With its white sands, turquoise waters, and palm trees swaying in the breeze, Ko Lanta is the poster child for Thai island paradise. Even though it has been rising in popularity, Ko Lanta still isn’t as developed or well-known as Andaman Sea staples such as Phuket, Krabi, and Ko Phi Phi. And while you’ll want to spend most of your time by the sea, things to do on Ko Lanta aren’t just limited to the beach. You can kayak to uninhabited islands and the Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot), go scuba diving in Mu Ko Lanta National Park, and shop for street food and artisan souvenirs in Ko Lanta’s Old Town.
The best time to visit Ko Lanta is during the dry season, from October to April. Tourism crowds peak between December and March, which means much higher accommodation prices this time of year. While the May–October rainy season (or green season, as it's otherwise known) sees more downpours, the rain is often only limited to a few hours in the afternoon. Ko Lanta sees far thinner crowds during these months, making this a budget-friendly time to travel.
Ko Lanta is well served by ferries that travel to almost all of Thailand’s Andaman Islands, including Phuket and the Phi Phi Islands—you can even take the ferry directly to the Malaysian island of Langkawi. The closest airport is Krabi International Airport; some tour packages include airport pickup and a ferry ride to Ko Lanta. The journey usually lasts around two hours.
While most other Thai islands are Buddhist, Ko Lanta is a predominantly Muslim island. While their approach to Islam is more relaxed (you don’t have to cover your head, and alcohol is widely available), it’s worth bearing in mind that locals might be a little more conservative than on other Thai islands. If you want to be close to the best beaches, stay on the western side of the island, as that’s where they’re concentrated.
Attractions 4 | Tours 88 |
The must-see attractions on Ko Lanta are Long Beach (Phra Ae Beach) and Relax Bay, two of the top beaches on the island, and Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot), so-called because of its vivid green water. Lanta’s Old Town, with its markets and street food stalls, is also worth seeing.
...MoreThe best local dishes you should try on Ko Lanta are khao gaeng (curry on rice) with fresh fish, fried roti, and khao mok gai, a Biryani-style dish with grilled chicken marinated in turmeric.
...MoreThe best beaches in Ko Lanta include Long Beach, with its 3.1-mile (5-kilometer) stretch of sand, and Klong Khong Beach, where you can watch fire shows after sunset. Lanta Klong Nin Beach has a lively selection of bars and restaurants, while Kaw Kwang Beach is a less-crowded alternative.
...MoreThe best scuba dive spots in Ko Lanta are at the nearby Koh Haa islands. At Ko Haa Nua Island, the most northern of the five-island group, is a series of caverns known as the Chimney, home to white-and-lilac coral that harbors marine species such as stingrays, seahorses, and trumpet fish. Mu Ko Lanta National Park is another great spot for scuba diving.
...MoreWhile the nightlife in Ko Lanta isn’t as wild as that of the Phi Phi Islands, there are still plenty of places to party. You’ll find the highest concentration of bars and restaurants in the northwest part of the island, where many beach options offer fire shows and sunset happy hours.
...MoreThe best activities for families in Ko Lanta include island-hopping boat trips that take you to uninhabited islands for snorkeling. You can also go on a kayaking tour of sea caves, explore Ko Lanta’s Old Town, and swim at Long Beach.
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