Koh Lipe is an
island paradise in the South Andaman Sea, famous for its white sandy beaches
and turquoise blue waters. It’s also known as Thailand's version of
Maldives. So, let’s check out things to do there as well as suggested
itinerary, costing and some tips. Shan’t’ we?
DAY 1
1. Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Hatyai (60 MYR one way)
It would be a very long journey and my experience, I hopped
in the bus in the early morning at 08:30 then arrived in Hatyai in the evening
(almost dusk). So you’re suggested to take a night bus and arrive in the next
morning or you will waste a day in Hatyai. But don’t worry, travel at your convenience.
After all it’s your travel, not others’. Anyway, if you’re taking Konsortium Bus, you will hop off in front of Lee Garden which is the downtown.
If you’re planning to visit Hatyai upon your
arrival, why not? You could just leave to Koh Lipe on the next day. But, if you’re
going straight to the island, just take songtaew to the bus station then find a
bus to Pak Bara. Other alternative, you could just find any alternatives at the
downtown which offer the best deal to Pak Bara or straight to Koh Lipe.
For your decision making in the future, I paid 350 THB for
sea transfer. So you could estimate the price if the deal you find includes sea transfer or not. |
| View of Hatyai City from Hatyai Municipality Park. |
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| Buddha Statue at Hatyai Municipality Park. |
2. Arrive at Pattaya Beach and check in.
Everyone gets to and out the island at Pattaya Beach. There’s
no proper jetty. Ferries/speed boats will stop at quite a distant form the
seashore then you gotta hop on a long tail boat. If the long tail fee isn’t
included in your ticket, it will cost you 20 THB. You will be bored of waiting at the immigration (...and don’t expect a proper immigration building LOL). So my tips, if you’re travelling in a group, tell the guy there that you guys are travelling in a group. During my last experience, they prioritized group travelers rather than solo traveler and I was travelling solo.
For hostel, I think you can make the best out of the choices you have but to give you some ideas, try googling for Davy Jones Locker. If you fancy something like beachy with village kind of vibe like me, you can stay at FORRA Bamboo Bungalow. It was worth it for me and I paid 600 THB/night. But don’t go there if you fancy something luxurious, then you may go straight to Bundhaya Villas or Akira Resort.
3. Out for dinner at Walking Street and look for
water activity deals for tomorrow.
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| Pak Bara pier. |
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| FORRA Bamboo Bungalow. |
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| Exterior design of FORRA Bamboo Bungalow. |
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| Inside the bamboo bungalow. |
DAY 2
1. Snorkelling
I found a quite cheap price for snorkeling which was for 550
THB. Try to look as cheap as possible with many snorkeling points and some they
would provide lunch. Be wise at decision making.
2. Diving
Since I stayed at FORRA and it’s also a diving academy, so
they have the package for diving which includes lunch. Even you don’t have the
license, you still can do it but with limitation obviously (I think the depth
of the water that you can dive in – that’s the limit). Did I mention, you will
get 20% off on the second night bamboo bungalow rental if you book diving
course with them? (Promotion subject to
change)
3. Island hopping
Tarutao National Park consists of many islands surrounding. Koh
Adang, Koh Rawi and so on. If you don’t find any great deal, just rent out a
long tail boat for 1200 THB (try to bargain) and just split the amount between
your travel mates.
4. Watch sunset at Lipe’s beaches.
Koh Lipe has three beaches which are Pattaya, Sunrise and
Sunset.
5. Jungle trekking
Koh Adang, opposite island to Koh Lipe, has a waterfall
track and view point. You could see the entire view of Tarutao National Park.
6. Out to Walking Street for souvenirs shopping or
food hunting. (If you fancy Sea Gypsies, you should pay it a visit as well)
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| Tarutao National Park - Google Image. |
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| Sunrise Beach - Google Image. |
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| Tarutao Island - Google Image. |
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| Viewpoint at Koh Adang - Google Image. |
1. Witness sunrise, swimming and sunbathing.
2. Check out and take a boat back to Pak Bara.
3. Arrive in Pak Bara, then take another ride to
Hatyai.
Pak Bara has a lot of tourist shop. Find the best price and
ask them to drop you off at Hatyai train station (if you’re taking the train
back to Malaysia). If you’re going to the airport just try to ask them.
4. Hatyai to Padang Besar by train – 57 THB
5. Padang Besar to Kuala Lumpur – 54 MYR (lower
berth)
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| Beach near Sea Gypsies. |
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| Bamboo Bar in front of my bamboo bungalow. |
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| Breakfast at Walking Street. |
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| Pattaya Beach. |
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| Sunbathing. |
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| Sunrise Beach. |
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| Crystal-clear water at Sunrise Beach. |
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| You will find a lot of bars with good food and music. |
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| Dinner at Walking Street. |
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| Salad for dinner. |
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| Walking Street - where you can find good food, best deals and souvenirs. |
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| Me, at Pattaya Beach. |
EXPENSES SO FAR = 365 MYR
(Bus from Kuala Lumpur to Hatyai, return sea transfer,
bamboo bungalow for two night, snorkeling, train from Hatyai to Padang Besar, train
Padang Besar to Kuala Lumpur)
This is just an improved version of my own itinerary. It’s
based on my experience and it’s meant to give you some ideas. Anyway, when
mention bus here in Thailand (the one that I took), don’t expect it’s going to
look like bus that the image appears on our mind when we hear that word. Just
expect a minivan, then you won’t get brokenhearted LOL.
And as far as I’m concerned, KTM Berhad has stopped serving
sleeper train. They only have ETS now which will cost you higher than sleeper
train. So, plan ahead your journey at the most cost-efficient.
Happy travelling!
"BE CURIOUS & EXPLORE THE WORLD"
*All photos courtesy of @Edmund.ani unless stated otherwise.