Where should I stay on Koh Tao for a diving course?

Sairee Beach. Most dive schools are based there, many bundle accommodation with courses, and being able to roll from bed to briefing to boat is exactly the convenience you want mid-course.

Which part of Koh Tao is best for non-divers?

Chalok and the southern bays for calm swimming and an easy pace, or an east-coast cove like Tanote if snorkelling is your thing — some of the island's best reef sits within fin-kick of the beach.

Is Koh Tao good for families?

Yes, with the right base. Chalok Baan Kao and Shark Bay offer sheltered, shallow water and a quieter scene than Sairee. Just note the island is hilly and taxis are pricey, so pick a bay you're happy to mostly stay in.

Do I need a scooter on Koh Tao?

Not if you stay on the west side — Sairee and Mae Haad connect by an easy flat walk. For the east and south coasts you'll want wheels or boat rides, but be honest about your riding: Koh Tao's hills are steep and its roads unforgiving for beginners.

Where to Stay on Koh Lipe: Three Beaches, One Small Island

An island you can walk across

Koh Lipe is about two kilometres long, sits at the far southern end of the Andaman coast inside a national marine park, and has no cars at all. A pedestrian lane called Walking Street crosses the middle of it, linking the two main beaches, and the whole island can be walked end to end in half an hour.

Bungalows set back from the sand on Koh Lipe

That changes how you choose. On a big island the beach decides your holiday; here it mostly decides your view and your walk to dinner. There is a national park fee on arrival, boats anchor off the beach rather than at a pier, and you wade the last few metres — pack accordingly.

Transport

Tickets & connections

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Tours

Tours & activities

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Quick guide

Which beach

Pattaya Beach — the arrival beach, most rooms and bars, busiest
Sunrise Beach — longest sand, views to Koh Adang, calmer
Sunset Beach — smallest and quietest, best sunsets
Walking Street — the pedestrian spine with shops and restaurants
No cars on the island; motorbike sidecars are the only taxis

Pattaya Beach: where everything lands

Pattaya Beach on the south side is where the speedboats arrive, and where most of the island's rooms, bars and restaurants are. It has the widest choice at every price, the shortest walk to anything, and the most life after dark.

It is also where the boats park, which means engine noise by day and the busiest stretch of sand. If you want to be in the middle of things it is the obvious choice, and Walking Street starts at its eastern end, so the rest of the island stays within easy reach.

Good to know

Before you book

There is a national park entry fee on arrival. Keep the ticket.
Boats anchor offshore and you wade in — pack so your bag can be carried above the water.
The island is small but the paths are sandy; a suitcase with wheels is the wrong luggage here.
Bring enough cash. Card payment is less widespread here than on the bigger islands.

Sunrise and Sunset: the quieter sides

Sunrise Beach on the east is the longest beach on the island: a wide strip of white sand looking straight across to the green wall of Koh Adang. It is calmer than Pattaya, has good swimming and a handful of restaurants, and it is where most people wish they had booked.

Sunset Beach in the north-west is the smallest and quietest of the three, with only a few places to stay and a short walk over the middle of the island to the shops. It is the one to pick if you want the island at its most peaceful — and, as the name promises, the sunsets.

Frequently asked questions

Which beach is best on Koh Lipe?

Sunrise Beach for most people: the longest sand, the best swimming and a real view, with Walking Street ten minutes away when you want a restaurant.

Is Koh Lipe good for families?

Yes. It is small, walkable, has no traffic and the water is shallow and clear — a rare combination. Sunrise Beach suits families best.

Do you need transport on Koh Lipe?

No. You can walk between all three beaches in well under half an hour. Motorbike sidecars exist for luggage and for the far ends.

Is Koh Lipe expensive?

More than the mainland, because everything arrives by boat. Rooms and food cost noticeably more than on Koh Lanta or Koh Chang.

Where to stay on Koh Lipe