Koh Lanta - A Serene Island Getaway
Koh Lanta (also spelt Ko Lanta) is a gorgeous island situated just off the coast of Krabi. This Southern Thai island is home to deserted long stretches of beaches, profound jungle, thriving underwater life and magical dream-like sunsets. Often missed off traveller’s itineraries, Koh Lanta surprised me as my favourite island in the whole of Thailand and I will show you why within this travel guide.
Best Time to Visit Koh Lanta
Similar to any other tropical destination, it is important to research the best time to visit before planning a trip to Koh Lanta. The best time to visit Koh Lanta will be dependant on personal preference and budget so be sure to take the following into account.
High Season: Typically runs from November to April, with January to April being the busiest and driest time to visit. Throughout these months, expect long sunny days with minimal rain, perfect for beach activities and sunbathing. Although this seems like the obvious time to go, do expect higher prices due to peak season, as well as slightly more tourists (although Koh Lanta is still relatively quiet). Personally, I visited in mid-November and can say this was a perfect time to go with minimal showers and huge stretches of beach to ourselves.
Low Season: The months of May to October are known as the low season, often with more frequent and heavy showers and, sometimes, rough sea conditions (take this into account if you plan on diving). Despite the unpredictable weather, there are still benefits which draw certain travellers to Koh Lanta during low season. These include: cheaper prices for accommodation/food and less crowded beaches/attractions.
How Much Time to Spend in Koh Lanta
Although the main sites of Koh Lanta could be visited within a couple of days, I would recommend dedicating at least 5 days to exploring and relaxing in Koh Lanta. I stayed on this paradise island for 7 days and would recommend doing so if your motive for visiting is to relax and escape the more tourist populated islands of Krabi, Phuket and Koh Phi Phi. If you are on a tight schedule, 3 to 4 days will give you enough time to explore the main attractions, beaches and go on a snorkelling trip.
How to Get to Koh Lanta
As there is not an airport on the island of Koh Lanta, most visitors will arrive by plane into Krabi and make arrangements from here. Note, that it is also possible to arrive into Koh Lanta from other neighbouring islands such as Phuket.
From Krabi:
Private Minivan Transfer: The most convenient option for those of you travelling as a family or group on less of a budget. Prices start from approximately £45.00.
Public Minivan Transfer: Available from Krabi’s airport and much cheaper, especially if travelling on your own or as a couple. The minivan will not depart until seats are full so you may have to wait before departing if travelling during low season. Expect to pay around £7.00 per seat. The public minivan transfer uses the car ferry and bridge to arrive in Koh Lanta and then drops each passenger at their chosen accommodation. You can imagine that this would be a long process if travelling with children or large suitcases, so consider the private transfer if this applies to you. If not, I recommend taking this mode of transport as it is much cheaper (we had no issues and actually quite a pleasant journey).
Ferry: If you would prefer to take the ferry, there are multiple ferry crossings from Krabi to Koh Lanta, prebookable here at 12 Go Asia for around £11.00 per person.
Getting Around Krabi
Koh Lanta is not a walkable island and if you plan on leaving your accommodation I recommend that you look into hiring a car or scooter. I will always highlight the importance of carrying an IDP (international driving permit) if you are hiring a vehicle anywhere in Thailand to avoid fines from the police.
Scooter hire is very cheap on Koh Lanta and will allow you to travel around easily for only 250 – 300 baht a day (approximately £6.00).
Car hire can often be found near your resort, we managed to organise our car hire through our resort upon arrival for approximately £25.00 a day. If you are not confident on a scooter, I would recommend hiring a car as the roads are in poor condition compared to Krabi. Beware of pot holes as I found them to be quite frequent and large especially around Klong Nin.
For those of you who are unable to drive, you can get around via taxi or tuk tuk, although this will certainly be more expensive for long distances.
Koh Lanta offers many day trips which can be organised to pick you up from your accommodation.
Where to Stay in Koh Lanta
You have a lot of options when choosing where to stay in Koh Lanta so I am going to break it down for you, starting with where I stayed (and adored!) at Klong Nin Beach.
Klong Nin Beach – An underrated, chilled out, huge stretch of beach with many beachfront restaurants and bars. I cannot express how much I loved my stay at Sri Lanta Resort in Klong Nin. It is an absolutely stunning resort with multiple pools, spa facilities, a restaurant and a beach bar. Me and Cameron, my boyfriend, visited in November 2022 and were offered a room upgrade upon arrival, and ended up with a private jacuzzi balcony suite! Compared to the other locations I am about to discuss, Klong Nin is not as crowded, we enjoyed beach days with barely anyone in sight. There are also facilities all along the beach, which are all very chilled out and have the hippie zen feel to. I would suggest Klong Nin as a primary location for couples.
Khlong Dao – The most developed and easily accessible beach in Koh Lanta, close to Ban Saladan Village. There is a great range of accommodation in Khlong Dao and a vast amount of restaurants/bars along the seafront. Due to the facilities, I would highly recommend this area for families or those who prefer eating somewhere different every night. Although this is definitely the busiest location, you should still be surprised by the chilled out vibes and the 3km beautiful stretch of beach. Also, there is a range of accommodation to suit all budgets.
Khlong Khong – A backpackers paradise! If you are looking for a slightly more vibrant scene where you can meet up with other travellers, then Khlong Khong will suit you. Whilst it will not compare to other party destinations such as Koh Phangan and Koh Phi Phi, you will be impressed with the range of bars offering happy hour cocktails and fire shows in the evenings. You will be pleased to find cheap accommodation here. One downside is that it can be a little unsafe for swimming due to the rocks, but it is possible to swim at high tide.
Best Things to Do in Koh Lanta
KOH ROK
Koh Rok consists of two uninhabited islands with pristine beaches and clear blue sea. Most visitors are drawn to Koh Rok for snorkelling day trips due its reputation as the best place for underwater life in Koh Lanta. The shallow coral reefs are full of tropical fish and you can even snorkel straight from the shore of the beach on Koh Rok before enjoying lunch on the island.
If you book a snorkelling trip to Koh Rok you will most likely eat lunch here on the island. We were surprised to come across many monitor lizards here which were not afraid of us at all! They are clearly used to the tourists and try to eat scraps from beneath the lunch benches! So make sure to look out for these incredible reptiles whilst enjoying your lunch.
KHAO MAI KAEW CAVE
Feeling adventurous? Take a trip to this spectacular cave situated just above Old Town, in the centre of the island. The easiest way to visit is by scooter or car. Upon arrival you will pay a 200 baht entrance fee and a guide will them accompany you into the cave. Embark on a 30 minute trail to the entrance of the cave through the jungle and expect to climb up multiple bamboo ladders. The cave is full of interesting formations and caverns. Be sure to wear trainers or hiking shoes for the ultimate comfort.
KLONG NIN BEACH
I spent the most time at Klong Nin Beach as I stayed at a beachfront resort, and let me tell you, the sunsets are unbelievable! Even during peak season, you are guaranteed a large space to yourself somewhere along this 2.5 km sandy beach. To top it off, this beach is more than idyllic for swimming; I spent the majority of my time relaxing in the sea during the day.
The food scene at Klong Nin Beach is plentiful and even more-so during the evening. The beachfront is lined with various relaxed restaurants, beach cafes and bars. Compared to other destinations such as Krabi and Phuket, I found the atmosphere to be way more chilled out and inviting here as you are free to stroll in for lunch straight from the beach. There is a hippie feel to Klong Nin and you can feel the peaceful energy surrounding you – this is why Koh Lanta is my favourite island in Thailand.
ANIMAL WELFARE ORGANISATION
Are you an animal lover and looking for a wholesome experience in Koh Lanta? Take a trip to the Animal Welfare Organisation which cares for stray cats and dogs. You are free to visit and any donations are very much appreciated. Please Click Here to find out more.
LANTA OLD TOWN
Old Town still has traditional Thai character and is a great place to explore. You will find many small shops selling handicrafts and local produce. I found this town to be full of charm and you will also see the Chinese influence here as it used to be a Chinese Port.
Me and my partner loved it soo much here that we actually came back again the next day. Make sure to take a stroll down to the pier where you will see the shipwreck of an old beaten boat, allegedly a Rawi Warin Grand Ship.
Khlong Chak Waterfall
Set out on a jungle trek to Khlong Chak Waterfall, on the west of Koh Lanta. Many say that the trek is actually as beautiful as the waterfall itself due to the possibility of seeing monkeys, bats, butterflies and many other species whilst wondering through the jungle. Depending on your pace, the hike will take about 20-30 minutes.
LUKES GYM
This European style gym is great for those of you, like me, who miss the gym whilst travelling. Sometimes, the hotel gyms are just too basic and lack any proper equipment. If you are looking for a great workout, then be sure to visit Lukes Gym for just 200 baht a day. They also serve protein shakes in a little shack outside.
KANTIANG BAY
Kantiang Bay is known as one of Koh Lanta’s most beautiful beaches and has a peaceful feel to it. I definitely preferred Klong Nin Beach myself due to the hippie feel to it and would actually recommend Kantiang to families due to the shallow sea. It is a great place to relax and read or to get a Thai massage beneath the palm trees. There is also a small village right behind the beach where you can chill out at local cafes, restaurants or grab some snacks from 7-11.
PINTO RESTAURANT - OLD TOWN
Pinto Restaurant offers scenic views over the sea. There is seating literally right above the sea as well as normal seating inside the restaurant. This was our favourite place to eat in Koh Lanta and the food is delicious! The restaurant serves vegetarian, Thai and Western dishes – there is something for everyone. Make sure to visit whilst in Old Town.
FOUR ISLAND TOUR AND EMERALD CAVE
The four island tour is another popular thing to do in Koh Lanta. Spend your day snorkelling around beautiful coral reefs, relaxing on secluded beaches and then exploring the fascinating Emerald Cave at Koh Mook. The cave can only be accessed at low tide through a tunnel in the pitch black – but don’t worry as you will have torches and life jackets provided on the tour. You will then find yourself at a stunning lagoon with emerald green water. Take into consideration that the four islands are closed between June and September.
Overview - Should I Add Koh Lanta To My Thailand Itinerary?
If you are searching for a peaceful escape in Thailand, I can assure you that Koh Lanta will be worth your time.
As mentioned, it is my favourite destination in the South of Thailand due to its beauty and secludedness. You are guaranteed to enjoy long stretches of beach to yourself with limited distractions.
In comparison to other Thai islands, it is true that there is not really a nightlife scene and Koh Lanta is less busy, but this is why it is a perfect destination to rejuvenate and relax.
