Southern Thailand · Satun

Koh Lipe travel guide: Tarutao's coral islands near Malaysia

Koh Lipe is a small, flat island at the southern edge of the Andaman Sea, close to Malaysia, inside Tarutao National Park — Thailand's first marine national park, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports' directory. Its name comes from a Malay word for 'thin', and you can walk from beach to beach. Around it lie the mountainous islands of Adang and Rawi and dozens of reefs.

AsiaVela editorial teamUpdated 1 October 20263 min read

A white sand spit curving into turquoise water off Koh Lipe framed by trees — The coast of Koh Lipe.

Suggested time: 4–5 nights
Where to stay: Koh Lipe
Season and timing: November to April, when boats run regularly; check services in the south-west monsoon.

The short answer

Stay four or five nights in the dry season. Walk between Lipe's beaches, take a longtail snorkelling trip to Koh Adang, Koh Rawi and the smaller islands, and hike Adang's trails to its viewpoint and waterfalls. Boats run from Pak Bara in Satun and, in season, from Langkawi in Malaysia. Pay the national park fee and avoid single-use plastic.

Koh Lipe

The directory explains that the name Lipe comes from the Malay 'nipis', meaning thin or flat: the island is low and boomerang-shaped, with a walkway linking front and back, so you can walk around it comfortably.

Beaches on different sides catch sunrise and sunset.

Tarutao National Park

Tarutao, from a Malay word meaning 'many bays', is Thailand's first marine national park and an ASEAN Heritage Park, as the directory describes. Tarutao island itself was chosen in the late 1930s as the site of a penal settlement, the directory notes.

Follow park rules, pay the fee and never stand on coral.

Longtail boats moored in turquoise water along a beach on Koh Lipe seen from above — Longtail boats off Koh Lipe.

Longtail boats silhouetted against a pink sunrise off Koh Lipe — Sunrise on Koh Lipe.

Make time for the local food

What to eat and where to look

Seafood barbecue

Grilled fish and seafood displayed on ice in front of beach restaurants.

Where to look: Walking Street and the beaches.
Fit it into your day: Dinner.

Prices often by weight.

Southern and Malay dishes

Curries, roti and rice dishes reflecting Satun's Muslim heritage.

Where to look: Small restaurants in the island's village.
Fit it into your day: Lunch.

Many places are halal.

Fresh fruit and shakes

Tropical fruit and smoothies from island stalls.

Where to look: Walking Street.
Fit it into your day: A snack between swims.

Island prices are higher.

Koh Adang

Just north of Lipe, Koh Adang — from the Malay for 'shrimp' — is the park's second-largest island, about 6 by 5 kilometres and rising to 690 metres, according to the directory. There is no private accommodation, only the park's ranger station and campsite, two waterfalls and a white beach with coral offshore.

Most visitors cross for the day from Lipe.

A white sandbar off the forested coast of Koh Adang — Koh Adang, Tarutao National Park.

Satun Geopark

In 2018, UNESCO designated about half of Satun province as Thailand's first Global Geopark, TAT reported, recognising its fossils, pinnacle karst and sea caves.

On the mainland, sea-cave kayaking at Prasat Hin Panyod is one of the Geopark's best-known sites.

A long jetty leading to a limestone rock at Ao Ta Lo Woo on Ko Tarutao — Ao Ta Lo Woo pier, Ko Tarutao.

Getting there

Boats to Koh Lipe leave from Pak Bara pier in Satun; the directory notes that journey times depend on sea conditions. In season, boats also run from Langkawi in Malaysia, which requires immigration formalities.

The nearest Thai airports are Hat Yai and Trang.