An introduction to Koh Larn

Koh Larn is a wonderful little island in the Gulf of Thailand. Koh Larn is located about 7km off the coast of Pattaya Beach of which is about a two hour drive south of Bangkok. The Island is about 4km long and 2km wide and at it is about 180 meters high at the highest point. The terrain is mostly mountainous which is covered in most part with heavy vegetation. Infrastructure is mainly narrow roadways covered with brick pavers. Some of the roadways are very steep and only wide enough for two motorbikes to pass by each other, but most roads are suitable for regular traffic.
Koh Larn has six main beaches and a few smaller beaches for visitors to enjoy. All the beaches are of white sand and clear azure waters. There are many water sport activities at each of the beaches. There are also many other activities such as parasailing for you to enjoy while visiting Koh Larn. All the beaches have full facilities such as bathrooms and showers. Then there are the restaurants that serve up delicious fresh catch of the day seafood or just about any other dish you may desire. You can choose to order your meal in the restaurant or straight from your beach lounger. Yes, a day on Koh Larn can be a very relaxing experience, with the gentle sounds of the ocean and without all the noise of the city.
There are many resorts on the island of Koh Larn, they range from budget rooms to luxury accommodations. While room rates are a little higher on the island than in Pattaya or Jomtien it is well worth the experience of spending the night on the island of Koh Larn. Some people end up liking Koh Larn so much they end up staying there for extended periods like months and years. If you are planning a few days stay, may I suggest calling ahead for reservations especially during peak season, holidays and weekends, you can find descriptions and contact information on my resorts page. Bear in mind my resorts page is not ordered in any particular way and I do not receive any compensation from them.

Photo by Russ Thorne
I can confidently say from my personally knowing many of the people that live and work on the island that they, and I thank you for visiting Koh Larn and hope you have a wonderful fun filled experience. We would also like extend our invitation for many future returns.

Getting to Koh Larn

You can get to Koh Larn by ferry or speed boat

There are many ways to get to Koh Larn. The easiest way is by speed boat, all along Beach Road you will find speed boat operators. Cost of speed boat to the Island is between 1500baht and 2500baht and up for a group of people. The other way is the Koh Larn ferry, cost is 30baht per person, each way.

Things to do on Koh Larn

Para sailing behind speed boat

This ride only last a minute or so, but what a rush .

Banana Boat

This is just plain fun, if you have not done this before then you owe it to yourself to give it a try. No experience required.

Jet ski

These watercraft are very fast, you should have good reflexes and a good back. Bear in mind you will be fully responsible for any damages if they occur.

Swimming in tropical waters

Ahh yes, come on in the waters fine, nothing like a tropical swim the water is so nice.

LIPE ISLAND

Ko Lipe (Thai: เกาะหลีเป๊ะ) is an island on the Andaman Coast of Southern Thailand.

Ko Lipe (sometimes spelled Koh Lipe) is outside of the jurisdiction of Tarutao National Park, and as such is exempt from certain laws prohibiting development.

The island is home to about 500 Chao Ley, or Sea Gypsies, who were given a grant to half of the island and live in small villages, predominantly around the far east side of the island near Sunrise Beach. The name "Ko Lipe" means "Paper Island" in the local Chao Ley language.

According to a December 2008 report by the Sustainable Tourism Network, Ko Lipe is faced with numerous environmental problems, including destruction of wetlands, waste disposal, and water shortgages.

It is surrounded by uninhabited islands of the Butong Archipelago.

Get in

The following companies operate boats in the high season (November to May):

Adang Sea Tours [1] operates three daily speedboats from 1 November to 15 May, leaving Pak Bara at 11:30, 12:30, and 14:30. The speedboats stop at Ko Tarutao or Ko Bulone. The journey from Pak Bara takes 90 minutes and costs 650 baht one-way, 1,200 baht round trip. If you book directly in Pak Bara pier, then it will cost 500 baht plus 20 baht entrance fee. Note: the boats stops in open water pier at Pattaya beach and 70 baht must be paid for water taxi to reach the coast. The boats leave Ko Lipe at 09:00, 10:00, and 13:30 for the return trip.

Bundaya Resorts [2] and Lipe Speedboat Company also operates speedboats from Pak Bara and Langkawi, leaving at similar times and costing the same as above.

Forra Speedboats [3] operates two daily speedboats from 1 November to 15 May, leaving Pak Bara at 11:30 and 13:30. The speedboats stop at Ko Tarutao. The journey from Pak Bara takes 90 minutes and costs 650 baht one-way, 1,200 baht round trip. The boats leave Ko Lipe at 09:00 and 10:00 for the return trip.

Satun Pakbara Speed Boat Club [4] operates a daily boat from Ko Lanta, leaving at 13:00 and stopping at Ko Ngai, Ko Muk, Ko Bulone, before reaching Ko Lipe at 16:00. The boat leaves Ko Lipe at 09:00 for the return trip. The company offers transfers to this boat from Phuket. The company also operates two daily speedboats from Telaga Terminal @ Telaga Harbour Marina in Langkawi, Malaysia, 42 km from Ko Lipe. These boats dock at the south end of Pattaya Beach. The boats leave Langkawi at 09:30 and 14:30 for the 60 minute journey, costing approximately 120 ringgit. The boats leave Ko Lipe for the return journey at 10:30 and 16:30.

Tigerline Ferries [5] operates a daily speedboat to/from Langkawi, leaving Langkawi at 08:00 and arriving at Ko Lipe at 09:00, and returns from Ko Lipe to Langkawi at 16:00. The trip costs 1,200 baht. The company also operates a daily speedboat to/from Hat Yao Pier in Trang, leaving Ko Lipe at 10:00 and arriving inTrang at 12:30. The trip costs 750 baht. The company offers continuing boat service to Ko Lanta (1,500 baht total, arrives 15:30), and Phi Phi (1,800 baht total, arrives 17:00). For the journey to Ko Lipe, the boats leave Phi Phi at 08:00 and arrive in Ko Lipe at 15:30.

In the low season, there is one boat per day from Pak Bara leaving at 11:30.

Ferries are met by long-tail boats offering transfers to anywhere on Ko Lipe for an additional 50 baht/person (non-negotiable).

Health and Safety tip: Speedboats can often bounce off the waves at very high speeds and passengers can get quite strong jolts into the non-sprung seats, so persons with back or neck problems should not travel on the speedboats, but on the ferry. There have been reports of serious back injuries happening on the speedboats.

Do

Diving

The reefs around Ko Lipe are largely intact; the 2004 tsunami had little impact here. Around Ko Lipe are some Thailand's best reefs all within easy reach:

8 Mile Rock. A true deep sea pinnacle located 75 minutes away by boat. The rock can be a tough place to dive due to the strong currents, but the marine and bird life that come here to feed are fantastic. The top of the pinnacle rises to within 14 meters of the surface. Found here: soft corals, schools of pelagic fish, potato cod, manta rays, whale shark, leopard shark. edit

Between Ko Adang & Ko Rawi. Has excellent diving and snorkelling locations between the two islands where the mountains come down to the sea. Underwater there are huge boulders and many types of rare fish and coral species that inhabit the reef in this region. A great spot for drift diving. Snorkellers should head for the east side of Ko Rawi where the national park staff have set up ropes along the reef, so that snorkellers can pull themselves easily along and investigate the reef with ease. edit

Yong Hua Shipwreck. In 1996 a fish-factory ship anchored near the western end of Ko Lipe caught fire and sank in about 40 m of water. The shipwreck is now completely covered in marine growth and inhabited by schools of fish. The shipwreck has become a very interesting place to dive, but does often have strong currents making it a difficult dive. The top of the wreck is at about 26 m sitting on its keel that is at 40 m. edit

Hin Takorn Dukong. Located in the centre of the marine park. This site is home to just about every species of fish that you can imagine. The site is made up of granite stones shaped similar to building blocks rising up from the seabed into a structure with a series of tall points at its peak. Up to 18 m deep. Hard and soft corals, at least 6 types of eel such as snake eels, different types of lion fish and stone fish, Squid and cuttlefish try to hide here and succeed in attracting the larger predators such as sailfish. edit

Ko Bu Tang. Has become one of the most popular islands to dive. One of the largest islands of the group, Ko Bu Tong supports many bird and animal species. Troops of crab eating monkeys called "macaques" live on the island and a colourful type of bee-eater bird can often be spotted from the beaches here. Giant corals and shellfish grow everywhere around this island paradise. Dive the north and south channels although for deep diving the "Giant's Staircase" on the islands west side has huge natural stone steps going down to 50 m or more. Also to found on Ko Bu Tang is Sting Ray City, where the blue spotted stingrays are plentiful. This site is also very good for snorkelling. North Side: has Monkey Bay, similar to Sting Ray City but much more steep and dramatic. Expect to see endless rows of tall coral-heads, turtles and rare critters such as the ornamental ghost pipe fish and sharks sleeping under the corals. East Side: has the perfect tiny island of Ko Lokoi. Surrounded by about 90 acres of shallow coral, you could do four dives here and not see it all. edit

Ko Sawang. This tiny island is located on the outer edge of the archipelago. There is not a tree or scrap of vegetation that can grow on this tall smooth stone, but underwater this place is full of life. Fantastic coral gardens growing on the rocky outcrops below. edit

Ko Langcha. Between Langcha and Adang is a very nice coral garden really worth the effort both for divers and snorkellers as near-perfect gardens shelter all sorts including rays and eels. edit

Currents: The currents here are predominantly tidal which means that at certain times of the month strong currents exist. At other times, none at all. You can always find somewhere good to dive but the widest selection of dive sites is available twice a month, following the half moon.

Big Stuff: You can see numerous sharks, whale sharks and manta rays. Sightings of the big guys are more likely on sites around the edge of the marine park, nearer the deeper waters. For the best chance, try to visit 8 Mile Rock, Stonehenge or Ko Pung.

[edit]Dive shops

Adang Sea Divers (info@adangseadivers.com), (Sunrise Beach), ☎ +66 80 7041633, [6]. Professional, multilingual, and experienced instructors and dive masters. 1 to 3 dives a day from speedboat (the only dive centre on Lipe offering speedboat dives). Night diving, PADI, SDI, and Nitrox courses. Small intimate groups. Specialised in underwater photography. edit

Castaway Divers, (Sunrise Beach), ☎ +66 87 4781516 (lipe-divers@castaway-resorts.com), [7]. Multilingual, experienced instructors. Offers night diving, PADI, SDI, and freediving courses. Snorkelling trips are run separately from the dive boats daily for only 650 baht (including lunch & equipment). Specialises in small intimate groups. 2 dives/2,500+ baht. edit

Davy Jones Locker, (Pattaya Beach), ☎ +66 890 465371 (djlkohlipediving@gmail.com), [8]. Experienced instructors teaching all PADI courses from beginner to dive master level. Daily trips for certified divers to all the best dive sites around Ko Lipe. Free accommodation for divers and students available when you book online. edit

Forra Diving, (Sunrise Beach), ☎ +66 89 6731121 or +66 84 4075691 (forratravel_diving@hotmail.com), [9]. Multilingual, experienced instructors. Offers night diving, PADI courses, and liveaboard diving trips. Snorkellers are welcome to tag along on day trips for only 500 baht (including lunch & equipment). Consistently gets great reviews from divers. 2,500 baht for 2 dives. edit

Ko Lipe Diving, (Walking Street), ☎ +66 88 3977749 or +66 87 6226204 (contact@kolipediving.com), [10]. Highly rated and reputable dive center providing top-notch customer service. Offers daily dive trips for certified divers, PADI courses from Open Water to Divemaster, introductory dives for complete beginners. Snorkelers welcome to join dive trips. Private diving/snorkeling/island exploration trips can be arranged. Underwater cameras for rent. Spacious, comfortable 25m dive boat. Professional instructors with years of experience working on the island. Multilingual team speaks English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Swedish, Malay, Chinese (Cantonese & Mandarin). edit

(info@lotusdive.com).

Ocean Pro Divers, (Pattaya Beach), [11]. Canadian owner.The first authorized Padi TecRec Dive Center at Koh Lipe 20 m boat, the M.V. Chalalai. Rates include all equipment and a buffet lunch. Snorkellers are welcome to tag along for 500 baht. 2,600 baht for 2 dives, 3,200 baht for three dives. edit

Sabye Diving, (locations on Sunset Beach), ☎ +66 74 728026, [12]. Diving rates aren't the cheapest. All-inclusive two or three day packages. Specialties are PADI courses and underwater photography. PADI open-dive courses: 12,900 baht.. edit

Satun Dive, (Sunrise Beach Blvd), ☎ +66 86 9461271, [13]. Open all year. Excellent diving and snorkelling guides. All PADI courses available. The best service, price, and atmosphere on the island. Cheap. edit

Other activities

Day Trips to Nearby Islands. Pirate Falls and Chado Cliff on Ko Adang, and the dense jungle on Ko Rawi are recommended visits. 800 to 1,000 baht. edit

Kayaking. Rent a kayak from various spots on the beach and spend the day or two seeing the island and reef. edit

Massages. There are plenty of places to get a massage, including an offshoot of the Wat Po massage school, located in the centre of the island. Also Castaway Resort has a lovely little spa with sea views. edit

Snorkelling. The calm, clear water makes the Ko Lipe area ideal for snorkelling, with 25% of the world's tropical fish species found in the area. There are large varieties of fish around the coral just 20 m off all of the beaches. Ko Lipe is surrounded by over 30 islands and hundreds of reefs all within easy reach of the island. Tarutao National Park is one of Asia’s oldest marine parks thus the reefs and the islands surrounding Ko Lipe are in very good condition. nowhere else on the Southeast Asian peninsula will you find so many excellent snorkel sites so easily reached. edit

Freediving. Freediving as a recognized activity has only been around for 100 years, but people have been practising diving deep without equipment for thousands of years. On Lipe it's in its early days and so far only one dive operator on the island offers it as a course. edit

Sailing, ☎ +66 77457002 (info@adventure-cruises.net), [14]. Sailing around Ko Lipe and within the Butang Group is certainly the most chilled way to explore these natural gems. There are day sailing trips with snorkelling activities or liveaboard sailing cruises within the Butang Group or as far as Ko Tarutao National Marine Park. 1,500 to 6,000 baht. edit

Ocean Hiker Sailing School, ☎ +66 77457002 (info@ocean-hiker.com), [15]. Sailing intro courses or 5 day sailing courses on an ocean-going sailing yacht leading to a Ocean Hiker Competent Crew Certification, the first step to start your sailing career . 2,500 to 29,900 baht. edit

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An introduction to Koh Larn