Pattaya beach is the main docking port for boats coming and going from the island. This flurry of activity all day changes the atmosphere of the beach making it one of the less appealing options when looking for a chilled beach to spend the day or for swimming. The one-kilometre sandy strip is lined with all types of accommodation, restaurants and bars and is the main entry point for Walking Street. After the sun goes down, Pattaya beach is very lively along with Walking Street. It does have a party vibe and you can catch a beach fire-show and enjoy late-night beats.

Sunrise Beach Koh Lipe is the largest beach on the eastern sea border and the most popular. Its 1.2km strip of powdery sand is narrow at the southern end and broadens as you head more north. Most Koh Lipe resorts line the northern end of Sunrise beach along with many restaurants and you can stay right on the beach. There’s good snorkelling all along its coastline to see its abundant marine life. In high season Sunrise beach can become crowded as people enjoy sunbathing by its aqua calm waters. In low season it becomes the departure point for day trips to attractions nearby such as Koh Adang.

As per its name, Sunset Beach is the most popular place nearing dusk as people come to enjoy watching the sun go down. Make sure you do get to witness at least one sunset here as its one of the best things to do on Lipe. This small beach is situated on the west coast and is only 400m in length. It’s less developed than the other main beaches with a handful of beach bars for visitors to grab a drink and a few beachfront bungalow resorts. This place has a very calm laid back atmosphere and its calm waters make it perfect for swimming.

Bulow is a 400 metre stretch of fine pure sand which is an extension of Sunrise Beach with exceptional views of the entire southern coastline of Koh Adang. It is less busy than Sunrise and its calm crystal clear waters are fantastic for swimming and snorkelling. There is only one resort and restaurant here and nothing else, making it a quiet little beach paradise.

Bilia is located between Sunset and Pattaya beaches and is characterized by rocky surrounds which makes it more secluded. This sandbar is much quieter than other beaches around the island and offers very good snorkelling.

Sanom is just a short walk along a wooden sidewalk from Pattaya Beach. It features vivid turquoise waters striking contrast against the powder white sand and excellent diving. It has a secluded feel to it like Bilia.

Situated on the north coast is the tiniest beach on the island called Pitiusas Beach, measuring a mere 20 metres in length. It’s a pleasant 20-minute walk from Walking Street through the centre of the island past Hantalay temple. The beach is serviced by one rustic resort and to use the sun lounges you need to be a guest of the resort.

Like most islands in Thailand, there is a Walking Street that is the centre of commerce and entertainment. Most businesses, shops, bars and restaurants operate along the street the 480-metre long road. The street comes alive in the evenings and is full of people coming to shop, eat, drink and have fun. It doesn’t have a decadent party atmosphere but rather late dining vibe catering to travelling foodie families and couples.

There is only one temple on the island, known as Wat Hantalay. The temple is located on a hill in the jungle on the road from Sunrise to Sunset Beach and monks live within the temple complex. There are two shrine halls, one with a statue of the Buddha and another with a statue of Brahma, also known as the ‘four faces Buddha’. Visitors are welcome to come and meditate in both these shrine halls.

A popular thing to go island hopping to the other nearby islands in the archipelago. Koh Lipe’s quiet neighbour, Koh Adang is an unspoilt slice of paradise. Years ago, Lipe was once considered to be this unspoilt before mainstream travellers caught on. It is one of the best isles in this archipelago. Most visitors take a day trip and short boat ride to Adang from Lipe but there are one or two places to stay overnight if you wish or camping is another option. The island features tall pines, exquisite empty beaches, no roads or development. Snorkelling is sensational just 20 metres off the shore with coral reefs filled with tropical fish. The best way to discover the many beaches on offer is to charter a long tail boat for the day. Or visitors can hike up to one of three panoramic viewpoints of the beauty Andaman Sea and Koh Lipe. Another hiking option is to see Pirate Waterfall which can be reached by a difficult 3 km trek through the dense and slippery jungle. The falls are about 7 metres tall and a source of freshwater.

Another option is to take a trip to Koh Kai. This tiny islet is located between Koh Tarutao and Adang and can be accessed via boat from Koh Lipe. It can only be visited as a day trip as it doesn’t have any accommodation facilities in which to stay. Koh Kai has a beautiful beach and is best known for its iconic rock arch formation at the end of the shore.

On the west side of the island there are fine white sand beaches. The sea is crystal clear, emerald blue, the sand can be clearly seen underwater. Suitable for swimming and taking in the beautiful scenery of the unspoiled island in the middle of the Andaman Sea. The sea around Khai Island has coral reefs in general, most of which are staghorn coral.

Koh Tarutao is the largest island in the archipelago being 26 km in length and 11 km in width. It is home to the national park headquarters and good for scuba diving. . The only motorised transportation to be found here consists of minitruck taxis and the motorcycles of the park rangers. Bicycles can be hired at some spots. Visitors can stay at basic bungalows located on several bays or rent tents. At Ao Ta Lo Woo Pier there is a historical trail that extends for 2 km. The trail will lead to a few historical buildings related to the political prison that was once built before World War II. Along the trail, there are visitor information signs detailing interesting facts about the dark history of Tarutao.