Things to Do on Koh Lipe: Beaches, Diving, and Koh Adang Day Trips

Snorkelling and Diving

The marine environment around Koh Lipe is the island’s primary attraction. Sitting inside Tarutao National Marine Park — one of Thailand’s least-visited marine protected areas — the reefs have remained in considerably better health than the heavily trafficked sites around Koh Tao and Koh Phi Phi.

Stonehenge is the signature site: an underwater labyrinth of submerged limestone formations covered in hard and soft coral at depths of 5–18 metres, located between Koh Lipe and Koh Adang. It’s accessible to Open Water divers and confident snorkellers on guided tours. Fish density is high — reef sharks, turtles, and large schools of parrotfish are regularly seen.

Koh Rawi Wall is a deeper advanced site, 45 minutes west by speedboat: a sheer wall dropping from 5 to 30+ metres with sea fans and leopard sharks resting on the sandy bottom. Advanced Open Water certification required.

Eight Mile Rock, in open water to the south, is the most exposed site — variable current but seasonally excellent for schooling barracuda, tuna, and occasional hammerhead or whale shark sightings (typically March to April).

For snorkelling from shore, the rocky points at either end of Karma Beach (north coast) offer the best accessible underwater terrain without a boat. The reef at Sunset Beach’s northern end is also good.

Half-day snorkel tours from Pattaya Beach operators: approximately ฿800–1,200. Day dives with equipment: ฿3,000–4,500 for two dives. PADI Open Water courses from approximately ฿12,000 as of 2026. Book a Koh Lipe snorkel or diving tour — capacity is limited in peak weeks and popular tours sell out early.

Koh Adang Day Trip

Koh Adang is 10 minutes north by water taxi (฿50–100). The island is mountainous, forested, and almost entirely undeveloped — park rangers maintain a small station and camping ground (national park entry ฿200 per foreign visitor; bring the receipt, rangers check). There are no shops, no resorts, no roads.

Pirate Waterfall — A 30-minute walk from the ranger station along a signed forest trail. A two-tiered cascade into a clear pool, swimmable after the rains. Best visited October to February when flow is strongest.

Chado Cliff viewpoint — 1.5 hours from the ranger station, steeper terrain. The view from the cliff edge takes in the entire Adang-Rawi archipelago: Koh Lipe directly south, the uninhabited islands of Koh Rawi, Koh Dong, and Koh Hin Sorn stretching west. Bring at least 1.5 litres of water per person — the forest is dense and hot.

Snorkelling off Adang’s south coast — The reef directly below the ranger station is one of the most accessible healthy reef environments in the region. Parrotfish, pufferfish, and blacktip reef sharks in shallow water with no boat required. Rent mask and fins from Koh Lipe operators before crossing.

Exploring Koh Lipe Itself

Koh Lipe is small — about 4 square kilometres — and the main settlements are walkable. The island has no roads and no vehicles.

Walking Street runs roughly parallel to Pattaya Beach and is the commercial and social hub: restaurants, dive shops, tour operators, massage places, clothing stalls. Best explored in the evening when stalls are set up and the atmosphere is liveliest.

Sunrise Beach (Hat Chao Ley) — The longest beach on the island (approximately 800 metres) on the east coast. The Chao Ley fishing community have lived here for generations. The beach is quieter in the mornings before day boats arrive.

Sunset Beach — West-facing, smaller, and the quietest of the main beaches. Reach it via a 20-minute path through the island centre or by water taxi (฿50–100). The northern reef is excellent for snorkelling from shore; sunsets here are the best on the island.

Karma Beach (Hat Pramong) — North coast, accessible by water taxi (฿50) or hillside path. No direct resort frontage. Rocky points at each end have the best shore snorkelling. Reliable quieter alternative to the main beaches.

Boat Tours and Island Hopping

Beyond Koh Adang, multi-island day tours typically cover Koh Rawi (wall diving, clear water), Koh Dong (uninhabited, good reef), and Koh Hin Ngam (a beach covered in smooth black pebbles, unusual for the region). Full-day tours depart Pattaya Beach at around 8am: approximately ฿1,200–1,600 per person including snorkel equipment and lunch.

The national marine park entry fee (฿200 for foreign visitors, as of 2026) applies to any island hopping within the park — confirm whether this is included in your tour price before booking.

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