Koh Lipe is a small laid back island located at the southernmost tip of Thailand. It is a great place to enjoy the relaxing beach vibe, taking snorkeling, and diving tours.
In this article, I will cover the best things to do and see in Koh Lipe. These include the best beaches, viewpoints, day trips and snorkeling/ diving tours.
With about 3 km long and 2 km width, Koh Lipe has several beautiful beaches to explore. Most popular braces are Pattaya, Sunrise, and Sunset Beach. You can find several small, secluded beaches and coves at the western tip of the island. The beaches are ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and watching the sunset.
From Koh Lipe, you can take a short long tail boat ride to Koh Adang for enjoying more peaceful beaches, hiking the viewpoints and waterfalls. There are also half/ full day island hopping tours from Koh Lipe to places like Koh Rang and Koh Hin Ngam.
At night, you can explore the Walking street with lots of bars, restaurants, and all kinds of shops. Or you can head to the beach to a lively beach bar and romantic restaurants scene.
You can check my itinerary and how I get around Koh Lipe in these articles:
I explore beaches and attractions in Koh Lipe on foot, motorbike taxi, and long tail boats. The island is relatively small and it is possible to explore all places by walking. If you are tired of walking, motorbike taxis are available at most popular beaches. You can use long tail boats for day trips to nearby islands.
Here are the main attractions and activities in Koh Lipe:
12 Best Things to Do in Koh Lipe
Beaches
Koh Lipe has beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal turquoise water. They are perfect places for swimming, snorkeling, sunbathing, and watching the sunset. The most lively beach on the island is Pattaya Beach, followed by Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach.
If you want a more tranquil and remote atmosphere, you can explore hidden beaches such as Lipe Secret Beach. You’ll have the whole beach to yourself.
You can easily get to the beaches on Koh Lipe (Pattaya, Sunrise, and Sunset Beach) by walking or motorbike taxi. The flat rate is 100 baht one way.
#1. Pattaya Beach
Pattaya Beach is the most popular beach on Koh Lope. It is located right at the starting point of the walking street. The beach has white sandy and crystal clear water, which is ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling.
The beach is lined with resorts, massage shops, dive centers, restaurants, and beach bars with sun loungers and bed chairs. There is a pier in the middle of the beach where speed boats from other islands arrive at Koh Lipe. This section is also packed with many long tail boats.
For those arriving from Malaysia island, Langkawi, you can check in at immigration office, located on Pattaya Beach. There are lots of big rocks at the west end of the beach and this area is great for snorkeling.
#2. Sunrise Beach
Sunrise Beach is the second most popular beach on Koh Lipe. It occupies all the eastern coast of the island, and is within a short walk from Koh Lipe Walking Street.
The beach has a more relaxing atmosphere compared to Pattaya Beach but still home to many facilities such as resorts, beach bars, massage parlors, and restaurants.
The beach has stunning views of small islands in front of it. From Sunrise Beach, you can catch a long tail boat to Koh Adang. The boatman station is located next to Koh Lipe school.
If you walk along the beach toward the north, you will reach North Point. This is a very popular spot to watch both the sunset and sunrise.
#3. Sunset Beach
Sunset Beach is another popular beach in Koh Lipe. It is located further away from the town center and the walking street, making it a quieter place compared to Pattaya and Sunrise Beach.
There are several resorts, beach bars, and restaurants on the beach. These estament have sun loungers and bedchairs for their customers. You can order a drink and use it for free.
Sunset Beach is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, chilling, and watching the sunset. There are lots of long tail boats docked on the beach. I can use them to get to Koh Adang.
Most of Sunset Beach is blocked by private property and resorts. To access the beach, you need to walk across one of those resorts.
#4. Sanom Beach
Sanom Beach is a small tranquil beach located right next to Pattaya. The beach has a peaceful atmosphere with a restaurant on the shore with bedchairs to rent. The beach is ideal for swimming and sunbathing, away from the crowd.
It is easily accessible by walking from the west end of Pattaya Beach via a wooden bridge. You can have some nice views of Pattaya Beach from the bridge.
#5. North Point Beach
North Point is a popular spot north of Sunrise Beach. It is a popular place to watch the sunset. Lots of people gather here around 5-6pm to watch the sun coming down to the ocean. The beach also has nice views of Koh Adang in front of it.
There are several beach bars and restaurants on the beach. Popular ones are Bulow Casa restaurant, and Zodiac Beach Bar. You can have a romantic dinner at sunset.
#6. Secret Beach
This is a tiny remote beach located near the western tip of the island. To access the beach, you’ll need to walk on the trail into the jungle for around 10 minutes. There is no hotel or any facilities on the beach. It is a perfect place to chill and swim. There’s a chance you’ll be the only one on the beach.
When I visited in mid Jan 2025, there was some trash and plastic bottles on the shores. You can help to clean the beach by collecting them to put in one place.
#7. Pantai Galah Beach
Pantai Galah Beach is another secluded beach located next to Secret Beach. From Secret Beach, you can walk back to the trail and find the way down to Pantai Galah. Another way is to kayak from Secret Beach.
The beach has a quiet atmosphere, away from the bustle and hustle beaches like Pattaya Beach. It is a great spot for chilling, swimming, and snorkeling. Remember to Bring your own beach mat so you can lie down on the sand.
#8. Koh Lipe Walking street
Koh Lipe Walking street is the heart of Koh Lipe. The street is 500m long running from Pattaya Beach to the main road near Sunrise Beach. It has a lovely night scene with lots of bars, restaurants, and shops.
Most tour agencies are located on the Walking street where you book speed boats to other islands, or snorkeling tours. The street becomes pedestrian only from late afternoon. If you take a motorbike from somewhere on the island to the walking street, the driver will drop you at the road nearby.
#9. Island Hopping (snorkeling and diving tours)
There are many half day and full day snorkeling and diving tours to multiple islands near Koh Lipe. All local tour agencies on Koh Lipe offer snorkeling tours. There is a dive center on the walking street, where you can book a diving course with them.
Some popular spots and islands on the snorkeling boat trips on Koh Lipe include Jabang, Hin Ngam, Koh Yang, Koh Adang. If you are lucky, you can swim with Bioluminescent Plankton.
#10. Day trip to Koh Adang
Koh Adang is a big island, located just 10 minute long tail boat ride from Koh Lipe. It is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, and hiking. There is only one resort on Koh Adang, and the island offers a more tranquil atmosphere compared to Koh Lipe.
To reach Koh Adang, you walk to either Sunrise or Sunset Beach. You will find a boatman taxi stand area and ask them to take you to Koh Adang. They will ask you when you want to come back to pick you up later. The round ticket is 200 baht.
Swim at Koh Adang Beach
Koh Adang has several stretches of white sandy and quiet beaches. They are great places for swimming, sunbathing, and chilling without any crowds.
You can swim at the beach where the floating pier is located, or head further to the back on the trailhead to Koh Lipe Viewpoint. There are also beaches near Adang Resort, a 20 minute walk inside the jungle from the blue floating pier and the visitor center.
Hike to Chado Cliff Viewpoints
Chado Cliff Viewpoints are the set of viewpoints in Koh Adang that have stunning views of the clear blue ocean and Koh Lipe. From the floating pier, you can walk up to the restaurant and camping area then follow the sign to the trail head.
It is around 30 minutes to walk from the starting point to the viewpoint 3. The trail has some steep sections and involves climbing over rocks. It can be very tiring if you hike under the heat at midday. It is doable with sandals but I recommend wearing a good pair of shoes to ensure your safety.
Hike to Pirate Waterfall
Pirate Waterfall is a lesser-known hiking trail in Koh Adang. You can find the trailhead both from the visitor center or at Adang resort. To reach the trailhead, I recommend walking along the beach from the visitor center and the floating pier toward Adang Resort.
At the far west end of the beach, you will find a stream with the rope and the sign that says “Chon Salad Waterfall”. Follow that trail and you will reach the waterfall within 1 hour.
As not many people were trekking this route, there were lots of leaves and mosquitoes on the trail. Some friendly stray dogs will follow you along the way. It is mostly a flat trail with some sections requiring rock climbing.
I visited in mid January, it was in the dried season. The waterfall is small, and just has a little water during my visit. I saw the French couple swim there.
#11. Local restaurants
Koh Lipe is home to many restaurants where you can eat both traditional Thai food and international food. It is also a great place to eat fresh seafood.
Some restaurants that I tried and liked include Glow Noodle House on the walking street, Thaidurm Restaurant near Sunrise Beach, and Noy wangcha-aon thai food restaurant.
#12. Thai massage
Massage shops can be found everywhere in Thailand, and Koh Lipe is no exception. There are massage shops on the walking street, and on the beach, and at every big resort.
You can try traditional Thai massage, body massage, foot massage, or oil massage. Thai massage is quite intense at first but you will feel better after the massage session. If you can’t stand it, I recommend the oil massage for more relaxation.
These are my 12 top things to do and see in Koh Lipe. I’ve introduced with you the best beaches on the island, best spots for watching sunset, island hopping and snorkeling tours, and some of my favorite restaurants. I hope you have a wonderful trip to Koh Lipe.