Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe — Dry-Season Speedboat via Koh Ngai, Koh Mook and Koh Kradan, or Overland via Pakbara Pier When the Boats Stop
The classic island-hopping route of the southern Andaman. From Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe by speedboat in about 3 hours, stopping at Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Bulon on the way, and how to go overland through Trang and Pakbara pier in the monsoon.
Lanta to Lipe is the best island-hopping run in the southern Andaman: one boat calls at the well-known islands of Trang and Satun, and you can get off at any of them. All of it works only in the dry season. Once the boats stop, getting from Lanta to Lipe becomes a half-day overland trip.
All options
| Option | Time | When it runs |
|---|---|---|
| Direct speedboat Saladan → Lipe (island stops en route) | About 3–3.5 hours | Roughly November to April |
| Minivan + car ferry → Trang/Pakbara pier + boat | About 6–7 hours | All year (Pakbara–Lipe boats run reduced in the monsoon) |
By boat (dry season)
Several companies leave Saladan pier at Lanta's northern tip in the late morning, run south along the Trang coast, and call at Koh Ngai, Koh Mook and Koh Kradan, some also at Koh Bulon, before reaching Koh Lipe in the mid-afternoon. You can get off at any stop if your ticket is to that island, so a plan like Lanta 2 nights → Koh Mook 1 night → Lipe 3 nights works with the same boat line on different days.
Lipe has no pier. Speedboats moor at a floating platform off Pattaya Beach, and longtails carry you ashore. A longtail fee and the Tarutao national park fee are collected on arrival; bring cash.
- Book Koh Lanta–Koh Lipe speedboats (choose an island stop as your destination): open 12Go
Overland (rainy season)
From roughly May to October the island-to-island speedboats stop. What still works is a minivan from Lanta over the car ferry to the mainland, through Trang and south to Pakbara pier in Satun province in about 3.5–4 hours, then the Pakbara–Lipe boat in about 1.5 hours. The Pakbara line is Lipe's main lifeline and runs all year, but drops to one or two sailings in the monsoon and may cancel on rough days. Combined van-and-boat tickets are sold with pickup at Lanta resorts.
- See combined van-and-boat tickets Lanta–Pakbara–Lipe: open 12Go
The reverse direction
From Lipe back to Lanta, do the same in reverse. But if your next destination is Bangkok, get off at Pakbara and continue by road to Hat Yai (about 2 hours) to fly, or to Trang for the sleeper train, without returning to Lanta.
Seasons
Southern Andaman: calm seas from November to April, monsoon from May to October. Several national parks on this route (Mu Ko Phetra, Tarutao) partly close in the monsoon. Accommodation on Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan mostly shuts for the wet season; Lipe stays open all year but is quiet.
Common mistakes
- Booking an island-to-island speedboat in a monsoon month. Go overland via Pakbara and allow a spare day for cancellations.
- Arriving on Lipe without cash for the longtail and park fees. There are ATMs on the island, but queues are long and they run dry.
- Buying a through ticket to Lipe and then wanting to get off at Koh Mook. The ticket names the destination; if you want to stop, buy the legs separately from the start.
Flights
Compare fares across all airlines in one search (prices depend on the date; last-minute is the expensive way): Bangkok → Krabi · Bangkok → Hat Yai
Where to stay
Compare hotels and guesthouses along this route (prices change by season; check the live price on the booking page): Koh Lipe · Koh Lanta · Trang
Summary
In the dry season, take the late-morning speedboat from Saladan, stop at whichever islands you like, and reach Lipe by afternoon. In the rainy season, switch to a minivan through Trang to Pakbara pier and the main ferry line. Always carry cash for the arrival fees.