KOH LIPE NORTH
(C) is now the preferred anchorage for Koh Lipe. Anchor in 7-10 metres on sand. The coral is easy to spot, as the water is very clear. With care the beaches are accessible at all states of tide but at low certainly head for the spot next to the beach bar where the longtails are parked. A short rocky path leads to a motorbike and sidecar taxis pick up point to town (or it’s a 10 minute easy walk).
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The island has paved road systems and motorbikes and tuk tuks race around at speed ferrying tourists about. Restaurants are plentiful and cater for all tastes and budgets. There are several supermarkets and 7-11s, two international clinics and three Phuket-style beach clubs with swimming pools.
Despite its accelerated development from a sleepy fishing village, Koh Lipe still has its own south Thailand charm and is the main base for yachts visiting the Butangs; cell coverage works great at the anchorages here.
Anchorage (D) 6°29.725N, 99° 18.765E, just west of Hin Takon Dukang, is better in the southwest season in 8-10 metres. Anchorage is also available on the east coast off Sunrise Beach between the two islands to the east of Koh Lipe in 15-20 metres.
To the north, across the channel, on the southern tip of Koh Adang is another gypsy village with a jetty in a sandy lagoon, which can be accessed by dinghy.
It’s well worth dinghying ashore to the NPHQ jetty on the south side of Adang and climbing at least some of the mountain to get an aerial view down onto Koh Lipe and out across to Langkawi and Tarutao.
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