Koh Lipe (Thailand)

Koh Lipe:

So, why is Koh Lipe such a cool island to visit? In my book, any tropical paradise where you can go completely barefoot all day—even during meals—and never have to put on a shirt or change out of your board shorts for your entire stay has got to be a good place. On laid-back Koh Lipe, the Spicoli Rule most definitely applies: No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem.

The Thai island of Koh Lipe wasn’t even on my radar during my last round-the-world journey back in 1996. It wasn’t even a consideration on many of my subsequent visits to Thailand, mostly because it used to be a massive hassle to get to when you’re working with a limited two-to-three-week vacation from the States.

Out with the Old-School Backpacker

Though the island remains tremendously beautiful today, you can tell that mass tourism is pushing Koh Lipe in a worrisome direction. It is inevitable that it will eventually go the way of other overdeveloped Thai islands like Koh Samui. I was told the pace of development out here really quickened around 2010.

Once again, it appears the budget backpackers are slowly being flushed out. Old-style backpacker huts still remain on the sand, but they are slowly being razed to make way for a more upmarket crowd. We visited Koh Lipe in 2016. However, I clearly see the writing on the wall that this tiny little island will not be the same 5-10 years from now. Poor old backpackers are just going to have to sniff out a new slice of untouched beach heaven for themselves.

[The Koh Lipe Evolution]
Pre-2010: Remote, rugged, hard-to-reach backpacker outpost.
Post-2010: Accelerated development, luxury shift, premium resorts.

Koh Lipe is almost completely covered in untouched jungle and is officially protected as part of the Tarutao National Marine Park. Walking around this tiny island, I tried to imagine what it looked like 20 years ago before the development crept in. It still has all the ingredients that make it a vintage Thai beach paradise: incredible white-sand beaches, various shades of crystal-clear blue water, and vibrant marine life. Koh Lipe delivered big time.

However, there is one major caveat: it is absolutely critical to locate the single sweet spot on the island that offers the most secluded isolation from the growing crowds. Being the swell guy that I am, Big Doug is here to release the exact coordinates of that sweet spot.

The Sunrise Beach Strategy

When you book a trip here, you can opt to stay on one of three main beach areas: Pattaya Beach, Sunset Beach, or Sunrise Beach.

The first and only choice, in my opinion, is Sunrise Beach. More specifically, you want the semi-isolated beach cove where 10 Moons Resort lies. I won’t get into specific, tedious details about how spectacular the location of this resort is, but trust me on this: when you see it, you will understand.

               [THE KOH LIPE BEACH HIERARCHY]
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Pattaya Beach ──> Too frantic, arrival boats, heavy noise│
│ Sunset Beach  ──> Rocky, isolated, but lacking amenities │
│ Sunrise Beach ──> Quiet, pristine sand, home to the cove │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

10 Moons Resort is where we parked our butts for six absolutely glorious tropical nights in a bungalow right smack on the ocean. This place has only 17 bungalows and feels like an old-school Thai island escape. I would go so far as to say this specific setup probably could rarely be duplicated on any other Thai island today.

10 Moons is exactly like the place you picture in your head before you get to Southeast Asia—only this one is actually better. It’s the hidden paradise you see in the movies that usually doesn’t exist in the real world. We spent all of our days simply chilling in this incredible, private ocean cove. It is a really special location and a place I will always remember.

We will miss Koh Lipe but have a feeling we will return to “THE” spot if over development does not ruin the island first. We head back to KL Malaysia and then set off to a new country I am really excited to visit……Myanmar (aka Burma).

Food Scene

Because our little cove was so perfect, it was a massive chore to drag ourselves away from the resort property. When we did venture out, we hit up some decent local joints.

🍽️ The Koh Lipe Spot List

10 Moons Cafe: Outstanding food right on our doorstep. We had numerous meals here because it was just too difficult to leave campus.
La Luna: Italian food when you need a break from rice.
Paolo Italian Pizza: Great spot for a solid slice.
Papaya Mom & Progress Seafood: The go-to spots on the walking street for fresh, local Thai dishes and grilled catches.

LOOSE STOOLS INDEX

Rating: 8 / 10

Gorging on fresh island seafood and sitting on my ass all day on the beach has proven to be incredibly therapeutic for Big F’ing Doug’s bowels.

Thru the Binocs

Whoever said the best things in life are free was actually onto something.

Aside from our lodging and food, Barbie and I spent virtually zero money during our six days on Koh Lipe. Looking back on this round-the-world journey—and really all of my years of travel—the most fun we’ve ever had has been on the days where no money was spent at all.

Whether it’s isolating in an incredible beach location like our secret Lipe cove, hiking through a stunning National Park, or simply spending a lazy day walking through rural local villages, those are the days that stand out. Those free, unscripted days always prove to be the most enjoyable and memorable parts of the trip. I guess true simplicity is the quickest way to happiness.

We are going to miss Koh Lipe, but I have a strong feeling we will return to our spot down the road. For now, we are heading back to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and then setting off to a brand-new country I am incredibly excited to visit: Myanmar (aka Burma).

Quick heads-up for the blog readers: the internet in Myanmar is supposedly very sketchy, so the upcoming blog posts might be highly sporadic. Don’t worry, Big Doug isn’t going off the grid permanently.