Koh Lipe is one of the most beautiful islands at the Tarutao Marine Park in Satun and is considered one of Thailand's Hidden Gem. This small island sits at the Southern most part of the marine park and the name Ko Lipe (pronounced Lee Pay) comes from the local sea gypsy name which means Paper Island. Ko Lipe is also known as the 'Maldives of Thailand'. [video=youtube;xvJ1IP76rOY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvJ1IP76rOY[/video]
The beaches are very nice and the visibility when snorkelling on the coral reefs located just off the beaches was also great. But it was the end of the moonsoon season when i was there that's why it looks just average.
maybe it was a hidden gem when I first visited 24 years ago. Now as hidden and exploited as Phi Phi. Many a reef shark then in house reef, now dont know. Sea gypsy is as derogative as rambutan which thais use. They are moken people or chao le - people of the seas. Government moved them to settle in Lipe. The other reservate for the before free sea people is Ko Surin in the N.
