Phuket, the Phi Phi islands, Krabi, Koh Samui, and Koh Tao are beaches you’ve considered when determining where to go.
We know, because we searched high and low and took MONTHS to pick where we wanted to visit in Thailand for a great beach. My husband and I were planning our honeymoon to Southeast Asia this time last year, and I researched for a very long time, weighed all of our options, and ended up opting for this destination. We stayed along Koh Lipe Sunrise Beach, and both of us are so glad we did, as it was truly the most stunning island.
Today, we’re talking all about why Koh Lipe may be the perfect beach destination!
10 reasons to Visit Koh Lipe, Thailand.
1. Koh Lipe is remote.
It’s not so remote that you can hear a heavily bearded man shouting, “Wilson!” and searching for his lost volleyball, but it isn’t easy to get to. And, while many may find that inconvenient especially if they’re short on time, if you’ve got the time and patience, it is well worth it.
There are two easier ways to get to Koh Lipe, Thailand. The first is a flight to Hat Yai airport (hour and a half flight from Bangkok), then you take an hour and a half long shuttle to Pak Bara Pier, and last, you take an hour and a half to two hour long ferry ride to this gorgeous oasis.
The second is by flying into Langkawi and taking a 90-minute ferry there. And, even this isn’t an option during rainy season. See what I mean? It can be tricky to get to.
Either way, it is a great thing that it can be difficult to reach because….
2. It is far less crowded.
This little isle, known as the “Maldives of Thailand” was only really inhabited in the early 2000’s. And, even then, it took a few years before the hype of this island took hold and more tourists wanted to see this gem for themselves. So, while you will have some tourists to share this island with, it definitely is much less crowded than other Thai beaches.
For instance, Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Samui beaches are easily accessible via their nearby airports. And, the movie The Beach put Phuket and the Phi Phi islands on the map, making it a tourist hotspot. It became so popular, in fact, that they had to close Maya Bay due to over tourism and pollution!
Even along the stunning Koh Lipe Sunrise Beach, it is much less crowded. In fact, a lot of travelers coming to Thailand don’t know it exists yet! We certainly didn’t know about it until we started researching less crowded islands!
Pro-tip: Go during the rainy season (no, it won’t rain the entire time) between May through October for fewer crowds! Even shoulder season (April and November) is a great time to go.
4. The water is SO clear.
I love a good beach. And, having traveled throughout the Mediterranean, Gulf of Mexico, and even some amazing lakes across the US, I’ve never seen water this clear. Rent a kayak and see straight to the bottom for twenty or more feet!
No wonder snorkeling and diving are popular options here, because the visibility is truly something.
In fact, on the snorkel tour we booked one day, while the water was a deep blue on the surface when the captain stopped the boat a good mile from the shore of an uninhabited island, once we got over our fear and plunged our heads under the sea, it was so clear even in the deep water! The corals were so stunning and the amount of colorful fish we saw was truly amazing!
5. The food is so good.
You’d think for an island that has to have everything shipped in (except the tasty seafood) that the food wouldn’t be as great, but we ate better here than in Bangkok!
We had the best pad Thai at Koh Lipe Sunrise Beach Restaurant that we’ve ever had. Even the experience was phenomenal. Picture early evening, having a drink in hand, and watching the waves slowly crash to shore while tucking in to a delicious and fresh pad Thai. There is nothing better.
We also enjoyed Bombay India, for when one gets tired of eating so much Thai food, and Ten Moons always had a scrumptious breakfast each morning! Get the fried rice and thank me later. And don’t even get me started on Madam Yoohoo’s pancakes!
Basically, you will eat well here. And, while the prices will be a little bit higher than mainland Thailand, the food is definitely worth it.
6. You can stay on the beach and not pay a small fortune.
We booked a beach bungalow at Ten Moons right on the corner of Koh Lipe Sunrise Beach and it was only around $200 a night. You could certainly stay in cheaper places, but try getting a beach bungalow in the Caribbean or even the more popular Thai beaches for $200 or less a night!
We woke up and ran into the ocean straight from our cabin every morning and it was as incredible as it sounds. You can even opt to keep your doors open and use the screen door instead to slowly fall asleep to the sounds of the sea. If there was one thing that screams romance from this island, that sounds like it to me.
7. There are uninhabited islands to explore.
Koh Lipe is part of Tarutao National Marine Park, and while Koh Lipe has many hotels and restaurants, many of these islands are uninhabited and only accessible by renting a boat. So, if you’re tired of laying on the beach and snorkeling off shore (because who gets tired of that?!) rent a boat and check out the surrounding islands, discover the interesting and vibrant animals that roam these parts, and go hiking without any crowds.
Find hidden coves, empty beaches, and feel like you’ve been transported to the Thailand of many years ago, where over tourism wasn’t a thing and you could experience some places just by yourself.
8. It is laid back.
If you’re looking to rage all night at a Full Moon or Half Moon party, think again. One of the charms of Koh Lipe is its laid back vibes. We knew when we were planning our honeymoon that we didn’t want to stay on a party beach or island. Romance is what we were looking for, and Koh Lipe delivered.
In some ways, it reminded me of a Zac Brown Band song, with toes in the water, *ss in the sand. That’s Koh Lipe.
If you’re the type who enjoys a good happy hour cocktail and watching the sunset, and then waking up early for a gorgeous sunrise, this is your place. There are plenty of bars around this island on all three beaches, but most close before midnight, and only a handful stay open until 1am.
It gets so quiet at night to where you only really hear the sounds of the sea. So, enjoy this laid back little paradise.
9. The locals are amazing.
Prior to the early 2000’s, there really weren’t many “locals,” but the people who have made this place home over the years are friendly and relaxed people who are happy to live on the island.
One of our favorite evening activities was walking around to various beach bars and chatting up the bartenders. One man chatted with us for over an hour about his past 5 years living on the island.
Our favorite person, though, was Nor. He is the owner of a small bar located in the middle of the island called Home Bar. It’s hard to find, but unmistakable to miss once you’re there. Covered in reggae-themed signs, this open-air bar is full of rubbish Nor found around the island. Imagine chairs made from toilets filled in with cement or benches composed of a large tree root and a mattress pad on top. It’s easy to see how quirky this place is, but the bartender is the happiest person you’ll ever meet.
He was the third person to live on the island. He left Phuket and moved here with his dog, Tarzan, because he was tired of the crowds. Life got too busy and tiresome there. So he moved, built this lovely bar, and now provides wisdom and life changing advice at no extra charge with his drinks.
10. Koh Lipe is doing its part for the environment.
Koh Lipe isn’t immune to over tourism. Sure, it isn’t nearly as bad as other beaches, but there are a few more boats than there used to be arriving to the island. But, Koh Lipe is trying to do better. Aside from the Thai government banning construction on the uninhabited islands, Koh Lipe itself does a beach cleanup every Monday.
Trash Hero started the cleanup and invites everyone to join in on Monday mornings to clean up the island and make it a better place. They also educate people on environmental issues and how they can do better.
Many hotels and restaurants on Koh Lipe offer water refill stations to avoid using plastic bottles, and many hotels are eco-friendly. So, hopefully, this little island will be around for a long time thanks to the efforts of the people on Koh Lipe.
Enough reasons to visit Koh Lipe?
Koh Lipe is a perfect little slice of heaven on Earth. Clearly we fell in love with this place during our honeymoon, and we cannot wait to return. After spending four glorious days relaxing, snorkeling, hiking, eating, and drinking, we knew that Koh Lipe was the right choice for our Thailand getaway.
So, instead of taking months and months of time to research where to go, go here! Enjoy the clear, ocean water, vibrant corals with abundant marine life, and relish the perfect sunrise every morning. There truly isn’t a place like Koh Lipe, Thailand.
People you know will love Koh Lipe too, so Pin this!
Kat is the founder of World Wide Honeymoon—a travel blog and podcast that she co-hosts with her husband, Chris, dedicated to all things couples travel. She is a travel hacking addict who is passionate about helping other couples experience the world through travel and getting there for less (and maybe in a little luxury too). In her spare time, she enjoys running half marathons, listening to podcasts, and taking too many photos of her cat, Professor. You can also find Kat on Facebookand Instagram.
