Koh Lipe
Image generated by artificial intelligence
Why dive in Koh Lipe?
BEST SEASON
Featured Animals 10
- Unlikely
- Likely
- Very likely
Variable Frequent sightingsBlacktip Reef Shark
Carcharhinus melanopterus
A small, agile requiem shark recognized by the distinctive black tips on its dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins. Commonly found patrolling shallow coral reefs and lagoons, it is one of the most frequently encountered reef sharks in the Indo-Pacific.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsGiant Trevally
Caranx ignobilis
The giant trevally (Caranx ignobilis) is a large, powerful predatory fish found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific region. Known for its steep head profile and robust body, it can reach up to 170 cm in length and 80 kg in weight. This apex predator feeds primarily on fish, but also consumes crustaceans and cephalopods, often hunting in solitary or small groups, though juveniles form schools.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsGreen Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas
The green sea turtle is a large marine reptile distinguished by its heart-shaped carapace and a single pair of prefrontal scales.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsHawksbill Sea Turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
The Hawksbill Sea Turtle is a medium-sized marine turtle recognizable by its distinctive hawk-like beak and overlapping scutes, which create a serrated edge on its carapace. Primarily found in tropical coral reefs, it plays a crucial role in these ecosystems by feeding mainly on sponges, which are toxic to most other animals. This species is critically endangered due to historical exploitation for its beautiful shell and ongoing threats like habitat loss and bycatch.
BEST SEASON
Ornate Ghost Pipefish
Solenostomus paradoxus
The Ornate Ghost Pipefish is a master of camouflage, with a highly variable body coloration and intricate, leaf-like appendages that allow it to blend seamlessly with crinoids, corals, or algae in its tropical Indo-Pacific reef habitats. This ambush predator typically hovers head-down, feeding on small crustaceans like mysid shrimps and benthic shrimp, which it sucks into its elongated snout. Females are larger than males and carry eggs in a specialized brood pouch formed by their modified pelvic fins.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsPickhandle Barracuda
Sphyraena jello
The Pickhandle Barracuda is characterized by its elongated body, prominent jaw, and distinctive dark bars on its back. It inhabits warm coastal waters and is known to be a top predator, primarily feeding on smaller fish.
BEST SEASON
Variable Frequent sightingsReef Manta Ray
Mobula alfredi
The Reef Manta Ray (Mobula alfredi) is a large filter-feeding ray found in tropical and subtropical waters, primarily around coral reefs and coastal areas. Known for its pelagic lifestyle, it feeds on zooplankton and exhibits complex social behaviors, often forming aggregations at feeding or cleaning stations. This species is listed as Vulnerable due to threats from overfishing and its slow reproductive rate.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsSpotted Seahorse
Hippocampus kuda
The Spotted Seahorse (Hippocampus kuda) is a distinctive marine fish known for its horse-like head, prehensile tail, and often mottled or spotted coloration, ranging from yellow to black. It inhabits shallow coastal waters, including seagrass beds, mangroves, and coral reefs, across the Indo-Pacific region. Primarily diurnal, this species is a carnivorous ambush predator, feeding on small crustaceans and zooplankton, and is notable for the male carrying the eggs in a brood pouch until hatching.
BEST SEASON
Diurnal Frequent sightingsWhale Shark
Rhincodon typus
The whale shark is the largest fish in the world and a gentle filter feeder.
BEST SEASON
Nocturnal Frequent sightingsWhitetip Reef Shark
Triaenodon obesus
The Whitetip Reef Shark is a slender, medium-sized shark easily identified by the distinctive white tips on its dorsal and upper caudal fins. Primarily nocturnal, it spends its days resting in caves and under ledges on coral reefs and hunts at night for bony fishes, crustaceans, and cephalopods. These sharks are generally social, often found in groups during the day, but can hunt individually or cooperatively.
BEST SEASON
More marine life 59
Bigeye TrevallyCaranx sexfasciatus
Blue-Ringed OctopusHapalochlaena spp.
Blue-barred ParrotfishScarus ghobban
Bluering AngelfishPomacanthus annularis
Bluespotted CornetfishFistularia commersonii
Bluespotted Ribbontail RayTaeniura lymma
Bluestreak Cleaner WrasseLabroides dimidiatus
Blunt-head ParrotfishChlorurus microrhinos
Broadclub CuttlefishSepia latimanus
Brownbanded Bamboo SharkChiloscyllium punctatum
Bullethead ParrotfishChlorurus sordidus
Bumphead ParrotfishBolbometopon muricatum
Clark's AnemonefishAmphiprion clarkii
Clown TriggerfishBalistoides conspicillum
Coconut OctopusAmphioctopus marginatus
Dogtooth TunaGymnosarda unicolor
Ember ParrotfishScarus rubroviolaceus
Emperor AngelfishPomacanthus imperator
Eschmeyer's ScorpionfishRhinopias eschmeyeri
Flamboyant CuttlefishMetasepia pfefferi
Garden EelHeterocongrinae
Giant MorayGymnothorax javanicus
Giant clamTridacna gigas
Great BarracudaSphyraena barracuda
Guineafowl PufferArothron meleagris
Halimeda Ghost PipefishSolenostomus halimeda
Harlequin ShrimpHymenocera picta
Humphead WrasseCheilinus undulatus
Jenkins' WhiprayPateobatis jenkinsii
Leaf ScorpionfishTaenianotus triacanthus
LionfishPterois spp.
Longtail Butterfly RayGymnura poecilura
Mimic OctopusThaumoctopus mimicus
Ocellated Eagle RayAetobatus ocellatus
Orange-lined TriggerfishBalistapus undulatus
Orbicular BatfishPlatax orbicularis
Oriental SweetlipsPlectorhinchus vittatus
Painted Spiny LobsterPanulirus versicolor
Palette SurgeonfishParacanthurus hepatus
Peacock Mantis ShrimpOdontodactylus scyllarus
Pennant CoralfishHeniochus acuminatus
Picasso TriggerfishRhinecanthus aculeatus
Potato GrouperEpinephelus tukula
Rainbow RunnerElagatis bipinnulata
Redtooth TriggerfishOdonus niger
Robust Ghost PipefishSolenostomus cyanopterus
Spot-fin PorcupinefishDiodon hystrix
StonefishSynanceia verrucosa
Tawny Nurse SharkNebrius ferrugineus
Teira BatfishPlatax teira
Threadfin ButterflyfishChaetodon auriga
Tiger Tail SeahorseHippocampus comes
Titan TriggerfishBalistoides viridescens
Weedy ScorpionfishRhinopias frondosa
Yellow BoxfishOstracion cubicus
Yellow Longnose ButterflyfishForcipiger flavissimus
Yellow-lipped Sea KraitLaticauda colubrina
Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Zebra SharkStegostoma tigrinum
Where is Koh Lipe
Andaman Sea · Thailand
Frequently asked questions about Koh Lipe
When is the best time to dive in Koh Lipe?
The best time to dive in Koh Lipe is from November to April. In those months the water is between 28°C and 34°C.
What marine life can you see diving in Koh Lipe?
Divers can encounter 69 species in Koh Lipe. Highlights include Blacktip Reef Shark, Giant Trevally, Green Sea Turtle, Hawksbill Sea Turtle, Ornate Ghost Pipefish, and Pickhandle Barracuda.
When can you see the Reef Manta Ray in Koh Lipe?
The Reef Manta Ray is most often seen in Koh Lipe from April to August.
When can you see the Whale Shark in Koh Lipe?
The Whale Shark is most often seen in Koh Lipe from May to August.
When can you see the Blacktip Reef Shark in Koh Lipe?
The Blacktip Reef Shark can be seen in Koh Lipe all year round.
What is the water temperature in Koh Lipe?
Water temperature in Koh Lipe ranges from 27°C in July to 34°C in March.
What wetsuit do I need to dive in Koh Lipe?
Most divers wear a 3 mm wetsuit in July, when the water drops to 27°C, and a rash guard or a 1–3 mm shorty in March, when it reaches 34°C.
What is the visibility like when diving in Koh Lipe?
Visibility in Koh Lipe ranges from 5 m to 30 m. The water is clearest from December to April.
What are the currents like in Koh Lipe?
Divers in Koh Lipe can expect moderate, strong, or very strong currents, depending on the month and the dive site.
What can you see on a night dive in Koh Lipe?
After dark, Koh Lipe reveals nocturnal species such as Whitetip Reef Shark, Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray, Brownbanded Bamboo Shark, Giant Moray, Leaf Scorpionfish, and Lionfish.
Where is Koh Lipe located?
Koh Lipe is a dive destination in Thailand, in the Andaman Sea.
Every answer is built from the conditions and sightings data we keep for Koh Lipe. Spotted something that looks off?
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