Koh Lipe เกาะหลีเป๊ะ: From an unknown island to a tourist hotspot

See the locations on Koh Lipe เกาะหลีเป๊ะ Google Map by #treasuresofthailand


Picture by flydime
Pattaya Beach

"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", remembers travelfish.org. Today this small island in the Andaman Sea with its white beaches is a touristic hotspot with nearly 50 resorts for different budgets and can be very crowded during the peak season (December to February). There are three main beaches: Pattaya Beach, Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach. A one km long walking street connects Pattaya Beach with Sunrise Beach (read Koh Lipe Walking Street) and see video by dreadnallen.

A lot of tourists leave a lot of waste - but not all the resorts are treating the waste in a proper way. According to travelfish.org there are environmentally conscious resorts like Pooh's, Castaway, Serendipity, Greenview and Jack's Jungle. Others still bury or burn their waste. Also the well water has suffered from the development and is not clean enough any more, as you can read on kohlipe.net. Follow discussions about Ko Lipe in the forum of welovekohlipe.com.

Kop Lipe is part of the Adang Archipelago and Tarutao National Marine Park ไม่ว่าจะอุทยานแห่งชาติทางทะเลหมู่เกาะตะรุเตา, that consists of 51 islands in the Southern part of the Andaman Sea. Wet season starts at the end of May when the monsoon brings plenty of rain and rough seas. Dry season starts early November.

There is no ATM on Ko Lipe, but you can get cash advance in some of the big resorts (Bundhaya Resort) and in the shop of kohlipethailand.com.

Ko Lipe was first the home of sea gipsies, who settled here, called Chao Leh or Urak Lawoi. Their story is treated in a book by Supin Wongbusarakum, which can be downloaded here. They have their own language, a dialect of Malay. Urak means "people", lawoi means "of the sea". Their houses are built on stilts, the roofs are constructed with nipa palms, the walls with woven split bamboo. They live from fishing and are very good divers. Tourism has become the next most important source of income. In 1984 the family of the village headman opened the first resort.


Pattaya Beach หาดพัทยา

The main beach, where the guests arrive from the ferries. Good snorkeling right from the beach. Popular by younger guests, lively.

Bundhaya Resort บันดาหยา รีสอร์ท: From 1200 Bath. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com and this: Try a room closer to the beach because in the back of the resort is a noisy generator.

Picture by Bundhaja Resort


Blue Tribes Resort: From 600 Bath. "One of Lipe’s best mid-range resorts" with a comfortable relaxation area, comments andamanadventures.com. The two-floor Seafront Tree-House has a great view from the upper room. See video by chaolehfilm

Picture by Blue Tribes Resort


Daya Resort: From 800 Bath. Basic bungalows. Don't expect TV! "This resort has some lovely-looking beachfront bungalows on offer, whose excellent Pattaya beach location doesn't however make up for their shabby interiors", comments andamanadventures.com

Picture by 247siam.com


Dee Zee Resort: Huts. See picture by rea-neill


Greenview Resort กรีนวิวบีชรีสอร์ท: From 800 Bath. Bamboo Bungalows with attached bathrooms with good reviews on tripadvisor.com

Picture by Greenview Resort

Picture by Greenview Resort


Lipe Resort หลีเป๊ะรีสอร์ท: From 1400 Bath. Critical reviews on tripadvisor.com


Moonlight Bungalows: Bungalows hidden behind a concrete shophouse. The spa on the first floor got a positive comment by neillbarker. Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com


Pink Resort: "In a grotty state" according to andamanadventures.com


Sita Beach Resort & Spa สิตา บีช รีสอร์ท แอนด์ สปา: From 5200 Bath. Two swimming pools. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com

Picture by Sita Beach Resort


Varin Beach Resort:. From 800 Bath. See video by leffman and video by jllandrith

Picture by miserychick

Picture by Varin Beach Resort
Air Villa


Z-Touch Resort ซีทัชหลีเป๊ะไอส์แลนด์รีสอร์ท: Before: Hamman Beach Resort. From 3827 Bath. Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com



Sunrise Beach (Hat Chao Ley) หาดชาวเล

Picture by rhaddon
Sunrise beach

Picture by sidorenko_alexey_a
Sunrise beach

Picture by sidorenko_alexey_a
Sunrise Beach


White sandy beach, see video by dreadnallen. A small village of the Chao Ley - sea gipsies - can be found here.


Adang Sea Eco-Lodge: Good reviews on tripadvisor.com


Anda Resort อันดา รีสอร์ท: From 2500 Bath. On the South end of Sunrise beach. Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com, there is construction noise (March 2012) and not alle guests are happy about the semi-outdoor bathrooms and the closeness of the neighbours.

Picture by Anda Resort
Deluxe Villa Seaview


Andaman Resort อันดามัน รีสอร์ท:. See video by kohlipelove2dive. Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com


Castaway Resort: Good reviews on tripadvisor.com.

Picture by hagemannandreas


Idyllic Concept Resort ไอดีลลิค คอนเซปต์ รีสอร์ท: From 5950 Bath. With pool. Excellent according to reviews on tripadvisor.com

Picture Idyllic Concept Resort
i-Sky seaside villa


Kaixolipe Resort ไคโชหลีเป๊ะรีสอร์ท:. See video and photostream on flickr.com. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com

Picture by Kaixolipe Resort


Lipe Power Beach Resort หลีเป๊ะ พาวเวอร์ บีช รีสอร์ท:. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com


Serendipity Beach Resort: Bungalows set on a hillside with great views. If you book the Hilltop Bungalow be aware, that you need to take 160 steps to reach it. The beach vanishes at high tide and is 10 metres wide at low tide. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com

Picture by Serendipity Beach Resort



Karma Beach:

Picture by Argenberg


Mountain Resort เม้าน์เท้น รีสอร์ท: See video by Chapantip and The Ramsele



Sunset Beach (Hat Pramong) อ่าวประมง

Picture by rhaddon

Is also called Porn Beach, because the Porn Resort is located here.


Pitiusas Beach Resort: From 1000 Bath. A new resort with wooden bungalows on Sunset beach. See video by Towkay Bandrek

Picture by Pitiusas Beach Resort


Porn Resort พร รีสอร์ท: From 500 Bath. Concrete and bamboo bungalows and a thin beach with coarse sand according to andamanadventures.com: "This resort is only suitable for budget travellers who can put up with ancient mattresses, rubbish everywhere and unpleasant smells wafting around." See video by leffman



Walking Street

Picture by samuli.turkkila
Walking Street


Baan Kasirin บ้านกสิริน รีสอร์ท:

Bonus Resort โบนัสรีสอร์ท :

Gipsy Resort ยิปซี 2 ริเวนเดลล์:

Harmony Bed & Bakery ฮาโมนี่เบดแอนด์เบเกรี่:

Pooh Resort: Restaurant with live music every night.

Ricci House ริชชี่เฮ้าส์ รีสอร์ท: Quite good reviews on tripadvisor.com

Serene Resort เซเรเน่ รีสอร์ท หลีเป๊ะ:

The Box - Lipe Resort: The resort has been constructed from containers. Mixed reviews on tripadvisor.com

The Reef Hotel:



Discoveries from Ko Lipe

Picture by Argenberg
Ko Lipe, seem from Ko Adang


Several nearly uninhabited islands can be reached with a long tail boat, all between 15 minutes and 1 hour away. The 2 large ones, Koh Adang หมู่เกาะเกาะอาดัง and Koh Rawi ราวี are almost completely covered with rain forest and have a ranger station, where camping is possible and you can get a quiet stay. The ranger station at Laem Son Beach on Koh Adang with information centre also has bungalows and tents, and there is a small restaurant (open from November until May). It can be booked on web3.dnp.go.th. See video by jllandrith. During the rainy season several waterfalls run from Adang into the sea. Adang has many hiking trails and view points. Pirate's Falls can be reached by a two kilometre-long walkway, Ratana waterfall by a longtail boat. See pictures on shearwaterphoto.wordpress.com and on andamancampandcruise.com. An read about sea snakes, which come to the shore in the night on Mind of Dan. You can also find small villages of Urak Lawoi people called Telo Cengan and Telo Puya on the northeast side of Adang. Read about a visit here on offtherails.com. See pictures of Urak Lawoi people by Brendan Carroll, see village by Amanda and Neil. See the traditional dance Rongeng by chaolehfilm: video 1 and video 2.

Picture by brongaeh
Beach on Ko Adang


Picture by grolli77
Ko Rawi


Koh Ba Tuang, Koh Lek and Koh Dong offer the same jungles. You can also sail to the smaller islands of Koh Hin Sorn and Koh Hin Ngam. Koh Hin Ngam has a dark stone beach, where visitors pile up 13 stones, what should bring them luck. Koh Hin Sorn has amazing black stone formations. Then there are Koh Peung and Koh Jabang whose surrounding waters are excellent snorkelling grounds according to koh-lipe.info. Nearby is the monkey beach. Further to the east you reach Ko Klang and Ko Tarutao. Ko Khai เกาะไข่ has a stone gate, which is the Satun tourist symbol.

Picture by Uschi & Horst Pix
The love stone arch on Ko Khai, promises eternal love, if two people enter.


The waters around the islands house an enormous variety of marine species, for example: dolphins, mantas and other rays, sharks, sperm whales, but also clown fish, angelfish, lion fish and all sorts of coral. See underwater discoveries:

Picture by jeffb123

Picture by jeffb123

Picture by jeffb123

Picture by jeffb123


How to arrive on Ko Lipe

From Hat Yai Airport: Take a minibus from the Airport to the Train station in Hat Yai (80 Bath) and catch a minibus at one of the travel shops nearby to Pak Bara Pier (takes two hours). A taxi from the airport to Pak Bara Pier will cost around 2500 Bath. From Pak Bara ferries run to Ko Lipe all year round. See timetable of Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club

From Lipe and other islands: From November until April Koh Lipe can be reached by boat from several islands in the Andaman Sea. A daily ferry from Koh Phi Phi (8 hours) stops also at Koh Lanta and other islands along the way. Additionally there are daily speedboats (3 hours) from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe during high season. See timetable on lipespeedboat.com

From Langkawi, Malaysia: From the end of October until early May you can exit and enter Thailand from Koh Lipe to Langkawi island, Malaysia. The immigration office is located at the eastern part of Pattaya Beach, next to Bundhaya Resort. Book the shuttle ferry here.



Read more about Koh Lipe on www.kohlipethailand.com, www.kohlipe.net, www.welovekohlipe.com and on travelfish.org

Ko Tarutao เกาะตะรุเตา - the unspoilt island, where just the nature entertains you, prisoners were kept and pirates emerged from

See the locations on Koh Tarutao เกาะตะรุเตา Google Map by #treasuresofthailand

Picture by Argenberg

Picture by Argenberg

"As our high-speed boat bound for the tourist enclave Koh Lipe approached Koh Tarutao, I think I literally gasped. We sped past deserted beaches, stretches of intact mangrove, karst cliffs and a blanket of green jungle spreading upwards towards a beautiful chain of mountains. For the first ten minutes, there was not a building in sight", notes ContemproyNomad.com. And he adds: "I think the vast majority of the people onboard would have hated Koh Tarutao. Tarutao is not for those who need to be entertained, it’s for those who excel at entertaining themselves."

Koh Tarutao, the largest island of Tarutao National Marine Park อุทยานแห่งชาติทางทะเลตะรุเตา, with its several peaks stretching up to 700 m high, covered by rainforest, is still a heaven for wildlife, for example wild pigs, monkeys, water-buffalos, turtles, hornbills, palm civets, but also pythons and kiong cobras. On the beach you discover more than 200 types of shells, unter the water five types of corals, Brain Corals, Staho's Horn Corals, Leaf Corals, mushroom Corals, and Soft Corals. "It's not the optimal place for snorkelling since the water is murky compared to other Andaman islands", adds travelfish.org, "but for most, the clean and expansive whitesand beaches, diverse wildlife, waterfalls, caves, hiking and views more than compensate". The western coast offers nestling sites for turtles.

Picture by Argenberg
Langur on Ko Tarutao

The National Park on Ko Tarutao is open only from November 15 to May 15 each year, and visiting during the off-season is prohibited. There is a admission charge upon arrival of 200 baht for foreigners and 40 baht for Thai citizens.

With the ferry from Pak Nam, where the Ko Tarutao Park Visitor Centre welcomes you, you arrive at Ao Phante Malaka อ่าวพันเตมะละกา:, where you find bungalows, a visitor center, a restaurant, a small shop for supplies and staff accommodation (but no ATM) and a camping site - and of course 2 km long beach with white smoth sand. Along the beach pine trees give shadow. The rangers speak good English and can show you pictures of accommodations and sights around the island and rent out mountain bikes and kayaks or arrange longtail boats, shuttles and guides. The bungalows only have five hours of electricity per day. There is no ATM on the island (the closest is in Pak Bara or Ko Lipe). Pa To Nu Beach is located behind the Forest and Marine National Park Office. In the morning you can hike up to Pha Toe Bo Viewpoint จุดชมวิวผาโต๊ะบู on a cliff just behind the camp for sunrise (around 20 minutes 60 metres above sea). It offers a panoramic view of the entire island and Koh Bulon, Koh Klang, Koh Khai, Koh Adang, Koh Rawi and Koh Petra.

Picture by Mathieuc
Look towards the National Park Headquarter at Pante Malacca Bay
See also picture by federicogosende.

Picture by Mathieuc
Bungalows in the National Park

From Ao Phante Malaka you follow by longtailboat a Mangrove lined khlong to Charakae Cave ถ้ำจระเข้ (Crocodile Cave, Tham Jorakae): The cave is filled with brackish water and extends several kilometers until it ends near Jak Bay, a walkway leads a short way into the cave, bring with you a flashlight. To arrange a boat trip, contact the information office. The tour has to be done at low tide to safely get in and out of the cave, where you see stalactites, stalagmites and more stoneformations.

Picture by Syeefa Jay
Crocodile Cave


Ao Jak อ่าวจาก (Jak Bay): See picture by federicogosende. This is a small bay connected to Phante Malaka Bay with white sand beach.


With a taxi you can get to Ao Molae อ่าวเมาะและ (Molae Bay).

Picture by Dan Ševčík
Ao Molae Beach
See also picture by soobee.
Here you find a white sand cove with just nine bungalows, a restaurant and coconut trees.

A path leads from Ao Molae to Ao Son Bay. It begins to climb past wild banana trees and tall dipterocarps. Near Son Bay, the path crosses two small streams, then ends at the coast.

Ao Son อ่าวสน (Son Bay): You can camp on the 3 km long and 200m wide white sand beach. Tents, food and beverages are available. Or you can walk to Lu Du น้ำตกลูดู (1.5 hours) or Lo Po น้ำตกโละโป๊ะ(2.5 hours) waterfalls. The beach is an important area for sea turtle nesting (from November to March). The Lo Po Waterfall trail starts about 1 1/2 kilometres south down the beach. It was originally constructed in April 1990 by Peace Corps volunteers. The trail passes through Beach Forest and Evergreen Rainforest. Trail markers and stone cairns for stream crossings show you the way. At the bottom of the waterfall there is a pool to bathe in. The distance from Ranger Base is 6 km. Lu Du Waterfall provides the water for the Ranger base at the north end of the beach. The trail to Lu Du Waterfall starts 500 m from the Ranger Base, along the path leading back towards Ao Pante. Look for the signpost on your right. From here you walk in 1 1/2 hours to the waterfall.

Picture by Syeefa Jay
Ao Son Beach


Ao Makham อ่าวมะขาม (Makham Bay): Ranger Station 3 is located at the bottom of the freshwater stream. In the non-monsoon season fishermen - mostly Muslim - keep temporary shelters here. There is no trail between Son Bay and Makham Bay, you go here by boat.


Ao Talo Udang อ่าวตะโละอุดัง(Talo Udang Bay): A historic place looking out towards Langkawi Island (Malaysia), which is only 8 km away. Here used to be a colony for prisoners. Between 1938 and 1948 more than 3000 Thai criminals and political prisoners were held here, including Sittiporn Gridagon, the son of Rama VII. During World War II they got not enough food and medical supplies from the mainland and many prisoners died from malaria. Those who survived, prisoners as well as guards, became pirates in the Strait of Malacca. In 1944 they were suppressed by British troops. Today you find here ranger station 2 and some traces of the old days. A 12 km long street built by the prisoners connects Ao Talo Udang to Ao Talo Wao, 4 to 5 hours to walk. The book “Pirates of Tarutao” by Paul Adirex is based on this story, and the real name of the author is Pongpol Adireksarn, who used to be Minister of Education in Thailand.


Ao Talo Wao อ่าว ตะ โละ วาว (Talo Wao Bay): This was the second site of the prison. Today you see only a dune, ruined buildings and the funeral for 700 prisoners. The coast is rocky here with limestone rocks rising from the sea. When first reaching the eastern coast by road, you will see the old ranger station, which is still used by the Talo Wao staff. The road continues another kilometer to the ranger station 1 on the hill, overlooking the long pier next to a rock outcropping. In the monsoon season, fishing boats congregate in this sheltered bay.
The road from Pante bay to Talo Wao bay (12 km, walking time 3 hours) is flat and passes through old agricultural land, rubber trees and orchards. For the last 4 km it climbs through rain forest and tall trees.

Picture by Argenberg
Pier at Talo Wao


Ao Lue See (Lue See Bay) It’s a small bay with a cave and good for snorkelling diving.


Read more:
Tranquilo Tarutao by Em & Trev
Photo essay: Majestic Ko Tarutao by David Luekens
Year End Trip - Koh Tarutao (The Final Leg) by Dian Shan.
Ko Tarutao by tezzasthaiinfo.blogspot.com


From its eastern side the island of Ko Tarutao is encircled by over 10 smaller offshore islands and limestone karst islets, such as Ko Sing, Ko Kaman, Ko Ko Lo, Ko Klang, Ko Pulao Na, Ko Daeng, Ko Laen, Ko Lek, and others.



How to get to Ko Tarutao

From Pak Bara you can take a ferry: The ferry services running from Pak Bara to Ko Tarutao are speedboats going to Ko Lipe. Various companies are selling tickets in Pak Bara for around 300 Baht one-way and 650 Baht return. This takes about 1 hour. It is possible to buy a ticket to Ko Lipe and stop a few days at Ko Tarutao. The evening before leaving to KoLipe you contact the park officer in Ko Tarutao. Ferry schedule Pak Bara to Ko Tarutao.


How to stay on Ko Tarutao

You choose between camping in a tent and staying in bungalows offered by the National Park. For details contact the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Flora at Tel. 0 2562 0760, or the Visitor Service Centre of the Tarutao National Park at the Pak Bara Pier in Tambon Pak Nam, at Tel. 0 7478 3485, or the Tarutao National Park Ranger Station To To 1 (Ao Phante Melaka) on the island, at Tel. 0 7472 9002 – 3.


Discover nearby islands:
Koh Lipe เกาะหลีเป๊ะ: From an unknown island to a tourist hotspot