เกาะลันตาLong, slow beaches, an old sea-gypsy port and sunsets from a hammock.
Koh Lanta is the calm, easygoing island of the Krabi coast. The main island, Koh Lanta Yai, is about 30 km long, with a chain of wide west-coast beaches, a jungle interior and a national park at its southern tip, while tiny Koh Lanta Noi lies to its north. Dozens of smaller islands, including the Koh Haa dive sites and the 4 Islands group near Trang, are a boat ride away.
Most visitors arrive by ferry or by road and car ferry at Saladan, the northern port, and then move down the coast to their chosen beach: lively Long Beach, quieter Khlong Dao, or remote Kantiang Bay and Bamboo Bay in the south. The east coast has Lanta Old Town, a row of stilt-house cafés and shops built by Chinese and sea-gypsy families over 150 years ago.
It's a place for slowing down: reading in a hammock, snorkelling trips, long walks and candle-lit dinners. Note that the monsoon (May to October) quietens the island, and many places close.
- Currency
- Thai baht (฿ · THB)
- Getting there
- Ferry or minivan with two short car-ferry crossings from Krabi (about 1.5–2 hours)
- Best season
- November to April
- Monsoon
- May to October: rough seas; many businesses close
- Main island
- Koh Lanta Yai, about 30 km long
- Diving
- Koh Haa, Koh Rok and Hin Muang/Hin Daeng
Top things to do in Koh Lanta.
23 places we chose and described by hand. Open any of them, with photos, hours and directions, in the catalogue below or in the app.
Places to visit
- Lanta Old Town Old Town
A 150-year-old stilt-house port of Chinese shophouses, cafés and craft shops.
- Mu Ko Lanta National Park Laem Tanod
The southern tip's jungle trails, a lighthouse and a wild beach.
- Khao Mai Kaew Cave Inland
A large cave system with stalactites, a river and a guided trek.
- Khlong Chak Waterfall South
A pretty, shady waterfall with a natural pool, after a short jungle walk.
Beaches & islands
- Long Beach (Phra Ae) Long Beach
The island's main beach: wide sand, sunset bars and a sociable feel.
- Khlong Dao Beach Khlong Dao
A long, clean, quiet beach with soft sand and calm water.
- Khlong Khong Beach Khlong Khong
A laid-back southern beach with bungalows and beach bars among the palms.
- Kantiang Bay Kantiang
A beautiful, sheltered bay on the south-west, backed by jungle hills.
- Bamboo Bay Bamboo Bay
A quiet, remote bay in the far south, with a small beach and few visitors.
Restaurants
- Stilt-house Seafood in Old Town Old Town
Fresh fish, crab and squid on a wooden deck over the sea.
- Long Beach Beachfront Restaurants Long Beach
Tables on the sand, Thai dishes, pizza and fresh smoothies.
- Saladan Market & Street Food Saladan
Cheap noodles, roti and snacks near the ferry pier.
Activities
- Diving & Snorkelling at Koh Haa South of Lanta
Walls, swim-throughs and a cathedral cave at the Five Islands.
- Koh Rok Snorkelling Day Trip South of Lanta
Two islands with white sand and superb coral, reached by speedboat.
- 4 Islands Tour & Emerald Cave Trang islands
Kayak into the Emerald Cave and snorkel around Koh Mook, Kradan, Ngai and Cheuk.
- Mangrove Kayaking Saladan / East coast
Paddle through quiet mangrove channels, looking for kingfishers and monkeys.
Entertainment
- Muay Thai at Khlong Dao Stadium Khlong Dao
Weekly Muay Thai bouts at the island's open-air stadium.
- Sunset Bars & Live Music on Long Beach Long Beach
Barefoot bars with live music, bonfires and fire shows.
Hotels & stays
- Beach Bungalows on Long Beach Long Beach
Simple wooden and bamboo bungalows steps from the sand.
- Resorts at Kantiang & Ba Kan Tiang Kantiang
Upscale resorts on quiet beaches in the south, for privacy and views.
- Old Town Guesthouses & Homestays Old Town
Stilt-house rooms above the water in the heritage village.
Shopping
- Old Town Craft Shops & Galleries Old Town
Handmade jewellery, batik and local art in restored shophouses.
- Saladan Shops & Supermarket Saladan
Supplies, pharmacies and local shops at the northern port.
Explore all 651 places in Koh Lanta.
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From the Thailand Guide app’s catalogue: OpenStreetMap places with traveller notes from Wikivoyage and photos from Wikimedia Commons. Photos marked “Representative” show the same kind of place, not this exact one. Neighbouring islands and day-trip areas may be included. “Open now” uses listed hours in Thailand time; confirm hours and access before travelling.
Best time to visit Koh Lanta.
The best time to visit Koh Lanta is December to March. Koh Lanta has a tropical monsoon climate. November to April is hot, dry and calm, with the best beach weather. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings frequent rain, waves and cancelled boats, and many resorts close or reduce services.
Approximate long-term monthly averages in °C and millimetres of rain. These are planning notes, not a weather forecast.
Koh Lanta travel tips.
A Muslim-majority island
Most of Koh Lanta's residents are Muslim, with mosques in villages. Dress modestly away from the beach, and avoid alcohol and pork in front of others.
Sea-gypsy heritage
The Urak Lawoi community hosts the Loi Reua (boat-floating) ceremony at the full moon in May and November. Attend with respect.
Protect the reefs
Don't touch or stand on coral, don't feed fish and use reef-safe sunscreen on boat trips.
Scooter caution
Roads are narrow and winding. Wear a helmet and be careful on gravel.
Keep your cool (jai yen)
Staying calm and smiling solves most problems in Thailand; raised voices lose face for everyone.
Plan Koh Lanta on your phone.
Save places, see what is open now, check the weather and air quality, and browse all twenty guides in the free Thailand Guide app. Works offline.