I had the opportunity to visit Koh Lipe way back when it was still pretty much unknown to tourists. Recently, I revisited Koh Lipe again, and unfortunately, it seems like mass tourism has taken its toll on this once remote island.
That said, I am happy to report that the snorkeling scene at Koh Lipe has not changed one bit, and I still consider Koh Lipe to be among the best snorkeling spots in Thailand. Don't let the increase in tourism prevent you from exploring the incredible underwater world this island has to offer!
Within this travel guide, you will find all the information you need to plan an epic snorkeling trip in Koh Lipe. So, let's get your snorkeling gear ready and see what Koh Lipe has to offer!
5 Best Things to do on Koh Lipe
1. Go on a Snorkeling Trip Around the Island
- 📍 Location: Snorkeling Point [Map Link]
One of the best things you can do in Koh Lipe is to spend a day on a long-tail boat and snorkel around the inner and outer islands around Koh Lipe. There are over 30 islands and hundreds of reefs, all within easy reach of Koh Lipe, which is why the island remains one of the best snorkeling spots to this day.
You can easily spend the whole day snorkeling around the inner islands and another day snorkeling the outer islands. You can hire your own private long-tail boat to go wherever you want or go with organized tours that you can find everywhere on the island.
There are two main snorkeling day trips you can take, all of them similar to each other except for the islands you visit. The inner-island snorkeling tour will hit more spots and is great for first-time visitors while the outer-island tour is great if you have another day to spare on the island. The snorkeling equipment and lunch are provided if you go with the tours.
- The Street Hostel Koh Lipe (Budget)
- Castaway Resort Koh Lipe (Mid-Range) 👍 Top Pick
- AKIRA Lipe Resort (High-End)
- Koh Lipe: Longtail Boat Snorkeling Trip with Lunch (6 hours) 🏅 Top Pick
- Ko Lipe: Outside Zone Snorkeling Trip by Longtail Boat (6 hours)
- Koh Lipe: Full Day Multi-Island Snorkeling Trip with Lunch (6.5 hours)
2. Visit the Monkey Beach
- 📍 Location: Monkey Beach [Map Link]
If one of your dreams is to hang out with monkeys on a remote island in Thailand then congratulations, you have found the best place to do it! Included in the inner-island snorkeling tour, you will be dropped off at the Monkey Beach, home to hundreds and hundreds of wild macaque monkeys, roaming free all over the island.
They are not as aggressive as in the city, but do not let your guard down. Be sure you are aware of your belongings at all times when you are chilling at the beach and avoid feeding them, as they tend to become more aggressive when humans feed them food.
The beach is incredibly pristine, though, and you are going to like the island even if you do not like monkeys. If you are visiting Koh Lipe, be sure to check out the one-of-a-kind Monkey Beach.
3. Go on a Diving Trip
- 📍 Location: Jabang Dive Site [Map Link]
I have no personal experience diving around Koh Lipe, but I have heard many people praise how beautiful the reefs are around here. Some of the best diving sites in Thailand, such as the 8 Mile Rock and the Yong Hua Shipwreck, are all located near the island.
So if you are big on diving and have a day to spare in Koh Lipe, be sure to book one of the diving trips available here. You may also have the opportunity to witness sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays on these diving trips. That's definitely a bucket-list-worthy experience to cross off in Thailand.
4. Witness the colorful reefs of Koh Jabang
- 📍 Location: coral reefs near Koh Jabang [Map Link]
The further you go from Koh Lipe, the more colorful the coral reefs you will see. The coral reefs near Koh Jabang are probably some of the most colorful coral reefs I have ever seen in Thailand.
Since the snorkeling spot is remote and the water around the area is much deeper than in other snorkeling spots, the coral reefs still retain their beautiful colors, and you will find yourself surrounded by a ton of fish as you explore the incredibly rich marine life of Southern Thailand. If you are planning to go on a snorkeling trip, make sure that the tour also includes a visit to Koh Jabang.
5. Watch the Sunset at Sunset Beach
- 📍 Location: Sunset Beach [Map Link]
If you are looking for something to do on the island, I highly recommend you visit Sunset Beach, which is best known for... you guessed it, an incredible sunset.
No matter if you stay on the eastern or southern coast of the island, you should be able to reach Sunset Beach on foot in about 15 minutes. There is also a nice restaurant and bar you can check out nearby, so if you are looking for a place to dine, be sure to check out Sunset Beach.
Where to Stay on Koh Lipe?
When to Visit Koh Lipe?
The best time to visit Koh Lipe is between November and April when the sea is calm, and the weather and humidity are a little more manageable. You can also visit outside of this period, but you run the risk of rain, which may hinder your ability to enjoy the stunning outdoors of Koh Lipe.
How to Get to Koh Lipe?
The best way to get here is to fly into Bangkok and then from Bangkok to Hat Yai. I would recommend browsing through Skyscanner or Expedia to find a cheap flight from your location to Bangkok that best fits your itinerary.
Taking the ferry from Pak Barra Pier in Satun province is the only way to get to the island from the mainland. The ferry departs between 11:30 and 14:00, depending on the season, so you may need to stay overnight somewhere if you are traveling from afar.
If you are coming from Bangkok, the most efficient way is to take an AirAsia flight to Hat Yai and from there, you can get a transfer to Koh Lipe straight from the airport.
The speed boat ticket from Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe should be around 700 THB, and the journey should take approximately 90 minutes one-way. The price of the speed boat should be included with the airport transfer if you book it from here.
Once you arrive at the island, you will need to go through a ticket booth on a floating platform where you will have to pay the entrance fee of 200 THB AND a non-negotiable 50 THB fee to get to the island via a long-tail boat. This fee was introduced a few years ago, and the funds collected for accessing the island will contribute to preserving the nature around it.
How to Get Around Koh Lipe?
The entire island can mostly be covered on foot, but if you have a lot of luggage, you can also use an official tuk-tuk recently installed by the government, with a starting price of 80 THB depending on how far you are going.
To go snorkeling and diving in Koh Lipe, you can opt-in for an organized tours that are often operated daily or hire your own private long-tail boat and explore the surrounding islands at your own leisure.
Daily Budget
This place is quite affordable compared to all the other countries in the world. If you are planning a trip here, you can expect to spend around $25 - $45 USD per day per person, which should include accommodation and three meals.
Please keep in mind that these are suggested daily budgets based on my own style of travel, which leans more towards the budget side of things. If you aim to stick to this budget, anticipate sleeping in dormitories, dining out only occasionally, and being comfortable with the cheapest and most convenient modes of transportation, which often involve a considerable amount of walking.
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3 Comments
thank you for the information provided. What is the best beach to stay on for snorkeling directly from the beach? Are there any with small modest places to stay? Thanks!
Hey Christy,
Koh Lipe has since changed so much nowadays that there is an abundant number of accommodation all over the island. Sunrise, sunset, and Pattaya beaches all have decent snorkeling area, usually at the end of the beaches where the rocks and cliffs are so you can try finding accommodation near those beaches. They are all pretty close from each other so no need to sweat if the accommodation you got is a little far.
I hope this helps!
Thank you that is very helpful and I appreciate your answer.
Christy