Arguable, of course, but to me, compared to Krabi and Phuket, Koh Lipe is miles better. I absolutely enjoyed my trip to this lesser known paradise earlier this year. Here are some of my reasons why...

It's close to Malaysia

Koh Lipe sits in the district of Satun in Thailand, just a 90 minutes speed boat ride away from Langkawi island in Malaysia. It's closer from Satun but the nearest airport in Thailand is in Hat Yai which is 2 hours away from Satun. So if you came from Langkawi, it's a 2 for 1 deal as Langkawi is another great island to visit, and it's duty free!

From the speed boat, we need to transfer to a tailboat

There are 3 beaches to around the island and they're totally different from one another

The one and only main street on the island from Pattaya beach

You have Pattaya beach where you will first arrive at. The beach has very find sand due to the inward shape and waves from every direction hitting the shore. You also have Sunrise and Sunset beach with coarser sand but just great beaches for swim as well. There are also hidden beaches if you want to escape the crowd.

One of the hidden ones, Sanom beach

The ocean can't get any blue-er than this...

The beach at Koh Kra. Look at that blue water!

Maldives might be too far away for me so this is a closer and more affordable way for me to experience such blue seas. In Phuket or Krabi, you're going to have to go to another island to experience clear blue seas.

Food is abundance and lots of halal choices

Had breakfast at one of the stalls selling delicacies which are similar to Malaysia

As a Muslim, the hardest part for me is to find food that I can eat. The population in south of Thailand is mostly Muslim, including in Koh Lipe, so I was spoiled for choice here. From the unique Thai breakfast, which is similar but different to us in Malaysia, to international delicacies like pizza and pasta. You won't go hungry!

Recommended pizza place!

Gorgeous sunrise and sunset view

Sunrise view

Wake up early to see the sunrise and set out to the Sunset beach to see the sun go down. The views are amazing with the water receding revealing more of the ocean bed and leaving the boats stuck on the floor. It is breathtaking!

Sunset view

There are a lot of activities nearby

Hiking at Koh Adang gives you this view of Koh Lipe

Even if you don't feel like just relaxing by the beach. Lots of activities to join over there. I went on a half day island hopping and snorkeling tour, kayaking to the small island by the Sunrise beach as well as hiking at the neighboring island Koh Adang to get a birds' eye view of the islands. You can also joing the scuba diving tours and other water activities offered at affordable prices. No pre-booking needed.

We went kayaking to the small island Koh Kra

It is less crowded than the other beach destinations

A pebble beach visited during an island hopping and snorkeling trip

Even though there were a lot of people when I visited in March, it was not as crowded as Krabi and Phuket can be. If you feel like escaping from the crowd, head to the neighboring island Koh Adang to relax at the beach or under the breezy pine trees. Just a 10 minutes ride away by tailboat.

A sandspit at Koh Adang island

So there you have it. Are you convinced now? Let me know your experience.