The Complete Scuba Diving & Snorkelling Guide to Koh Lipe (2025 Edition)
Planning a trip to Thailand’s island paradise?
Whether you’re a seasoned scuba diver, a snorkeling enthusiast, or a curious first-timer, Koh Lipe delivers one of the richest underwater experiences in Southeast Asia.
Why Koh Lipe?
Koh Lipe is a remote gem in Thailand’s Andaman Sea, part of Tarutao National Marine Park. Despite its small size, it boasts 20+ dive sites, lush coral reefs, and easily accessible snorkeling—all within a short boat ride or even walking distance.
Perfect for:
- Beginners and families (Discover Scuba Diving, calm snorkel bays)
- Advanced divers (8 Mile Rock, Yong Hua Wreck)
- Underwater photographers and macro lovers
- Adventure travellers visiting during the low season
Watch now: What to expect in Low Season in Koh Lipe (and why it’s best!)
Best Time to Dive or Snorkel
- High Season (Nov–April): Dry, calm seas, best visibility (20–30m), all dive shops open
- Low Season (May–Oct): Fewer crowds, better prices, plankton-rich waters attract whale sharks and mantas; visibility ~10–20m
Water Temperature: 26–30°C year-round
Visibility: Peaks in high season, dips slightly in low season with plankton
Marine Life & Coral Health
You’ll find vibrant soft and hard corals, schooling barracuda, reef sharks, seahorses, nudibranchs, and more. Coral bleaching affected some shallow areas in 2024, but over 60% have recovered by early 2025 thanks to conservation efforts. Sites like Stonehenge and Ko Pung remain stunning.
What Makes Koh Lipe Special?
- Diverse dive sites: shallow nurseries, deep pinnacles, drift dives, wrecks
- Snorkeling from shore: especially Sunrise Beach & Sunset Beach
- Mixed travel groups welcome: snorkelers can tag along dive trips
- Family-friendly & beginner dive options
Download the Free Guide – Includes beginner gear checklist, top tips for the best dive experience & more.
Best Time to Dive or Snorkel
- High Season (Nov–April): Dry, calm seas, best visibility (20–30m), all dive shops open
- Low Season (May–Oct): Fewer crowds, better prices, plankton-rich waters attract whale sharks and mantas; visibility ~10–20m
Water Temperature: 26–30°C year-round
Visibility: Peaks in high season, dips slightly in low season with plankton
Marine Life & Coral Health
You’ll find vibrant soft and hard corals, schooling barracuda, reef sharks, seahorses, nudibranchs, and more. Coral bleaching affected some shallow areas in 2024, but over 60% have recovered by early 2025 thanks to conservation efforts. Sites like Stonehenge and Ko Pung remain stunning.
What Makes Koh Lipe Special?
- Diverse dive sites: shallow nurseries, deep pinnacles, drift dives, wrecks
- Snorkeling from shore: especially Sunrise Beach & Sunset Beach
- Mixed travel groups welcome: snorkelers can tag along dive trips
- Family-friendly & beginner dive options
Download the Free Guide – Includes beginner gear checklist, top tips for the best dive experience & more.
What to Expect by Experience Level
Beginners / First-time Divers
- Discover Scuba at calm sites like Koh Adang’s Nursery Bay
- Many dive shops offer private instruction & small groups
- Guided night snorkels available for the curious
Certified Divers
- Highlights: Stonehenge (iconic soft coral garden), Ko Yang (great all-around), Sail Rock (macro & turtles), Hin Yai (thrilling drifts)
Advanced Divers
- 8 Mile Rock (pelagics, whale sharks)
- Yong Hua Wreck (deep wreck with strong currents)
- Ideal for tec diving and underwater photography
Bonus: Whale shark sightings are most common May–Sept due to plankton blooms.
Dive Site Travel Times
- Most sites: 5–20 minutes from Koh Lipe by longtail or dive boat
- 8 Mile Rock: ~75 minutes by longtail (special trips) or 25-35 minutes by speedboat – depending on the conditions.
- Some sites accessed by speedboat (e.g., Satun Divers, Adang Sea Divers)
Download the Free Guide –
Includes beginner gear checklist, top tips for the best dive experience & more.
Recommended Dive Shops
- Castaway Divers: Chill vibes, beach resort tie-in, perfect for beginners
- Adang Sea Divers: Eco-conscious, great for underwater photography & families
- Satun Dive: Speed boat for fast access to further dive sites and faster dive days
- Ko Lipe Diving School: Large dive boat, multilingual staff, full-service experience
- Forra Diving: Rustic charm, liveaboard trips, friendly for budget travellers
- DJL / Ocean Pro: Tech diving experts, great for courses & gear variety
- Watch forecasts; be flexible
- Look for operators like Castaway, Satun Dive, Paradise Tours or Adang Sea Divers that run year-round
- Fewer boats = peaceful underwater scenesAll maintain modern equipment, follow safety protocols, and run daily trips in both high and low season.
Castaway Divers & Resort – Our Top Pick
We stayed and dived with Castaway Beach Resort, and it was a highlight of our Koh Lipe experience. Nestled on Sunrise Beach, this eco-friendly resort is a model of sustainable tourism. Their design is minimalist yet warm, using natural materials to create an inviting, low-impact retreat. The beachfront restaurant serves delicious Thai and Western meals, fresh smoothies, great coffee and happy hour cocktails — all with front-row ocean views.
The dive centre is friendly, professional, and perfect for beginners. Staff are knowledgeable and relaxed, making the dive experience smooth and enjoyable. The integrated spa, daily yoga classes, and access to kayaks and SUP boards round out the wellness-focused experience.
They also have a refill water station supported by Trash Hero, and partner with ‘Do It By Heart’ for weekly beach and ocean clean-ups, contributing actively to minimising the increasing tourism’s impact on Koh Lipe’s natural beauty and wildlife.
If you’re looking for a stay-and-dive setup that’s both sustainable and superbly run, Castaway is an excellent choice.
Book Your Stay at Castaway Resort, Koh Lipe
Snorkelling Hotspots
- Sunrise Beach Reef: Shore access, reef sharks, vibrant corals – be careful of longtails
- Koh Usen & Koh Kra: DIY snorkel via kayak
- Sunset Beach Reef: Coral bommies, turtle sightings, fewer boats
- Jabang Pinnacle: Boat tour access, vibrant shallow soft corals
Final Tips for Planning
- Book high season dives early
- Use reef-safe sunscreen or rash guards
- Always follow local marine park rules (e.g., no gloves, no hooks, no standing on coral, no taking anything)
- Consider travel insurance in case of rough sea delays
