These are the best places to travel this summer

Ko Lipe

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
Aerial view of beautiful beach in Satun province, Thailand. Lipe Island of Heaven.

©JUREERAT GEAWMUANG/Shutterstock

LONELY PLANET’S RECOMMENDED eSIM

Stay connected in Ko Lipe

with

Saily is an affordable eSIM service that helps you stay connected and secure, anywhere in the world.

Get your eSIM

Overview

Once a serene tropical paradise, Ko Lipe is now a poster child for untamed development on Thailand's islands. Blessed with two beautiful wide white-sand beaches separated by jungle-covered hills and close to protected coral reefs, the centre of Ko Lipe has been transformed into an ever-expanding maze of hotels, restaurants, cafes, travel agencies and shops. The biggest losers have been the 700-strong community of chow lair (sea gypsies, also spelt chao leh), whose ancestors were gifted Lipe as a home by King Rama V in 1909, but who sold it in the 1970s.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Hat Sunset

    Hat Sunset

    Ko Lipe

    With its slender strip of golden sand, gentle jungle-covered hills and serene bay that spills into the Adang Strait on the western side of the island, Hat…

  • Hat Sunrise

    Hat Sunrise

    Ko Lipe

    Hat Sunrise, a sublime long stretch of powder-fine sand, runs along Ko Lipe's east coast and is the best beach on the island. From its northernmost point,…

  • Ko Usen

    Ko Usen

    Ko Lipe

    Ko Usen, one of the little islands opposite Hat Sunrise, has some good coral. Most resorts rent out mask-and-snorkel sets and fins (100B to 200B). Take…

  • Ko Kra

    Ko Kra

    Ko Lipe

    There’s good coral around Ko Kra, one of the little islands opposite Hat Sunrise, but be aware of, and take care around, oncoming long-tail boats. Most…

  • Hat Pattaya

    Hat Pattaya

    Ko Lipe

    Busy Hat Pattaya on Lipe's southern coast has beach bars, seafood and a party vibe during the high season, though long-tails often crowd out swimmers.

Plan with a local

Get a book. Get inspired. Get exploring.

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Ko Lipe