Castaway Resort: Best Place to Stay in Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is located in the Satun province of Thailand, in the deep south in the depths of the beautiful Andaman Sea. Koh Lipe is a small piece of land nestled in the Adang-Rawi Archipelago of the Strait of Malacca, and it is relatively calmer and quieter compared to other Thai islands like Koh Phi Phi, Phuket etc. Koh Lipe offers a range of exciting activities including diving, kayaking, snorkelling and a lot more. It remains mostly undisturbed, surrounded by beautiful clear waters and the beaches in Koh Lipe are breathtaking too – including Pattaya Beach, Sunset Beach, and of course – Sunrise Beach. Sunrise Beach is where the best place to stay in Koh Lipe is located, the Castaway Beach Resort. 

To put a fine point on things, Castaway Beach Resort Koh Lipe is everything and more. It is one of the best Koh Lipe hotels thanks to its beautiful wooden cottages, bustling cafe area, an energetic activities calendar and the fact that it is located right on the beach. The Thai architecture here is infused with the perfect blend of traditionalism and elegance, and the staff is generous with their caretaking with smiles all around. This was definitely one of my most exciting experiences while travelling through islands on the Andaman Sea and so, without further adieu, here is why Castaway is the best place to stay in Koh Lipe!

Castaway Location: Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe

This best place to stay at Koh Lipe is located on the eastern side of the island, right on Sunrise Beach. It is surrounded by soft white sand and turquoise waters and is much calmer than the busy Pattaya beach from where most speedboats and ferries depart. Of course, this Koh Lipe Sunrise Beach accommodation is also the most ideal place to watch the sun rise above the quiet waters in Koh Lipe.

The location of the Koh Lipe hotel Castaway Resort on Sunrise Beach is also a great spot to go for Koh Lipe snorkelling as there is a healthy reef life just off the beach from the resort, making it the best place to stay in Koh Lipe! Sunrise Beach is also great to go kayaking the nearby islands of Koh Kra and Koh Usen which can be seen right from the resort itself. You can either swim there or take a kayak or paddleboard there. Yes, they are that close!

Beyond this, the island is encircled by the Tarutao National Marine Park which houses nearly 51 islands, some uninhabited. The Koh Lipe hotel Castaway Resort also offers its guests day trips to the same. There are also islands near Koh Lipe like Koh Adang and Koh Rawi right next door. Castaway Beach Resort Koh Lipe even has does Koh Lipe kayak rental for those who would enjoy a solo trip to these gems. Does it not sound like the best place to stay in Koh Lipe?

Seaview Breezy: My Room at Castaway Beach Resort

Castaway Resort is the best place to stay in Koh Lipe because they have a real choice selection when it comes to picking your stay. The bungalows are comfortable and airy with their rustic and fun wooden build. There are three types of properties on the resort, beachside, garden view, and sea view.

I found myself in the Seaview Breezy Bungalow in this Koh Lipe hotel, just steps away from the ocean. The structure is two storeys high with a very comfortable natural breeze flowing through the rooms (and hence the name!) The deck upfront also has a nice hammock for one to laze away the afternoon in.

The cottage opens right into the bathroom on the ground floor. Which is a little unusual, yes and I had a good laugh about it too. A narrow wooden staircase takes you to the top floor has a cosy queen-sized double bed with a glass door opening into the balcony offering a gorgeous sea view. There are no ACs, only ceiling fans in the rooms but I found myself most snug without it, the ocean breeze was just perfect to sleep in. I would often leave the balcony’s glass door open through the night and sleep within the mosquito nets surrounding the bed for a good night’s sleep, making this truly the best place to stay in Koh Lipe!

Beachfront Breakfast and Happy Hour

It is often said that you can truly judge a place by the food that it serves, and if that’s the measure in this situation, Castaway is the best place to stay on Koh Lipe. Their in-house restaurant is exciting with a vast menu, but the true event is the Big Breakfast with options like Thai (noodle soup), French (a flaky buttery croissant and coffee) and English (sausages and potatoes) breakfasts to choose from!

They also run cooking classes for the guests where one can learn the secrets of Thai cuisine. The instructions are easy to follow, the venue is by the sea and the best part – you get to eat what you make! The instructors send you off with a compact list of recipes and a little souvenir too, a little incentive to continue cooking Thai even when back home!

After the day’s activities, I would most look forward to Castaway Resort’s daily happy hour, the best Koh Lipe happy hour there is! Running from 4 pm to 6 pm, the resort bar offers signature cocktails and long drinks at “two for the price of one”. There is ample seating by the waters or along the bar, ambient music plays to add to the mood and you also get a free bowl of nuts to munch on. Beyond that, you can also order some snacks off the bar menu (the Thai spring rolls and raw papaya salad go very well with their cocktails!)

Being the best place to stay in Koh Lipe, the Castaway Resort Koh Lipe menu offers a mix of European and Thai cuisines, free wifi, and versatile seating options including floor mats, beanbags and picnic tables. You can also request for special private dinner, be it for you and your partner or a big family gathering. 

Castaway Divers: Dive Straight from Sunrise Beach

Castaway Resort is the best place to stay in Koh Lipe because also has a PADI 5-star diving centre located within the grounds: Castaway Divers. They offer a wide range of Koh Lipe diving activities that cater to everyone ranging from DSD programmes for first-timers to fun dives for experienced divers. Castaway Divers Koh Lipe also offer diving courses like Open Water, Advanced Open Water, Rescue and more.

Koh Lipe is famous for the diving opportunities it presents, and Castaway Resort Koh Lipe diving makes it super easy. Since Koh Lipe is located in the Tarutao National Marine Park, the oldest national marine park in Thailand, there is a lot to explore here in terms of aquatic life. Some famous diving spots are the Koh Usen reefs, Stonehenge (an impressive granite stone formation coming out of the sea bed), the Yong Hua Wreck (a fish processing boat wreck), and many more.

Most of the information needed is listed on the Castaway Divers website. The prices (as of 2023) were 1200 THB for a beach dive, 1600 THB for one boat dive, 3000 THB for two, and 4000 THB for three. You can also have kayak rental Koh Lipe, snorkels and stand-up paddle boats from the dive shop, along with arranging Koh Lipe snorkelling expeditions. 

Castaway Wellness: Yoga and Spa

As if all these reasons were not enough to convince you that Castaway Resort is indeed the best place to stay in Koh Lipe, they also have a spa offering a multitude of treatments and Thai massages. The Castaway spa masseurs are very experienced and boast of having been trained in Bangkok in the Wat Pho style of Traditional Thai Medicine. The centre is right on top of the beach so guests can relax and enjoy the sea breeze while indulging in some self-care. Other services include oil massage, pedicure, manicure treatments, and much more.

There is also Castaway Resort Koh Lipe yoga classes, three sessions a day (barring Sunday). The class is slow-paced and beginner-friendly, exploring basic poses, breathwork, and alignment to promote flexibility and balance. The instructors practice Hatha yoga which helps with strength, flexibility, and relaxation through gentle stretches and poses, making Castaway Resort the best place to stay in Koh Lipe.

The class size ranges from 2-12 with the location being by the beach. Each session is an hour long and costs 400 THB. You can also request private sessions which cost about 1000 THB.

Sustainability at Castaway Resort

Saving the best for the last, my favourite reason why Castaway Beach Resort is the best place to stay in Koh Lipe is because of its commitment to sustainability.

All rooms in the resort are built in the traditional Thai architecture which allows for natural winds to flow through the cottages, reducing the need for ACs and the harmful emissions that come with their use. The structure is made using natural hardwoods from local sustainable farms, the roofs are made from hand-made local thatch and the combination of natural materials helps to keep the bungalows cooler.

Each room is supplied with reusable water bottles that are refilled twice daily. They also support and house a few climate-friendly endeavours such as the Trash Hero initiative focused on reducing plastic waste on the island by doing weekly beach clean-ups every Monday.

Castaway Resort allows natural flora to cover the grounds to not disturb natural ecosystems. They also boast of a sophisticated waste treatment system on the island, that makes sure whatever water is used, is returned safely back to the environment, and has an efficient recycling system.

They also contribute to the Lanta Animal Welfare Project, along with the Save Koh Lipe initiative. If you are someone who appreciates sustainability, Castaway is the best place to stay in Koh Lipe.

How to Reach Koh Lipe

The small island of Koh Lipe is about 60 kilometres offshore and has proximity to both Thailand and Malaysia. All speedboats usually dock at Pattaya Beach on the west of the island. From the beach, you can take one of the motorbike taxis waiting near the drop-off point. This costs 50 THB. There is also a 200 THB fee for entering Koh Lipe because it’s part of the Tarutao Marine National Park.

Nearest Airport and Train Station to Koh Lipe

Both the nearest airport and the nearest train station to Koh Lipe is at Hat Yai. For Hat Yai to Koh Lipe, you have to take a van and then a ferry and the total travel time is about 3.5 hours to 4.5 hours and costs around 700 THB (19 USD).

How to Reach Koh Lipe by Ferry

If you’re wondering how to get to Koh Lipe, daily ferries run between the northern islands and Koh Lipe between the dry months of November to mid-April. Ferry schedules become unpredictable between May to October due to monsoons.

How to reach Koh Lipe from Phuket: For those travelling from Phuket to Koh Lipe, there is the option of taking a flight to the Hat Yai airport and carrying it on from there. There are also direct Phuket to Koh Lipe ferries that take 5-6 hours and cost about 2500 THB (69 USD).

How to get to Koh Lipe from Krabi: The journey from Krabi to Koh Lipe is more indirect. It takes about 6-7 hours and costs about 1000 THB (28 USD) including all connections.

How to get to Koh Lipe from Koh Lanta: Koh Lanta is probably the closest tourist island to Koh Lipe. There are direct Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe ferries every day. The journey takes about 3 hours and costs about 1650 THB (46 USD).

How to Reach Koh Lipe from Langkawi (Malaysia)

Koh Lipe is very close to the Malaysian border and can be easily accessed via a ferry from Langkawi. The journey only takes 1 to 1.5 hours. Three ferries run from Langkawi to Koh Lipe every day departing from Kuah Jetty in Langkawi and reaching Pattaya Beach in Koh Lipe.

The journey usually costs between 36 to 39 USD (1300-1400 THB) and 12go Asia is the most convenient way to book your ferries.

Best Time to Visit Koh Lipe

The best time to visit Koh Lipe is between November and April when the weather is just right at 25-30 degrees, and rain is minimal. From May to October, it’s the low season due to monsoons, so most water activities might shut down.

Even from May to October, Koh Lipe is better than other islands as it experiences a comparatively drier rainy season. Diving largely remains unaffected but it is best to plan with the possibility of humidity. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Koh Lipe

Is Koh Lipe worth it?

Koh Lipe is a beautiful hidden paradise, far away from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. It is quiet, with beautiful beaches and exciting aquatic activities. There is much to explore especially if you enjoy scuba diving and snorkelling. The island had some fun hikes and trails to walk on. It is ideal for a getaway where you just let yourself tan and leisurely walk around the beaches. It is definitely worth it!

Is Koh Lipe expensive?

In comparison to other islands of Thailand, yes, though the difference isn’t very major. It is advised that you carry a good deal of cash for activities and such. It has also become a bit more commercial in recent years, but the experience is absolutely worth it especially if you are looking for a fairly upbeat scene but not as crowded.

How many days in Koh Lipe is enough?

The island has a lot to offer with its exciting range of activities and the relaxed atmosphere. A minimum of 3 days is a must to see the best of what Koh Lipe has to offer. If you are someone who enjoys taking their time and wants to partake in every bit of what Koh Lipe presents, plan for at least 5 days. Don’t forget to indulge in the relaxing activities the resorts have to offer. The most impressive collection of the same lies in the best place to stay in Koh Lipe, Castaway Resort.

Where is the best place to watch the sunset in Koh Lipe?

The best place for a sunset in Koh Lipe is of course the sunset beach! Sunset Beach, also known as Hat Pramong, is a small cozy beach with several little bays. From here you can also enjoy the view of the National Park’s islands closest ones being Koh Adang and Koh Rawi in the distance. If you’re also looking for a place to enjoy the sunrise, take a trip to Sunrise Beach which also houses the best place to stay in Koh Lipe, the Castaway resort.

Is Koh Lipe crowded?

Koh Lipe is relatively a quiet island but in recent years it has found more visitors, especially after becoming Instagram famous. Nonetheless, only a few places such as Pattaya Beach are often crowded. If you’re looking for a calmer and quieter space, spaces like Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach are definitely the better choice.

Where to go after Koh Lipe?

There are a lot of islands close to Koh Lipe that can be visited by just hopping onto a ferry. If you are someone who prefers peace, head to Koh Libong. You can also plan a trip towards Koh Lanta, or just head to Langkawi in Malaysia!