Ko Lipe

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Sunset, Pattaya Beach at Ko Lipe
Sunset, Pattaya Beach at Ko Lipe

Ko Lipe (Thai: เกาะหลีเป๊ะ) is an island in Satun Province, near the Tarutao National Marine Park, on the Andaman (west) coast of the south of Thailand.

[edit] Understand

Ko Lipe is outside of the Tarutao National Park jurisdiction, and as such is exempt from the laws and legislation that protects the rest of the national park. The island is rapidly growing to meet the demands of increase in tourism, and is facing quite a few issues with rubbish and animal conservation.

The island is also home to a resident population of Chao Ley, or Sea Gypsies which live in small villages, predominantly around the far east side of the island near Sunlight Beach.

[edit] Get in

In high season (November-May) there are now 5 locations from which you can take a ferry to Ko Lipe: Pak Bara, Satunno ferry, Langkawi, Ko Lanta and Trang. Some ferries run daily, others run every other day.

In low season (from May until November) there is usually one ferry per week from Pak Bara.

From the north, the most popular route is via Hat Yai, and from there by minibus to Pak Bara or SatunThere is no ferry service from Satun.

From Southern Thailand, there are ferries from Ko Lanta and Trang (in high season only).

From Malaysia, there is a daily ferry from Langkawi; alternatively, transit via Hat Yai as described above.

Ko Lipe has no pier; ferries are met by longtail boats offering transfers to anywhere on Ko Lipe for around 50 baht/person.

[edit] Get around

All of Ko lipe can be covered on foot, although its size at first can be a little deceiving. There are few motorcycles around the island, none of which are for rent. Some paths can be a bit uneven, and there are no sealed paths or roads.

[edit][add listing] See

Realistically, there isn't a whole lot of sightseeing to be done on the island.

Hotels on the island can arrange for day trips out to other islands inside the national park (Ko Adang, Ko Khai). A few hotels also organise diving and snorkeling day trips.

[edit][add listing] Do

Like the locals, most come to the island to relax and take it easy. There are four main beaches to relax on, Pattaya in the south where most of the foreigners hang out, Sunlight beach on the east near the village, Karma beach which faces the Adang/Lipe channel, and Sunset beach which as the name implies, faces the sunset.

[edit] Diving

The reefs around Ko Lipe are largely intact; the 2004 tsunami had little impact here.

There are several dive shops on the island:

  • Ocean Pro (Pattaya Beach) (), [4]. Canadian owner. This shop has a big boat. 2600 baht for 2 dives, 3200 baht for three dives.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

A few shops inside of the Chao Ley villages sell food and drinks, however most find themselves eating at the various restaurants attached to the hotels. Fresh Seafood on Pattaya Beach, Jacks Jungle makes some fantastic curries and Jacks Fried Chicken, Asia Resort and Mamas café have excellent local flavours and Mountain Resort has great seafood and an excellent view.

[edit][add listing] Drink

There are two bars on the island. Karma bar is located in the north east, just beneath the Mountain Resort, and features chilled music, good cocktails and awesome views of the sunset. The other bar is Jack's (otherwise known as JJ's) which is inland. Occasionally the owners from either will pack up early and move their patrons onto the other.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Options range from tents for around 200 baht/night to bungalows for 3000 baht or more.

  • Forra Bamboo Resort (Sunrise Beach), ☎ +66 (0) 89673 1121 or +66 (0) 84407 5691 (), [7]. 800-1600 baht with a 25% discount available on the bungalow on the days that you dive with Forra. Bungalows to sleep 1-4 people available. Advance reservations only accepted from divers.  edit

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