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I wasn’t supposed to be in Koh Lipe.

Life threw me a little curveball, and suddenly I felt this urge to get away. So I made one of the most spontaneous decisions of my life… I applied for my passport.

I still remember spending almost seven hours at the Kajang Immigration Office waiting for my number to be called. By the time I walked out, I’d already made up my mind. I was going somewhere. The only question was… where?

Bangkok was my first choice, but last-minute flight prices quickly changed my plans. That’s when a backpacker friend I knew through Instagram suggested a tiny island in southern Thailand called Koh Lipe.

I’d never even heard of it before, but after seeing photos of its crystal-clear water and white sandy beaches, I was sold. The best part? The whole trip only cost me around RM800.

That spontaneous decision turned into my very first solo trip, and it gave me the confidence to keep travelling on my own.

If you’re planning your first visit to Koh Lipe, here’s everything I learned from my experience.

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✅ How I Got to Koh Lipe from Kuala Lumpur

Since I booked everything just a day before my trip, my transportation options were pretty limited. There is a direct train from Kuala Lumpur to Hatyai, but by the time I checked, all the seats had already sold out. My only option was to take an overnight bus instead.

I booked my return bus ticket through Easybook. The bus departed from Subang Airport at 1:00 AM and took around 12 hours to reach Hatyai. The best part was that it dropped us off right in front of a travel agent’s shop, making it easy to arrange the next part of the journey to Koh Lipe.

• Bus Ticket (Return): RM160 (Booked via Easybook.com)
• Drop-off Point: Right in front of a travel agent’s shop in Hatyai

 

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✅ Spending a Night in Hatyai

Since Pak Bara Pier, the gateway to Koh Lipe, is about a 2-hour drive from Hatyai, I decided to spend a night there instead of rushing and risking missing the last speedboat, which departs at around 3:00 PM.

I stayed at The Hive Hostel, which cost me RM39.15 per night, including breakfast. For the price, I honestly couldn’t ask for more. The dorm was clean, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, and it was the perfect place to recharge before continuing my journey the next morning.

I also loved the food in Hatyai. As a Muslim traveller, I had no trouble finding halal restaurants, and there were so many delicious and affordable options to choose from. I almost wish I’d spent another day there just to eat my way around the city!

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✅ An Unexpected Adventure on the Way to Pak Bara

Oh, and remember the backpacker friend who introduced me to Koh Lipe? He actually decided to join the trip too!

The funny part? We’d never met in real life before. We only knew each other through Instagram. It probably wasn’t the safest thing I’ve ever done, but somehow it all worked out. 

The next morning, I was supposed to be picked up by a pre-booked car, but guess what? No-show! 😑 Thankfully, the amazing receptionist at The Hive Hostel helped us sort things out. Instead of a car, a guy showed up on a motorcycle. Then he asked us to ride together… three of us on one bike, no helmets! Um, excuse me?! 😂

Was I terrified? Absolutely.

Did it make for one of the funniest memories from my first solo trip? Also yes.

Eventually, we made it to the agent’s shop, where we were supposed to board a van to Pak Bara. However, we were suddenly asked to pay an extra 1000 Baht because our original car had been in an accident. Not our problem, though?  My friend didn’t want to argue, so he paid. The agent promised a refund when we returned (spoiler alert: we never got it 🤦🏻‍♀️).

 

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✅ Arriving in Koh Lipe

The speedboat didn’t take us directly to the beach.

Instead, it stopped at a floating pontoon just offshore. From there, everyone had to transfer to a traditional longtail boat for the final few minutes to the beach. Since the water around Koh Lipe is quite shallow, this is completely normal and is how most visitors arrive on the island.

The longtail boat transfer required a small additional fee, which wasn’t included in my speedboat ticket. I also had to pay the Tarutao National Marine Park entrance fee before entering the island, so it’s a good idea to keep some cash handy for these extra charges.

Here are the additional fees I paid during my trip:

• Speedboat ticket: 500 Baht per person
• Longtail boat transfer: 50 Baht per person
• Driver tip: 20 Baht
• Pak Bara Pier entrance fee: 20 Baht (if applicable at the time of your visit)
• Tarutao National Marine Park entrance fee: I can’t remember the exact amount, so be sure to check the latest rates before your trip.

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✅ Where I Stayed in Koh Lipe

For this trip, I stayed at A+ Hostel, which I booked through Agoda for RM83.58 per night.

The dorm room was a little more cramped than I expected, especially compared to The Hive Hostel in Hatyai. However, the bathrooms were much cleaner and surprisingly spacious, which made a big difference after spending the whole day out exploring the island.

Overall, I thought it was a decent budget hostel for backpackers. Since I was only there to shower, sleep, and head back out the next morning, it had everything I needed for a comfortable stay.

 

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✅ The People I Met Along the Way

One thing I didn’t expect from my first solo trip was how easy it would be to meet people.

The friend who introduced me to Koh Lipe, Kerk, ended up joining the trip, even though we’d only ever spoken through Instagram before. It felt a little strange meeting for the first time in another country, but thankfully we got along really well.

At the hostel, I also met Adam and Leiyn from Malaysia. Before long, we were exploring the island together, sharing meals, watching the sunset, and eventually travelling back to Hatyai as a group.

I also met travellers from different parts of the world, including Tim from Germany. Listening to everyone’s travel stories made me realise that no two journeys are ever the same. Some people were travelling for months, while others were simply making the most of a short holiday. No matter where we came from, we all shared the same excitement of discovering a new place.

That trip taught me something I’ll never forget. Travelling solo doesn’t always mean travelling alone. Sometimes, it simply means giving yourself the chance to meet people you probably would have never known otherwise.

 

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✅ Food in Koh Lipe

Finding halal food in Koh Lipe was easier than I expected. There were quite a few halal restaurants around the island, so I never had to worry about where my next meal was coming from.

If you’re travelling on a budget, you’ll also find a 7-Eleven along Walking Street that’s perfect for picking up instant noodles, snacks, drinks, or other essentials. It became my go-to whenever I wanted to save a little money between meals.

Seafood lovers will be spoiled for choice too. There are plenty of seafood restaurants serving freshly caught fish, prawns, squid, and other local favourites. I found the prices to be quite reasonable. Not exactly cheap, but still affordable considering you’re dining on a small island.

 

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✅ The Beaches

One of the things I loved most about Koh Lipe was how small and walkable the island is. Most places were within walking distance, so I rarely felt the need for any transport. If you’d rather not walk in the heat, you can always rent a bicycle to get around.

I spent most of my time simply walking from beach to beach. There wasn’t really an itinerary. I just wandered wherever the day took me.

Although Koh Lipe is well known for snorkelling and diving, I decided to skip the tours. This trip was all about slowing down, enjoying the scenery, and spending as much time by the sea as possible. Sometimes, doing absolutely nothing is the best kind of holiday.

Here are the two beaches I enjoyed the most:

📍 Sunrise Beach

This was easily my favourite spot on the island. After checking into my hostel, I wasted no time putting on my swimsuit and heading straight into the sea. The water was incredibly clear, warm, and inviting, making it impossible to resist.

It can get quite windy, and the waves were stronger than I expected during my visit, but that didn’t take away from its beauty. If you’re someone who loves long stretches of soft sand and crystal-clear water, you’ll probably love Sunrise Beach as much as I did.

 

📍 Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach had a completely different atmosphere. It was quieter, more peaceful, and felt like the perfect place to slow down after a day of exploring. I found myself spending more time simply sitting by the shore, listening to the waves, and enjoying the calm surroundings.

If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to unwind, this would be my pick.

 

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✅ The Journey Back to KL

After a few relaxing days in Koh Lipe, it was finally time to head home. By then, I wasn’t travelling alone anymore. Kerk, Adam, and Leiyn, whom I’d met during the trip, were all taking the same route back to Kuala Lumpur, so we made the journey together.

We boarded the 9:30 AM speedboat back to Pak Bara, and let’s just say the ride was a rollercoaster! The waves were wild, and my entire backpack got soaked. Lesson learned: always pack a waterproof cover for your backpack!

Thankfully, the van I’d booked in advance was already waiting at the pier to take us back to Hatyai. It even had WiFi on board, which made the 2-hour journey pass by much quicker.

Once we arrived in Hatyai, we still had a few hours before our 8:00 PM bus back to Kuala Lumpur. We left our backpacks at the travel agent’s office, enjoyed one last meal together, and spent our remaining time wandering around the city before saying goodbye to Thailand.

We also had to pay the mandatory travel insurance fee of 50 Baht per person, so it’s worth keeping a little extra cash with you for any additional charges along the way.

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✅ Final Thoughts

My trip to Koh Lipe turned out to be one of the best spontaneous decisions I’ve ever made. There were a few hiccups along the way, from last-minute bookings and missed transfers to unexpected fees, but every challenge became part of the adventure.

More importantly, this trip showed me that travelling solo wasn’t nearly as scary as I’d imagined. It gave me the confidence to navigate a new country on my own, meet incredible people from different backgrounds, and realise that some of the best experiences happen when you step outside your comfort zone.

Would I go back to Koh Lipe?

Without a doubt.

The island may be small, but its crystal-clear water, laid-back atmosphere, and unforgettable sunsets left a lasting impression on me. More than that, it’ll always hold a special place in my heart because it’s where my solo travel journey truly began.

If you’ve been thinking about taking your first solo trip, maybe this is your sign. You never know where one spontaneous decision might lead you.

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📸 Photo Credits:

• Adam Rawk
• Zulkarnain (Kerk) – Author of Skriva Trilogi Vol I, II & III

Til then! 😊✨
Hani Duham 

 

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