

Boats to Lipe Island depart twice a day (only during the season, from November to May!) from the Telaga boat terminal. Since it was difficult for us to estimate the travel time from the airport to the terminal, we took a late boat. Tickets were bought in advance via the Internet. It turned out about 500RM (~ 5000 rubles) for two round trip.

There was 4 hours left. At the exit from the airport, taxi drivers briskly snatched up tourists, most of them were in the opposite direction, "towards civilization." We were seated by the last remaining grandfather, dressed like a Muslim in a long white overall and a knitted skullcap. We got to the terminal very quickly, in 15 minutes, fatty. Taxi paid around 10RM, unfortunately I don't remember exactly. Langkawi is big, green and very beautiful. If we were not going to make a stop here on the way back, then I would definitely regret it.

Landing on the island of Langkawi

At the port of Telaga on the island of Langkawi

We drove up to a small building, around which many backpackers and bags sat waiting for the boat. Under a canopy behind the "counter" the girl was collecting passports. We arrived shortly before the departure of the first boat, but we had tickets for the second one. We were already mentally prepared to hang around in the port for 4 hours, but the girl suggested that we quickly register for the first flight, the registration for which was about to close. We gave printouts of tickets and passports.

Passport is an interesting point. Since the boat crosses the border, it is necessary to go through border control and obtain entry/exit stamps. This care is taken by the company transporting tourists. Before leaving, they collect passports, receive stamps on the Malay side and hand them over to the border guards on Lipe Island. After arrival, within about 15 minutes, the border guards put stamps and the girl from the travel agency issues passports back.

To be honest, it was scary to give my passport to no one knows where. But everything ended well and without overlays. Where and how you can get a stamp yourself, I can’t say. It seemed to me that a passport is a prerequisite for boarding. But perhaps there are other ways.

Speed ​​boat to Koh Lipe

Speed ​​boat sails to Lipe Island for about an hour. This is a ride on the emerald sea surface at high speed, with wind, sun and spray. We got great pleasure from it, despite the fact that we slept only 2 hours during the day and were on the road from late at night.

Boat from Langkawi to Lipe Island

The boat stopped about 100 meters from the shore. Long traditional wooden boats followed us from the shore, driven by a small motor attached to a long pole. First, all the tourists were taken to the shore, and the luggage went on the second run. By the way, disembarking from the boat directly into the azure warm water to the shin. There is no berth, you immediately find yourself in the sea and sand on the cleanest and beautiful beach Pattaya Beach. It was also a little scary for the luggage, but nothing got wet and nothing was stolen. Boats moor near the border post (check point). After arrival, you need to wait for the return of passports, which the travel agency employee will bring from the border guards and distribute to tourists.

15 minutes later we were already walking along white sand to your hotel Sita Beach Resort. The entrance from the beach can be considered the main one, five meters from the sand and ten from the water, under a beautiful canopy is the hotel reception. Sita Beach Resort is one of the few hotels on the entire island that can really be considered hotels in the understanding of vacationers, the rest of the housing is the level of unpretentious bungalows. If we had not booked the hotel in advance or tried to save a lot, then choosing a modest and nice accommodation on the spot would not have been any problem.

Got there!

How to get to Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is located in the south of Thailand, on the border of the territorial waters of Thailand and Malaysia.
There are several options for getting to Koh Lipe.

Any airport in Thailand - Koh Lipe

1) Any airport in Thailand-> Hat Yai (air) -> taxi to Pakbara (1800 baht). Pakbara -> Koh Lipe by speedboat 3 times a day.

November 2019: how I got to Koh Lipe from Bangkok

1) From Bangkok International Airport (BKK) to Hat Yai, take a ThaiSmile flight at 7:00.
2) Arrival in Hat Yai at 8:30. Luggage claim 15 minutes.
3) Taxi to Pakbara pier (Pakbara) 1800 baht. Group on a minibus is cheaper. Travel time 1:30.
4) Purchase of tickets for speedboat 11:30 to Koh Lipe (450 baht) + 200 baht national park fee.
5) Travel time to Koh Lipe 1 hour non-stop, 1:30 with a stop at Tarutao.
6) On Koh Lipe at 13:00.

Total from Bangkok to Koh Lipe - 6 hours.

How to get to Koh Lipe from Langkawi (Malaysia)

From the island Langkawi(Langkawi), Malaysia by high-speed ferry Langkawi - Koh Lipe () twice a day.

From the islands of Thailand to Koh Lipe by sea

Koh Lanta. From the island of Koh Lanta (Krabi province) on a speedboat.
Trang. From the pier Hat Yao Pier(Trang) on ​​the yellow high-speed ferry http://www.tigerlinetravel.com/
Phuket. From the pier Rassada(Phuket) by high-speed ferry with two stops Phi Phi and Hat Yao (Trang):

From Phuket to Koh Lipe (combined)

He wrote in detail how we got to Koh Lipe from Phuket: a combined version of air + taxi + speedboat.

Transfer chain: morning (7:15) flight Phuket - Hat Yai + taxi to pakbara + speedboat to Koh Lipe allows you to be on Koh Lipe by lunchtime of the same day.

How to get from Koh Lipe to Phuket Airport

I wrote in detail about the transfer of Koh Lipe - Phuket by sea:.

How to get to Koh Lipe from Moscow

Air tickets Moscow - Bangkok (BKK) are bought on .
Depending on the airline and the time of arrival in Bangkok, tickets are bought for the morning flight (the same day or the next day).

For example, I arrive Qatar Airways from Doha to Bangkok at 17:45.
From BKK airport I take a free shuttle in advance booked hotel, where I stay constantly: Summit Windmill Golf Residence.

In the morning of the next day, I return from the hotel to the airport (BKK) on a free transfer and fly to Hat Yai on the first ThaiSmile WE269 flight at 7:00

At 8:25 am I get my luggage in Hat Yai and get into an individual taxi to the pier in Pakbara.

After 1:30 am, I go out at the Akira Lipe Resort lounge, drink coffee and wait to be called to board the speedboat. Near the lounge of the hotel Sita Beach Resort (if you booked this hotel).

Everything I don't need (like warm clothes) I leave in Akira's lounge for storage.

At 1:00 p.m., I get off the speedboat onto the beach in front of Akira, and while my things are being carried, I sign the prepared form, drink iced tea, and receive the keys to my bungalow.

In this chain, it is important to fly out of Bangkok in the morning before 11:00, or you will have to spend the night in Pakbar.

Pakbara (Pakbara) starting point on Koh Lipe

Previously, Pakbara was a terrible hole (20 years ago).
When I first came to Pakbaru, there was not a single hotel in the fishermen's village, except for 4 rooms on the second floor of a grocery store with one toilet in the corridor for everyone.

And the ship that delivered tourists from Pakbara to Koh Lipe was made of wood and resembled a Spanish galleon of the 15th century (it broke twice per flight)

Now you don’t recognize Pakbaru: a 7/11 store, ATMs, sea food restaurants (albeit Muslim ones with a menu in Thai).
The port at Pakbar is a stone and glass building.

It’s a pity I don’t have photos of the port of Pakbara-2002 at hand: there are sandbags on the river bank, on which 2 boards are thrown - this is a pier.

How to get to Pakbara

The closest airports to Pakbara are:
— Trang(Trang)TST
— Hat Yai(Hat Yai) HDY
Trang airport is a little closer to Pakbare than Hat Yai airport.

For example: flew from Bangkok to Trang ()
Exit to the arrivals hall and approach the transfer desk (left side of the hall).

A taxi to Pakbara costs 2,200 baht and an hour and a half on the way. The price is fixed and written on a billboard in front of the counter.
If you have tickets for a fast ferry tiger line, then you need to take a taxi to the pier Hat Yao is 50 minutes from Trang airport)

You can cooperate with someone and share the cost of a taxi.
Can go to big road and try to find a ride or negotiate with a taxi directly.

But the fact remains: from Trang airport to Pakbara taxi 2200 baht.
Taxi ride from Trang Airport to Pakbara Pier: 1 hour 30 minutes.

Speedboat timetable from Pakbara to Koh Lipe

The schedule changes depending on the season, the weather and the number of tourists gathering on Koh Lipe.
It is better to check the information on the spot.
As of August 2016, the schedule looked like this:

Something can be viewed on the website http://kohlipethailand.com/koh-lipe/transport/boat-timetable/
Speedboats depart from Pakbara at 9:30, 11:30 and 15:30 during low season.

The best option would be to take the first speedboat at 9:30 so that you will be in Lipa at 11-11:30. But for this you need to come to Pakbara the day before leaving for Koh Lipe.

See what flights arrive in Trang or Hat Yai on
Add 20 minutes to collect luggage and find a taxi.
Add 1.30 to get to Pakbara and 10 minutes to buy tickets and figure out which speedboat you have time for.

Where to sleep in Pakbar

A simple hotel near the pier - Best House.
The option is better Seesea Resort. Very simple, soldierly Happy House

If you want more comfort, then it is better to stay in the city Langu 7 km from Pakbara. For example, praise

Yesterday at 8 in the morning we left the house and by lunchtime we were already in Krabi. We settled in a guest house in the town and, without wasting time on showering and changing clothes, we immediately went to Ao Nang. We walked along the familiar streets, looked into the condo where we used to live, got acquainted with the readers in the evening. Closer to the night in the town met with friends from Hua Hin. And this morning everyone started together on Koh Lipe.

How to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe

Rassada pier in Phuket is located near Phuket Town. One of the pink city buses goes there. But since the departure time is at 8 am, it will be easiest to take a taxi from your hotel in Phuket or from the bus station in the town. You can order a taxi to Rassada Pier via the Internet by this link.

From Phuket to Koh Lipe by plane

Another handy option. From Phuket, you can take a direct Bangkok Airways flight to Hat Yai, and from there take a minibus to Pak Bara Pier, then a speedboat to Koh Lipe. Here is a link to Flight Phuket-Hat Yai.

How to get further? I don’t know for sure, but at the airport, they may immediately offer you a combined ticket for a minibus and a boat to Ko Lipe. We ourselves went on a different route, so I'm not sure that there will be an opportunity to buy such a ticket.

If there are no offers, go to the Hat Yai bus station, from which you will take a bus to Pakbara Pier. Then by speedboat to the island of Lipe. You can order bus + boat tickets at 12goAsia website.

Phuket-Trang bus, minibus to Pak Bara pier, boat to Koh Lipe

Go to Phuket Bus Terminal 2 and buy Phuket-Trang bus tickets. You can’t buy such tickets online anywhere, only at the box office of the station. Tickets will cost about 300 baht give or take. When you arrive in Trang, right at the station you can buy a minibus ticket to Pak Bara Pier. Here is a website where you can buy a combined ticket for minibus and boat Trang – Ko Lipe.

If you need to stay overnight in Trang, book a hotel Booking at this link.

How we got to Koh Lipe from Phuket

We were driving on the ground. In Krabi, friends were waiting for us in a car. We stopped for the night in Krabi Town, and in the morning we left by car in the direction of Pakbar Pier. Driving from Krabi takes about 3-4 hours. Next, I will tell you how we spent the evening in Krabi, visited Ao Nang beach, as well as our first impressions of Koh Lipe.

Evening in Krabi

We got to Krabi by minibus in 3 hours. central bus station, 140 baht per person. The driver, apparently, was a former motorbiker - he threw himself on the power engineer all the way and drove quite aggressively. They noted for themselves that in the future it is better to avoid trips on minibuses.

Ao Nang is not the best beach in Thailand

What's new to tell you about Krabi? We walked around Ao Nang. We got a little nostalgic. Wanted to give the beach a second chance, but… Ao Nang Beach is really disappointing! This is how we wrote an article 2 years ago, everything is still the same! Dirty muddy brown water, sand that hurts to walk on, muddy bottom... The noise from motor boats is so loud, as if it's not a seashore, but a construction site with bulldozers... Only the unique mountains of Krabi save the day. If there were no mountains, there would be nothing to do there at all. Who would have thought that in such an advertised resort with beautiful name, Krabi, one of the worst beaches in Thailand

We are in Krabi!

The guys are completely snickering, someone will think ... I don’t know, maybe it’s true, especially after. I hope Ao Nang lovers will forgive me, but the bottom in the Moscow River looks exactly the same

Dirty Ao Nang Beach

By the way, in the far left corner, a full-flowing stink river flows into the sea. Very very smelly

Krabi is the most expensive mainland resort in Thailand.

Prices in Krabi are a separate conversation. There is a myth among travelers that Phuket is the most expensive island… Nonsense! Ao Nang is much more expensive than Phuket! Is Phuket expensive? The most expensive route in Phuket costs 40 baht, and the songteo from Ao Nang to the town is 50 baht.

Nepalese

Nepalese everywhere! In all stalls in Nepalese. They are very easy to identify by their disgruntled facial expressions and Indian appearance. Katya forgot her glasses on the bus, she had to buy new ones. In Phuket, in any tent, sunglasses are 100 baht. These impudent Nepalese muzzles tell us 350. One has only to be indignant at what it is such a triple cheat, as they wave their hand at you and defiantly leave. I'm not even saying that their etiquette does not include the elementary "Hello" and a smile to the buyer. They sit with disgruntled faces, buried in the phone.

Sunset

We met the guys living in Krabi, who, as it turned out, have been reading our blog for a long time. They are not even offended that we wrote at one time about Krabi not the most best reviews(the truth). Enjoyed a wonderful sunset together.

krabi town

Here in the town everything is in Thai. We ate hearty soup for 80 baht and pancakes with a banana for dessert. Met up with friends from Hua Hin and drove to Makro. For a dream to come, they issued a beer and sleep.

We had to get up early the next morning. We had a bite of sandwiches and coffee from 7-11 and drove further by car towards the Pakbar pier.

Koh Lipe - first impressions

We will definitely describe the island of Koh Lipe in more detail. While sharing my first impressions. The water is clean and transparent. But not turquoise, as in the Similans.

View of Koh Lipe from the floating dock


Sunset Beach

First impressions of Koh Lipe

• You have to pay for every step - for a ticket for a speedboat, for a passage to the pier, for a boat from a speedboat to the beach, for an entrance to the island
• There are no bounty beaches here
• The beaches are crowded with boats
• A lot of garbage and devastation, one has only to get off the central Walking Street
• Grocery stores are more expensive. Prices in tourist cafes are about the same as everywhere else - dishes for 100-150 baht
• Lots of Russian tourists
• Many tourists of other nationalities
• In the evening, there is music, fire shows and cozy bars on the beach, just like in Goa
• The island is a large market with restaurants, bars and hotels among the malls.

By the way, the main beach on Koh Lipe is called Pattaya Beach.

We did not want to spend the night in cheap thatched bungalows, this is only romantic for those who have never been to the tropics. Checked into a decent hotel. A day as much as 2000 baht ($ 55). Well, it's Koh Lipe, that's fine!! Everything is cool, the hotel is new, the bed is clean, but ... No hot water! Well, how is it possible, huh?? For 2 thousand baht a day they rent rooms and cannot buy at least some cheap water heaters!

• Read:

Hotels in Koh Lipe

• AKIRA Lipe Resort
• Bundhaya Villas
• Lipe Sunset Beach Resort
• Harmony Bed & Bakery
• The Reef

All hotels on Koh Lipe

Swimming at Sunset Beach. Not much fun. There was a low tide, very shallow, literally knee-deep, and there were a lot of stones at the bottom, but we didn’t take swimming shoes. Tomorrow we will swim in Pattaya or go for reconnaissance to the third beach. O beach holiday on this island, see new article.

• Read:

Ko Lipe is considered a national park. We paid 200 baht ($6) for entry. And on the island itself, there are a lot of such filthy places where garbage, building materials, something dug up and then abandoned. I understand what the Thais themselves put on nature. But is it really so difficult to somehow ennoble everything, since they charge money for entry? Thousands of tourists from all over the world come here, but it’s not a shame for them to plant srach and not clean up anything later.

Ko Lipe is not the same (c)

Our friends are not happy either. In the evening we ate in a cafe, took Chang and went to the beach. The mood has improved, we liked the evening Pattai Beach. So, while the impressions of Ko Lipe are ambiguous.

Have any of you been to this island? Write, how do you like it? What did you like, what didn't you like? Where to eat deliciously, what excursions did you take?

PS: I’m already looking forward to the comments of smart people, such as “with what attitude you drove, you got it” or “what you see inside, you see from the outside” and similar philosophical nonsense. So, I answer right away, we drove with a great mood and expected to see the level of Similan :)

Added the next day: today we swam all morning at Pattaya Beach and the neighboring beach. Wonderful blue water, from which you do not want to get out! The mood and impressions of the island are improving!