Lipe Island

Koh Lipe is an end-of-the-line paradise in the far south of Thailand — near the Malaysian border, part of the Tarutao National Marine Park. Three long beaches ring the tiny island: Sunrise Beach on the east, Sunset Beach on the west, and Pattaya Beach in between with the village and most of the restaurants. The sand is finer and whiter than anywhere else in Thailand, the water is mostly shallow for tens of metres, and the reef snorkelling is legendary — neon fish, sea turtles, reef sharks and huge sea fans in the first few metres of water. It takes real effort to get here from Phuket (a long ferry or a flight + ferry combo), but guests who make it always say it's the most 'untouched' Thai beach they've seen.