Sunrise Beach (Hat Chao Ley)
Long, quieter white-sand beach on the east coast, famed for sunrise views and an easy shore-snorkel drop-off.
- Category
- Beaches
- Entrance fee
- Free. Covered by the one-time Tarutao National Park entry fee paid on arrival to Ko Lipe (~200 THB foreign adult, as of 2026 — confirm locally).
- Hours
- Open 24 hours (public beach).
- Best time
- Nov–Apr; be there for sunrise (~06:30) for the namesake view.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
About Sunrise Beach (Hat Chao Ley)
If you ask locals which beach is the best all-rounder, a lot of them point here. It's longer, calmer and less crowded than Pattaya, and you can walk straight off the sand into good snorkeling without a boat. That combination makes it hard to beat.
The name gives away the headline draw. Get up early, wander over from the village, and you get the sunrise more or less to yourself. It's an easy walk east across the island, so it's very doable even if you're staying on the other side.
This one is underrated compared to its busier neighbor. If you want somewhere to actually swim, snorkel and stretch out without the crowds, spend your time here.
Highlights
- Long, calm stretch of white sand on the east coast
- Snorkeling straight off the shore, no boat needed
- Sunrise views that give the beach its name
- Quieter and more spread out than Pattaya Beach
Tips
- Arrive around sunrise for the signature view and the emptiest sand
- Bring a mask — the shore snorkeling here is a real draw
- It's a 10–15 minute walk east from the village, easy on foot
- Best in the November to April dry season for clear, calm water
How to get there
About a 10–15 minute walk east across the island from Pattaya Beach / Walking Street.