Distance 132 km (82.5 miles) | |
Price range US$36-US$80 | |
Ride Duration Range 2h 50m-7h | |
Earliest Departure 01:00 | |
Latest Departure 06:30 | |
Most Popular Operator |
Find up-to-date information on departure times, schedules, and prices so you can easily compare and book your tickets.
Fastest ferry: 3h
Cheapest ferry: US$48
Carry on your explorations of Thailand’s spectacular islands by heading south from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe, a much smaller island but no less beautiful. It’s the perfect place for people wanting to switch the tourist havens of Thailand for something a little more unexplored.
To reach your next island paradise, you’ll need to take a ferry to whiz over the Andaman Sea. However, you can add a van or bus transfer to pick you up at your hotel in Koh Lanta and take you to the port before departure.
Koh Lipe is often skipped by tourists intent on visiting Thailand’s more famous party islands, like Phuket and Koh Phangan. But you should absolutely make the trek out here, especially if you’re planning on visiting Malaysia afterward. It’s only 21 miles (35 kilometers) from Langkawi. It’s the most idyllic way to end your Thailand adventures before moving on to a new destination.
Koh Lipe is one of the 51 islands comprising Tarutao Marine National Park. This sprawling chain stuns visitors with epic views, jungles overflowing with life, and incredible beaches.
Like many of Thailand’s islands, Koh Lipe is famous for its white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and beautiful underwater life. It may be a compact island, but Koh Lipe is still teeming with wildlife and is often nicknamed the “Maldives of Thailand.”
Koh Lipe is a small island, but there is still plenty to do for visitors.
Build your itinerary with these top unforgettable activities:
Catch the sunrise or sunset. For spectacular views of the surrounding sea, watch the sunset at Haad Pramong, otherwise known as Sunset Beach. Early birds can head to Haad Chao Ley on the eastern side for sunrise. The other main beach is called Pattaya Beach.
Hunt for a secret beach. Koh Lipe has three main beaches, but it has a few secret beaches that are popular with locals. Go hunting around the island to find the best spots with fewer tourists.
Book a snorkeling trip. Thailand is one of the best places in the world to explore underwater reefs and marvel at marine life. You can book an excursion for a full day’s adventure or just swim from shore to check out the local reefs.
Learn to scuba dive. With 25% of the world’s species of fish living in Thailand, it’s the perfect country to get your PADI certification to start conquering the underwater world on your travels. It’s also one of the cheapest! Experienced divers can just book straight onto an excursion.
Enjoy the nightlife. Although Koh Lipe isn’t considered a party island, you’ll still find a few fantastic bars to make your nights as memorable as the days. Explore the walking street for the best options, or find a beachfront bar to watch the sun go down with a cocktail.
Take a day trip to Koh Adang. This nearby island is a must-visit when you’re in the region. It takes an hour to kayak between the islands, but the waves do get big and could be overwhelming for inexperienced kayakers. Instead, book a longtail boat taxi to zip over the water to explore the stunning national park.
To travel from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe, the only way to cross the Andaman Sea is to take a ferry. You can also choose a van and ferry combination that includes a ride from your hotel in Koh Lanta to the pier.
The ferry takes about three hours to reach Koh Lipe, and ticket prices start at $47.
Boats depart from Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta and arrive at Koh Lipe Pier by Bundhaya Beach.
Most boats have a WC on board, a luggage allowance of one 45 lb (20 kg) bag, and one piece of hand luggage per passenger.
Ferries only run during the day, so don’t expect any overnight options.
Arrive for your departure at least 15 to 30 minutes early to find the correct departure point and load your luggage onto the boat.
Pro tip: If you’re traveling on a bad weather day, pack sea sickness tablets because the waves can get pretty high en route.
Tickets for this option also start at $47 and include an air-conditioned minivan transfer to Saladan Pier before taking the three-hour ferry to Koh Lipe.
You can expect a luggage allowance of one 45 lb (20 kg) bag and one piece of hand luggage per passenger.
This journey is all about unforgettable views.
You’ll zip across the sapphire blue waters of the Andaman Sea, heading south toward Malaysia alongside Thailand’s luscious green mainland.
As you near Koh Lipe, the island views will peak over the horizon as you navigate the seemingly endless expanse of water around you. It makes it feel like you’re on an adventure into the unknown.
The only life around is various fishing boats hunting the catch of the day and a few other ferries carrying fellow travelers between islands. Grab a seat on deck to enjoy the best views, but pack the sunscreen to avoid getting burned en route.
For the best weather and access to all the activities, the best time to visit any of the islands in Thailand is during the dry season. Koh Lipe’s starts in November and ends in April. You can expect temperatures to average between 86°F and 89°F (30°C and 32°C).
The wet season runs from May to October, with the heaviest rainfall between July and September. During the wet season, some businesses, like scuba diving and snorkeling shops, close temporarily due to weather disruptions.
Koh Lipe isn’t as big as some of Thailand’s other islands, so you don’t need as much time to explore. Most travelers spend around two to three days here, some even less. That’s enough time to visit the island’s best beaches before continuing your Thai or Malaysian adventure elsewhere.
However, if you’re looking for somewhere quiet and relaxed to chill for a while, extend your stay up to a week to really sink into the island’s laidback culture.
After Koh Lipe, hop back to the mainland and visit the often-missed Thai city of Pak Bara. You’ll see a side of the country that few visitors have experienced.
Or, if you’re not finished with Thailand’s numerous islands, visit the smaller Koh Muk, another destination fewer tourists reach.
Alternatively, switch countries while maintaining the island lifestyle with a trip to Langkawi Island in Malaysia.
Looking to go from Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta, Thailand? Here`s a first-hand route review of the ferry journey between these two island utopias.
Get ready to island-hop and visit these 5 idyllic islands from Koh Lanta to discover the southern region of Thailand in a completely different way.
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