Koh Lipe Beaches: Sunrise, Sunset, and Pattaya Beach Guide

Sunrise Beach (Hat Chao Ley)

The east-facing beach is the longest and most developed on the island — approximately 800 metres of fine white sand backed by casuarina trees and a line of low-rise resorts. The name comes from the morning light that hits it first, and the water is typically glassy and calm before the afternoon sea breeze picks up.

This is the home beach of the Chao Ley — the sea nomad people who have fished these waters for generations and whose community occupies the southern end of the beach. The northern end of Sunrise Beach has the best swimming depth and the most resort facilities.

Swimming: Good throughout the morning. The water is warm (27–30°C in peak season), clear, and shallow for the first 20–30 metres from the shoreline before dropping gradually. Relatively free of boat traffic compared to Pattaya Beach.

Snorkelling: Limited directly off the main beach. The sandy bottom lacks coral coverage. Walk to the rocky headland at the southern end of the beach (10 minutes) where the reef improves significantly — parrotfish, triggerfish, and reef sharks visible in 2–4 metres of water.

Best time: Sunrise to 10am — the light on the water is exceptional and boat traffic hasn’t built up. By noon it’s the most crowded beach on the island.

Pattaya Beach

The south-facing central beach, flanked by Walking Street on the landward side. This is where longtail boats land to offload passengers (Koh Lipe has no pier — boats anchor offshore and passengers wade in) and where the majority of the island’s restaurants and tour operators are concentrated.

Swimming: Possible but not ideal. The constant longtail boat traffic stirs up sand and creates a fuel smell near the main landing area. Move to the eastern end of Pattaya Beach (away from the boat landing) for cleaner water.

Snorkelling: Poor immediately offshore due to boat traffic. The rocky point at the far east end of the beach is a significant improvement — snorkellers regularly see turtles along this stretch.

Best time: Early morning before the day boats arrive, or late afternoon after they’ve gone. Not the beach for a full day’s swimming.

Sunset Beach

The west-facing beach is the quietest of the three main beaches. Reaching it requires either a 20-minute walk across the island on a signed path or a short water taxi ride from Pattaya Beach (฿50–100). The absence of a direct boat landing keeps it less crowded than either Sunrise or Pattaya.

The beach is smaller (approximately 400 metres) and lined with lower-density resort development than Sunrise Beach. The northern rocky point has good accessible snorkelling from shore — mask and fins, no boat required. Reef fish are visible in 1–3 metres of water.

Swimming: Excellent in calm conditions. The beach faces west and is sheltered from the morning wind; the water is clearest in mid-morning.

Snorkelling: The northern reef is the best shore-accessible snorkelling on the main island. Look for the rocky outcrops extending into the water from the northern end — there is good coral coverage and fish density increases around the boulders.

Best time: Afternoon and early evening. The sunsets over Koh Adang’s forested profile across the water are genuinely spectacular and are a reliable draw even for non-beach days.

Karma Beach (Hat Pramong)

A small bay on the north coast, accessible by water taxi from Pattaya Beach (฿50, 5 minutes) or by a hillside path (20 minutes on foot). No resorts face it directly. The beach is short — 200 metres — and backed by forest rather than development.

Snorkelling: The best accessible-from-shore snorkelling on Koh Lipe. The rocky points at both ends of the bay extend into deeper water with consistent coral coverage. Visibility is typically the best of any of the main beaches due to the lower boat traffic. A good half-day excursion for those who want serious snorkelling without booking a tour.

Swimming: Clear water and easy entry at the sandy centre of the bay. Rocks and coral at the edges.

Best time: Mornings. The north coast receives less afternoon wind than the west-facing Sunset Beach. Most visitors arrive mid-morning on water taxis — arrive by 8:30am for the quietest experience.

Koh Adang (Day Trip)

The beaches on Koh Adang’s south coast, a 10-minute water taxi ride north, are worth a dedicated mention. The ranger station beach is a wide strip of white sand with some of the healthiest reef in the region directly offshore. No resort development, no facilities beyond the ranger station, and a fraction of the visitor numbers of the main Koh Lipe beaches. National park entry fee of ฿200 (as of 2026) applies.

For a longer exploration, book a multi-island snorkel tour from Koh Lipe to reach the outer beaches at Koh Rawi and Koh Dong — the latter has a small beach in a sheltered bay that sees almost no day visitors.

See also: Koh Lipe island guide · Koh Lipe things to do · Koh Lipe snorkelling guide · Where to stay on Koh Lipe