When to go?
Koh Lipe has seen a large increase in visitors in the last decade and has now become an all year destination. The island can be reached year around from Pak Bara. In high season boats also connect to Langkawi, Koh Lanta, Koh Phi Phi, Phuket and several small islands in the Andaman Sea.
Weekends tend to be more busy all year on Koh Lipe as Thai and Malaysian tourists flock to the island for a weekend break. Transport and hotel reservations are highly recommended on friday, saturday and sunday, especially when there is a national holiday.
High season is from November until early May: reservations for transport and hotels is recommended.
Peak season is around 15 December until the end of February: most rooms and transport tickets are fully booked months in advance and arriving on Koh Lipe without a reservation can be a very stressful experience.
Low season, or green season as the locals call it, is from May to October. There are a lot less tourists and it isn't difficult to find a quiet spot on the beach. Although the island is now open all year with 2 boats running to and from Pak Bara every day, some of the hotels and other businesses still close down. It's a great time to go if you enjoy quiet time on the beach and there a great hotel deals to be had.