Koh Lanta Travel Guide

Located just a few hours from Phuket and Krabi by speedboat or ferry, Koh Lanta offers quiet, peaceful beaches with a fraction as many people as nearby Phuket and Koh Phi Phi. Our Koh Lanta Quick Guide covers the island’s best beaches, things to do and places to stay and eat.

Koh Lanta © 141999355@N08

Famous for its diving, Koh Lanta has less of a party atmosphere than nearby islands. It’s quiet, relaxing and perfect if you want to escape the crowds of Phuket and the noise of Koh Phi Phi to enjoy the Andaman Sea at its best.

Despite its chilled out atmosphere, Koh Lanta has a good selection of bars and restaurants, as well as a few fun places to chill out and meet fellow visitors and expats.

• Koh Lanta is actually made up of several islands. Koh Lanta Yai, the biggest island in the group, is where you’ll find the vast majority of things to do and places to stay. Koh Lanta has a fairly big range of resorts, ranging from budget accommodation for backpackers to private villas.
• The tourist season on the island begins in October and lasts until April, with most people visiting the island from December through to February. Expect to pay slightly more than normal for hotel rooms during the peak season due to increased demand.
• Even during the high point of the tourist season, Koh Lanta’s beaches are much less crowded than those on Phuket, Koh Phi Phi or other popular Thai islands.
• Our Quick Guide to Koh Lanta covers the basics of the island, from things to do to the key areas of interest. AmazingLanta.com has a more detailed guide to Koh Lanta, including information on speedboat and ferry transfers, taxis, villas and hotels.

Main Areas of Interest on Koh Lanta

Saladan old town © hojusaram
Koh Lanta’s biggest attraction, by far, is its beach life. Most of the activity on the island is located around the beaches, with the exception of the small seaside Saladan Village area in the north of the island.

• Saladan Village

  Saladan is the main settlement on Koh Lanta. Located in the far north of the island, Saladan is the main entry point onto Koh Lanta. The village is located a short distance from the new bridge connecting Koh Lanta Noi with Koh Lanta Yai.
  You’ll find a mix of local shops and travel agencies in Saladan. There’s also a good selection of restaurants, some of which overlook the ocean and offer great views. Saladan is a great place for Western dining on Koh Lanta, with several excellent restaurants and cafés.

Klong Dao Beach

Located just south of Saladan Village, Klong Dao is a long, crescent-shaped beach that attracts families, couples and solo travellers. Due to its proximity to Saladan Village, Klong Day is by far the easiest beach on Koh Lanta to access.
You’ll find a good selection of hotels on Klong Dao beach, ranging from budget bungalows and cheap hotels to mid-range resorts. There are also several four and five star resorts. As a result of its popularity, Klong Dao has a great range of Western and Thai restaurants.

• Phra Ae Beach (Long Beach)

  Phra Ae Beach, which is better known as Long Beach, stretches for just over three kilometres along Koh Lanta’s west coast, offering great views of the sunset. While Long Beach isn’t quite as popular as Klong Dao, it has a great selection of budget, mid-range and luxury hotels.
  You’ll also find a good selection of Thai and Western restaurants on Long Beach, as well as a variety of bars.

• Klong Khong Beach

  Klong Khong Beach is located to the south of Long Beach. Smaller and less popular than Long Beach, it’s home to a variety of small resorts and restaurants, many of which are family owned and operated. There’s also a reasonably good selection of Western restaurants.
  Accommodation on Klong Khong Beach ranges from inexpensive bungalows to a few mid-range resorts aimed at travellers with a reasonable budget. There are also several luxury villas for rent located close to Klong Khong Beach.

• Klong Nin Beach

  Klong Nin Beach is a quiet, laid back beach located to the south of Klong Khong. Here, you can find a good selection of budget and mid-range hotels and resorts, as well as a variety of luxury villas available for rent.
  Less developed than the beaches to the north, Klong Nin Beach has a chilled out atmosphere and a great selection cafés and beachside dining options. It takes 20 to 30 minutes to travel to Klong Nin Beach from Saladan, giving the beach thinner crowds than options like Klong Dao.

• Lanta Old Town

  Lanta Old Town (or Sri Raya) is a small seaside village on the eastern coast of Koh Lanta. The village itself is built partially on land and partially over the water, with several houses and shops overlooking the sea. You’ll find a small selection of shops and restaurants here.

Kantiang Bay and Southern Beaches

Kantiang Bay is a small bay in the far south of Koh Lanta with clear water and beautifully white sand. Due to its remoteness, it’s one of the quietest beaches on Koh Lanta, with several family bungalows a few high-end resorts, as well as the usual selection of small shops and eateries.
There are also several small bays, such as Klong Jark and Bamboo Bay, located further south of Kantiang that offer a quiet, peaceful atmosphere.

Things to Do on Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta © 46471870@N04

• Beaches and Sunbathing

  Koh Lanta’s beaches are some of the best in Thailand, with clear water and stunning white sand that can stretch for several kilometres. Because most of Koh Lanta’s beaches are located on the west side of the island, they offer good views of the sunset on calm, clear days.
  Many of the resorts located right on Koh Lanta’s beaches set up beach chairs and umbrellas for guests. If you’re staying further from the beach, you can also bring your own towels and mats to sunbathe on.

• Snorkelling

  The clear water around Koh Lanta is great for snorkelling. While the best snorkelling is located a short boat trip away around Koh Rok and Koh haa, you can also snorkel right off the beach. The southern beaches, such as Kantiang Bay, tend to have the clearest water and best sea life.
  For a full day of snorkelling, the best option is to book a longtail or speedboat tour through Lanta Dream and Paradise, Opal Travel Speed Boat or The Four Islands, all of which offer tours to the small islands and snorkelling sites that surround Koh Lanta.
  KoLanta.net has more information on the best snorkelling sites and long tail tours on Koh Lanta, with recommendations for specific sites like Ko Muk and the famous Emerald Cave.

• Scuba Diving

  Divers of all backgrounds and skill levels will love Koh Lanta, as the island has some of the best scuba diving opportunities in all of Thailand. Koh Lanta is located close to several excellent dive sites, making it possible to access world class diving on a day trip.
  Reliable dive operators on Koh Lanta include Lanta Divers, Go Dive and Kon-Tiki. Most diving operators on the island offer a mix of day trips and training courses, making Koh Lanta a great place to earn your PADI certification.
  Dive prices on Koh Lanta are slightly more expensive than in other diving hubs in Thailand, such as Koh Tao. This is primarily because of the greater distance from the island to the most popular dive sites, which means increased fuel costs and time spent on each trip for dive operators.
  KoLanta.net has more information on Koh Lanta scuba diving, including full descriptions of the area’s most impressive dive sites.

Motorcycle Tours

Exploring Koh Lanta by motorbike gives you a totally different perspective of the island and a great look at its rugged, jungle-covered interior. Dirtride Lanta offers guided enduro tours that give you three to four hours of exploration and adventure around Koh Lanta.

• Thai Cooking Classes

  Koh Lanta has several Thai cooking schools offering introductions to Thai cuisine. Some of the most popular options on the island include Time For Lime, Lanta Thai Cookery School, Roi Thai Cooking School and Cooking with Mon.

Animal Rescue

Lanta Animal Welfare is an inspiring, heartwarming refuge for Koh Lanta’s many stray cats and dogs. Run by Junie Kovaks, the centre acts as a refuge for animals on the island and takes part in local missions to provide treatment to stray and abandoned animals in Southern Thailand.

• Spas and Massage

  Koh Lanta has no shortage of spas and massage shops, with options on every beach for cheap and pleasant Thai massage. Top-rated spas and massage shops include Serenity Massage and Spa in Saladan, Scorpion Massage and Maneelanta Massage.

Best Luxury Hotels on Koh Lanta

• Pimalai Resort & Spa
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Pimalai Resort & Spa is a luxurious pool villa resort on Kantiang Beach. Because of its remote location, it’s one of the quietest resorts on the island, with panoramic beach views and some of Koh Lanta’s most luxurious private villas and suites.
• Twin Lotus Resort & Spa
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Located on Klong Dao Beach a short distance from Saladan Village, Twin Lotus Resort & Spa is a convenient five star resort with a selection of luxurious villas. Great facilities, excellent dining and easy access to the beach make this one of Koh Lanta’s best places to stay.
• Rawi Warin Resort & Spa
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Rawi Warin Resort & Spa is a five star resort located on quiet Klong Tob Beach with a selection of rooms and villas. Direct beach access, a large outdoor pool, fitness room, children’s playroom and excellent dining make this one of the island’s best luxury resorts.

Best Mid Range Hotels on Koh Lanta

• Bambie Boutique Home & Resort at Lanta
  View on Agoda.com
  With its outdoor pool, beachside dining and direct access to the beach, Bambie Boutique Home & Resort is one of the best mid-priced accommodation options on Klong Dao Beach. This resort is a great value for money option, with comfortable bungalows in a calm garden setting.
• Diamond Cliff Beach Resort
  View on Agoda.com
  Diamond Cliff Beach Resort overlooks laid back Klong Nin Beach, making it a great option if you want to avoid the larger crowds at Klong Dao. This is a small resort with only two rooms, making it important to book in advance of your trip.
• Long Beach Chalet
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Long Beach Chalet is a modern three star resort on Long Beach. With its beachside swimming pool, spacious villas and garden lofts, outdoor dining and peaceful atmosphere, this is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a mid-priced, relaxing environment.

Best Budget Hotels on Koh Lanta

• Thai Smile Bungalows
  View on Agoda.com
  Thai Smile Bungalows is an affordable bungalow resort on Klong Khong Beach. The rooms here are cosy and have comfortable beds, with free Wi-Fi throughout the resort. The resort is a short walk from Klong Khong Beach, making it a convenient option if you want to enjoy the sun.
• Riviera Boutique House
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Another Klong Khong Beach option, Riviera Boutique House is a small hotel with a selection of double, triple and family-sized rooms. Facilities here are a step up from most budget hotels, with a swimming pool and open air café for guests.
• Twin Bay Resort
  View on Booking.com or Agoda.com
  Located just west of Saladan on Kaw Kwang Beach, Twin Bay Resort is a relaxing resort with a quiet atmosphere. The bungalows here are comfortable and affordable, offering direct access to the beach, as well as easy access to the resort’s pool and seaside restaurant.

Koh Lanta Villas

• Koh Lanta has a good selection of private villas, ranging from small villas designed for couples to expansive three and four-bedroom villas suitable for families. If you prefer more privacy than a hotel can offer, renting a villa on Koh Lanta is a great alternative to the usual hotel or resort.
• AmazingLanta.com has a full list of villas on Koh Lanta, with pricing information and an enquiry form for questions and bookings. As villas can fill up quickly during the high season, it’s worth booking ahead of time to make sure you aren’t left without a place to stay for your trip.

Best Places to Eat and Drink on Koh Lanta

Thai Food © bong_teo

How to Get to Koh Lanta

Sunset – Ko Lanta © rushen
Koh Lanta is located south of Krabi,southeast of Phuket and west of Trang. This means there are several ways to get to the island. We’ve listed the easiest ways to reach Koh Lanta below, ranging from private car access to ferries and buses.

By Air

• Koh Lanta does not have it own airport. However, it’s possible to reach the island from Phuket, Krabi and Trang, all of which have their own domestic or international airports.
• If you’re flying into Thailand from another country and want the shortest possible journey, it’s best to fly into either Phuket or Krabi. From here, you can either catch a ferry or speedboat to Koh Lanta.

By Train

• Koh Lanta does not have its own train station. However, there is a nearby train station in Trang province, as well as several travel agencies around the train station that offer onward travel to Krabi and Koh Lanta.

Getting to Koh Lanta From Phuket

• Ferries run between Phuket’s Rassada Pier and Koh Lanta, completing the trip in two hours in normal weather. The ferry leaves Phuket at 10am daily during the high season and can fill up quickly, making it important to book your transfer ahead of time if you plan to fly into Phuket.
• You can book your Phuket to Koh Lanta ferry transfer online at AmazingLanta.com, including pick up from your Phuket hotel reception.

Getting to Koh Lanta From Krabi

• From Krabi, there are several ways to get to Koh Lanta. The fastest way to get to Koh Lanta from Krabi Airport is to book an Express minivan and speedboat transfer. The journey takes 75 minutes in normal weather (a 60 minute minivan ride, plus a 15 minute speedboat trip) and offers a great view of the Andaman Sea and Thai coastline.
• You can book your Express Transfer from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta online at AmazingLanta.com, including transfer to your hotel on Koh Lanta by car.
• If you’re travelling in a group of up to six people, you can also book a private minivan transfer to take you from Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta. The minivan will reach Koh Lanta Noi by car ferry and transfer to Koh Lanta Yai using the newly completed bridge, with a total travel time of 2.5 to 3.5 hours.

Getting to Koh Lanta From Trang

• Like Krabi, there are two ways to travel from Trang to Koh Lanta. Private minivan transfers are available and take three to four hours to reach the island. You can also book an express speedboat transfer from Trang Airport to Koh Lanta, which takes two to 2.5 hours depending on the weather.
• Both options include transportation to your hotel on Koh Lanta by private car. If you’re travelling in a group, the private minivan transfer option is usually the more cost effective option.