Looking for a perfect place for your next family getaway? It doesn’t get much better than a tropical resort of Koh Lipe, a small island located only 60km from the mainland of Thailand. Approachable by boats and ferries and regular transport organized from Phi Phi, Langkawi, Lang and Ko Lanta, this island is a heaven on earth, a jewel of the ocean, with crystal clear beaches and anything that your family could possibly want in just a short walk away. If you are looking for a kid-friendly place, where you can get relaxed and enjoy your stay also, this is a definitive choice.
Koh Lipe Sunrise Beach – Photo credit: https://flic.kr/p/kEhfMr
Never more lively, and still with many options for privacy and hiding spots, once you reach Koh Lipe your definition of family vacation will never be the same.
Koh Lipe Transportation
Believe it or not, cars are redundant in the island of Koh Lipe. You can literally walk around the whole island in a matter of a few hours, no matter what are you looking for, a hotel, a beach, anything you could possibly need is close, but far enough to give you the space you need. If you’ve just arrived, you can always get a “tuk-tuk,” a three wheel motorcycle taxi famous in whole Thailand, and have a tour of Koh Lipe before you get to your hotel.
Tuk Tuk Thailand
The kids will love it! If there is any need to leave the island, which won’t be the case since people tend to stay as long as they can once they get here, or if you want to visit the nearby islands, boats are accessible and an affordable way of transportation as well and they are always there at your service.
Koh Lipe Accommodation
The hosts in Koh Lipe really value your stay, and are doing anything they can to make your vacation as pleasant as it could be. An enjoyable accommodation is their main concern, and they will make you feel like you are right at home. Almost all guests that visit Koh Lipe are returning on their next vacation. As far as rooms go, if you have any adventurous spirit you can find a bungalow on the beach! But it does come with an air condition system and full service so the adventure is a comfortable and a soothing one also. Of course, you can stay in one of the modern hotels, but be aware that from December to February it is the very peak of the season in Thailand, so make sure that you book your time as soon as you can. There are 15 hotels available, but you can find more than 60 B&B, Inns and lodgings.
Blue Tribes Garden Beach Resort 
$30
– Providing pet-friendly amenities, this resort is situated in Satun and offers a private beach. It is an excellent base for those wanting to immerse themselves in nature, with Tarutao National Marine Park just moments away.
Green View Beach Resort $23
– Situated in Satun, Green View Beach Resort offers 2-star accommodation and free Wi-Fi, a private beach and a beauty centre. Just a stone’s throw from the beach, it is ideally located for those looking for a sea-side escape.
Anda Resort $74
With an outdoor pool, a private beach and a Jacuzzi, Anda Resort provides a comfortable setting while in Satun. Only moments from the shore, it is perfectly situated for those in search of a beach-side retreat.
Koh Lipe Beaches
There are three main beaches in Koh Lipe: the Sunrise beach, the Sunset Beach, of course, both named after their famous view, and the Pattaya beach.
Pataya beach – Koh Lipe – Photo credit: https://flic.kr/p/dBpea8
The Sunrise beach, or Hat Chao Ley as the locals calls it, is maybe not as touristy as the Pattaya beach, but it is a perfect resort if you are looking for some quiet time and relaxation with your family. And if you are into snorkeling, this is where you want to be, but we will get to that later.
Sunset beach, Koh Lipe – Photo credit: https://flic.kr/p/2bFucL
The Sunset beach on the other hand is perfect for romantic getaways and all who have witnessed a sunset on this beach agree that you won’t find a better view in Thailand. It is only a short walk away from the main street of Koh Lipe, the Walking Street, and you can find a few restaurants and lodgings here as well. The Pattaya beach is the most visited one, and a large number of accommodations, bars, shops and restaurants can be found right here. So if you are a sociable person, and you like to be in the crowd, you should definitely find a room here. One more interesting thing, people who have visited the Pattaya beach all agree that the sand on the beach is like silver dust, and as your feet sink into the sand you will have an entirely wonderful experience that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
Koh Lipe Beach – Photo credit: https://flic.kr/p/dSERSY
All of Koh Lipe is also famous for its crystal clear waters.
Koh Lipe Restaurants and Bars
If you are into spicy and exotic foods, pack your bags right away. Although Koh Lipe is a relatively small island, the variety of cuisine selection is astonishing. Of course, you can have traditional Thailand meals anywhere, but if you get the urge for some Italian, Mexican or Indian food you won’t be disappointed. The prices are very reasonable, the service is quite exquisite. You can get breakfast in one of the bakeries on the Walk Street, or even a coffee and a bagel under a palm tree on the Sunset beach.
Koh Lipe Beach Bar – Photo credit: https://flic.kr/p/dSzjLi
If you head down to the Sunrise beach, not far from it you can find the OMG Sportsbar & Restaurant, which will serve you even long after dinner time and in a great accommodation too. An excellent Thai food can be found in the Sunrise Restaurant, and in the La Luna you can meet a genuine Italian chef, and he will prepare you a meal worthy of Rome and Venice in the very heart of Koh Lipe. You can have an elegant and classy dining experience in the tropical garden of the Cove Bistro, and couples can try one of their famous cocktails or choose a wine from a very rich selection.
Sunset beach bar, Koh Lipe – Photo credit: https://flic.kr/p/78cdnC
When it comes to bars, you can take a tour from the Longtail bar to the Rainforest Gallery bar, and end up in the bar called Mellow Mango, just near the Pattaya beach.
Koh Lipe Activities
You can bring your family along on an adventure and take a boat trip to one of the uninhabited nearby islands, where you can even get an opportunity to have a beach only for yourself and possibly have a picnic there. And as we already mentioned, this island is quite famous because of its crystal clear waters, and if you are looking for an authentic Koh Lipe sea diving resort you will get a chance to be amazed by the wonderful sea life like nowhere else in Thailand.
Koh Lipe Diving – Photo credit: https://flic.kr/p/5Zdfmj
If you forgot to bring your own snorkel, don’t worry, you can get it here! If you need diving lessons those are available also, and they are conducted by certified professionals, and with Adang Sea Divers program you can get certified as well! It’s a really exciting time and a high quality entertainment for the kids, but you yourself will love it too. More than 25% of the world’s most exotic species of fish can be found right here! The channels between islands provide a rich habitat for whale sharks, turtles, soft corrals and thousands more species, all there for you to discover them.
Koh Lipe Family Vacation – Photo credit: https://flic.kr/p/mFGxYZ
Anything your family could possibly need, you can find it in Koh Lipe. Don’t let its secluded nature deceive you, you can find any service you might need right here. From internet and ATM-s to, god forbid, hospital and pharmacist if you’ve forgotten your suntan lotion. The wonders await you, and Koh Lipe knows that you will be coming back.
