About the ride from Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi
Unless you're a really good swimmer, there's only one way to get to Koh Phi Phi from Koh Lipe and that's by ferry. There are however, three service providers running the 150 kilometer (93 mile) route across the Andaman.
Each operator has its own boat. These vessels are well-equipped with life jackets, seats and onboard washrooms. Tigerline's high-speed ferry has outside seating as well as covered seating. Bundhaya and Satun Pakbara's boats don't have outside seating.
As the high-speed ferries and speedboats are relatively small it can be quite a bumpy ride. Sea sickness is not uncommon, especially in bad weather. There are also just four ferry departures from Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi every day. This means boats can get booked up very quickly, especially in high season which runs from November to April.
It's definitely advisable to get to Koh Lipe Pier about an hour before the designated departure slot. This ensures you find your ferry without a mad rush. You can also meet a few of your fellow passengers and maybe bag a good window seat for the ride.
The ferry ride from Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi takes roughly three hours. Prices start from US$64. Tigerline's high-speed ferry is the cheapest service provider but only just. You will usually also need to pay a further 200 Thai Baht (US$6) to the local fishermen who transfer you from the floating pier at Koh Lipe to the ferry. This is not included in the ticket price.
What to see when traveling from Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi
As you take the ferry from Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi there's plenty to see along the way. It's a three hour trip so be prepared to hunker down with a good book or snap some photographs of all that amazing Andaman Sea scenery.
There's not usually much space to wander around the high-speed ferries and speed boats sailing to Koh Phi Phi from Koh Lipe. However, there's often a space to watch the waves either on a small open top deck or off the side of the enclosed lower deck.
Most passengers tend to play cards, listen to music or read up about the next island on their list of southwest coast Thailand adventures. These boats, however, can be quite noisy so it's not always going to be easy to chat unless you're sitting close together.
Look out of the window or over the side and it will be blue skies, warm waves and a few fluffy white clouds all the way. Fingers crossed! Sometimes the waves can get a bit choppy especially outside of high season i.e. from March to October. Lightweight waterproof coats are always really handy!
The size of the boat will also make the crossing a bit bouncy and ferry services will be limited during the rainy season. Usually there are around four ferries leaving from Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi every day. Vessels are small and can get booked up very quickly.
Grabbing a window seat or a place on the top deck is a great idea. Make sure you arrive at Koh Lipe Pier early to ensure you get a good spot. It's often possible to take photos as you travel, although don't expect to see too much in the way of marine life.
You may well pass by a few other islands en route to Koh Phi Phi. The smaller islands of Koh Bulon, Koh Kradang, Koh Ngai can all be seen off the ferry's starboard (right) side as well as the larger island of Koh Lanta, which is 35 kilometers (21 miles) from Phi Phi.
How to get to Koh Phi Phi from Koh Lipe
Taking a ferry
The speedboat ferry service run by Bundhaya is the most popular way to travel to Koh Phi Phi from Koh Lipe. Vessels are modern and will feature open, yet covered, seating areas and sometimes a small washroom.
Bundhaya's speedboat service usually takes around four hours and 30 minutes to get from Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi. Prices start from around US$71 per person. This is a trusted ferry service provider with an excellent safety record.
The high-speed ferry service run by Tigerline includes an air-conditioned seating area below deck and a sunbathing area on the upper deck. Seating is comfortable and there's also an onboard bathroom.
Tigerline's high-speed ferry is the cheapest option for travelers with ticket prices starting from US$64. However, you often also need to pay an additional US$6 (200 Thai Baht) to get from Koh Lipe floating pier to the ferry. It's like an entrance and exit fee for fishermen.
Satun Pakbara's speedboat ferry service can get you from Koh Lipe to Koh Phi Phi in approximately four hours and 30 minutes. Prices per passenger start from US$68. This is usually the 9:00 am ferry service and you'll arrive on Phi Phi in the early afternoon.
The speedboat ferries run by Satun Pakbara are modern, safe and comfortable. As are those run by Tigerline and Bundhaya. Satun Pakbara boats also have air-conditioned areas below deck but don't have anywhere to sunbathe on top. They also have onboard washrooms.
Whichever ferry service you opt for, you can rest assured that your trip to Koh Phi Phi from Koh Lipe is one that has been made many, many times before. Conditions can get a little choppy, at times, and also it can be quite cold when the wind gets up.
Keep a warm sweater or hoodie handy as well as a light waterproof coat to ensure you remain dry from the sea spray splashing off the waves. It's a relatively short ride, no more than five hours, but don't underestimate the motion of the ocean if you're easily seasick.
There's plenty of time to chat to other travelers if they're close by but the sound of the engine can limit interaction due to the excess noise. These aren't party boats and they're not really suitable for sleeping. The best advice is to kick back with a book and enjoy the ride.
