Koh Lipe stands alone as the most southern inhabited island in Thailand, and luckily it is also one of the most beautiful places not only in Thailand but also on our planet. Koh Lipe is part of the Adang Archipelago, a cluster of ten uninhabited islands bar Koh Lipe, as well as one of 50 islands in the larger Taturo National Marine Park. This small tropical escape is also known as “Paper Island”, translated from Chao Ley, a local sea gypsy dialect. Koh Lipe is small and flat with few, but exquisite, beaches that proceed into crystal blue waters which are home to gorgeous coral reefs and exotic fish. On land, you will find activity on the island’s main street, “Walking Street”, which is filled with shops, bars, restaurants, and massage parlours. Koh Lipe is a perfect tropical holiday getaway, with an isolated atmosphere created by a small, but friendly population and spectacular natural scenery.
THINGS TO DO IN KOH LIPE
1 Explore the Beaches
As you might expect while on holiday on an idyllic island like Koh Lipe, the beaches are an attraction all on their own. The three main options are Sunrise Beach on the east side of the island, Sunset Beach on the west, and Pattaya Beach on the southern coast. Each has silky white sand and clear, warm waters teeming with vibrant marine life.
2 Snorkel at Koh Usen & Koh Kra
While snorkelling is fantastic off all the beaches on Koh Lipe, Sunrise Beach stands out as the neighbouring islands of Koh Usen and Koh Kra are extremely close to the shore. These two islands have exceptional coral gardens which attract the most stunning exotic fish. Swimming is easier at high tide, so check the tides and get moving for an unforgettable experience.
3 Kayak around the Island
Kayaking is a fantastic way to spend the day seeing the island from a different perspective, and paddling along the still, clear waters that surround the island is always a pleasure. Going around the island will likely take you around three hours to do, so pack sunscreen and water. You can also choose to just paddle to Koh Adang in less than an hour, so the choice is yours.
4 Go visit the Marine Park
If you feel like exploring the nearby beauty of the Tarutao National Marine Park, a longtail boat excursion is an amazing way to do just that. You can choose between two different routes on this tour. Trip one includes Koh Labaang, Koh Hin-Ngam, Koh Yang, Koh Rawi, and Koh Adang. Trip two includes Koh Hin Saun, Koh Lok Goi, Monkey Beach, Koh Dong, and Koh Pung. Each offers an extensive tour of some truly stunning islands of Thailand.
5 Get a massage on the beach
Massages and beauty treatments are incredibly popular as a holiday spoil while in Thailand, and for good reason too, but Koh Lipe is one the best places to go all out. There are plenty of places that will offer traditional Thai massages for reasonable prices, although Hello Islands’ favourite is Castaway Resort’s spa which boasts a relaxing sea view.
6 Visit the beach restaurants
Beachside bars and restaurants are definite favourites for locals and holidaymakers alike, and Koh Lipe delivers in a big way. Hello Islands’ favourites are relaxing on Castaways’ chill-out deck, dining with your toes in the sand at Sunrise Beach Restaurant, or taking in the amazing views at Serendipity Koh Lipe Resort.
7 Explore the Walking Street
In the Walking Street, you’ll find plenty of food stalls serving up the freshest seafood and small shops selling all kinds of unique souvenirs. There are also some nice restaurants, bars and massage parlours.
8 Dive Koh Lipe
An incredible place for diving, as well as being on the edge of Thailands National Marine Park, Koh Lipe offers underwater beauty aplenty with an abundance of diving opportunities. You can look forward to coral reefs gardens, rock outcrops, and an actual wreck to feed your appetite for adventure and discovery. Keep in mind that you will be allowed to do different levels of diving if you do not have a diving license, without one you will be able to go on a day long “Fun Dive” experience which allows you to dive up to a certain depth.
9 Go Yoga
Centre yourself with yoga on the beach on this remarkable island. Many places in Thailand offer yoga classes, but Koh Lipe’s yoga experience will truly be one to remember. Koh Lipe has a few places that offer yoga so we recommend that you look around to find a price that best suits your budget.
WEATHER IN KOH LIPE
The three official seasons in Thailand – hot, dry, and wet, are segments of a constant summer holiday. The hot season run from March through to June, with April and May reaching the highest temperatures throughout the year. The monsoon (wet) season is accompanied by heavy rains and occasional rough seas and can vary from year to year. It can start as early as May on the Andaman sea (Phuket, Phi Phi, and Koh Lipe) although it starts officially in June and continues into November. This starts much later on the Gulf Coast (Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, and Koh Tao) in October or November, and typically runs into January. Most days it will rain for between one and two hours a day (sometimes only ten minutes) and dry up almost immediately, although in the heat it is often a welcome visitor that seldom overstays. It can, however, be torrential when the rains do appear. December through February is categorised as the dry months, although to tourists it will most likely still feel hotter than “home”. Travel tip: Whenever you decide to grace this summer paradise, be sure to pack light, breathable clothing and plenty of high SPF sunscreen, as you will underestimate the sun at your own expense. At least there is sunlight in abundance for everyone to enjoy.
> January
January is dry season in Koh Lipe, with lower rainfall averages compared to the rest of the year. The average temperature of 28°C climbs during this month as the season is heading towards April/May when the hot season begins. You can expect around eight hours of daily sunshine in January, with it increasing steadily all the way through to the hot season. The ocean temperatures will be a balmy 29°C, warmer than the outside temperature.
> February
Average temperatures sit around 29°C with 33 being the average high and 27 the average low. Sunshine hours increase to nine per day and begin dropping in March. In February the ocean temperatures average at 29°C, which is the coldest the water will ever be in Koh Lipe.
> March
The hot season in Koh Lipe begins! March sees the temperatures rise to a 29°C average with highs averaging 34°C and lows 23°C. Humidity sticks around at 75% which will rise steadily as the months proceed. March is definitely Koh Lipe’s hottest month out of the year. Expect eight daily sunshine hours. March being the third driest month, after January and February you can sure enjoy many outdoor activities.
> April
The second month of the hot season and everything is on the rise. Average temperature high is 29°C with highs of 34°C and lows of 24°C, the ocean temperature rises to an amazing 30°C, the highest it will get all year, and humidity is up to 80%. 169 mm descends from the heavens over ten days of the month, and sunshine hours are at an average of nine per day which is also a year high.
> May
May represents the official end of the dry season in Koh Lipe as monsoon season approaches, with rainfall increasing to 256 mm over 16 to 18 days of the month. As a result, humidity rises from April’s 80%, while average temperatures remain at 29°C with highs at 32°C and lows at 25°C. Once again sunshine hours drop to eight hours per day, while ocean temperatures remain reliable as ever at 30°C, their year-long high.
> June
The average rainfall decreases slightly in June with 218 mm falling over 16-18 of the month. The average temperatures drop 1 degree from last month at a 28°C average and a high of 32°C, although humidity is up to 85%, so you will feel a tad on the sticky side. Sunlight hours reach their year-long low at seven per day due to frequent cloud cover, while oceans remain the same at 30°C.
> July
Rainfall in Koh Lipe this month is at 233 mm over 18 to 19 days of the month, with rains being short and heavy and mostly happening in the afternoons, although they dry up relatively quickly with the sun and breeze that follow. The Average temperatures will drop to a pleasant 27°C with highs at 31°C and lows at 23°C. July is the official end of the hot season, although, as you may have already noticed, it stays balmy and warm the entire year round. Ocean temperatures are at 30°C which makes water-bound activities an absolute treat, and you can expect eight hours of sunshine per day on average.
> August
Average temperatures this month remain at 28°C with 39°C highs and 27°C lows. Rainfall takes a slight peak to 247 mm falling over 19 days of the month, in short, heavy bursts, while sunshine hours will average at around eight per day. Humidity in August is slightly sticky at 85%, although the cooling breezes after rainfall help with that. The ever-reliable oceans are still amazing and warm at 30°C during August.
> September
September sees rainfall reach a peak with the average reaching 344 mm spread over 21 days of the month, more than ten times the rainfall from December to February. The average temperature drops but is still lovely and warm at a 27°C, with highs at 30°C and lows at 24°C. The humidity follows suit with the rain and reaches year-long highs of 85-90%, but don’t be deterred by either as seven hours of sunshine hours still present ample opportunities for outdoor activities. Ocean temperatures keep rock steady at 29°C, only one degree lower than the high long high of 30°C.
> October
The monsoon season begins to wind down in October, with rainfall dropping slightly to 280 mm over 23 days. Average sunshine hours are still at year-long lows of seven hours per day on average due to the cloud cover that brings showers along with them. Temperatures remain steady at an average 27°C with highs of 31°C and lows of 24°C, while the ocean is still a marvellous 29°C.
> November
November in Koh Lipe sees the start of the dry season as rainfall is lowering to 215 mm over the entirety of the month, with the average temperature stable at the year-long low of 27°C with highs at 32°C and lows at 24°C. Average humidity sees a welcome drop to 85%, and the average sunshine hours are at seven per day, which you can expect to increase as the month ends. The Andaman Sea will remain its usually warm and welcoming self at 29°C during November.
> December
December sees a drastic drop in rainfall in Koh Lipe, to only 60 mm over 10 to 12 days of the month, and humidity calming all the way down to between 70-75%. The average temperature will be about 28°C, this means the end of monsoon season, as rainfall will continue to drop into the dry season to follow. Sunshine hours rise to 10 hours a day the month progresses with cloud cover diminishing, and the seas drop to exceptionally warm year-long lows of 29°C
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TOP BEACHES
SUNRISE BEACH
The largest beach on the island, spanning almost the entirety of the eastern coastline, Sunrise Beach has an immense amount to offer. The beach itself is picture perfect, so get your camera ready to make holiday memories. While just off its shores are the islands of Koh Kra and Koh Usen, perfect for a swim and snorkel. On clear days you can gaze upon Langkawi and the rest of the Tarutao National Marine Park. There are some real gems along the beach as far as restaurants go, and if you’re an early riser or pulling an all-nighter, the sunrises are spectacular too.
PATTAYA BEACH
Pattaya Beach is also referred to as “The Postcard of Koh Lipe”, which speaks volumes about its natural beauty. This gorgeous expanse of silky white sand and crystal turquoise waters stretches one and a half kilometres along Koh Lipe’s southern coastline and is also the closest beach to “Walking Street”, which makes it the most popular beach on the island. Spend your days soaking up the sun and swimming here while you make the most of your holiday.
Where to Eat & Drink
RESTAURANTS & BARS
Almost in spite of its diminutive size and remote location, Koh Lipe has a fantastic range of restaurants with delicious options for your enjoyment.
Sunrise Beach
This lovely, relaxed restaurant is located on Sunrise Beach and has amazing views of the ocean. The meals are cooked using fresh produce, and the service is excellent. Added bonus: The food is amazingly delicious and very reasonably priced. Perfect setting as the sun is setting on Thailand while you watch the waves rolling in and out while you enjoy one of the best meals of your holiday.
Castaway
Another restaurant on Sunrise Beach (we weren’t kidding in the “recommended beaches
Buffalo Thai Bistro
Every now and then while on holiday you may get a hankering for some western comforts, if so, this is the place. Buffalo Thai Bistro specializes in gourmet burgers and is located on one of the side streets off “Walking Street”. This restaurant has a modern feel, and has fantastic service with probably the best burger on the island.
Elephant
Another western inspired option to enjoy on your holiday, but with a more relaxed atmosphere is Elephant on “Walking Street”. It has a bar crafted from a longboat to add some novelty to the place and keeping its true Thailand roots. Burgers and pizzas are the order of choice here, so feel free to indulge.