Ko Lipe Travel Guide
Located in Southern Thailand, this semi-off-the-map island is one of my favorite places in the world. A tiny island in the southwest of the country close to the Malaysian border, Ko Lipe was virtually untouched when I first arrived. It saw few visitors (the ferry boats didn’t even run here year-round) so I came for three days to relax and enjoy quiet island life.
I ended up staying for a month.
In the last few years, more people have started traveling to Ko Lipe as the island has developed a lot (boats run all year round now). It’s not the sleepy little island it used to be, but it’s still less developed than many other destinations in Thailand.
On Ko Lipe, the locals bring in the daily catch for amazing seafood meals. The beaches are beautiful, with warm water and stunning views, and the pace of life here is slow and laid-back.
There’s some impressive snorkeling, a few hiking trails, and plenty of lovely beaches. The island is so small that it only takes a few hours to walk around it too. And, if you venture off Ko Lipe to the nearby national park, you’ll find the pristine beaches that attracted people to the area in the first place.
This Ko Lipe travel guide can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this tropical paradise!
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Top 5 Things to See and Do in Ko Lipe
1. Visit Ko Adang
Taking a boat to this nearby island is a lot of fun. Sit back, have a drink or two, and enjoy the scenery. The island is home to Pirate Falls and Chado Cliff, both of which are great, moderate hikes where you’ll enjoy a stunning view of Ko Lipe at the top. A round-trip boat ride is a reasonable price.
2. Go snorkeling
Since you are bound to get into the water anyway, you might as well strap on a bit of equipment and explore what’s below the surface. The water along the beaches is often calm, clear, and shallow. You can rent equipment or take a day tour that includes equipment and lunch.
3. Get a massage
There are several places throughout the island to get a relaxing massage. In the center of the island, there is even an offshoot of the well-known Wat Po Massage School. The massages here are much cheaper than in other parts of Thailand.
4. Explore Tarutao National Marine Park
Taking a day trip, or even a multi-day trip, around the islands is super fun and relaxing. Most tours offer day trips with snorkeling, beach time, a beautiful sunset sail, and endless fruit, snacks, and drinks. There’s a small fee to enter the park.
5. Relax on the beach
The beaches here are the main reason people visit Ko Lipe. The sand here is unlike anywhere else and the sunsets are amazing, especially from mid-spring through early summer. Pattaya Beach is the most well-known, however, there’s also Sunrise Beach, Sunset Beach, and Karma Beach.
Other Things to See and Do in Ko Lipe
1. Go hiking
This beautiful island paradise is a great place for some light to medium hiking. The forest/seascape combination is beautiful, and there is lots of wildlife to observe. The hike to Chado Cliff is one of the best, offering incredible views from the top. It takes around 45-60 minutes and is pretty steep, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.
2. Hit the bars
In a place like this, it’s hard to do anything more than lie in a hammock, take daily naps, and drag your feet to a local bar to grab a drink and mingle with locals and travelers alike. There are plenty of bars to visit, with a much more chill vibe than other islands in Thailand. There are lots of small bars all around the island, though some of the most popular bars are Benny’s on the Beach, Elephant, and Zodiac.
3. Take a Batik course
The Lipe Resort offers a unique course in Batik painting. Batik is a traditional textile technique that uses wax and dye to create art. Research has shown that this method dates back to the 4th century in Egypt. It is really neat to learn and a fun way to spend some time. You can take a class at the Lipe Art Garden as well for a fee.
4. Eat your heart out
There are lots of delicious little places to eat all over the island. Thai Pancake Lady is a popular breakfast spot, offering a huge variety of pancakes, from fruit-based to Nutella-filled. Banana Tree is a great dinner spot where the drink prices are super cheap. Both of these spots are located on Walking Street, the main thoroughfare on the island, and where you’ll find plenty of other eateries as well.
5. Check out the Buddhist temple
In the center of the island lies the tiny Hantaly Buddhist temple. It is located on a hill in the jungle, on the road from Sunrise Beach to Sunset Beach. Unlike some of the grand and gleaming gold temples that you might find in other parts of Thailand, Hantaly is small. Just a few monks live here, along with a bunch of dogs and cats. There is a donation box, which helps keep up the temple as well as take care of the animals so give generously if you can.
6. Kayak the island
Kayaking is a great way to check out all the beaches on the island, as it takes just 2-3 hours to kayak around the island. Alternatively, you can kayak to Ko Adang in less than an hour. Just be sure to play it smart and ask locals about the water conditions before heading out. You can rent sea kayaks from some of the dive shops, and many of the resorts also offer kayaks to take out. You can rent kayaks by the hour or full a whole day.
7. Go fishing
If you’re an avid fisher, you can arrange fishing trips in the waters around Ko Lipe. If you are in Tarutao National Park, fishing is prohibited, so make sure you find a guide that takes you to where fishing is permitted. There is great deep-sea fishing not too far from Ko Lipe, where you can catch mackerel, barracuda, grouper, snapper, sailfish, and more. You can arrange a tour from your accommodations or at the pier.
8. Sail or boat around the island
Sign up for a sailing course or simply enjoy a day trip out around the islands and soak up the sunshine and the views. In addition to sailing, you can also take a speedboat or longtail boat tour or hire one out for a day to cruise around the island.
9. Island hop
Ko Lipe is a great destination for your first or last stop in Thailand, due to its proximity to many other smaller islands. You can take a boat to Pak Bara, Phuket, the Phi Phi Islands, and even Malaysia, which is only a 90-minute journey away. There are several ferry and speedboat options to reach any of them. Ticket prices and schedules vary depending on the time of year, so be sure to check if the route is still running as sometimes availability is limited in the off-season.
10. Stroll down Walking Street
Walking Street is the center of town and where you’ll find everything from restaurants and street stall vendors to little shops and massage spots. Everything here is fairly cheap and it’s a good place to book excursions as well. Anything else you might need, from ATMs and 7-Elevens to a health clinic and hospital, is located here.
11. Go diving
As a protected site, Tarutao Marine National Park offers pristine waters with tons of marine life to see on an underwater adventure. Some of the most popular dive sites are Stonehenge, Yong Hua Wreck, and 8-Mile Rock. There are a ton of dive shops and schools on the island, with Castaway Divers, Ko Lipe Diving, and Adang Sea Divers all offering a huge array of diving trips and courses. You can book a two-dive trip or even a three-day PADI course.
(Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to Thailand filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book!)
How to Stay Safe in Ko Lipe
Ko Lipe is an incredibly safe place to visit. It’s much more relaxed compared to other places in Thailand. It’s a great place for solo travelers, including solo female travelers. The island is small and everyone knows everyone here.
As in any destination, keep your valuables secure and out of reach just to be safe. When out at the bar, always keep an eye on your drink and avoid walking home at night intoxicated.
Solo female travelers will feel safe here. However, it’s always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings and follow standard safety precautions like never leaving your drink unattended at the bar, walking in unlit places alone at night, etc. If you want specific information about Thailand, there are a number of incredible solo female travel blogs that can provide tips that I can’t.
Nature is your biggest concern here. If you’re going to be enjoying lots of water sports, make sure you ask a local about water conditions before you head out. If you go hiking, bring a hat, water, and sunscreen just to be safe.
If you experience an emergency, dial 191 for assistance.
Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.
The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:
Where to Stay in Ko Lipe
Ko Lipe has some great and affordable places to stay. Here are some suggested accommodations on the island:
Ko Lipe Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Hostel Dorms – 275-660 THB per night
- Hostel private rooms – 1,035-2,400 THB per night
- Guesthouses – 415-1,450 THB per night
- Luxury Hotels – 3,000+ THB per night
- Airbnb private rooms – 200-720 THB per night
- Airbnb apartments – 1,380-3,300 THB per night
Food
- Street food – 70-130 THB
- Casual restaurants – 100-230 THB
- Western food – 175-455 THB
- Sushi – 1,030-1,560 THB
- Beer – 60-155 THB
- Glass of wine – 180-235 THB
- Cocktails – 300-585 THB
- Groceries for a week – 600-1,00 THB
Ko Lipe Suggested Budgets
Backpacker – 1,750 THB Per Day
This budget covers a hostel dorm, street food, beers from 7-Eleven, and limited paid activities here. If you want to have more fun, eat some nicer meals, or drink more, I would add about 300 THB more per day to your budget.
Midrange – 3,100 THB Per Day
On this budget, you can stay at a budget hotel/guesthouse, eat at more sit-down restaurants, and do more paid activities and tours. You aren’t going to be living the high life, but you won’t want for anything either.
Upscale – 5,000+ THB Per Day
This is just the ground floor for luxury on the island. Thailand does luxury really well and there’s some luxury places to stay here! The sky is the limit if you have the money to spend!
Ko Lipe Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips
Ko Lipe is one of the most affordable islands in Thailand. However, as it’s become more popular in recent years, prices have risen a lot and it’s not as cheap as it used to be. Here are some tips to help you save money during your stay:
Avoid the holidays and peak season – Prices triple around Christmas and New Year’s. Avoid this time of the year if you’re on a budget.
Go local – The easiest way to save money in Thailand is to simply live like a local. Take local buses, eat street food, and drink local beer. The average Thai lives on less than 7,750 THB per month in Bangkok and on even less in the countryside. Keep it simple to keep it affordable.
Stay longer – A lot of places on Ko Lipe give a discount if you plan to stay between 3-5 days. Ask for discounts if you extend your stay.
Hit happy hour – Many bars and resorts on the beach offer happy hours where you can get cheaper drinks. Stick to drinking during happy hour if you want to go to the bar.
Bargain hard – When shopping at the markets, use your negotiation skills. The rule of thumb is the more you buy, the cheaper the prices will be. So shop in packs for the best deals.
Take the boats – Many times, boats can get you around quicker and cheaper than taxis. Prices vary depending on the distance.
Buy beer at 7-Eleven – Buying beer at Thailand’s ubiquitous 7-Elevens and drinking outside will save you quite a bit on your bar tab. While you can’t get wrecked on the street, you can take drinks with you to sit outside your guesthouse or while on the beach. These places are usually 50% cheaper than drinking at the bar and they have tons of snacks.
Don’t book tours before you arrive – Want to take a cooking class? Go zip-lining? Trek in the jungle? Dive? Wait until you get into Thailand to book anything. Travel agencies are located all over the tourist areas, looking to sell their tours. While you’re able to purchase these tours online before you arrive, you’ll be paying a lot more that way. Instead, book when you arrive so you can haggle for a better deal.
Book group excursions – When booking your day tours, multi-day tours, cooking classes, etc., try to book it as a group so the price per person gets reduced. Traveling alone? Make friends and book a tour with your hostel.
Reedeem hotel points – Get a hotel credit card and use the points to pay for accommodations on your trip. You’ll get 1-2 nights free with most cards just for signing up, which can greatly lower your costs. Here’s a post that will help you get started so you can earn points right away and have plenty by the time you leave.
Stay with a local – Nothing’s cheaper than sleeping for free. Couchsurfing connects you with locals who give you not only a free place to stay, who can introduce you to all the great places to see. Just make sure to send your requests early!
Eat off Walking Street – Restaurant prices are highest on this main drag, so meander just a short way away to find better prices (and better food).
Use a water bottle – It isn’t safe to drink the tap water in Ko Lipe, and although buying bottled water is cheap, it does add up — pick up a LifeStraw, which has a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and safe (it’s good for the environment too!)
(Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to Thailand filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, maps, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book!)
How to Get Around in Ko Lipe
Ko Lipe is small enough to walk around. You don’t need anything else other than your own two feet. You can walk the length of the entire island in about an hour.
Boat – Longtail boats can take you from any point on the island to any other point on the island for 100 THB.
Taxi – For longer distances if you don’t feel like walking, you can take a motorbike taxi. It costs around 50 THB to go anywhere on the island.
When to Go to Ko Lipe
November to April is peak season in Ko Lipe, with nearly constant warm temperatures and endless sunshine. The temperature averages 29°C (85°F).
Keep in mind that Ko Lipe isn’t as developed as other islands, so you’ll want to book your accommodations in advance if you’re coming during peak season as places can sell out.
The low season is from May to October. These months see a lot of rainfall and cooler temperatures, averaging around 25°C (78°F). Some tour operators and hotels close during this time and ferries from the mainland are greatly reduced. Some routes are not operational in the off-season so be sure to plan ahead.
There’s no wrong time to visit Ko Lipe but try to avoid the rainy season. The sea can be quite rough and when the weather is bad, it’s bad.
(Hey there! Wait one second! Did you know I also wrote an entire guidebook to Thailand filled with – not only even more detailed information on the things included on this page but also itineraries, maps, practical information (i.e. hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, prices, etc), cultural insights, and so much more? It has everything you want in a guidebook – but with a focus on budget and cultural travel! If you want to go into more depth and have something to take on your trip, click here for more about the book!)
Ko Lipe Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
- Agoda – Other than Hostelworld, Agoda is the best hotel accommodation site for Asia.
- Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
- SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
- LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
- Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
Get the In-Depth Budget Guide to Thailand!
My detailed 350+ page guidebook is made for budget travelers like you! It cuts out the fluff found in other guidebooks and gets straight to the practical information you need to travel around Thailand. You’ll find suggested itineraries, budgets, ways to save money, on and off-the-beaten-path things to see and do, non-touristy restaurants, markets, bars, safety tips, and much more! Click here to learn more and get your copy today.
Ko Lipe Travel Guide: Related Articles
Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Ko Lipe travel and continue planning your trip:
