Sunset Beach is the smallest and most laid-back of Ko Lipe's three main beaches, tucked into the north-western corner of the island. The path here cuts through coconut palms and rubber trees and the beach itself is just a few hundred metres long, fringed by a handful of basic guesthouses and one or two beach bars. Boats are rare; the area is mostly residential Urak Lawoi housing.
The reason to come is in the name: this is the side of Lipe that faces the open Andaman and the only place on the island where you reliably get the sun dropping straight into the sea. A few of the beach bars set out cushions on the sand around five o'clock and the early evening turns into one of the more pleasant rituals of a Lipe stay. The swimming is good; the snorkelling straight off the beach is the best on the island, with a coral garden close to shore.