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
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
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- 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)
Koh Lipe Tours You Might Like
2. Visit the Monkey Beach
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
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
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
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.
What to Pack for Koh Lipe?
As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Koh Lipe, Thailand:
- Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
- Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
- Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
- Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
- Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
- Swim Suits: A swim trunk is a must-pack item if you are planning to visit Koh Lipe, Thailand in the summer, just in case there is a body of water you can jump in.
- Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
- Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
- Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
- Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
- Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
- Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
- Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.
For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.
Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:
Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.
Further Reading for Southern Thailand
Looking for more information for your trip to Southern Thailand? Here is a collection of articles about Southern Thailand that you might find useful:
- Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3 Months Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
- Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out 10 Days Itinerary for Thailand.
- Looking to change things up a little? How about we head down to the south of Thailand and explore one of my favorite places in Thailand? Here is How to Travel to Khao Sok National Park, Backpacking-style.
- Looking for a complete Phuket itinerary? Check out: 7 Days Backpacking Phuket Itinerary.
- The pearl of the Andaman Sea, Phuket, is an island full of history, cultures, and stunning beaches waiting for you to explore. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Phuket.
- There are over 30+ beaches in Phuket, and it can get quite overwhelming to find the perfect beach to stay at. Don't worry, I've got you covered. Here are the 8 Most Beautiful Beaches in Phuket.
- Visiting Phuket Old Town is the highlight of your Phuket Trip. You can easily spend a day exploring the Old Town. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Phuket Old Town.
- Phang Nga is probably what Phuket was like before mass tourism ruined it. From quiet, empty beaches to wild, untouched waterfalls, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Phang Nga.
- If you are in Phang Nga, you should also drop by Takua Pa and its charming little old town. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Takua Pa.
- Khao Lak is the main tourist hub in Phang Nga, and it is a great place to be if you like adventure, island-hopping, and snorkeling. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Khao Lak.
- For a complete Krabi backpacking itinerary, check out: 3 to 5 Days Backpacking Krabi Itinerary.
- Whether you are an adventurer or a beach-goer, Krabi has it all. From island-hopping to rock climbing, here are the 13 Best Things to do in Krabi.
- Krabi is not just about beaches and islands. Krabi town offers a great alternative place to stay away from the tourist crowds. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Krabi Town.
- Ko Lanta is a quiet, remote, and less trodden part of Krabi, and it is a great place to visit for those who want to go off the beaten path. If you are planning to go there, here are the 8 Best Things to do in Ko Lanta.
- Nakhon Si Thammarat is the land of countless waterfalls that no one knows about. It is an off-the-beaten path place to visit in Southern Thailand that may surprise you. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
- You've heard about Hua Hin, but have you heard about Lemon Bay? There's so much more to the Prachuap Khiri Khan province than Hua Hin. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
- There is more to Chumphon than just Koh Tao. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Chumphon.
- Surat Thani is not just Ko Samui and Ko Phangan. There is so much more to do in this province than you might think. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani.
- Have to spend a night in Surat Thani's Old Town and not sure what to do there? Check out: 8 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani's Old Town
- For the best things to do in Koh Samui, check out: 13 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui.
- If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and shouldn't do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
- Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
- Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
- Photos are worth a thousand words, but what is worth more than photos? A video. Here are travel videos I made for Thailand: Timeless Thailand, a journey into the North of Thailand, Long Tail Thailand, exploring the beautiful south of Thailand, and taking it slow with Slowed Down Bangkok travel video.
- Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
- Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand or Central Thailand?
- For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
- Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
- You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
- For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.
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