These days Koh Lipe is much easier to get to due to newer faster ferries from the port of Pakbara.
Presently the main ferry services are speedboats
Departure Times start @ 11:30 am. last ferry @2:30 pm
You will have to pay an additional THB 50 for transfer from the ferries to the island by long tail boat.
There is also a service from Lankawi direct to Koh Lipe
Now that we are running a large boat instead of the normal longtails used by the dive operators here the dive season here is longer and we are able to pick up groups of divers directly from Pakbara. Contact direct for details and our special group/club and low season rates.
PAKBARA
Pakbara is best reached by minibus from Hat Yai though you could come via Trang if travelling the West Coast. Both have airports with numerous flights from Bangkok. There are several discount airlines plying these routes for around THB 1800 one way.
Thai flies these routes several times a day www.thaiair.com at a cost of approx. THB 3000.
You can fly Phuket-Had Yai with Thai for around THB 900 or travel overnight by bus to Hat Yai.
HAT YAI
The minibus from Hat Yai costs THB 120 and the stand selling tickets is almost directly opposite the railway station. Bond Gai at the stand is very helpful.
Taxis (turn left at the station and about 200m down the road parallel with the tracks) cost THB 6/700 for the trip to Pakbara. Taxis from Hat Yai airport to the town itself should cost you no more than THB 400.
There is plenty of accommodation in both Hat Yai,Trang and Pakbara should you wish to overnight there. Call us and we will be happy to recommend hotels to suit your budget.
TRANG
Again the agents near the train station are the easiest way to get to Pakbara. They are able to sell you boat tickets aswell. Taxis will be around THB 700 for the trip here.
GULF OF THAILAND
As virtually all road transport South passes through Hat Yai see the section above.
MALAYSIA/SINGAPORE
Travellers can contact us direct for the best way of reaching us. Unfortunately this season the Satun-Koh Lipe ferry is not running. Though Langkawi-Satun is. However as we have a number of clients from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore we can advise you of the best way to travel here. Some like to drive up overnight. Another favourite is the early morning flight to Alor Setar. Check www.airasia.com Tiger Air, www.tigerairways.com have an evening flight from Singapore to Hat Yai.
Neither Thai nor MAS fly KL/Singapore to Hat Yai direct though Air Asia does fly this route.
From the Perhentians there is a regular bus service from Sungai Golok to Hat Yai though because of the distance you will have to overnight there or at Pakbara.
oceanprodivers@hotmail.com
