Ko Lipe is a remote island located in the south of Thailand, 20 km from the border with Malaysia. Washed by the waters of the Andaman Sea as part of the Adang Ravi archipelago, it is no longer a wild island, but an actively developing world resort.
Today, the island is part of the Tarutao Marine National Park, the largest in all of Southeast Asia. Distance from the mainland 70 km. The number of local residents hardly exceeds the figure of 800 people, these are sea gypsies, Chao Lei (Chao Lei) or Urak Lawoi (Urak Lavoy), who came to Thailand on Lipe Island, from Malaysia, about 100 years ago.
Koh Lipe on the map of Thailand
Very often the name of the island is interpreted in different ways: Koh Lipe, Koh Lipe, Koh Laip and Koh Lipei. At the beginning of the new century, since the 2000s, with the development of budget air travel and maritime communication, the island of Koh Lipe has truly become a popular tourist center, and is also one of the protected islands where tourists visiting Thailand can freely relax.
As for the island as a whole, activity usually dies down there around midnight. The main entertainments on Koh Lipe: trips to the islands of the Tarutao National Park, diving, snorkeling, sea activities, fishing and of course a beach holiday.
It is worth considering that earlier there were no ATMs on the island, but now you can find ATMs on the street, next to the 7/11 supermarket, as for exchangers, they are located almost at every turn, but the exchange rate is extremely disadvantageous. Take care of this in advance by exchanging currency, for example in Bangkok.
Prices for food and drinks in shops, bars, restaurants are absolutely democratic. Finding a restaurant where the cost of dishes will be very affordable, below 100 baht, is not difficult, most are located directly on the beaches. In the stalls and shops of the island, prices do not differ from the mainland, within the prices of the 7/11 chain of stores.
How to get to the island
There is no airport on the island, the nearest one is in Hat Yai. Several airlines fly from Suvarnabhumi: Nok Air, Tiger Air and Air Asia. Ticket price from 1200 baht.
Transport routes
Arriving at Hat Yai Airport, you can use the transfer service to the island, which includes a trip by minivan to Pakbara Pier, then by ship to Koh Lipe. The cost of providing services is 800 baht per person. Travel time is 1.5-2 hours from the airport to Pakbara Pier, and approximately 2 hours to Koh Lipe.
You can take a bus from the bus station in Sai Tai Mai (Southern Bus Terminal) to Hat Yai (Hat Yai). You can buy tickets in the terminal building. Travel time Bangkok - Hat Yai, 10 - 11 hours. Ticket prices depend on the class, from 700 baht per seat in an air-conditioned bus.
From Phuket, Krabi and other resorts can be reached by ship. Tigerline Travel is considered the main carrier. They provide good, fast boats.
Estimated cost of providing Tigerline Travel services:
- From the resorts of Phuket, Phi Phi, Koh Lanta from 1500 - 2000 baht;
- From the resorts of Ngai, Kradan and Koh Muk from 1000 - 1500 baht;
- From Hat Yao Pier in Trang, approximately 750 baht.
Please note that high season is October-April. The rest of the time, ships go to the island much less frequently.
Transport
In general, the island is small, it is quite possible to walk around it in a couple of hours. Therefore, there is no public transport. There are few cars on the island, mainly used as freight transport.
Local taxi. But at any time you can use the services of local taxis (TAXI) - a motorcycle with a sidecar that ply around the island, delivering tourists from beach to beach.
Taxi prices. You can rent a bike for 200 baht per day. A fairly popular means of transportation - boats, are also the main link with neighboring uninhabited islands. You can rent them on the beach.
Weather
The resort has a tropical climate. The year is conditionally divided into two seasons, the first of which is dry, the second is wet. From May to the end of November, the low season lasts, which is also the wet season. At this time, the weather on the islands is rather gloomy, it often rains. The second season is dry, characterized by low rainfall. It is this season that most tourists choose to travel to Thailand on vacation. At this time, the sea is quite calm, the weather is not too hot, and beautiful photos are obtained against the backdrop of blooming nature.
Housing
The island has a decent selection of accommodation. You can stay in a bungalow, rent an apartment or rent a hotel room, costing from 500 baht, photo below. Rooms and bungalows with air conditioning and hot water on average - 1000 - 1200 baht per day. Such offers are enough even at the peak of the season, on the beaches: Sunrise, Sunset, Pattaya and the central part of the island.
Koh Lipe hotel prices vary depending on comfort and season. In order to get good accommodation, it is better to resolve the issue with him in advance by booking a room or bungalow a month before your trip. Because, as a rule, by the high season, prices rise significantly by 1.5 - 2 times. On average, a night in a decent hotel, in the high season, will be from 1500 - 2000 baht.
Map of hotels in Koh Lipe
In addition to the fact that you can stay in hotels for a vacation, local hotels, as a rule, also offer a number of additional services. One of the most budget options for a traveler is a tent. There are campsites on the island, mainly on Sunset Beach.
Beaches
The resort island consists of four large beaches: Pattaya, Karma, Sunset and Sunrise. All beaches are interconnected by small paths through which you can quickly get from one place to another. Small and secluded beaches of the island: Sanom Beach and Bila Beach.
The main beach is Pattaya Beach. Located in the southern part of the island, it is the most popular among tourists, its shape resembles a small horseshoe. The coast along the entire length is covered with fine white sand, the sea is calm.
On the lively Walking Street, not to be confused with the street of the same name in the resort of Pattaya, which Thailand is so famous for, there are many cafes, bars and restaurants with various cuisines.
Walking Street on Koh Lipe. Many establishments have the Internet, and you can also pay by card.
Sunrise Beach, as its name implies, is best suited to meet sunrises, you can often find such photos on the Internet. In addition, the clear water makes this place almost ideal for snorkeling and diving.
On the beach there are budget and luxury luxury hotels.
Sunset Beach is a cozy bay where you can take great photos of sunsets and have a great time with your loved one. The coast is quiet and peaceful, and very interesting exotic restaurants are located on its territory.
The last of the major beaches on the island is Karma. In fact, this is just a continuation of the previous beach, which stretches far to the north. Calm sea - you can swim with children, quiet cozy atmosphere and the best panorama on the whole island, against which you can take great photos.
The infrastructure of the beaches is constantly being improved, good hotels have been built, and the Internet has been installed. Right on the beaches you can buy fresh food. True, at the same time, you will not find a wide variety of products. Try the different ones that the country is so famous for.
Koh Lipe is one of the best holiday destinations that Thailand has given to the world. Good conditions for relaxation and beautiful landscapes are well suited to take the best photos as a memory of a paradise vacation.
