What to Do in Koh Lipe: 10 Must-Do Activities on Thailand’s Hidden Paradise
Planning a trip to Koh Lipe, Thailand? You’re in for something truly special.
I spent a week on this stunning little island during my 8-month round-the-world journey, and honestly — Koh Lipe turned out to be one of the absolute highlights of the entire trip. That’s saying a lot!
If you’re planning a long-term adventure, check out my post: 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Backpacking Around the World — it’s full of practical tips I wish someone told me before I left 🌏
Despite its small size, Koh Lipe is packed with unforgettable experiences — from snorkeling in crystal-clear waters to relaxing on powdery white sand beaches. It’s often called the Maldives of Thailand, and it definitely lives up to the name.
To help you make the most of your visit, here’s a list of the 10 best things to do in Koh Lipe — so you won’t miss a thing while exploring this tropical paradise. 👇🏼
👙 Relax on the island’s best beaches
If you’re heading to Koh Lipe to unwind, you’re in luck — this small island is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, each offering its own unique vibe. Whether you’re looking to sunbathe, swim in turquoise waters, take photos, or watch the sunset, there’s a beach for every mood.
Here’s a quick guide to the best beaches in Koh Lipe, depending on the time of day and what you’re looking for:
- ☀️ Best Beach to Relax During the Day: Sunrise Beach — This is where I spent most of my days in Koh Lipe, and it was pure paradise. Think soft white sand, turquoise water, and the iconic longtail boats creating the perfect tropical scene. There are also plenty of shady spots under the trees, which makes it ideal for spending a full day here without overheating.
- 📸 Most Instagrammable Beach: North Point Beach — Even though Sunrise Beach is amazing, North Point Beach might take the crown for being the most photogenic spot on the island. The water here is insanely clear and vibrant — easily the most turquoise I’ve ever seen in my life. From this beach, you’ll get a stunning view of the nearby island Koh Adang, making it the perfect backdrop for your Thailand photo album.
- 🌅 Best Beach for Sunset: Pattaya Beach —You might think Sunset Beach is the obvious choice, but in my opinion, Pattaya Beach offers an even better sunset experience. It’s the most central and lively beach on Koh Lipe, where all the speedboats and ferries arrive — yet it still manages to feel peaceful by late afternoon. Find a spot along the sand, grab a coconut or a cocktail, and watch the sky turn orange and pink over the water. It’s pure magic.
- 🏝️ Hidden Gem: Maricilla Beach (a secret beach corner) — This was my absolute favorite beach on Koh Lipe, and I was honestly gutted that I only discovered it near the end of my trip. Maricilla Beach is a secluded corner of paradise with barely any people, and even a few hammocks overlooking the tiny island of Ko Usen. If you’re looking for a quiet escape from the busier beaches, don’t miss this hidden gem. It feels like your own private slice of Thailand.
A special corner on Koh Lipe: Maricilla Beach
🐠 Go Snorkeling in Koh Lipe – Some of the Best Snorkeling in Thailand!
Did you know that Koh Lipe is home to some of the best snorkeling in Thailand? This tiny island may be famous for its beaches, but the real magic happens just offshore.
The waters surrounding Koh Lipe are crystal clear, filled with vibrant marine life, colorful coral reefs and calm conditions that are perfect for both beginners and experienced snorkelers.
Whether you’re swimming right off the beach or exploring nearby islands, the underwater world in Koh Lipe is absolutely unforgettable.
🛥️ Top Snorkeling Tours in Koh Lipe
If you want to make the most of your time in the water, I highly recommend booking a guided snorkeling tour. These tours take you to the best snorkeling spots around the island — including places you can’t reach on your own.
You’ll usually visit nearby islands like Koh Adang, Koh Rawi, or Jabang, which are all part of the Tarutao National Marine Park and known for incredible underwater visibility and biodiversity.
👇🏼 Check out these top-rated snorkeling tours for an unforgettable day at sea:
Snorkeling trip by longtail boat 🐟
Snorkeling tour with lunch included 🍴
Fishing and snorkeling tour with lunch 🎣
Snorkeling tour with Go Pro camera included 📷 (8% discount with my FLIPFLOPS Promo Code)
🤿 Go Scuba Diving in Koh Lipe – Even If You’re a Beginner!
Beyond snorkeling, Koh Lipe is also one of the best places in Thailand for scuba diving. The island sits within the Tarutao National Marine Park, a protected area known for its rich marine biodiversity and pristine dive conditions.
There are dozens of dive sites around Koh Lipe, with incredible coral reefs, vibrant sea life and underwater rock formations. The great visibility makes it ideal for both certified divers and first-time explorers.
💬 Want to Try Diving for the First Time?
If you’ve never been diving before and don’t have a license, don’t worry — you can still experience it! A Discovery Dive (also known as an introductory dive) is a great way to tick scuba diving off your bucket list without needing prior experience or certification.
👇🏼 Book this Discovery Dive in Koh Lipe and save 8% with my exclusive promo code: FLIPFLOPS 💰
🧘🏻♀️ Take a Yoga Class with a Stunning Sea View in Koh Lipe
If you want to take relaxation to the next level in Koh Lipe, there’s no better way than joining a yoga class overlooking the crystal-clear sea. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced yogi, practicing yoga with the sound of the waves and ocean breeze is an unforgettable experience.
For the perfect start to your day, try a class at 8 AM — or unwind and stretch after a full day of island adventures with a 5 PM session. Either way, it’s the ideal way to reconnect with your body and mind while surrounded by the natural beauty of Koh Lipe.
💆🏼♂️ Enjoy a Traditional Thai Massage by the Beach in Koh Lipe
If you’re after the ultimate relaxation experience in Thailand, a traditional Thai massage is an absolute must. These massages are world-famous for their unique techniques and incredible benefits—and best of all, they’re very affordable compared to prices back home.
On Koh Lipe, you’ll find plenty of massage parlors just by strolling along the Main Street. But if you want to take it up a notch, try getting a massage right on the beach at Sunrise Beach. Imagine the soothing sounds of the waves paired with expert hands working out your tension—pure bliss!
✨ Volunteer to Keep Koh Lipe Clean and Protect Its Natural Beauty
If you care about the environment and want to help preserve the pristine beauty of Thailand, there’s no better place to pitch in than this tiny island in the Andaman Sea.
Koh Lipe stays impressively clean thanks to the dedicated efforts of local people and businesses who regularly collect trash washed ashore by the tides. Their hard work is the reason why this paradise remains so beautiful for visitors and wildlife alike.
You can join this important mission by volunteering with Trash Hero Koh Lipe, a community group that organizes regular beach cleanups. Giving just a small amount of your vacation time to help keep Koh Lipe spotless is a meaningful way to make a positive impact — for the island and for all of us.
😋 Try the Delicious Local Cuisine on Koh Lipe
Thai food is world-famous, and the local cuisine on Koh Lipe is no exception! Even though the island is small, there’s no shortage of tasty food options to satisfy every palate — from fresh vegetarian dishes to adventurous eats like fried insects for the brave. 👀
Thailand has food options for all levels of bravery
Most of the island’s restaurants are found along the Main Street, but one special spot you won’t want to miss is Madame Yoo Hoo. This charming, low-key eatery gets its nickname from the adorable elderly lady who always sits at the door, cheerfully calling out “yoo hoo” to invite passersby inside. The food here is both affordable and delicious — perfect for travelers on a budget looking for authentic Thai flavors.
EXTRA TIP: Must-Try Mango in Thailand 🥭
If you love mango, make sure to try some while you’re on Koh Lipe! Thai mangoes are considered some of the best in the world, and I can personally confirm that — I’ve never tasted sweeter, juicier mangoes anywhere else.
🏝️ Take a Day Trip to Koh Adang – The Wild Island Next Door
If you’re looking for a little adventure beyond Koh Lipe, a day tour to Koh Adang is the perfect escape. You can actually see this larger island from North Point Beach, and while it’s just a short boat ride away, it feels like a whole different world.
Koh Adang is much bigger and far less developed than Koh Lipe — making it ideal for nature lovers and anyone craving a more off-the-beaten-path experience. It’s part of the Tarutao National Marine Park, and its wild beauty is truly worth exploring.
🌿 Top Things to Do on Koh Adang:
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Hike to panoramic viewpoints overlooking Koh Lipe
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Swim at waterfalls and natural freshwater pools
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Picnic on quiet beaches with no crowds
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Enjoy total peace and solitude in untouched nature
REMINDER: There are very few facilities on the island (no restaurants or shops), so be sure to bring enough water, snacks, and sunscreen.
🛶 How to Get There:
The easiest way to reach Koh Adang is by hiring a local longtail boat. Just walk along Sunrise Beach or Pattaya Beach and negotiate a round-trip fare with a boat driver. Be sure to agree on a pickup time for your return to Koh Lipe.
🚤 It’s a quick ride — about 10–15 minutes — and well worth it for a mini-adventure!
It’s easy to arrange a day trip to Koh Adang by negotiating with local fishermen who can take you there on their boats
🔥 Watch a Fireshow on the Beach – A Magical Night in Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe may be a small and peaceful island, but when night falls, it transforms into a place with just the right amount of island nightlife — relaxed, fun and perfect for all tastes.
If you’re like me and not into bars or drinking, you’ll be glad to know there are still plenty of ways to enjoy your evenings in Koh Lipe besides partying. My favorite? Watching the beach fireshows at Pattaya Beach.
These mesmerizing shows take place every evening in front of beach bars and are free for everyone to enjoy. You can grab a drink or dinner at one of the nearby venues, or simply sit on the sand and enjoy the performance under the stars.
What these fire dancers can do is genuinely impressive — spinning, throwing and even breathing fire with a mix of rhythm and grace. The whole atmosphere feels exotic, energetic and totally unforgettable.
🍹 Experience Koh Lipe’s Nightlife at the Beach
If you’re in the mood for a few drinks and want to experience the nightlife scene on Koh Lipe, you won’t be disappointed. While the island is known for its laid-back atmosphere, it still offers some great spots to enjoy music, cocktails, and good company — all right on the sand.
🌙 Top Pick: Zodiac Bar at North Point Beach
One of the best places to enjoy beach nightlife in Koh Lipe is Zodiac Bar — the island’s most famous and trendy hangout. Located right by North Point Beach, it offers one of the most scenic settings you’ll find on the island.
Here, you can sit barefoot in the sand, sip a cold drink, and watch the moonlight shimmer on the water. It’s the perfect place to relax with your travel buddies or meet other travelers who, like you, stumbled across this little slice of Thai paradise.
🎶 Expect chill beats, cozy seating, good vibes and some of the best sunset-to-night views on the island.
🧭 Planning More Adventures? Check Out These Posts Next:
If you’re planning a trip to Koh Lipe or exploring more of Thailand and Southeast Asia, you might also enjoy some of my other travel guides:
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💎 Better Than the Maldives? Discover This Hidden Gem in Thailand
-
🧭 The Ultimate Koh Lipe Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
-
🌍 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Backpacking Around the World – Honest tips for long-term travel
Feel free to bookmark these for later or open them in a new tab now — they’re packed with tips to help you make the most of your trip!
And if you’re planning a bigger Thailand itinerary, make sure to check out my Free Thailand Travel Guides too 👇🏼
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