www.jumbothai.co.th
Member Area
Thailand Destinations Koh Lipe
| Koh Lipe |
Overview of Koh LipeKoh Lipe is a small island in the Southern part of the Andaman sea. It is located in Satun Province, close to Langkawi island (Malaysia), about 60 Kilometres (38 miles) from the mainland. It is part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, a large group of over 70 islands, and also part of a smaller cluster of islands called the Butang Islands or Adang Archipelago. Koh Lipe is famous for diving and snorkeling, and for the beautiful beaches and the relaxed atmosphere.
Attractions Pattaya Beach
Koh Lipe's main beach is a large sheltered bay with soft powdery sand, crystal clear blue water and good snorkeling right from the beach. There is a wide range of accommodation on Pattaya Beach, but over the last few years there has been a trend for larger, more upmarket resorts. There are a dozens of bars and restaurants on the beach or around the corner in Walking Street. In high season it can get quite busy, but the other beaches are only a short 15 minute walk away, so it is still relatively easy to escape the crowds.
Sunrise Beach (Hat Chao Ley)
Sunrise Beach is a long stretch of white sandy beach and is protected from the monsoon weather in low season, and has a pleasant breeze on most days in high season. The school, hospital and a small Chao Ley village are located here. Accommodation is more spread out than on Pattaya Beach, and there are still a few cheap places around, but several upmarket places have opened over the last few years too. There are a few small restaurants and shops on Sunrise Beach, and it is between 5 and 15 minutes to Walking Street and the other beaches. Sunrise Beach has the best snorkeling right of the beach.
Sunset Beach (Hat Pramong) Sunset Beach is a small bay facing West to the Butang Islands and is a great place to watch the sunset. The area around Sunset Beach is the most quiet and laid back on Koh Lipe, with very few places to stay, and all of them have been able to retain the feeling of the 'Old Lipe'. Accommodation ranges from basic huts on the beach to rustic and private bungalows set in shady jungle. There are no upmarket places to stay in the area. There are a few nice places to eat and drink in the area, and it's a 10 to 15 minute walk to Walking Street and the other beaches. After Dark Pattaya Beach
There are a number of beach bars on pattaya Beach, all offering a similar vibe: beach mats, pillows and cold beer on a reggae sound track. There is a stretch of bars at the Eastern end of Pattaya Beach like Time To Chill, Kameleon and Barracuda.
If you're tired of Reggae head to Mellow Mango for funky tunes, great cocktails and they also have a great restaurant with a seafood barbeque.
Walking Street Area
A locals favourite: Oh My God! (used to be called Oh's Pooh Bar) moved to a new location 50 meters from the intersection, at the end of Walking Street (near Sunrise Beach) and shakes up the best cocktails on the island. There are pool tables and TV's (for watching big sports events), and there are usually a few local divers hanging out there. They also serve some delicious food and bar snacks. Open late.
Sunset Beach
There is only one bar on Sunset Beach: Boom Boom Bar, a small and relaxed little beach bar with a very friendly owner, a great place to enjoy the sunset.
Time to VisitKoh Lipe is evolving to an all year destination, with ferries from Pak Barra running all year. Getting ThereIt takes 2 hours to travel by minibus from Hat Yai to Pak Barra, from where there are ferries to Koh Lipe all year around. Pak Barra Pier can seem like an overwhelming and hectic place when you arrive but don't panic, people just want to sell you a ferry ticket. If you know what ferry you want just tell them and people will point you towards the right person.
Because there are many ferries on this route it makes more sense to buy your return ticket on Koh Lipe and allow yourself flexibility on your way back.
There are many stalls with street food, small restaurants and little shops in Pak Barra, so it's easy to kill an hour and refuel for the onward journey.
|
