Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe

Three hours south by speedboat

The speedboat from Saladan Pier has the group on Lipe's beach in about 3 hours: Bundhaya at 10:30am and 12:30pm, and Tigerline from 8:30am to 1:30pm (checked 28 October 2026).

Most tickets include a hotel pick-up on Lanta's main road to Saladan Pier.

Our pick: the 10:30am speedboat, so the group is on the beach by early afternoon.

Which boat to take

Three operators run the crossing this high season, and the two 3-hour speedboats beat the slower Tigerline for a group.

Satun Pakbara speedboat. The 10:30am boat reaches Lipe at about 1:30pm, and the return leaves Lipe at 9am and gets to Lanta at about noon, Satun Pakbara's own timetable shows. Fares start from about ฿1,690 an adult on Ferry Samui (checked 28 October 2026). The same club runs Krabi, Ao Nang and Phi Phi to Koh Lipe.

Bundhaya speedboat. The same 3-hour crossing, with a second boat at 12:30pm if the morning one is full.

Tigerline. A slower boat with island stops on the early runs, taking 3 hours to over 6 hours, so allow most of the day.

Van + boat via Pak Bara. The low-season way: the road to Pak Bara pier in Satun, then the boat across to Koh Lipe.

Not sure which? Ask Tanner to book the boat with seats for the whole group.

When the boats run

The speedboat runs in high season only. Satun Pakbara, the operator, starts its season in mid-October, and its own site gives the end as late April on one page and late May on another, so check before you book late in the season. Ferry Samui shows no sailings from June to September.

Photo: Максим Улитин, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The national park fee is ฿200 an adult, and children pay half, under the Department of National Parks' fee rules (checked November 2026), paid in cash to the rangers after you land.

In low season the direct boat stops, so it's the road to Pak Bara, then the boat.

The easy way for a group

In high season, take the morning speedboat with hotel pick-up on Lanta. In low season, our van takes the road to Pak Bara for the boat across.

A luxury van for up to 4, a party van for up to 10, or a coach for 20 and more.

Pack light: the boat lands on Pattaya Beach, not at a big pier.

Is Koh Lipe worth it after Koh Lanta?

Yes, for a small island with clear water: Koh Lipe is 3 hours south of Lanta, in Tarutao National Marine Park in Satun province, close to the Malaysian border.

It's small and walkable, with Walking Street bars after dark.

See Krabi to Koh Lipe, Hat Yai to Koh Lipe, Krabi to Koh Lanta and every route on Getting around Thailand, and ask Tanner to add Lipe to the trip.

Speedboat or ferry?

The Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe speedboat is the one to take: about 3 hours, straight onto the beach. The slower Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe ferry, Tigerline, stops at islands on the way and can take over 6 hours.

Tanner's pick: the 10:30am Satun Pakbara speedboat, with hotel pick-up. The group is on Lipe in time for lunch.

Insider tip: Bundhaya's 12:30pm boat is the back-up if the morning one fills, so book the 10:30am first and keep the later boat in hand.

Ask Tanner to hold seats for the whole group.

Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe in short

• Fastest: the speedboat, about 3 hours from Saladan Pier.

• Season: the direct boats run from mid-October to about the end of April or May, the operator's site shows.
• Low season: the road to Pak Bara pier in Satun, then the boat across.
• The landing: Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe, with the park fee paid in cash to the rangers.
• Book: a few days ahead in high season.
• For a group: the morning speedboat with hotel pick-up on Lanta.

Checked 2 November 2026.

Before the boat

Book the speedboat a few days ahead in high season, and carry cash for the park fee.

• Bags: you carry them down a floating pier at Saladan, so a soft bag beats a big hard case.
• Seasick: sit at the back, where the boat moves least, and take a tablet before you board.
• Timing: be ready in the hotel lobby when the pick-up van comes.