Koh Lipe Beach Guide: Which One Won’t Drive You Crazy

So you’re going to Koh Lipe. Cool. Except now you have to figure out which beach to stay on and honestly? This shouldn’t be complicated but somehow it is.

Everyone’s like “oh it’s such a small island, it doesn’t matter where you stay!” Wrong. Dead wrong. I mean, technically you can walk everywhere in like 20 minutes, but that’s not the point.

Each beach has a completely different personality and if you pick wrong you’ll spend your whole trip feeling… I don’t know, out of place? Like when you show up to a party wearing the wrong thing.

Wait, let me actually think about this properly.

Pattaya Beach: The Obvious Choice That Might Not Be Obvious

This is where the boats drop you off. First impression: busy. Second impression: really busy for such a small place.

Look, if you want convenience, this is it. Walking Street is right there – food, bars, shops, ATMs, tour bookings, whatever. You need something? It’s probably here or a two-minute walk away.

But busy means… well, busy. Kids running around, people playing volleyball or frisbee or whatever, music from beach bars, that whole scene. Some people love this energy. Others come to tropical islands specifically to escape this kind of thing.

The water’s shallow and calm, which sounds good but actually makes snorkeling kind of meh. You can paddle around and it’s safe and all that, but if you want to see fish you’ll need to take a boat somewhere else.

**Real talk about Pattaya Beach:**
If you’re traveling solo and want to meet people, this works. Group of friends who like having options? Also works. Couple seeking romantic quiet time? Maybe not so much.

Fire shows happen here at night. Either that sounds fun or it sounds like your personal nightmare. There’s not much middle ground.

Oh and most day tours leave from here, so if you’re doing lots of island hopping it’s convenient. Less walking with snorkel gear and stuff.

Sunrise Beach: The One I Keep Coming Back To

Okay full disclosure – I’m probably biased toward this one because I had a really good stay here once. But let me try to be objective.

It’s on the east side so yeah, sunrises. If you’re a morning person this is amazing. If you’re not… well, you probably won’t see them anyway so whatever.

The snorkeling is actually good right from the beach. Like, you don’t need a boat or anything, just walk in and start looking around. That’s not common in Thailand so it’s worth mentioning.

Less intense than Pattaya Beach but not isolated like Sunset Beach. You can find quiet spots when you want them, join social things when you don’t.

**What I noticed:**
More space between everything. You’re not shoulder to shoulder with other tourists all the time. The accommodations range from basic to pretty nice.

Close enough to Walking Street that you can walk there for dinner but far enough that you don’t hear the noise at night.

Actually, that’s probably the best thing about it – flexibility. Social when you want, quiet when you don’t.

Sunset Beach: The Hideaway

This is the smallest of the three beaches, tucked away in the northwest corner. Has this… I want to say “authentic” vibe but that sounds pretentious.

It’s quieter. Way quieter. More bungalow-style accommodations, beach bars that feel more local than touristy, fewer dining options but what’s there is usually pretty good.

The sunsets are obviously great – I mean, it’s called Sunset Beach. But the whole atmosphere is more about slowing down than staying busy.

**The catch:**
Fewer services means more walking if you need things. Want a pharmacy? Walk to Pattaya Beach. Need an ATM? Also Pattaya Beach. Craving variety in restaurants? You’ll be doing some hiking.

It’s peaceful though. Really peaceful. If your idea of vacation is hammock time and minimal human interaction, this could be perfect.

But I’ve seen people get restless here after a few days. Depends on your personality.

How to Actually Choose

Forget about the photos for a minute. Think about what kind of vacation person you actually are, not who you think you should be.

Do you like having lots of options for dinner? Do you get bored easily? Do you want to meet other travelers? Pattaya Beach.

Want some social options but also value quiet time? Like good snorkeling? Don’t mind walking 10-15 minutes to get to the “action”? Sunrise Beach.

Actually seeking solitude? Happy with limited dining choices? Love the idea of spending days reading and swimming with minimal distractions? Sunset Beach.

**For families:**
Probably Pattaya Beach for the shallow water and amenities. Unless your kids are really good swimmers and you don’t need constant entertainment options.

**For couples:**
Depends entirely on what kind of couple you are. Want romance with options nearby? Sunrise Beach. Want to disappear from the world together? Sunset Beach.

The Practical Stuff Nobody Mentions

You walk everywhere. There are no cars, no scooters, just walking. That 15-minute walk between beaches is fine when you’re exploring. Less fun when you’re carrying luggage in tropical heat.

Most services are concentrated around Pattaya Beach. Other beaches have some stuff but less variety and sometimes higher prices.

The whole island shuts down pretty early except for Pattaya Beach. If you’re a night owl, factor that in.

Weather can affect beach choice too. If it’s windy, some beaches are more sheltered than others. But honestly, the island is small enough that if conditions suck on one beach, you can just walk to another.

What I Actually Recommend

If this is your first time in Koh Lipe and you’re not sure what you want, probably start with Sunrise Beach. It gives you the most flexibility to figure out what kind of island experience you’re actually looking for.

If you know you want peace and quiet above all else, Sunset Beach.

If you know you want action and convenience, Pattaya Beach.

But honestly? The island is small enough that your choice isn’t permanent. Don’t stress about it too much. Pick something that seems reasonable and adjust if needed.

The bigger mistake is not coming to Koh Lipe at all because you couldn’t decide which beach to stay on. Any of them beats sitting at home researching beaches on the internet.

Still can’t decide? Koh Tours actually knows these beaches and can help match you with the right one based on what you’re actually looking for, not just what looks good in photos.