How to get to Koh Lipe
HOW TO GET TO KOH LIPE
How to get to Koh Lipe island in the Andaman Sea on the edge of the Tarutao National Marine Park.
Getting to the Island
Koh Lipe is a small island 60 km offshore in the Andaman Sea, on the far edge of the Tarutao National Marine Park, Thailand’s second oldest marine park. The location of the Castaway Resort is on the east side of the island towards the Southern end of Sunrise Beach.
Getting There from Pak Bara
Pak Bara (sometimes Pakbara) is the main pier connecting the mainland to Koh Lipe with speedboats taking passengers to the island every day at 09:30, 11:30, and 14:30. Also from November to May, there is usually a 16:00 boat but we do not advise using this boat, as it might not always run. Schedules may change without notice, please confirm with us if you are unsure before you travel.
We advise that you always choose the ferry if it is available to travel to Koh Lipe if running it leaves at 11:30.
Getting to the island from Bangkok
The easiest way is to fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai, then take a taxi from the airport to Pak Bara pier (sometimes Pakbara), and then catch a boat to Koh Lipe as described above. There are many airlines that fly from Bangkok to Hat Yai: Air Asia, Thai Airways, Lion Air, and Nok Air. During the summer (June-September) it is best to catch one of the first flights leaving Bangkok consequently landing at Hat Yai before 9:30 so that you are on the pier on time to catch a speedboat to the island.
Transfer Options
- Shared Minivan is often delayed by traffic or by picking other guests up, morning flights only, but usually takes about 2.5 hours.
- Private Taxi 90 minutes (1.5 hours).
- Private Minivan 90 minutes (1.5 hours).
- Speedboat 90 minutes (1.5 hours), afternoon boat transfers is subject to a surcharge.
Getting There from Langkawi – High Season
Travelling from Langkawi to Koh Lipe from Mid-October to May could not be easier: there are two ferry companies running between Langkawi and Koh Lipe. The first leaves at 09:30 (Malay time) and the last at 14:00 hours. We strongly advise pre-booking your boat tickets. Also at the beginning and the end of the season, boat companies tend to run only one boat a day in the morning. We recommend using Telaga Harbor for this trip, as it is located closer to the Langkawi International Airport.
Getting There from Langkawi – Low Season
There is no immigration on Koh Lipe during the low season, June to Mid-October, so travelling directly to Koh Lipe from Langkawi is impossible. But in this case, it is still possible to get to Koh Lipe: first, you will need to travel on the 09.30 am ferry from Kuah on Langkawi to Satun. Subsequently, on arrival in Satun, you will go through Immigration, which takes about 10-15 minutes. Once through Immigration, take a taxi to Pak Bara (Pakbara). This will take about 35-40 minutes. You will arrive at Pak Bara at about 11:00 am leaving you enough time to catch a speedboat to Koh Lipe.
All year round we recommend that guests arrive in Langkawi with the first flights in the morning
Getting There from locations in the North: Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, etc.
Travelling from the Northern islands to Koh Lipe from November to mid-April is quite simple, as there are daily boats from all Islands in the North to the island. Whereas from May to October, the only way to travel to us from the Northern locations is first to travel to Pak Bara pier overland with a taxi, minivan, or public bus. Importantly you will then need to be at Pak Bara before 14:30 hours – the last boat departure to Koh Lipe.
Flying from Phuket to Hat Yai
It is now possible to fly from Phuket to Hat Yai: please check the timetable.
Important Travel Notes
- We can arrange transfers to the island from most Mainland locations (Hat Yai, Satun, Krabi, Phuket), please email us @ info@castaway-resorts.com
- For your return trip please book your tickets with our staff at the resort 2-3 days before your departure date.
- Please note that the boat trips to Koh Lipe can be 1.5 hours to 2 hours long on the speedboat so your luggage and you can get wet if it rains on the way. Therefore packing your electronic equipment in plastic bags and a light rain jacket would be advisable.
There is no pier on Koh Lipe
All speedboats stop at a pontoon offshore or directly on the beach. From the pontoon, guests are transferred on one of the local long-tail taxi boats to the beach. It should be noted that the long-tail boat trip is 50 baht per person (that fee is not included in the speedboat ticket).
From the beach please take one of the motorbike taxis waiting near the drop-off point. Again this costs 50 Baht per person to Castaway on the Sunrise beach. As a result of the sheer number of speed boats arriving daily at different times and locations, we are unable to meet all guests. We hope you understand, but if you do see our boat or motorbike/staff, please feel free to take it to the resort.
Please note that there is a National park fee charged on your arrival – 200 baht per person