Beaches on Koh Lipe are typically Thai, and famously fine. With four stunning stretches to choose from, paradise comes as standard.
Karma Beach
Stretched across Koh Lipe's luscious north coast, Karma Beach is an extraordinary place, often overlooked by the main island crowds. With uninhibited views of majestic neighbour, Koh Adang, some of the island's best snorkelling and the opportunity to slip into the water with a traditional longtail boat, this is one island secret you mightn't want to share.
Sunrise Beach (Chao Ley Beach)
As the name suggests, Sunrise Beach on Koh Lipe is where the optimists hang out. This east coast hotspot is a stones throw from the small indigenous Chao Ley village, offering culture vultures a direct line to local life on the island. Sunrise Beach was a traditional stronghold for budget backpackers, but recent times have seen a steady rise in upmarket resorts. These days, the trump card for Sunrise is hidden offshore beneath the crystal clear waters of the Andaman Sea, where you'll enjoy easy access to some of the island's awe-inspiring coral reefs.
Pattaya Beach
Koh Lipe's most popular beach is a showpiece for idyll; with long stretches of soft white sand sweeping around the island's southern coast, and elegantly finished with the diamond waters of the Andaman. A quaint line-up of longtail boats bobbing offshore is backed up by a leading cast of upmarket accommodation. Meanwhile some of the island's best nightlife will ensure a dreamy combination of carefree and castaway. Pattaya Beach is the place to be seen during high season, and the crowds can reflect that. If you're craving some space to breath in the warm evening air, the other beaches are within easy walking distance.
Sunset Beach (Pramong)
The quintessential cheap retreat, Sunset Beach is revered by the backpacking crowds for its allegiance to budget accommodation on Koh Lipe. The area lives up to its name, with some of the best vantage points to observe those famous Thai sunsets. Meanwhile, you should expect a heavy course of chillaxing to be served between meals in any of the great eateries in the area. As with all four of Koh Lipe's main beaches, you're just a short walk from Walking Street or a change of scenery, but if budget-chic is your thing, we doubt you'll stray far from this west coast Mecca.
The isle of Koh Lipe is easily accessible throughout the year, but a little forward planning will ensure you use the island's high and low seasons to your advantage.
Low Season (Green Season) - from May to November
Low season on Koh Lipe is known as the 'Green Season' by locals, and it doesn't take an expert to predict the reason for this annual lull in visitors. While the rainy season rumbles through the region, transport although available, is limited. Once you're there, you should expect to save up to 60% on accommodation. Throw in the incentive of snagging large swathes of beach to yourself, and a more personable (read: generous) service from the local bar staff and you've got yourself a budget-friendly compromise.
High Season - from November to May
Unsurprisingly, high season on Koh Lipe is one of the easiest times to visit, with multiple ferries shipping in travellers from a dozen ports within the Andaman Sea. While the island is in full flow, you can expect the full gamut of island life to be blooming brightly. If you're planning to visit during this time ‚ especially during any of the Thai national holidays ‚ then you should make a point of making a reservation in advance, as humble Koh Lipe inhales hundreds of world travellers.
Peak Season from December to February
Arriving in Koh Lipe without a reservation during the peak season is not for the faint-hearted. You should bank on every room being booked out, on every night, as domestic and international tourists converge on the isle for extended holidays. Santa Claus might not be slipping down the local's chimneys, but that doesn't stop the whole of Thailand taking a tinsel break. Throw New Year into the pot, warm it up with some of the finest weather in the region, and you've got a recipe for an unforgettable festive season.
