Why Koh Lipe
Koh Lipe boasts numerous dive sites situated within the Tarutao National Marine Park that shares a border with Malaysia. The park is closed for a few months each year, allowing ample time for recovery. As a result, the underwater world here teems with an astonishing variety of fish and coral.
From the massive Whale Sharks and Mantas to the tiniest macro critters, Koh Lipe offers diverse marine life. Personally, I set my personal record for the smallest Nudibranch ever seen and most Seahorses spotted within a week. While I missed the chance to spot the gentle giants, they are more likely to be seen during specific seasons.
What stood out most during my diving experience in Koh Lipe was the exquisite coral formations. Due to the strong currents in many dive sites, Koh Lipe is home to a plethora of stunning soft corals, ranging from shades of pink to purple. Even if you miss seeing your preferred marine creature on a dive, the captivating beauty of Koh Lipe’s dive sites will make the experience worthwhile!
Furthermore, Koh Lipe offers the perfect size for a holiday – not too large or small, easy to navigate, breathtaking beaches, and excellent dining options. While it’s not excessively crowded with backpackers, it still boasts fantastic bars. This means that you can enjoy an equally enjoyable experience both above and below the surface of the island.
Best Time for Diving
The Tarutao National Marine Park, including diving, is closed to tourists from mid-May until mid-November. However, there are numerous outstanding dive sites surrounding Koh Lipe that are not a part of the national park and remain accessible.
Despite the slowdown in tourism from May to October, Koh Lipe still offers excellent diving opportunities throughout the year, with water temperatures hovering around 28 degrees and visibility up to 20 meters. The low season is an excellent chance to secure fantastic deals on accommodation and diving, making it ideal for budget-conscious travelers.
Similar to other dive sites, the conditions at Koh Lipe’s diving spots depend on the moon phases and may experience strong currents. During the summer months, the water will have more plankton, increasing the chance of spotting magnificent Whale Sharks!
Dive Sites you should not miss
Koh Lipe and its neighboring islands offer an array of exceptional dive sites, and your dive center will select the ideal spot based on tides and conditions. What’s even better is that the farthest dive site is just a 30-minute speedboat ride away, allowing you to return to land between dives on most trips. This map is from https://www.forradiving.com/
If you plan on diving in Tarutao National Park, you will be required to pay a marine park fee of 220 baht. You must purchase one ticket before boarding your speedboat, and it is valid for five days. If your stay is longer, you will need to obtain another ticket, which most dive centers include in their prices.
It’s worth noting that some dive sites may have fishing cages visible. These cages are owned by the Chao Ley, a group of nomadic fishermen who have resided in the area for a long time. While this may be difficult to witness for some divers, these fishermen have explicit permission to set up the cages for fishing purposes.
Zero Rock
My Koh Lipe diving adventure began at Zero Rock, a small islet that resembles a zero when viewed from a distance. It’s a fantastic spot for novices to dive as the conditions are gentle, and there’s an abundance of marine life to explore.
During my dive, we were fortunate enough to spot a sizable Marble Ray, exquisite Feathery Starfish twirling around, and a school of Bannerfish during our safety stop, which was my personal favorite.
Koh Yang West & Koh Yang East
Located near Koh Lipe, the Koh Yang East and West dive sites derive their names from their respective positions on either side of the island. Both dive sites have a maximum depth of 15 meters and are relatively shallow, making them ideal for divers of all levels. Additionally, they offer excellent protection from the currents, making them a viable option even during full or new moon phases when currents can be strong.
The Koh Yang East and West dive sites are home to a diverse array of marine life, including schooling snappers, the occasional turtle, and intriguing macro life. Furthermore, the vibrant yellow, purple, white, and pink soft corals that adorn the site are a testament to why diving in Koh Lipe is such a remarkable experience.
Sarang & Pakaciem
Part of the Far Islands, Sarang and Pakaciem are the most remote dive sites from Koh Lipe, with a 30-minute boat ride required to reach them. These two sites are typically visited in conjunction to maximize the effort of the journey.
Sarang is particularly popular among divers for its “Christmas Tree Pinnacle,” adorned with stunning soft corals and surrounded by beds of pink and purple coral. With the guidance of an experienced dive master, divers may be able to spot tiny seahorses or the beloved Harlequin Shrimp, making for an even more memorable dive.
Good Koh Lipe Dive Center
There are roughly 20 dive centers in Koh Lipe, with some still closed during my visit in February 2021. After conducting research, I decided to go with Adang Sea Divers, Koh Lipe, an eco-friendly dive shop that received excellent reviews. Kris, the owner of Adang, has assembled a fantastic team of dive professionals and ocean enthusiasts, and I was not disappointed.
Adang Sea Divers provides on-site lodging and an excellent vegan restaurant, Benny’s on the Beach, in addition to a diverse selection of SSI courses. They have a fantastic speedboat helmed by Captain Bang Dang and typically provide four dives per day, with a decreasing cost per dive for larger bookings. During my dives, there were no more than four divers per dive guide.
Aside from being skilled in their jobs, I appreciate Adang Sea Divers’ eco-conscious approach. Refillable water bottles are given to divers, reminders are frequently provided not to touch marine life, and fabric serviettes and bamboo straws are used at Benny’s.