between the popular tourist resort Phuket and one of the most beautiful islands Thailand, Koh Lipe, stretches the waters of the Andaman Sea. If you draw a straight line on the map, then the distance between the islands is about 180 km. It takes at least 5 hours to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe. What transport to choose, prices for tickets and transfers, the nuances that need to be taken into account when buying tickets for a ferry or a boat - we will analyze everything in order.

From this article you will learn:

1 | The fastest way to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe

A speed boat will take you from Phuket to Lipe Island in just 5 hours. At the same time, passengers will even be able to have a bite to eat or take a short walk on solid ground during a stop on Koh Lanta.

What you should consider when buying tickets for a speed boat from Phuket to Koh Lipe or in the opposite direction - the boat does not go in a straight line, it stops on the islands: Ko Phi-Phi (Phi Phi), Ko Lanta (Lanta), Ko Ngai (Ngai ), Ko Mook (Ko Muk), Ko Kradan (Ko Kradan).

Schedule and stops of the speedboat from Phuket to Koh Lipe and back

A trip on such a boat is also an opportunity to visit one or more islands, in addition to Phuket and Koh Lipe. After all, it is not necessary to immediately overcome the entire distance from Phuket to Lipe - you can make a stop for a day or two to relax on any of the islands along the route of the boat. The ticket is divided into several parts. For example, from Phuket to Lanta, from Lanta to Koh Muk, from Koh Muk to Koh Lipe. Get pretty interesting route on tropical islands and there will be no fatigue from many hours of travel by sea.

For example, on Koh Muk there is a saying a beautiful hotel Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort

Koh Mook Sivalai Beach Resort on Koh Muk

To save you time looking for hotels on the islands, I have collected ready-made links to each island:

• 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 .

Ticket price for a speedboat from Phuket to Koh Lipe - 2500 baht (~ $ 85):

• Seats are limited, so it's better.
• Speed ​​boats run between Phuket and Koh Lipe from October 20 to May 15.
• Based on my own experience of traveling to Koh Lipe, I can recommend the company - professional staff and new speedboats. Speedboat tickets from Phuket to Koh Lipe (and the islands in between) can be bought online.

Satun Pakbara Speed ​​Boat Club

What to bring on a speedboat:

• pills for motion sickness (take 15-20 minutes before the departure of the boat),
• drinking water or any other drink,
• sun cream (treat problem areas before boarding the boat),
• scarf or shawl (shelter from strong wind or rain),
• earplugs, or cotton wool in the ears, or your favorite music (from the constant whistle of the wind).

2 | The most diverse and at the same time the fastest way to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe

If you do not want to rush across the sea on a speedboat for 5 hours, feeling the unevenness of the sea surface and the gusts of the sea breeze, then this option is more suitable for you - a convenient and absolutely not tiring combination of transport:

1. airplane from Phuket to Hat Yai - departure from Phuket at 07:25 and at 08:30 already in Hat Yai (1 hour flight),
2. comfortable minibus from the airport to the pier Pak Bara (Pak Bara) - meet at the airport with a sign at 9:00 (from the airport to the pier about 2 hours on the way - 119 km),
3. speedboat from Pak Bara pier to Lipe island with a stop for 10 minutes - take a walk around the protected island of Tarutao (at 13:30 the boat arrives on Koh Lipe island, on Pattaya beach).

Bangkok Airways plane at Hat Yai airport

Ticket prices from Phuket to Koh Lipe:

• a direct flight Phuket - Hat Yai by Bangkok Airways costs about 2,000 baht ~ $ 54, including 20 kg luggage and a light snack during the flight (kiwi.com will help you find and buy a plane ticket),
• (speed boat) from Hat Yai Airport to Koh Lipe costs 700 baht ~ $ 21 (based on my own positive experience, I recommend the trip).

Buying a transfer on the spot, at the airport, or separately tickets for a bus to the pier and a boat to Lipe Island will cost more (verified).

Minibus from Hat Yai Airport to Pak Bara Pier

3 | The cheapest way to get from Phuket to Koh Lipe

To save on tickets and one night in a hotel, you can come to Hat Yai by night bus. During the day, but there are two most convenient options:

1. a regular air-conditioned bus leaves Phuket at 21:30 and arrives in Hat Yai at 05:50 (bus ticket costs 400 baht ~ $13).
2. The VIP bus with wide seats and plenty of legroom, blankets and meals leaves at 21:45 from Phuket and arrives at the Hat Yai bus station at 05:35 in the morning (a VIP bus ticket costs 600 baht ~ $ 20).

Photo from speedboat to Lipe island

4 | Additional expenses

• entrance to Lipe Island and all other islands of the Tarutao National Park (Tarutao) - 200 baht ~ $ 6 (paid once, valid for 7 days - take a ticket with you to all excursions and islands so as not to pay extra),
• transfer on a wooden boat from a speedboat to Lipe Island - 50 baht ~ $ 1.5 (paid if the boat cannot come ashore due to a strong low tide),
• entrance to the Pak Bara pier, from where speed boats leave for Lipe Island - 20 baht ~ $ 0.6,
• entrance to the pier on Koh Lanta (if you want to take a walk during the boat stop Phuket - Koh Lipe) - 10 baht ~ $ 0.3.

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 “top best places to stay in 2012 according to NG”, where there was a note about the pearl of the Andaman Sea, which has not yet been visited by tourists - Koh Lipe. 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 on a regular AirAsia flight. 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.

After 15 minutes, we were already walking on white sand to our 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!

Koh Lipe island is part of the Adang Ravi archipelago, located in the Andaman Sea at a distance of 70 kilometers west of the coast of Satun Province (in the south it borders on Malaysia). On the map, its name can be indicated in different ways: Koh Lipe, Ko Lipe or Ko Lipey. Directly next to it is the island of Koh Adang, and Koh Tarutao, after which the Sea national park, is located thirty-seven kilometers to the southeast. The island of Langkawi is forty kilometers to the east - but this is already Malaysian territory.

The island of Koh Lipe in Thailand, despite its small area (about two square kilometers), is truly paradise on the edge of Thailand. A little more than 700 people live on it, all of them come from Malaysia and are members of the same Chao Lei tribe (Chao Lei), which is often called sea gypsies.

Koh Lipe island in Thailand practically unknown Russian tourist, and those who have been there note the unusually clear sea and magnificent white sand beaches. This piece of sushi will be boring for those who love crowded parties and extreme entertainment. Daytime relaxation on the shore is replaced by quiet gatherings in one of the many bars. By midnight, life on the island completely stops. Its attractiveness is added by the many uninhabited islands nearby, where you can spend the whole day in solitude - fishing, snorkeling and.

Despite the Andaman Sea teeming with wildlife around, you will not find a special variety in seafood dishes. But everything that is on the plates is guaranteed fresh. In addition, at very affordable prices. If you are not attracted to a permanent fish day, you can go to a restaurant, and there are many of them serving familiar European dishes. In general, the cost of a check in a restaurant is the same as on.

If you want to see something in Thailand that is not yet too trampled by tourists, you should hurry up with a visit to this island. In recent years, the pressure of civilization has intensified. For example, electricity is provided 24 hours a day, there is even the Internet (although the speed is not so hot). Bungalows on the beach are replaced by pretty decent hotels.

Beaches

Famous for the beaches. It has four sections of the coast - Karma Beach, Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach and Pattaya Beach. Unpretentious and seeking privacy, you can advise Bila Beach and Sanom Beach. There are even wilder and smaller ones. All parts of the coast are connected by paths and it will not be difficult to get around them in a few hours. You can stop wherever you like.

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach on Koh Lipe (also known as Hat Pramong) is the smallest beach compared to the two main ones - Sunrise and Pattaya. It is located in a secluded lagoon with large boulders sticking out of the sand and water. Stunning sunsets open from this place, gathering a crowd of onlookers.

Vacationers come here to relax and get away from the busy places on the island. The road from Walking Street to Sunset Beach takes no more than 10 minutes. Near it you can find several restaurants and bars, so you won't have to go far to satisfy your hunger.

Sunrise Beach

Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe (also known as Hat Chao Ley Beach due to its proximity to the native village of Chao Ley) has the longest coastline and a wonderful view of the nearby mountainous island of Koh Adang.

Despite the fact that Sunrise Beach is less visited than Pattaya Beach, it constantly attracts tourists who love diving at shallow depths. This beach is probably the best place for this kind of activity. A large number of representatives underwater world floating in this area is sure to amaze vacationers.

Tourists visit it first of all to admire the most beautiful sunrise (translated into Russian, this beach is called "Sunrise") and enjoy the cool breeze on hot days.

Pattaya Beach

Pattaya Beach is called “postcard Koh Lipe” because of its beauty. This is the main beach of the island with 1.5 kilometers of absolute white sand with turquoise water. In addition, this beach is crossed by Walking Street, which attracts tourists from all over the island.

Some tourists visit Pattaya Beach to taste the menu in dozens of restaurants, bars and cafes, others to play volleyball, frisbee, go kayaking, get a massage or spa treatments in one of the salons, or just take a nap in a hammock under palm trees. .

In the evening, fishermen from Chao Lei village come here to catch crabs. This time is considered very interesting for visiting the beach.

Entertainment

The island of Koh Lipe in Southern Thailand is quiet and patriarchal. From entertainment, you will be offered fishing, diving and snorkeling, as well as excursions to the islands, of which there are countless in the Tarutao Marine National Park - from uninhabited rocks to relatively large and well-inhabited ones.

In the evening, you can choose one of the many restaurants, focusing on taste preferences (European or), the level of service and prices. Most of them are located on Walking Street - a street that stretches across the entire island from Pattaya Beach to Sunrise Beach (not to be confused with).

Climate

Koh Lipe is the closest in Thailand to the equator. Therefore, there is a pronounced tropical climate in which there are only two seasons - rainy , from the end of April to November; and dry- the rest of the year. best weather and the largest number tourists stay on the island December to January.

If you are not afraid of occasional rains and want relative peace, go to Koh Lipe at the end or at the beginning of the high season - October and November, as well as February and March.

April to September the most risky period: there is a storm at sea, and the rains are protracted. However, miracles also happen when there is not a cloud in the sky for a whole week.

Hotels

Koh Lipe hotels in Thailand very diverse in terms of comfort and price. You can find a very cheap guesthouse with one air conditioner or stay in a room with all conceivable European amenities. It should be noted that during the low season most of the hotels are closed and the choice is significantly limited. The minimum price per night is 500 baht. A decent room at the beginning and end of the high season from 1.5 to 2 thousand baht. At the peak of tourist excitement, prices soar - they are twice as high. However, due to the growing popularity of the island, you should take care of booking a hotel on websites or one and a half or two months in advance. Otherwise, you risk being left on the street.

How to get there

The answer to the question about how to get to koh lipe island in thailand is both complex and simple at the same time. there is not, they go from the mainland. In (late April to November) the only departure point is Pak Bara Pier. In other months, you can get there from Langkawi Island (there is an airport), Pier Pier near Trang or from Phuket, going to all the islands, starting from Phi Phi. Airports are located in the cities of Trang and Hat Yai, the latter is more comfortable. For those who are not in a particular hurry, you can get to the ferry departure points either by. Preference should be given to state-owned companies. With private traders, most likely you will make more than one transplant. Try looking for tickets on a Thai public transport booking service.

Koh Lipe island on the maps of Thailand

Koh Lipe on Google maps with hotels is the best way to explore the area from a height with a choice and in the most suitable place for you.

Route map of boats and ferries

As we wrote above, getting to the island of Koh Lipe will be possible only by water transport whose route map is shown below. As you can see, ferries go all the way from Phuket itself, making stops in many provinces and islands.

Map with beaches and hotels

Koh Lipe is so small that no one goes there public transport, you can get from one point of the island to another in just a couple of hours. There are more than enough hotels that compete with each other. The cheapest hotels are located on Walking Street.

Map of Walking Street

The island of Koh Lipe has acquired pedestrian street Walking Street, which houses drinking establishments, hotels and other entertainment. Well, why not - the one in? The only thing missing is sex entertainment (but it is quite possible that we have already reached this island).

Tours for May Worldwide

The Adang archipelago on the border of Thailand and Malaysia is often called the "Thai Maldives" for its white sand. Lipe is the only inhabited of the islands of this archipelago. Lovers of serene bliss come here, as well as divers, since representatives of almost a quarter of the species of marine life that exist in nature can be found in the coastal waters of Ko Lipe.

Lovers of serene bliss come here, as well as divers, since representatives of almost a quarter of the species of marine life that exist in nature can be found in the coastal waters of Ko Lipe.

There is no own pier on the island, boats arriving to Ko Lipe moor to a special floating platform on which tourists change into small boats local residents which in turn bring them to shore. This pleasure costs only 50 THB per person. The return trip from the island to the boat platform will also cost 50 THB.

The feature of this archipelago is Tarutau National Park, a must-see. Prices on the page are for November 2019.

How to get to Lipe Island

Getting to the island is easier in high season: ferry crossing organized from many popular resorts in the Andaman Sea: from Lanta, Phuket, Ph-Phi, etc. In the low season, boats run only from the Pak-Bara pier, which is most conveniently reached from the town of Hat-Yai.

From Bangkok

1. Most fast way- air travel. Flights to Hat Yai depart from Don Muang Airport, which is a 40-minute drive from Suvarnabhumi, where planes from Russia arrive. Then you can take a taxi to the pier in Pakbara (about 1000 THB) or buy a complex ticket to Koh Lipe at the airport for the same money. Or get to the bus terminal in Hat Yai (150 THB by tuk-tuk or 400 THB by taxi), where you can take a bus to the pier. From Hat Yai to Pakbar about 2 hours.
2. In addition, at the capital's Don Muang Airport, you can immediately take a complex ticket to Ko Lipe, which includes a flight, a transfer to the pier and a ferry ticket. In terms of cost, such a route is comparable to an independent one, while there are no worries about changing transport: they will meet you everywhere and see you off.
3. You can also get to Hat Yai from Bangkok by train. An evening train departs Hua Lamphong Station and arrives in Hat Yai early in the morning.
4. Another budget option is the bus. They leave for Hat Yai from the southern capital terminal and go all night (10-12 hours). At a cost, a bus ride is comparable to a train ticket, while the bus travels somewhat faster than the train, and besides, it arrives immediately at the bus station.

From the pier in Pakbara, you can sail to the island either on a speedboat or on the so-called ferry. They go a whole hour longer (2.5 hours), but sailing on them is much more comfortable than on a speedboat that shakes from hitting the waves (and the seats are hard and uncomfortable there), besides, splashes often fall on passengers. The cost of tickets for speedboat and ferry does not differ.

In addition, it is worth considering that boats run between the mainland and the island only during the day, so it is better to arrive in Pakbara as early as possible.

Search for flights to Phuket (nearest airport to Koh Lipe)

From the southern resorts of Thailand

In the case of Lipe, islands such as Phuket and Lanta can be called "southern" only conditionally, since they are located north of the southern archipelago country. In the high season from most of these southern resorts boats run to Koh Lipe. A ticket costs about 1000-1200 THB, it will be much cheaper (but also longer) to take a bus to the pier in Pakbara and from there swim to the island.

From Malaysia

Since the island is located on the border with Malaysia, it is also possible to get to Ko Lipe from this country. The closest to it - only 30 km - is the Malaysian island of Langkawi, from where boats start towards the Thai Lipe. Guests from Malaysia go through border control upon arrival on the island, however, the checkpoint on Ko Lipe works only in high season, in low season you will have to cross the border on the mainland, in the Thai city of Satun, from there get to Pakbar and cross to Lipe.

Next to the Adang archipelago is the island-reserve Tarutao. It's pretty large island, most of which is occupied by tropical jungles. There is no tourist infrastructure and full-fledged hotels here - only small guesthouses and private bungalows that are rented to tourists.

You can get to Tarutao in the same way as to Lipe, since the boats going to it from Pakbara Pier make a stop off the coast of Tarutao. The cost of a ticket to it is about a hundred baht cheaper than to Ko Lipe.

Koh Lipe is a tiny island in the Andaman Sea in the very south of Thailand.
I first visited it at the end of 2006.
And I realized that I had found a place for which I have only one definition - this is paradise!
In Thailand, there are places that are perhaps even more beautiful, such as the postcard Phi Phi Don.

But on Lipa there was a unique combination of beauty, a special atmosphere, nature almost untouched by man, and what was pleasing separately was a very small number of people.

I was constantly pulled back.
But as often happens, when something is close to you and easily achievable, then you choose it last.
So, having traveled almost all of Southeast Asia over the past 5 years, the second time I got to Lipe only this February.

The first thing we saw upon landing on the island:

Oops, too late, heaven is gone...
There are now many hotels on the island, most of the beaches have turned into moorings for boats and everywhere people, people, people.

Fortunately, it turned out that not everything is so sad! And pieces of the former paradise can still be found.

Fantastic water color.
White, fine sand.

Every day we dined at the Daya Resort restaurant, by the sea, by candlelight.
Freshly caught fish is brought to them right before dinner. Grilled.
We ordered a grouper there - it's great!

In the mornings we went for a walk around the islet, you can walk around it in a few hours

Clear-clear water with lively underwater life
It is interesting to swim with a mask. Watching the fish.
During the week we saw several moray eels, stingrays, boxfish, shoals of fish... But we saw the most interesting living creatures from the shore. Fortunately!!!

The meeting was unforgettable. We walked in the evening from the restaurant along the coast. The water was well illuminated by the lanterns of one of the hotels. At the same time as my sister, we saw some multi-meter hose swaying in the surf near the shore. As a joke (because this does not happen), they suggested that it was a snake. We managed to agree, with each other, that this is probably a loose cable from one of the boats. We approached almost close to the shore and then the "cable" floated into the sea with several smooth, sliding movements. Fantasy! It was a snake, after all. At least 4-5 meters long.

local wildlife

Sea gypsies inhabit the island

Cheerful chorus girls sat and proudly drank their soda.
And only the girl on the far right thought that life was not fair and for some reason she didn’t get soda.
The decision matured for about five minutes. All the fun ended in a fight with a scuffle)))

Beggar. Literally asked for something to eat)

Farewell look at the beloved island

The only photo left from a day in Hat Yai. Small pleasant Thai town.
No special attractions. But the lanterns impressed

Is it worth going to the island now? For me, the answer is clear. Yes!
Lipe still remains one of the best and most beautiful places in Thailand.
You can still find deserted beaches on it. And some amazing views.
How long? I think no. A couple more years and the last bits heavenly place will be swallowed up by more hotels, bars and boat docks.
So you need to seize the moment now. There are not so many places like this island in the world.

Practical information.

Koh Lipe on the map:

How to get to Koh Lipe:

1. Evening train to Trang or Hat Yai, then by minivan to Pakbara + boat to Ko Lipe.
On the train, it is better to take second class with a fan (with air conditioning - this is death from icing). It costs about 900 baht one way.
Minivan + boat 450-700 baht, depending on the company where you buy the transfer.

2. Hat Yai can also be reached by plane. The cheapest tickets can be bought from AirAsia.
If you buy much in advance and for a promotion, you can get it almost for free :)
My tickets bought 8 months before the flight cost 400 baht for the flight Bangkok - Hat Yai - Bangkok.
Sister's tickets, which were bought about a month before departure, cost 3 thousand baht
To get to Lipe on the same day, choose the first morning flights.

From the airport by minivan to the bus station (80 baht per person). From the bastion, as in the first version, to Pakbara, etc.
You can take a taxi to Pakbara. The price is 2-2.5 thousand baht.

Where to live on Lipa:
My choice Mountain Resort - great beach, great location.
If you want to save money, then there is Andaman Resort nearby.
You can book here.