Trang (Hat Yao Pier) to Ko Lipe

This was one of the more adventurous ferry crossings we experienced in Thailand. As with many ferry routes here, don't expect strict schedules—it's not unusual for your ferry to be an hour late.

This route from Trang (Hat Yao Pier) to Koh Lipe takes just over 2 hours, with a stop at Koh Libong before continuing to Koh Lipe. Though “sailing” might not be the best word—speeding is more accurate! This route is operated by TigerLine Ferries' speedboats, making for a fast but bumpy ride. The waves can turn this into quite a bouncy journey, so bring seasickness pills if you're prone to motion sickness.

An alternative to this route is the Pak Bara Pier to Koh Lipe ferry. However, if you're coming from the north, the Hat Yao crossing makes more sense—though it is notably more expensive than the Pak Bara option.

At the Hat Yao ferry terminal in Trang, there's not much to do—you'll find a few small long-tail boats and a handful of food stands, but it's not a place you’d want to spend too much time.

The Trang to Koh Lipe ferry cost us $50 per person via Direct Ferries.

To get an idea of the different ferry routes, take a look at the map below. You can zoom in and out and click on the routes for a better understanding of where each ferry takes you.