Koh Lipe: Thailand's Maldives in the Andaman

Koh Lipe is a tiny island in Tarutao National Marine Park, just 5 km from the Malaysian island of Langkawi. It has three main beaches: Sunrise Beach (Haad Chao Leh) on the east, calm and great for snorkelling; Sunset Beach on the west, narrower but with gorgeous evening light; and Pattaya Beach on the south, the most developed with the densest restaurant and bar scene. The snorkelling and diving here is among Thailand's finest — the park's protected status means coral is in excellent condition, and visibility regularly exceeds 20 metres. Common sightings include blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles, manta rays (in season), and vast schools of fusiliers. Getting to Koh Lipe requires effort: ferries from Pak Bara pier (2.5–3 hours, ฿600–800) or speedboats from Langkawi, Malaysia (45 min, approximately RM120). The island is accessible roughly November–May; the rest of the year, rough seas make boat services unreliable or impossible. There is no ATM on the island, so bring sufficient cash — though some resorts now accept card. The Walking Street is the social hub, a narrow pedestrian lane lined with restaurants, cocktail bars, and small shops.