Koh Lanta, Thailand

1. Ride a motorbike

Rent a motorbike and race across the island. This is the best way to experience Koh Lanta. Vroom-vroom!

2. The beaches

The entire west coast of Koh Lanta consists of gorgeous beaches; and the farther south you go, the more unspoiled they are.

3. Snorkeling at Koh Rok

The most beautiful snorkeling spot is on the uninhabited island of Koh Rok, south of Koh Lanta, which, by the way, is also a great place to spend the night camping.

4. Mu Koh Lanta National Park

A protected nature reserve in Koh Lanta’s hilly south. Here you’ll find two beaches, a jungle trail and lots and lots of rude monkeys.

5. Koh Lanta Old Town

A pleasant little village on Koh Lanta’s quiet east coast. You can get some excellent food with a sea view here.

6. Four Island Tour

Go to nearby islands by speedboat on a snorkeling tour where, among other things, you’ll get to explore the Emerald Cave near Koh Muk; it’s a big adventure!

7. Walking dogs

Attention all animal lovers! At Lanta Animal Welfare neglected dogs and cats get a second lease on life and you can make a difference.

8. Oasis Yoga

Yoga teachers Fara & Kate teach the best yoga courses on the island. Keep an eye on their website for the latest opening hours and classes.

9. Sea kayaking

Really adventurous day trip during which you won’t only go kayaking, but you’ll also explore different caves. Not for people who are scared of heights!

10. Cooking course

At Time For Lime, you’ll be cooking classic Thai dishes, under the supervision of Noi, which you can then eat on the beach. The nicest cooking school on Koh Lanta!

1. Kawkwang Beach

Kawkwang Beach is the northwestern tip of Koh Lanta. A beautiful strip of sand, with virtually no new buildings, where it’s always just peaceful and calm.

2. Klong Dao Beach

Near Kawkwang Beach and measuring an impressive three kilometers, this beach lies in a bay, making for calm waters and a shallow sea, ideal for families.

3. Long Beach (Pra Ae)

The most popular (swimming) beach, stretching on for a whopping five kilometers. Despite a big range of hotels and restaurants, Long Beach still feels pretty relaxed.

4. Relax Bay

Relax Bay, south of Long Beach, is one of Koh Lanta’s little secrets. Go beyond the rocks and you’ll discover this little paradise and a few resorts. Just wonderful!

5. Klong Khong Beach

This is Koh Lanta’s main backpacker beach, with cheap accommodation, hip bars, and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s not a great swimming beach, unfortunately, but it is great for watching the sun go down.

6. Klong Nin Beach

Klong Nin Beach is located next to a small town at the center of Koh Lanta. Great swimming beach with a mix of cheap hostels and luxury resorts.

7. Kantiang Bay

With two kilometers of golden sand in a magnificent bay, Kantiang Bay is hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. Perfect for couples and honeymooners.

8. Nui Bay

Our favorite little beach! Here you won’t find any hotels, just one tiny, somewhat ramshackle, local restaurant, situated in a small, isolated bay. You’ll have the beach all to yourself.

9. Mu Ko Lanta National Park

Protected nature reserve with a pebble beach and a sandy beach. The entrance fee is 200 Thai Baht per person. The route that takes you there (and the viewpoints) alone is worth it!

10. Bamboo Bay

With two kilometers of golden sand in a magnificent bay, Kantiang Bay is hailed as one of the most beautiful beaches in Thailand. Perfect for couples and honeymooners.

1. Ploy Pailin Restaurant

Moo 4 Kan Tiang Bay
Small and modest local restaurant that boasts an incredibly beautiful view of Kantiang Bay. Great place to have some food and a drink during sunset!

2. Toppy Bar

263 Moo 5 Kantiang Bay
Hidden among the hills that look out over the swimming pool of the Kantiang View Resort and Kantiang Bay, you’ll find Toppy Bar, where you can just chill out in a hammock.

3. Sonya’s Restaurant

62 Klong Khong Beach
On Klong Khong Beach’s main road you’ll find Sonya’s Restaurant. Breakfast includes freshly baked bread and at lunch, you can have fresh lasagna or put together your own pasta.

4. Freedom Bar

81150 Ban Koh Lanta Klong Khong Beach
Lay stretched out over relaxing seat cushions, drink in hand, while watching the sun slowly go down. Welcome to Koh Lanta!

5. Le Colibri

Moo 2 42 Phrae Ae Long Beach
In the morning, come for the freshly baked bread and at night, for the island’s best pizzas. It’s located on the main road of Long Beach.

6. Kunda Vegetarian Cafe

91/16 Klong Khong Beach
Enjoy the laid back atmosphere so typical of Koh Lanta in the cozy garden of the Kunda Vegetarian Café! Like the food it serves, this place is fair & healthy!

7. Panorama Restaurant

108 M.7 Ban Sang Ka Ou
A hidden gem in southwest Koh Lanta. The sweet owners will serve as many of their own cultivated products as possible.

8. Moloko Lanta

Moo 2 806 Relax Beach
An excellent spot to see out the day. This bar has one the most beautiful beaches right in front of it; just that is worth a drink!

9. Pad Thai Rock N Roll

Chang Wat Krabi 81150
Three guesses as to the bestseller here. Why, Pad Thai of course! This is no exaggeration: this place really does serve the best Pad Thai on the island!

10. Drunken Sailors

116 M. 5 Kantiang Bay
Hip café where you can have a nice cup of coffee, good Thai food, but also outrageously tasty hamburgers.

11. Lazy Days Restaurant

775 Moo 2 Relax Bay
An excellent restaurant on an excellent location. Marvelous freshly prepared Thai dishes but also a lot of western dishes to choose from. Great place to have lunch!

12. Why Not Bar

9 M.5 Kantiang Bay
A beach bar that’s all about having a good time and a drink while barefoot on the sand. The evening often sees live music and fire shows.

Ferry

• Travel time: 2 hours
• Cost: ฿ 500 pp

Although Koh Lanta can be reached by minivan, we usually recommend travelers to just go by ferry. The ferry leaves from Nopparat Thara Pier (10:30 AM) in Ao Nang, half an hour’s drive from Krabi Airport. You’ll arrive on Koh Lanta at Saladan Pier.

Minivan

• Travel time: 2,5 hours
• Cost: ฿ 400 pp

Local minivans leave from Ao Nang – Krabi Airport – Krabi Town to Koh Lanta all day long (between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM). To reach the island you’ll also travel by ferry (15 minutes), the minivans will drop you off at the main road in the north of Koh Lanta.

Private transport

• Travel time: 2,5 hours
• Cost: ฿ 3,000 per van

In case you’re traveling in a group or as a family with children, it’s possible to arrange private transportation in the shape of a luxury taxi or a private minivan. You can leave anytime you like and will be dropped off right in front of your hotel on Koh Lanta.

Koh Samui

• Travel time: 7 hours
• Cost: ฿ 1,000 pp

Getting from Koh Samui to Koh Lanta is quite the journey, but it is possible to do it on one day. The trip will take about 7 hours and will cost you around ฿ 1,000 per person. Departure times are 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM and 11:30 AM.

Khao Sok National Park

• Travel time: 6 hours
• Cost: vary

Grab a bus/taxi to Krabi, which will take about 2 to 3 hours. Once in Krabi, you’ll need to take a minivan to Koh Lanta (the trip includes the ferry). This will take 6 hours in total. Costs depend on your choice between bus or taxi.

Koh Phi Phi

• Travel time: 1 hour
• Cost: ฿ 600-800 pp

Koh Lanta is around the corner from Koh Phi Phi, which means it’s only an hour away by boat. There’s a ferry that leaves for Koh Lanta three times a day, at 9:00 AM, 3:00 PM and 3:30 PM. Prices are between ฿ 600 – 800 per person.

Koh Lipe

• Travel time: 6 hours
• Cost: vary

During the high season, from November until February, there’s a high-speed ferry that goes from Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta. It leaves at 10:00 AM and arrives on Koh Lanta at 4:00 PM.

Motorbike

Koh Lanta doesn’t have a regular taxi service, making renting a motorbike preferable. This way you can explore Koh Lanta on your own and discover its nicest spots. Rent is 180-250 Thai Baht for 24 hrs.

Tuk tuk

On the main road, in the northern part of Koh Lanta, tuk tuks will take you from the pier to your hotel. You will have to haggle over the price and the ride is not that comfortable. Still, it gets you from A to B. A ride costs anywhere between 40-400 Thai Baht.

Songthaew

If you’re staying way down south (45-minute ride from Saladan Pier), you’ll have to take a shared taxi. Hold on tight, the farther south you go, the more hills there are! A ride will cost 200-400 Thai Baht per person.

November – February

The cool season is the best time to visit Koh Lanta. Nature is green and the sea is calm and clear. There will be lots of sun and temperatures can increase significantly. Luckily, there are at least one or two refreshing rain showers every week.

March – May

The hot season on Koh Lanta is synonymous with high temperatures and lots of sunshine. Surprisingly enough, there’s regular rainfall during these months as well. Never for entire days, but there are heavy rainstorms every now and again; which is quite refreshing.

June – October

The rainy season can be pretty intense with lots of rainy days and a rough sea. Koh Lanta is nearly deserted around this time, which has its advantages and its disadvantages. Half of the hotels and restaurants will be closed.