Koh Lipe sits inside Tarutao National Marine Park in Satun province — at the far southern tip of the Andaman Sea, 50 kilometres from the Malaysian border. The marine park status has protected the reefs here from the level of boat anchor damage that has affected more-visited dive destinations further north. Stonehenge, the island’s signature dive site, is a genuine standout; the four-island snorkel circuits are among the best accessible snorkelling in Thailand; and the isolation that makes logistics here demanding is also the reason the underwater world remains in the condition it does.
We have listed the top Koh Lipe tours below by activity type. Prices are approximate in THB as of 2026; check at booking as the island’s limited operator capacity means peak-season tours can sell out days in advance.
Quick Comparison: Top Koh Lipe Tours at a Glance
| Tour | Duration | Approx. Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Island Snorkel Day Tour | Full day | From THB 800 | Snorkellers, families |
| Stonehenge Dive Trip | Full day | From THB 3,000 (2 dives) | Certified divers |
| Koh Rawi Wall Dive | Full day | From THB 3,500 (2 dives) | Advanced divers |
| Eight Mile Rock (Hammerhead Site) | Full day | From THB 4,000 (2 dives) | Advanced divers |
| PADI Open Water Course | 4 days | From THB 12,000 | First-time divers |
| Tarutao Island Day Trip | Full day | From THB 1,200 | History, wildlife |
| Sunrise Kayak Tour (Koh Adang) | Half day | From THB 500 | Early risers, couples |
For Snorkellers
Four-Island Snorkel Day Tour
The standard Koh Lipe snorkel tour covers four or five of the uninhabited islands within Tarutao National Marine Park: Koh Adang (the large forested island directly north with good shore snorkelling), Koh Rawi (the westernmost large island, with more remote reefs), Koh Hin Ngam (notable for smooth rounded stones — it is technically forbidden to remove them), and typically Stonehenge’s shallower sections accessible to snorkellers. Tours depart from Pattaya Beach by speedboat, usually mid-morning.
Duration: Full day (approximately 07:30–16:00) | Price: from approximately THB 800–1,400 | Includes: speedboat, snorkelling equipment, guide, national park entry; lunch may be extra — confirm at booking | Note: national park entry fee approximately THB 200 per person is payable at the pier and valid for the day
The reefs around Koh Rawi in particular have significantly better coral coverage than Koh Adang’s south coast, where snorkel tours concentrate. Ask your operator specifically which snorkel sites are included — better operators rotate between sites to minimise reef impact.
Koh Adang Snorkel and Hike
Koh Adang is 10 minutes by water taxi from Koh Lipe’s Walking Street pier (approximately THB 50–100 each way). A ranger station at the main landing point marks the start of two trails: one leading to a freshwater waterfall (30 minutes into the forest), another climbing to a viewpoint over the Adang-Rawi archipelago (approximately 1.5 hours). The snorkelling directly off Adang’s south coast — accessible without a guide — has healthy coral gardens in 1–4 metres of water, including parrotfish, pufferfish, and reef sharks in the early morning.
Duration: Half day or full day (self-guided) | Price: Water taxi THB 50–100 + national park entry | Best time: Arrive at 07:00 by first water taxi — reef sharks are most commonly seen in early morning before boat traffic picks up | What to bring: snorkel and fins (hire on Koh Lipe approximately THB 100), water, reef-safe sunscreen, trail shoes for the hike
For Certified Divers
Stonehenge Dive Trip
Stonehenge is Koh Lipe’s most celebrated site: a submerged labyrinth of limestone formations between Koh Lipe and Koh Adang, colonised by hard and soft coral with fish in high density. Depths run 5–18 metres across the structure, making it accessible to Open Water divers while offering interesting topography for more experienced divers. The best marine life is in the passages between the limestone pillars — large grouper, hawksbill turtles, and occasional zebra sharks are regularly documented.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately THB 3,000 for 2 dives | Includes: speedboat, guide, tanks, weights; equipment hire approximately THB 300 extra | Best time: November to May for optimal visibility | Minimum certification: Open Water | Note: Stonehenge is a relatively protected site — no touching the formations, no fish feeding, no anchoring inside the site by responsible operators
Koh Rawi Wall Dive
A 45-minute speedboat ride from Koh Lipe, Koh Rawi Wall is a deep vertical wall on the west side of Koh Rawi island, dropping from 5 metres at the top to 30+ metres at the base. Sea fans, barrel sponges, and nudibranchs cover the wall; leopard sharks (Zebra sharks) rest on the sandy bottom alongside the wall in the 20–28 metre range. The site requires Advanced Open Water certification due to depth; current can be moderate to strong.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately THB 3,500 for 2 dives | Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water | Note: the crossing to Koh Rawi involves open-water conditions; anti-seasickness medication recommended if prone
Eight Mile Rock — Hammerhead and Pelagic Dive
Eight Mile Rock is the most remote and advanced site accessible from Koh Lipe — an open-water seamount with strong current and significant pelagic life. Schooling barracuda and tuna are reliable; hammerhead sharks are documented on seasonal passes in March–April, as are whale sharks. This is a challenging dive requiring Advanced certification and comfort with current; most operators will assess diver experience before accepting bookings.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately THB 4,000 for 2 dives | Minimum certification: Advanced Open Water; significant current experience preferred | Best months: March–April for hammerhead and whale shark probability; November–January for consistently good visibility
PADI Open Water Course
Koh Lipe has a smaller dive school scene than Koh Tao — fewer schools, smaller groups, and a more personalised experience. PADI Open Water courses take approximately 4 days and cost more than Koh Tao equivalents (from approximately THB 12,000 as of 2026) due to the island’s remote supply logistics. The trade-off is that all qualifying dives take place on genuinely pristine reefs — Stonehenge and the Koh Adang area — rather than the busier training reefs of more established dive hubs.
Duration: 4 days | Price: from approximately THB 12,000 | Includes: PADI e-learning materials, confined water training, 4 open-water dives in the national park, certification card
Tarutao Island Day Trip
Tarutao island (Ko Tarutao) is the largest island in the marine park — 152 square kilometres of rainforest, limestone caves, and mangrove lagoons. Between 1939 and 1948 it served as a Thai political prison camp; the ruins of the prison compound and the warders’ quarters at Ao Talo Wao are still visible and make for an unexpectedly atmospheric historical visit. Wildlife in the interior includes hornbills, macaques, and reptiles.
Day trips from Koh Lipe cover the 45-minute speedboat crossing to Tarutao, the prison ruins, the mangrove boardwalk at Ao Jak lagoon, and beach time at the island’s largely empty beaches.
Duration: Full day | Price: from approximately THB 1,200 | Includes: speedboat, national park entry, guide | Note: facilities on Tarutao are minimal — bring your own food and water beyond the basic ranger station canteen
Sunrise Kayak Tour (Koh Adang)
Several operators on Walking Street rent sea kayaks (approximately THB 200–300/hour) or run guided sunrise paddles departing at 06:00 that circumnavigate the bay between Koh Lipe and Koh Adang in calm early-morning water. The light over Koh Adang’s forested profile at sunrise is exceptional; the water is glassy before the afternoon wind picks up. The guided version includes a snorkel stop off Koh Adang’s south coast.
Duration: Half day (approximately 3 hours) | Price: from approximately THB 500 guided; THB 200/hour self-rental | Best for: early risers, couples, travellers who want a quiet experience before the day-trip boats arrive
Practical Information
Closed season: Koh Lipe closes almost completely from approximately May to late October. Boat services from Pak Bara stop and most dive schools, restaurants, and accommodation shut during the southwest monsoon. Exact open and close dates shift each year — verify with Pak Bara pier operators before booking travel in April or November.
Best diving months: November to April for optimal visibility. December to February is peak for conditions and prices. April is excellent for diving with fewer crowds and some price drops.
Cash: Bring sufficient baht from the mainland. The island’s ATMs charge approximately THB 200–250 per withdrawal and run dry in peak season. The nearest reliable ATM is in Hat Yai (3+ hours away).
Advance booking: Dive school capacity is genuinely limited on Koh Lipe — a single school may have 20–30 students maximum in high season. Book any course or liveaboard in advance, particularly for December–February travel.
Browse all Koh Lipe tours and diving packages
See also: Koh Lipe travel guide · Krabi travel guide · One week in southern Thailand · Best tours in Thailand