When thinking about Thailand, the first islands to pop out in your mind would be Koh Phi Phi thanks to Leo.. , Koh Lanta, the TV Show reference, the famous Koh Samui or the James bond island, Khao Phing Kan, etc.. But what about the archipelagos of the Southern part of the country, next to the Malaysian’s border, also called the Andaman pearls
As you have probably guessed, I do love tropical islands, deserted beaches, cristal clear lagons and sunny hideways..but what I prefer above all of this, is exploring the world on unbeaten tracks, far away from massive tourism and overcrowded places.. And staying away from tourists in Asia can be of pretty tricky… In order to avoid the overcrowded islands I have decided not to land in Bangkok (Thaï capital) during my last trip to Thaïland but in Malaysia instead – and to reach by boat the small islands of Koh Lipe, Koh Bulon and Koh Adang, close to the beautiful Tarutao National Marine Park’s borders.
Welcome to Koh Lipe :
After a long journey, when you finally get to Koh Lipe, you have no other choice than to put on your sunglasses and some super strong sunscreen lotion .. the sun is burning so hot that while you get off the boat and take the 10 minutes walk in the sand to get to the island’s shores with your luggages, you have already sunburned your toes, ears, shoulders or any uncovered part of your body… the scene is set …
The boat drops us in Pattaya Beach which is the busiest side of Koh Lipe. It is the only possible access for all the big boats: lots of people have their arrivals and departure there every day .. This is also where you find the biggest concentration of tourists who stop at the first hotel they see. Pattaya beach is really not my favorite place during the day, but in the evening, the energy and the mood are different and way more enjoyable. You get on the other side of the island when walking along the island’s main street filled with small shops and restaurants.It is less busy there and located right in front of the other islands of the archipelago, Koh Bulon and Koh Adang.
We finally arrived after a short walk across Koh Lipe at the Castaway Resort, my favorite hotel on this island .
” Robinson chic “@ the Castaway resort:
On Koh Lipe’s beaches and shores, there are a thousand of hotels, lodges or guest houses …But not all of them are as charming, lovely and cute, filled with good vibes as the Castaway ..Far from it… For me, the Castaway is one of the cutest and most romantic places of the island .. it is a small resort, with wooden houses, located on the beach or around (of course it is better to choose a seaside, which is more expensive but the view is top from the 1st floor)
The Castaway’s morning atmosphere is very nice and quiet.. After an early yoga classes facing the sea, you will be able to enjoy a (delicious) breakfast listening to the sound of the waves, unless you prefer having a banana roti (a local pancake) in the main street of the island …The resort also have a great diving center for those who want to dive or you can just relax in your room’s hammoc, facing the sea. In the afternoon, the two main beaches, including the Castaway’s side, get packed really quickly .. But when walking around and exploring the island, you can easily find out some forgotten cute lagons… This is how we discovered the Bila beach, a lovely little smoothies bar, which happened to be also a “hotel” and where we decided to stay for a few days.
Love and peace @ Bila Beach resort:
The “Bila Beach” is located on the west side of the island, on the beach named “Sunset Beach”, as it is a great spot to watch sunsets. On this part of Koh Lipe, you get the longest sun shining and the best sunset view which is not the case on the other beaches. The sun is even disappearing behind the trees around 3 or 4 pm on the Castaway’s side .. So if you are a tanning sessions addict, yobey resort, is also made of several handmade bungalows hidden in the trees … but in a much simpler version, with cheaper rates and above all, in a more secret location … The hotel is surrounded with small lagons, quiet and beautiful where you can rest and enjoy a farniente session ..you can even take of your bra as you are the only one on the beach and go for a swim in the warm and cristal clear waters .. at this moment, you really feel like you are the only one on the island …
After a good swim or snorkeling session in the beautiful lagon, enjoy a fresh meal in the cute and so authentic Bila beach’s restaurant .. and after lunch, while soaking your feet into the warm water let’s enjoy their homemade smoothies… or why not chill out and read a good book under the palm trees’s shade or even take a nap in a hammock.. Let’s switch of your brain, your cell and everything, and go on on vacation mode.
Keep calm and enjoy Koh Lipe 😉
To sum up : Bila vs Castaway Beach:
These two wooden resorts have different moods, atmospheres and are located on opposite sides of the island, one is secret, the other one is more “trendy” but both of them are lovely, peaceful and with positives vibes . I guess the best way to choose is to try them both …as Thailand is a mix between crazy energy and zen attitude .. The thing in Thailand is that the crowd does not bother me as it usually happens in other countries .. It is like a part of the country.. and this crowd even creates a special and indescriptible atmosphere. Anyways, it feels good to be there and you will fall in love with this place as I did …
To conclude, when you are in Koh Lipe, no matter if you stay @ Castaway, Bila or elsewhere, spending some time there is just magical .. Sunsets are beautiful, days are just made of leisure, fun, massages on the beach, scuba diving in the warm water, cheap food… the evening’s energy is relaxed .. after dining on the beach at the candlelight, you can dance in the island numerous bar or enjoy some shopping in the small shops and go back to your room with plastic bags full of jeweleries, souvenirs or cheap T-shirts that you will probably find back home 10 times more expensive ..) Koh Lipe is the kind of ” I don’t want to leave” island .. it is also one of my favorite in Thailand.
I wish i could be there right now ….
How to get there :
–From Malaysia, landing in Kuala Lumpur or in another Malaysian airport, and take an internal flight to the island of Langkawi. From here, there is a boat that commutes several times a day between Langkawi and Koh Lipe. This boat also stops by in the other small islands like Koh Bulon, Ko Muk and Koh Kadran. This solution is quite simple, there are only 2:30 of navigation, the borders and passport formalities are taken care of by the persons in charge on the boat before leaving Langkawi and then on arrival at Lipe.
->note: only in high season : from October to May, after there are no more boat : more info .
– From Thailand, the ride is a bit more complicated than from malaysia but possible all year long.Drive to Pak Bara pier to take the shuttle boat to Koh Lipe and its neighboring islands.
If Access to Pak Bara via Hat Yai : Bangkok ==>Hat Yai by plane, bus or train (very long ..) then taxi or shuttle to Pak Bara Pier.
If Access to Pak Bara via Trang : Bangkok ==> Trang by plane, bus or train (very long …) then taxi or shuttle to Pak Bara Pier.
Info hotels : Castaway Resort / The Bila Beach
Pictures @peter soubbotnik
Translation @ Natalya Paupe
