Koh Lanta or Koh Lipe: which place suits you?
Lanta and Lipe are in the Andaman Sea, and both are considered quiet. Lanta is larger and can be reached by minibus; Lipe is small, has no cars and can only be reached by boat.
Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe compared
| Koh Lanta | Koh Lipe | |
|---|---|---|
| Region | South, Andaman Sea | South, Andaman Sea |
| Character | Quiet island off Krabi | Small island in the far south |
| Best time to visit | December to March, with December to February the driest. | November to April is dry and the boats run regularly. |
| Getting there | Fly to Krabi, then a minibus with a car ferry to Koh Lanta in 2 to 3 hours | Speedboat from Pak Bara about 1.5 hours, combined ticket from Hat Yai 3.5 to 5.5 hours, ferry from Langkawi in high season. |
| Rain over the year | Koh Lanta station | Satun station, approx. 88 km away |
| Highlights |
|
|
- dry under 60 mm
- changeable 60 to 150 mm
- rainy season over 150 mm
Bars: rain per month from January to December. Weather figures: Thai Meteorological Department (TMD), climate averages 1981 to 2010, rounded. All monthly figures are on the weather page: Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe.
How to decide
Choose Koh Lanta if you …
- want long beach days and do not need a party strip in the evening: then Lanta is enough for you.
- want to get there without a boat trip: a minibus runs from Krabi airport in two and a half to three hours, and a seat costs 400 to 560 baht.
- want to do island tours: Mu Ko Lanta National Park and Ko Rok are on the doorstep, and a day trip to Ko Rok costs 1,595 baht plus a 400 baht park fee.
Choose Koh Lipe if you …
- want to manage entirely without cars: on Lipe you walk everywhere, and it is around three kilometres from one end to the other.
- are looking for clear water and fine sand: Lipe has both, although the island is crowded in high season.
- want to snorkel around the neighbouring islands: a snorkelling tour by longtail boat with three stops costs 600 to 700 baht.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Koh Lipe?
Usually via Pak Bara pier; the speedboat takes about one and a half hours and costs from about 550 baht. In high season boats run along the coast from Koh Lanta, taking about three hours. On arrival you pay a 200 baht park fee.
When are both islands at their best?
On Lipe, December to February suits best, but that is also when it is busiest. On Lanta, December to February are the driest, and high season runs from November to April. From May to October many places to stay and excursion spots on both islands take a break.
Can the two be combined?
Yes, in high season boats run along the coast between the two islands. Outside the season the only route is via Pak Bara.