Need a vacation? Lets go Koh Lipe!
Chances are Koh Lipe remains unknown to travellers and tourist alike, unlike the other famous islands of Thailand like Koh Samui or Phi Phi.
Koh Lipe is a small island in the Southern part of the Andaman sea. It is located in Satun Province, 30-mins by speedboat from Langkawi & about 60 Kilometres (38 miles) from the mainland.
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| Koh Lipe on map |
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 (Lipe-Adang-Rawi).
How to Reach KL (Koh Lipe) From KL (Kuala Lumpur)?
Although its closer to Langkawi, its cheaper to reach Lipe from Pak Barra pier in Thailand's Satun province (around 1.5hrs drive from Hatyai) speed boat fare only 400baht (approx myr40) for 1.5hr ride compared to rm150 from langkawi for 45-mins ride.
So, this was our journey to the Maldives of Thailand:
(1)
Take the night express bus at Puduraya station to Hatyai
There are few operators like Konsortium, Sri Maju that provide daily trip to/from Hatyai.
For this trip purpose, we took the night trip so we can arrive early morning in Hatyai.
Night buses normally depart at either 9.30pm or 10pm or 10.30pm or 11pm.
By 7am, we'll reach Bukit Kayu Hitam for immigration before entering Thai border.
(1)
Take the night express bus at Puduraya station to Hatyai
There are few operators like Konsortium, Sri Maju that provide daily trip to/from Hatyai.
For this trip purpose, we took the night trip so we can arrive early morning in Hatyai.
Night buses normally depart at either 9.30pm or 10pm or 10.30pm or 11pm.
By 7am, we'll reach Bukit Kayu Hitam for immigration before entering Thai border.
Since Thailand is 1hour difference, we'll reach Hatyai around 8am, just nice for the next phase of our journey.
Cost RM45-50/pax (one way)
Cost RM45-50/pax (one way)
(2)
Buy Ticket to Koh Lipe at Hatyai Travel Agents
Buy Ticket to Koh Lipe at Hatyai Travel Agents
To go to Lipe, we need to take a van to the jetty in Pakbara which is about 1.5 hours away. At the travel agent, tell them you're going to Koh Lipe so they will arrange the van and speedboat ticket. Some travel agents give special package rate for the van trip + speedboat, as compared if you buy the trip separately.
Cost 500-600baht/pax (one way)
Cost 500-600baht/pax (one way)
(3)
Take the Van to Pakbara
Take the Van to Pakbara
Get ready to endure one of the longest van ride of your life. It can be a pain in the ass.
This journey can take between 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on traffic and whether the van driver needs to pick up more travellers before hitting the road.
This journey can take between 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on traffic and whether the van driver needs to pick up more travellers before hitting the road.
(4)
Take the Speedboat to Koh Lipe
Take the Speedboat to Koh Lipe
Once you reach Pakbarra jetty, it can be disorienting to find where to board the right speedboat. You will be given a queue number in exchange for the ticket that you bought in Hatyai and the boat operators would be calling you once the boat is ready.
Just take a deep breath and enjoy the chaos.
Speedboat journey takes about another 1.5 hour and the boat may stop by at Koh Tarutao on the way to Koh Lipe.
Speedboat journey takes about another 1.5 hour and the boat may stop by at Koh Tarutao on the way to Koh Lipe.
Trust me, after all the challenges you face, it's worth it.
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| Me in Koh Lipe |
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| View from Serendipity Restaurant |
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| Lunch at Serendipity |
