Thailand

[Centrals]

Crowd on the island but not in the water. So good for scuba diving.

But the diving is NO better in Koh Lipe than Koh Lanta.

 

[GDMP]

@Centrals, that's interesting to me: Lipe is the one place in Thailand that I want to dive but haven't visited yet! I've heard 8 Mile and Stone Henge are v nice dive sites. How do you think they compare with some of Thailand's best other sites (Richelieu, Hin D, Hin M, Tachai)?

 

[Centrals]

@Centrals, that's interesting to me: Lipe is the one place in Thailand that I want to dive but haven't visited yet! I've heard 8 Mile and Stone Henge are v nice dive sites. How do you think they compare with some of Thailand's best other sites (Richelieu, Hin D, Hin M, Tachai)?

Your own opinion would be much appropriated and unbiased. Therefore you really have to make a trip and experience it yourself.
But I would like to point out that both sites were off limited for a period of time in Jan 2024 because of weather.
If you have time then you ought to combine both island. However, please bear in mind the speed boat journey from Lanta to Lipe can be extremely uncomfortable if the sea is rough.
BTW, please do not be mislead that Lipe is more expensive than Lanta, it is NOT.

 

[chillyinCanada]

Your own opinion would be much appropriated and unbiased. Therefore you really have to make a trip and experience it yourself.
But I would like to point out that both sites were off limited for a period of time in Jan 2024 because of weather.
If you have time then you ought to combine both island. However, please bear in mind the speed boat journey from Lanta to Lipe can be extremely uncomfortable if the sea is rough.
BTW, please do not be mislead that Lipe is more expensive than Lanta, it is NOT.

Which island is easiest to get to?

 

[Centrals]

Which island is easiest to get to?

Lanta and Lipe?
Depend where you are travelling from.

Koh Lipe
1. Malaysia
There is a direct ferry from Langkawi to Koh Lipe during the high season. And the boat is big therefore less prone to sea condition.
2. Thailand
a. Bangkok. Flight to Hatyai and then land and sea transfer to the island.
b. Phuket. This will take quite a while and is NOT practical.
c. Koh Lanta. The ferry takes 3hrs.

Koh Lanta
a. Bangkok. Flight to Krabi and then land and sea(15mins) transfer.
b. Phuket. Direct ferry. Alternatively, land and sea transfer via Krabi bus terminal.

The ferry transfer involved from Krabi to Koh Lanta is pretty short and rarely affected by sea condition. Beside, the schudel is frequent unlike those for Lipe.

 

[GDMP]

@chillyinCanada, Lanta is definitely a bit easier for the most part.

Thanks, @Centrals! Completely agree about visiting and making your own mind up — I've dived at a bunch of places that I was very pleasantly surprised by and others that I thought would be way better.

I've wanted to visit Lipe for a while and I'm in Asia, so I might as well try to get there later this season, combined with Lanta (can't pass up Hin D and Hin M). Lipe diving isn't more expensive, but there aren't as many places to stay, and for 1 person there are definitely many more comfortable, better priced accommodation options on Lanta, so I'd probably just visit Lipe for 3 days and dive 2.

 

[Centrals]

@chillyinCanada, Lanta is definitely a bit easier for the most part.

Thanks, @Centrals! Completely agree about visiting and making your own mind up — I've dived at a bunch of places that I was very pleasantly surprised by and others that I thought would be way better.

I've wanted to visit Lipe for a while and I'm in Asia, so I might as well try to get there later this season, combined with Lanta (can't pass up Hin D and Hin M). Lipe diving isn't more expensive, but there aren't as many places to stay, and for 1 person there are definitely many more comfortable, better priced accommodation options on Lanta, so I'd probably just visit Lipe for 3 days and dive 2.

Plenty to choose from in Lanta when it comes to accommodation.
Harmony Bed and Bakery is good value in Lipe. Will be staying there again.
The diving rate in Lipe is actually a lot lower than Lanta but other general cost are a bit higher. However, getting there is not easy unless coming from Langkawi.
You can easily make four dives in a day in Lipe.
Adang Sea Divers even offer free simple lunch if you make two morning dives!

 

[KBlack]

Depends on time of year you are traveling and what your diving interests are.

 

[Centrals]

I will allocate couple of days at Koh Lanta Old Town on my future visit(not counting the one in two months time) and might even do that during the off season.

 

[Centrals]

"Fierce clash with insurgents in Songkhla Province(Saba Yoi District)". This is the news in Thailand today.
Probably does not concern to most tourists.
The latest warning from UK Gov includes "within 50km of the whole border area with Cambodia".