The island-hopping route from Koh Lanta south to Koh Lipe is one of the most spectacular ferry journeys in Thailand — a chain of small islands across turquoise water, working down through Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan, Koh Mook and Koh Bulon before arriving at Koh Lipe, the archipelago's southernmost destination. Total journey time from Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe is typically 3 to 4 hours with island stops. This service runs in high season only.
High season only: This island-hopping route operates approximately from late October or early November through to May. It is suspended during the Andaman monsoon (roughly June to September), when sea conditions on this open stretch of coast make speedboat and passenger ferry services impractical. Do not plan to travel this route in low season — confirm with operators that services have started before booking.
Operators
Three operators cover all or part of this island-hop chain:
- Tigerline Ferry — the main scheduled service running the full chain from Koh Lanta down to Koh Lipe, with stops at intermediate islands. Tigerline is the operator most travellers use for this route and has a reasonable reputation for keeping to its published schedule.
- Bundhaya Speed Boat — primarily known for the Pak Bara–Koh Lipe crossing but also covers parts of the island chain; check their timetable for Lanta connections.
- Satun Pak Bara Speed Boat Club — another operator on the southern section, useful for onward connections from Koh Lipe towards Pak Bara on the mainland.
Tickets can be bought at Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta, through travel agencies on the island, or online via Tigerline's website. In peak season (December to February), booking a day ahead is sensible. In early or late high season (November, March–May), same-day purchase is usually fine.
The island stops
The route calls at several small islands between Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe, and you can use it as a hop-on service rather than a through ticket. The main stops:
Koh Ngai (Koh Hai)
The first stop south of Koh Lanta, Koh Ngai is a small, relatively undeveloped island with good snorkelling and a handful of beach resorts. It takes around 45 minutes from Saladan to reach. Koh Ngai has no village as such — just a handful of resorts along its west coast — making it one of the quieter options if you want to drop off the island-hopping trail for a few days.
Koh Mook (Koh Mu)
Koh Mook is best known for the Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot), a sea cave reached by swimming through a 80-metre tunnel that opens into a hidden lagoon. The cave is on the island's west side and is a popular long-tail excursion from the island. The ferry stop is at the island's small fishing village. Journey time from Koh Ngai is roughly 20–30 minutes.
Koh Kradan
Koh Kradan has some of the clearest water and most photogenic coral of any island on this chain, and sits within the Hat Chao Mai National Park. The island is small and quiet, with a handful of resorts and no permanent village. The ferry calls here between Koh Mook and Koh Bulon.
Koh Bulon Leh
Koh Bulon is the last significant stop before Koh Lipe, and has a relaxed, very low-key atmosphere — small guesthouses, good seafood, and almost no nightlife. It's a popular final stop for travellers who find Koh Lipe too busy.
Arriving at Koh Lipe
As with the service from Pak Bara, boats to Koh Lipe do not dock at a conventional pier. The ferry anchors offshore and passengers transfer via longtail water taxi to a floating pontoon near Walking Street. This is well-practised and quick, but keep electronics and valuables in a waterproof bag for the short transfer. A national park entrance fee (set by the Department of National Parks) is charged to foreign visitors and is typically collected on arrival at the pontoon — this is separate from your ferry ticket.
For everything you need to know about the island once you arrive — beaches, diving, eating and onward travel to Malaysia — a dedicated Koh Lipe guide explains why Koh Lipe is called the Maldives of Thailand and, because the island is noticeably pricier than the mainland, gives an honest picture of what you can expect to pay there.
The full journey in a day, or taking your time
The Tigerline service covering Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe in a single day departs from Saladan Pier in the morning and arrives at Koh Lipe in the early to mid-afternoon after stops. This is a comfortable, do-able single-day journey and a popular way to make the most of limited time.
Alternatively, you can use the intermediate island stops as proper destinations rather than passing through. Spend a night or two on Koh Ngai or Koh Mook, take a day trip to the Emerald Cave, and work south over four or five days. This is a particularly satisfying way to travel the Andaman islands in high season — each island is distinct, the distances are short, and you arrive at Koh Lipe knowing you've actually seen the coast, not just flown over it.
From Koh Lipe, onward ferries connect to Pak Bara on the mainland (the return leg of the route described in our guide on Pak Bara to Koh Lipe), and in season there are also boats to Langkawi in Malaysia — a useful exit point if you are making a border crossing. See Southeast Asia entry requirements for visa and border information.
Monsoon and low season
This cannot be overstated: the Koh Lanta–Koh Lipe island chain is an Andaman high-season route only. The monsoon (roughly May to October) brings heavy swells to this exposed stretch of coast, and no scheduled ferry service operates. Most accommodation on the smaller islands closes entirely, and Koh Lipe's population shrinks to a fraction of its high-season level. If you are caught by unexpected early monsoon conditions in May, the minivan-to-Pak Bara route from Trang or Hat Yai may still be possible as an alternative to reaching Koh Lipe — but check carefully.
For the broader Andaman ferry picture and the Gulf of Thailand alternative in low season, see ferries to the Thai islands.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the island-hopping ferry from Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe take?
The full journey with island stops takes approximately 3 to 4 hours, depending on the operator and how many stops are made. Tigerline's through service is the most commonly used for a one-day transfer.
Which islands does the ferry stop at between Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe?
The main stops on the chain are Koh Ngai (Hai), Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Bulon Leh. You can buy individual leg tickets to disembark at any of these islands and continue on a later boat.
Does the Koh Lanta to Koh Lipe ferry run in low season?
No. Services are suspended during the Andaman monsoon, approximately June to September, and some years into October. The route only operates reliably from approximately November to May. Confirm with operators at the start and end of the season.
Is there a national park fee when arriving at Koh Lipe?
Yes. A national park entrance fee is charged to foreign visitors, typically collected on arrival at the floating pontoon. It is separate from your ferry ticket. The current rate is set by the Thai Department of National Parks.
Sources and further reading:
- Tigerline Ferry (tigerlinetravel.com) — island-hopping schedules including Lanta–Lipe.
- Bundhaya Speed Boat (bundhaya.com) — schedules and southern island connections.
- Satun Pak Bara Speed Boat Club — timetables for the southern Andaman chain.
- Thai Department of National Parks (dnp.go.th) — national park entrance fees.
- Thai Meteorological Department (tmd.go.th) — monsoon forecast and Andaman weather.