It is a remote paradise and the southernmost island of Thailand:
It’s actually faster to reach Koh Lipe from Malaysia (90-minute ferry ride) than from Koh Lanta or Phuket.
Despite its remote location, it’s a busy island with an immigration office.
Ferries and speedboats operate several times a day during the high season.
You will find may travel options to reach Koh Lipe (you can get there from as far as Phuket), but be prepared for a long boat ride.
The fastest way to reach Koh Lipe from Bangkok is to fly to Hat Yai Airport, take a minivan to Pak Bara Pier, and then a speedboat to Koh Lipe. This journey takes about half a day.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta – located in the northern part of the Strait of Malacca, seems more accessible:
Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta is a hub for boats and ferries going to almost every island on the Andaman coast.
It’s also a popular base for variety of day trips.
Some places are also easily accessible by land, thanks to a Siri Bridge and car ferry.
From Bangkok, the most convenient way to reach Koh Lanta is to fly to Krabi Airport and take a direct minivan to your accommodation.
From Bangkok, the most convenient way to reach Koh Lanta is to fly to Krabi Airport and take a direct minivan to your accommodation.
Winner
Koh Lanta is the way to go if you want a stress-free journey. It is much easier to reach via Krabi Town and is conveniently connected to the mainland.
Choose Koh Lipe only if you don’t mind a long travel day in exchange for that ‘edge of the world’ feeling—or if you’re coming directly from Langkawi, Malaysia.
Beaches
Koh Lipe
On Koh Lipe, you will find some of the most beautiful beaches with white, soft sand and clear, turquoise water.
It’s actually faster to reach Koh Lipe from Malaysia (90-minute ferry ride) than from Koh Lanta or Phuket.
Due to its stunning scenery the island is often called “the Maldives of Thailand”.
Pattaya Beach is the most popular area, offering nightly fire shows, massage parlors, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Less crowded beaches are equally pristine and offer plenty of tourist amenities.
However, beaches on Koh Lipe can get crowded with boats and jellyfish, limiting swimming area to designated safe zones.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta’s west coast has a long 13-mile coastline with both popular and more secluded sandy beaches.
Even in the high season, you won’t see many crowds or boats at Koh Lanta’s beaches.
The most popular beaches like Khlong Khong Beach, Kantiang Beach and Khlong Nin Beach have many restaurants, beach bars, shops, and massage parlors.
However, the sand isn’t as soft as on Koh Lipe, and the water isn’t as perfectly blue.
Koh Lanta is also a destination where you can visit wild and rocky beaches, perfect for a short hike.
Winner
Koh Lipe wins by a mile for its ‘Maldives-style’ turquoise water and powdery white sand. Plus, its small size makes every beach super accessible.
Koh Lanta isis the better pick if you prefer long, rugged coastlines and sunset walks without the crowds.
Walkability
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is small and very walkable:
You can visit all the beautiful beaches in just one day without needing transportation.
Nightlife is concentrated along Pattaya Beach and Walking Street, making it easily accessible.
Getting a tuk-tuk will be only necessary, if your hotel is far from the pier or you have heavy luggage.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta, on the other hand, is not easily walkable:
The island is 13 miles long.
Most tourist spots, national parks, and nightlife areas are spread far.
Your accommodation might be near the beach, but it’s not guaranteed as it is on Koh Lipe.
For example, I had to walk 15 minutes from our hotel to reach the nearest beach.
You will certainly need transportation on Koh Lanta, such as a rented moped, car, local taxi, or tuk-tuk.
Winner
Koh Lipe is the winner If you want to ditch the keys and walk everywhere.
On Koh Lanta, you are practically stranded without a scooter or a budget for tuk-tuks.
Hiking and Nature
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe offers only a few nice hikes:
Trails on the island lead mainly to the hidden beaches.
These treks are scenic but not very long or demanding.
You can also stroll through the local village or along the beaches.
For more adventurous experiences and challenging hikes, you’ll need to visit neighboring islands like Koh Adang with Chado Viewpoint
Koh Lanta
Compared to Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta is a destination with more hiking options and nature spots. These include:
Laem Tanod Forest Trek in Koh Lanta National Park
Mai Kaeo Cave hiking
Khlong Chak Waterfall
Bat Cave
Walk through the mangrove forest
You can also explore local villages and rubber plantations.
Winner
Koh Lanta is the clear choice for true trekkers, with its national parks, jungle, caves, and waterfalls.
Koh Lipe is beautiful but limited to small trails and one (though spectacular) hike on the neighboring island of Koh Adang.
Nightlife
Koh Lipe
Nightlife on Koh Lipe is centered around Walking Street and Pattaya Beach:
It’s lively until late evening with places for late dinners or drinks.
While the party scene isn’t huge it’s vibrant and easily accessible.
There are also many relaxed beach bars.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta has a more relaxed atmosphere than Koh Lipe.
It doesn’t have crowded walking streets near the beach.
You will still find many restaurants and beach bars, but the overall vibe is much more chilled and rustic than on Koh Lipe.
While there are places to party, they aren’t as frequent.
Popular west coast beaches are usually the liveliest spots at night.
Winner
Koh Lipe, as it has a more concentrated, social “Walking Street” vibe that’s easy to hop around.
Koh Lanta is much more spread out and chilled, with less of a “party” scene in one, easily accessible place.
Snorkeling
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe is a great place for snorkeling:
Thanks to its beautiful, clear water snorkeling off the beach is very popular on Koh Lipe.
Renting a kayak is also a great option, as paddling out a bit further allows you to discover less crowded areas with stunning underwater scenery.
For a full-day snorkeling trip a great option are the 5- or 7-island tours to excellent snorkeling spots like Koh Hin Ngam, Koh Hin Sorn, Koh Dong, Koh Ro Kloy, and Koh Phung.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is a bit less convenient for snorkeling:
Off beach snorkeling isn’t as common on Koh Lanta. The best place to try it is Nui Beach on the southern part of the island.
The best option to explore underwater life is to go on a snorkeling trip, such as the 4 Islands Tour.
It includes a visit to the Emerald Cave and snorkeling around Koh Rok and Koh Haa, or Koh Kradan.
Another option is to rent private long tailed boat and visit serene beaches on Koh Por.
Winner
Koh Lipe is the undisputed champion If you want to walk off the sand and be surrounded by fish. You can snorkel right off Sunrise or Sunset Beach without spending a dime on tours.
On Koh Lanta, the water near the shore is often too rocky or murky for good snorkeling, meaning you must book a boat trip to see anything worthwhile.
Many excellent diving spots can be reached in just a 30 minutes speedboat ride.
The water visibility during the high season tends to be perfect, allowing you to discover stunning underwater life in the Tarutao National Park.
The most popular diving spots near Koh Lipe are 8 Mile Rock, Stonehenge, and Yong Hua Shipwreck.
The island has several dive centers offering both courses and excursions
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta also a good place for diving enthusiasts:
You can learn to dive in a dive center or get your PADI license, as centers offer a variety of courses for both beginners and advanced divers.
The best diving sites near Koh Lanta are Koh Haa and Koh Rok, both renowned for their vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life.
These sites are popular for diving and snorkeling, and you will find many day-trip options available on Koh Lanta to explore them.
Winner
Koh Lanta (for Advanced) / Koh Lipe (for Beginners) It’s a split decision based on your experience level:
Koh Lanta if you are an experienced diver looking for “bucket list” sites. It’s the gateway to Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, with Southern Thailand’s deepest walls and the best chance to see Manta Rays and Whale Sharks.
Koh Lipe if you want easy, colorful, and shallow dives. The soft corals here are some of the most vibrant in Asia, and most sites are just a 15-minute boat ride away.
Day Trips
Koh Lipe
Day trips available from Koh Lipe:
5- or 7-Island Snorkeling Tour: day full of snorkeling at the best sites near like Koh Hin Ngam, Koh Hin Sorn.
Koh Adang and Koh Rawi: nearby islands offering hiking trails, stunning viewpoints, pristine beaches, and clear waters.
Emerald Cave on Koh Mook: a day trip where, apart from swimming in the dark cave and visiting Emerald Lagoon, you will be spending your day snorkeling and a visiting lovely islands
Koh Lanta
Day trips available from Koh Lanta:
Koh Por and Koh Bubu: can be reached by renting a private boat, offer serene beaches, crystal clear water and stays with the local community.
Koh Phee and Talabeng: a day trip full of adventures with hiking to the cave, kayaking in mangrove forest and swimming.
Maya Bay on Koh Phi Phi: Visiting the famous spot from “The Beach” movie, monkey island and many snorkeling sites.
Emerald Cave on Koh Mook: Stunning Emerald Cave and snorkeling near the neighboring islands (the same trip that you can do from Koh Lipe).
Koh Rok: Divivng site that is much harder to reach from other islands, with beautiful, crystal clear reefs.
Winner
Koh Lanta offers more variety for the “off-the-beaten-track” traveler.
Although Koh Lipe has stunning nearby islands like Koh Adang, from Lanta, you can do the iconic 4-Islands Tour (including the Emerald Cave), visit the remote Koh Rok, or kayak through ancient mangrove forests.
Lanta serves as a much better “base camp” for exploring the wider Andaman Sea.
Prices
Koh Lipe
Looking at my budget breakdown, Koh Lipe felt a bit more expensive than Koh Lanta:
Accommodation on Koh Lipe is among the most expensive in Thailand, but most hotels offer breakfast and swimming pools.
Having a seafront accommodation and extra amenities usually make it worth the higher cost.
Food and activities, on the other hand, are quite affordable, similar to other Thai islands.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta seems a bit more reasonably priced:
Accommodation on Koh Lanta is more affordable than on Koh Lipe.
The island offers a wide range of hotels and bungalows to suit different budget.
Unfortunately, more budget friendly options are usually located further from the beach.
Food and activities are also quite affordable, similar to Koh Lipe.
It’s important to consider transportation costs since getting around the island will require renting a vehicle or using tuk-tuks.
The overall affordability and variety of options make Koh Lanta a great choice for budget-conscious travelers.
Winner
Koh Lanta, as your money goes significantly further there. From cheaper bungalows to local markets, it’s the better choice for backpackers and long-term travelers.
Koh Lipe is more of a “splurge” destination.
Sightseeing and Cultural Experiences
Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe doesn’t offer many sightseeing options:
If you are interested in Thai culture and traditions, you will find places like a small Buddhist temple and a mosque.
You can also visit the local village and learn about the Urak Lawoi tribe, indigenous group inhabiting Koh Lipe.
This experience provides a unique insight into the island’s cultural heritage and close-to-the-sea way of life
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is much bigger than Koh Lipe and offers more activities:
You will find reliable Wi-Fi and mobile data.
However, I recommend to check with the hotel about Wi-Fi availability and speed, before booking your stay.
In less popular areas (like Pirate Beach or far south), data connection may be spotty.
Power outages can happen too, as we experience one on Koh Lanta, so remember to keep your devices charged.
It’s a bit easier to find affordable, spacious rooms with workspaces on Koh Lanta than on Koh Lipe, as there are more options available.
Watch a professional Muay Thai fight
Visit an ethical elephant sanctuary
Support an animal shelter
Take Thai cooking classes
Winner
Koh Lanta offers a much deeper immersion into Thai culture, with its historic Old Town, Urak Lawoi heritage, and community-led initiatives.
Koh Lipe is definitely more tourism-focused.
Remote Work
Koh Lipe
It is quite convenient to work remotely from Koh Lipe:
Mobile data reception on Koh Lipe is decent, and you can easily buy a SIM card at the local 7-Eleven.
Wi-Fi in hotels near Pattaya Beach is generally good.
However, accommodation can be pricey, and finding a spacious room with a desk within a tight budget might be challenging.
Booking far in advance can help you secure the best option.
Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is also well-developed for remote work:
The best place for sightseeing on Koh Lanta is the Old Town, rich in history, with wooden houses, small shrines, and temples and even capsized ship by the pier.
You will also find the Community Museum near Koh Lanta Old Town, where you can learn more about the Urak Lawoi tribe.
It’s also possible to visit their small cemetery located on the east coast of the island.
Koh Lanta is much bigger than Koh Lipe and offers more activities, you can also:
Winner
Koh Lanta is more of a digital nomad hub with stable Wi-Fi and is much more affordable accommodation for long-term stays.
Safety
Both Koh Lipe and Koh Lanta are equally safe:
I always felt comfortable walking on both islands, even when I was on my own.
The Thai community is very friendly and accustomed to seeing and helping tourists.
Both islands are quite developed, so you don’t have to worry about finding shops, restaurants, or food stalls.
Keep in mind that Koh Lanta’s roads can get quite busy; I personally found crossing the main roads as a pedestrian a bit stressful.
Safety tip: Always assume vehicles won’t stop for you—even at crossings—so wait for a clear gap and stay hyper-aware of scooters weaving through traffic.
If you want that “tropical dream” lifestyle where the best snorkeling spots are just a few steps from your bungalow.
If you love a walkable, social island where you can spend your mornings diving in turquoise water and your nights having a cocktail on a vibrant Walking Street.
Beata is an expert in authentic, adventure-filled and culture-rich travel.
With years of exploring hidden gems across diverse countries her mission is to help you uncover unique, budget-friendly experiences that connect you with nature and local cultures.
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