Koh Lipe – A paradise of Island in Thailand
This little island off the coast of Malaysia and Thailand in the Andaman Sea is a tropical haven with white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons. The sea's beauty is unquestionably superior to that of other Thai islands, but it also serves as Koh Lipe's only draw.
You may reach the island via Malaysia or Thailand, but the travel there is lengthy and you must wait for many hours in between moves.
How to get to Koh Lipe
Get there from Thailand
Fly over Bangkok, take a local flight over Hatyai or Trang, and then take a boat to Koh Lipe.
Get there from Malaysia.
Flight over Langkawi, domestic flight over Kuala Lumpur, then boat to Koh Lipe (two boats per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon).
You will mainly move around the island on foot, and there is no major city center. Walking Street, a charming tiny street is where the majority of the visitor-facing amenities are concentrated, connects the two main beaches, Pattaya and Sunrise. Here you will find all sorts of small local tourist agency, small shops, ATMs for withdrawals, pharmacies, and restaurants.
This is a great place to spend a week enjoying the beach and diving, but if you want a more comprehensive vacation, you should consider visiting other islands like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan, Koh Tao, or Phuket.
Beaches of Koh Lipe
Pattaya Beach
Koh Lipe's major beach is Pattaya Beach, where you disembark and pass through customs to enter (for those arriving from Malaysia). The majority of resorts also have views of Pattaya.
The most magnificent beach on the entire island is Pattaya, with its length of extrafine, white sand. However, it's the water itself that captures the eye, with its deep blue lagoon of crystal-clear water that looks pretty much like a dream com true for those looking for a paradise style island. There isn't much activity despite the abundance of amenities, and there aren't many sun loungers or umbrellas available.
Long walks in Pattaya can be broken up by stopping at one of the many beachside restaurants, all of which are completely Thai-style establishments with seating areas on the sand and fire displays in the evening.
Sunrise Beach
Don't be misled by online reviews that suggest this is the main beach; while Sunrise Beach is shorter and the numerous longtail boats anchored on the shore make for a very distinctive scene, they interfere with people trying to take a bath, and the sea colors are also not as vibrant as at Pattaya Beach.
At the expense of Sunrise Beach, we must acknowledge that the Cast Away Resort, if not the nicest resort on the island, is situated right here.
Beautiful two-story wooden cottages with hammocks on the tiny terrace are located on this property, which is tucked away in a lush palm forest. The "cast away" feeling will be truly distinctive if you manage to secure one of the seaside huts.
Sunrise Beach's first few meters of sea front may not be particularly colorful, but hiring a canoe and paddling out to the open sea will take you to shallows—natural pools of bright emerald green—with coral reefs for snorkeling.
Sunrise is not as bustling at night as Pattaya, but there are still a few regular bars here, one of which is directly close to the Cast Away Resort.
Karma Beach
Koh Lipe's most famous stretch of sand is found at Karma Beach, which is a continuation of Sunrise Beach. The most exclusive area on the island is this little, isolated bay, which is surrounded by a lagoon that is every shade of blue.
There is only one resort there, Mountain Resort Koh Lipe, which has a few bungalows that look out over the bay and offers contemporary rooms surrounded by a tropical garden. This is the ideal spot to take the most unique pictures of your entire trip thanks to tongues of sand that form natural lakes and palm trees on either side.
The (relative) distance from Walking Street and, consequently, from Koh Lipe's important hub, which can be reached in about 15 minutes by motorbike cab, is a drawback though.
Sunset Beach
As it is rather "filthy" with trash and regrettably also varied rubbish, poorly maintained, and wholly uninhabited, Sunset Beach is not precisely what a tourist would want to see. You might be able to watch the sunset from this side of the island, but it is absolutely not worthwhile to consider for any activities, let alone an accomodation.
Where can I get good local food in Koh Lipe?
Wanna try something really “local” and have lots of fun? Then head on for the “Papaya Mom Restaurant” (Walking Street).
Have a meal seating in the long wooden tables, occasionally enjoy live music, quick, friendly service, and delicious food make this place busy, sometimes crazy, but a lot of fun. And all of that for a reasonable price! The menu also features a sizable number of foods from Thailand's Isaan region in the north.
While there, try Pu Pad Pongkaree (Stir-fried crab meat in curry powder, coconut milk, and eggs) a very popular Thai seafood recipe especially here in the South. This dish is apparently from Chinese origins but Thais in the south regions have made their own delicious variations and this restaurant is no exception.
Pu Pad Pongkaree has a distinct flavor that is sweet and delicious thanks to the curry powder, fish sauce, and sugar.
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