Hiking the island of Koh Adang to the breath-taking viewpoints

Koh Lipe Locations South East Asia Thailand

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Summary

By Luke

Summary

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

By Luke

Koh Adang is the much larger, nieghbouring island to Koh Lipe. You can take a short boat ride to the island and hike up to Viewpoints 1, 2, and 3 (as shown above). Breathtaking views of Koh Lipe and the surrounding turquoise waters, a fantastic day trip, especially when combined with snorkeling the beach.

Pros

  • Incredible views looking over Koh Lipe
  • A fun active activity to do for a day
  • The viewpoints aren’t busy with tourists

Cons

  • The hike is a bit challenging, and has ropes and a track, but requires effort.
  • I wouldn’t go in the midday sun, or in the rainy season.

Koh Adang Hike Snaps

Approaching Koh Adang Island by Longtail boat
Approaching Koh Adang Island by Longtail boat
Looking out at Koh Lipe from Viewpoint One
Looking out at Koh Lipe from Viewpoint One
View of Koh Lipe, Koh Kra, and Koh Usen, Viewpoint One
Looking out at Koh Lipe and Koh Kra, Koh Usen, from Viewpoint One
The sign at the start of the trek to Chado Cliff Viewpoints, Koh Adang
The sign at the start of the trek to Chado Cliff Viewpoints
Hiking the uphill trail, Koh Adang
Niels hiking the uphill trail
Team photo, Hiking Koh Adang, Thailand
Team photo whilst trekking

When:

Who:

Tour Cost:

Star Rating:

Cost:

11:00am, March 2023

Luke

Free ($6.00 USD for boat ride)

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Koh Adang is a large uninhabited island that neighbours the popular tourist Thai island of Koh Lipe in the South of Thailand. The island is a popular spot for tourists to hike the island’s natural beauty, snorkel the coral reefs off the beach, and even spend a night camping in the woodlands. The national park has a marked out uphill hike to three viewpoints which look out to the ocean, and Koh Lipe. With each viewpoint, the view gets better and better! Although the hike can be challenging with parts where you have to climb up obstacles in the beaten path.

Setting off from Sunrise Beach, Koh Lipe, Thailand
Setting off from Sunrise Beach by water taxi
Koh Adang Island
Boat journey to the south of the island

I was staying at Koh Lipe for two weeks, and after meeting two German friends in my hostel (Sang Chan Hostel), we decided the next day we would visit Koh Adang and do the hike we’d heard other backpackers mention. I also wanted to take a dip into the waters of Adang and see what the snorkel was like. We set off to Sunrise Beach at 10:00 am, and paid $6 each to a local Longtail captain to take us across to the neighbouring island.

Where is Koh Adang?

The island located in the South West of Thailand, in the South East Asia. The island is in the Andaman Sea, and a popular spot for hiking and snorkeling day trips from the neighbouring Thai island of Koh Lipe. You can stay on the island with a campsite in the south of the island, a short walk from the floating pier.

Map

Entering Tarutao National Park, Koh Adang
Entering Tarutao National Park

It was a short 15-minute journey and we arrived. You might have to pay a national park fee at the entrance. Once you arrive you’ll walk straight along a path where you’ll see a sign to the start of the trek, it isn’t that well sign-posted. We other tourists to point us in the right direction. We started the trek along the uphill, winding track through the trees and forestry. It was harder than I imagined, but my German friends were much faster than I was! After 30 minutes we reached viewpoint one. This was a pretty good view for the first stop.

The sign at the start of the trek to Chado Cliff Viewpoints, Koh Adang
The sign at the start of the trek to Chado Cliff Viewpoints
Start of the hike to Chado Cliff Viewpoint One
Hiking up the rocky trail through the forest

Viewpoint 1

Viewpoint 1 look out at Koh Lipe, Koh Adang, Thailand
Viewpoint 1 look out at Koh Lipe

The viewpoints aren’t that clearly signposted, but there is a small sign. The first stretch of the hike is mainly through the forests, so it is a nice surprise to arrive to an opening and a glorious view out over the Andaman Sea. I needed a pitstop for a good 10 minutes as it was very hot and I clearly wasn’t in the physical condition I thought! There is the option to go to the first viewpoint and then return to the beach. You get a pretty good view of Koh Lipe, however, if you continue the view just gets better and better.

Looking out at Koh Lipe from Viewpoint One
Looking out at Koh Lipe from Viewpoint One

Top Tip:

It took another 15-20 minutes to get to the second viewpoint, which involved more of an open trail with more of an opening in the trees. The second viewpoint was worth the hike and notably better than the first. During the hike, we only saw another 5-6 people, so it wasn’t the most popular.

Viewpoint 2

Viewpoint 2 Look Out, Koh Adang, Tarutao National Park, Thailand
Viewpoint 2 Look Out

It was another 20-minute uphill walk to Viewpoint 3, at this point, we were getting pretty tired, or at least I was, the year of little hiking was taking its toll! However, Niel’s and I powered through and walked along the trail and climbed up a few rocks, after an hour’s trek we made it to Viewpoint 3… and well was it worth it! One of the most incredible views I’ve seen, the turquoise waters of Koh Lipe were like something you’d see on a postcard or a pretty awesome instagram reel.

Viewpoint 3

Viewpoint 3, Koh Lipe
Breath-taking look out over Koh Lipe
Looking through the tropical trees out to Koh Lipe, Viewpoint 3
Looking through the tropical trees
Lizards, Viewpoint 3, Koh Adang, Thailand
There were a few lizards at the viewpoint, with very cool orange patterns along its chest

I think the hike and viewpoints was one of my favourite days whilst staying at Koh Lipe. It was active, adventurous, and combined with snorkeling, everything you can want to see. Incredible landscapes, underwater wildlife, and time spent exploring with friends.

Luke at Koh Adang Viewpoint, Koh Lipe
Luke at Koh Adang Viewpoint

Safety Tip:

Snorkeling Koh Adang

A short 5-minute walk from the start of the hike, there is a great sandy stretch of beach which you can get to walking through the tall trees. When you arrive at the beach on the left-hand side you will see

Check out snorkel review below:

Lam Son Beach, Koh Adang
Lam Son Beach on the South-East of the island
Coral Reef, Koh Adang
Diverse coral reef
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Luke is a passionate snorkeler who started Snorkelverse to live his dream of combining his passions for snorkeling, marine life, protecting marine ecosystems, and helping others.

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