Koh Lanta Travel Guide: Best Beaches, Activities & Hotels
Offering a peaceful escape from the nearby party islands of Phuket and Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta is a must visit on your trip to Thailand.
It’s actually made up of two islands, Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi (connected by a bridge), but the majority of the development and tourism is on Koh Lanta Yai.
I spent 4 days in Koh Lanta during my visit to Thailand earlier this year and it was the one place I felt really had something for everyone.
It’s definitely not a party island, but it’s not as sleepy as islands like Koh Mak or Koh Kood. There’s idyllic beaches, great dive sites, and seriously good restaurants – I had some of my favourite meals in Asia on Koh Lanta.
Although it’s quite a big island, it never felt overcrowded as everything is pretty spread out, so you’re easily able to escape the crowds and visit beautiful beaches with hardly anyone else there.
Short on time? Here’s the most important information about Koh Lanta
Getting there – There’s no airport on Koh Lanta, so you’ll need to take a boat to reach the island. I’d recommend using 12Go to find the best route
Where to stay – Lanta Thip House or Layana Resort and Spa
Getting around – Most people hire scooters to explore Koh Lanta
Why should you visit Koh Lanta?
Koh Lanta is the thai island that has it all. It’s easy to reach from other popular destinations in Thailand, there’s beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants, a historic old town and accommodation to suit every budget.
If you’re into diving and snorkelling, Koh Lanta is home to vibrant coral reefs, where you’ll spot colourful fish, octopus and turtles.
Overall, Koh Lanta has a relaxed atmosphere and a laid back vibe, with magical sunsets and friendly locals.
Just a heads up: If you’re searching for wild nights out, Koh Lanta isn’t for you. There are bars here, but it’s definitely not a party island. It offers a very welcome change of pace from nearby Koh Phi Phi and Phuket.
How to get to Koh Lanta
There’s no airport on Koh Lanta so you’ll need to take a boat to reach the island.
Bangkok to Koh Lanta
Fly from Bangkok to Krabi, which is the closest airport to Koh Lanta.
Krabi to Koh Lanta
From Krabi airport, take a taxi to Klong Jilad Pier (30 minutes), followed by a 2.5 hour ferry journey to Saladan Pier on Koh Lanta.
Instead of figuring out the connections yourself, I’d recommend booking this combined minivan + boat ticket from Krabi bus terminal (15 minutes from the airport). The van takes you to the pier and onto the boat, and will drop you at your hotel in Koh Lanta.
Phuket to Koh Lanta
Make your way to Rassada Pier in Phuket to catch a boat to Koh Lanta. You can either take a ferry, which is cheaper, but will take 4 hours to reach Koh Lanta, or a speedboat, which is double the price, but only takes 1.5 hours.
Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta
A speedboat from Ton Sai Pier to Koh Lanta only takes 30 minutes, and a single ticket costs around £14.
Getting around Koh Lanta
The best way to get around Koh Lanta is to hire a scooter. It’s quite a big island so having a scooter will give you total flexibility to explore. You can expect to pay around 250 THB/£5 a day to rent a scooter on Koh Lanta.
Before you drive a scooter in Thailand you need to have your international driving license. If you’re based in the UK you can get one really easily in the post office.
If you don’t want to rent a scooter, there’s Tuk Tuks around the island, but in more remote parts of the island there won’t be as many around. If you’re going to take a Tuk Tuk, I’d recommend taking the drivers number so you can message them when you want to come back.
The best time to visit Koh Lanta
The best time to visit Koh Lanta is between November to February, during Thailand’s dry season. During these months the weather will be warm, and the sea is much calmer. There’s also much more frequent transport at this time so it’ll make getting to Koh Lanta much easier.
Things to do in Koh Lanta
1. Explore the Old Town
Spend your morning at Koh Lanta’s historic Old Town, on the East coast of the island. It was once the islands main trading centre and you’ll see influence from communities around the world here.
The main street is lined with buildings on stilts, most of which have been turned into shops, restaurants and bars. Set aside a few hours to explore them.
I loved Grandma’s House for breakfast, Mayuri’s Bar for delicious espresso martinis with views over the water and Malee Malee for coffee and souvenirs.
2. Visit Lanta Animal Welfare
You simply can’t visit Koh Lanta without doing a tour of Lanta Animal Welfare. The non-profit organisation works incredibly hard to support stray dogs and cats across the island, and the work they do is invaluable.
It was founded by Junie Kovacs, who gave up her steady job, house and life in the Netherlands because she wanted to help the stray animals in Koh Lanta.
The team have worked tirelessly to introduce vaccination programmes, sterilise the animals across the island, and educate the local community on animal welfare.
You can book a tour of the centre on their website, the entrance fee is 250 THB/£5pp and the money helps fund the incredible work they do.
If you have space in your home to adopt an animal, you can begin the process to do so whilst you’re there. Trust me, it’s very hard to walk away without one!
3. Eat the best Pad Thai you’ll ever try
No trip to Thailand’s complete without trying a Pad Thai – this stir fried noodle dish with a sweet sauce and a scattering of peanuts will quite quickly become a staple in your diet here.
We stumbled upon Mr Pad Thai one evening in a search for something quick to eat before heading down to watch sunset on the beach. Multiple reviews claimed it was the “best Pad Thai ever” so we had to try it for ourselves.
Located down a rather bumpy road, Mr Pad Thai’s stall serves just one dish, with two options – chicken or no chicken.
Put your order in, grab a Chang from the supermarket next door, and settle in whilst he cooks it in front of you. If you’re lucky he’ll even let you have a go at making it yourself.
Without trying every Pad Thai in existence I can’t exactly claim that it’s the best in the world, but after trying a lot of variations during our month in Thailand, it was up there with the best. And at just 90 THB/£1.96, you really can’t go wrong.
4. Go Snorkelling or diving
Koh Lanta is an incredible place to scuba dive or snorkel, thanks to its vibrant reefs and marine life. If you’ve never tried scuba diving before, you can do a discovery dive where you learn how to use the equipment in shallow water.
Or, if you prefer staying at the surface, this snorkelling tour is really highly rated.
5. Take a cooking class
I’m a big fan of taking cooking classes when I travel, it’s a brilliant way to understand more about the culture and community of a destination.
Lanta Thai Cookery School is very highly rated, and they offer both morning and evening classes. You’ll learn how to cook 4 delicious dishes (there’s both vegan and vegetarian options too), and most of the vegetables and spices are from their own garden.
Time for Lime is another great option. It’s run by Lanta Animal Welfare and the profits go towards running the centre. They run one class a day from Tuesday-Saturday, and you’ll make 4 dishes and 1 cocktail.
6. Explore the beaches
Relaxing on the incredible beaches is one of the best things to do in Koh Lanta. The majority of them are located along the West coast which makes it really easy to hop between them.
My favourite beaches in Koh Lanta are:
Nui Bay – This secluded bay is a little harder to reach (you’ll need to park your scooter and head down some stairs in the cliff), but it’s really peaceful with crystal clear blue water and bright white sand. There’s a small cafe there serving drinks and snacks.
Khlong Chak Beach – This sandy beach is almost as far south as you can go, so it’s often pretty empty. It’s a big beach with a long sandy shore and beautiful clear water. There aren’t many shady spots here but there’s a few cafes and restaurants that offer shelter.
Long Beach – The clue is in the name that this beach is big, and the 3km stretch has plenty of bars, restaurant and accommodation. It’s one of Koh Lanta’s most popular beaches, especially at sunset, but it’s a great choice for every kind of traveller.
7. Watch the sunset
The sunsets on Koh Lanta were some of the best I saw in Thailand, and as the majority of beaches here face west, they’re the perfect spot for uninterrupted sunset views.
I’d recommend heading to Long Beach and finding a bar for a sundowner. There was always a good crowd of people when we went, playing volleyball, or enjoying the last swim of the day. I find there’s something quite special about strangers coming together to watch a sunset.
Other things to do in Koh Lanta include visiting the Thung Yee Pheng Mangrove Forest on the eastern side of the island, where you can go kayaking through the mangroves and sea caves, go hiking in the Mu Koh Lanta National Park on the south of the island, or taking a yoga class.
Best restaurants in Koh Lanta
Grandma’s House | Located in Old Town Koh Lanta, Grandma’s House is a small restaurant run by a family who have lived in Koh Lanta for generations. They make their bread fresh each day and the avocado on toast was particularly good.
Coco Tango | Coco Tango has some of the best restaurant views on the island, and regular readers will know I’m usually sceptical of nice views (my philosophy is usually a good view = not so good food).
But I’m always happy to be proven wrong, and Coco Tango did just that. They do a great selection of curries, but I’d recommend trying the fish – you’re on the water after all. Choose how you like it cooked, the sauce and the sides, and enjoy!
Tuesday Morning Small Talk Cafe | The breakfast here was one of my favourite breakfasts I’ve ever had. They have a pretty extensive menu which usually raises alarm bells for me, but everything tasted really fresh. The portion sizes are big so it’ll easily fill you up for a day of exploring.
Mayuri’s Bar | Whilst you’re in Koh Lanta Old Town, don’t miss the chance to get a drink at Mayuri’s Bar. Run from the owners Grandparents home, this incredible building is littered with history, with pictures, souvenirs and antiques scattered across the walls.
It’s rather unassuming from the outside, but make your way through the building to a huge outdoor terrace and bar, with incredible views over the water. The espresso martini I had here was the best I’ve ever had, order it and thank me later.
Baja Taco | Baja Taco was my favourite meal in Koh Lanta (we visited 3 times during our stay). It’s a small restaurant on the east of the island, and it’s in a pretty remote location so I’d definitely recommend hiring a scooter if you come here. They serve homemade burritos, tacos, nachos and cocktails, using fresh ingredients.
Joe’s Texas BBQ | Joe’s Texas BBQ serves barbecue classics like ribs, brisket, tater tots and burgers. It’s a large restaurant with loads of outdoor seating and it’s a good option if you’re craving American food.
Where to stay in Koh Lanta (best areas)
If you want to be close to the bars, restaurants and shops, I’d recommend basing yourself near Long Beach.
The further south you go, the more remote it gets, and whilst there is a highway running through Koh Lanta that makes it easier to get around, it’s not particularly well lit, so if you’re not confident driving a scooter, it can feel like a very long drive to dinner in the evenings.
Best hotels in Koh Lanta
Lanta Thip House
Lanta Thip House is where I stayed in Koh Lanta. It’s located a short walk away from Khlong Khong Beach and a 10 minute drive from Long Beach, and is well positioned for reaching the beaches along the West coast.
The rooms were spotless, and there’s a large pool in a peaceful garden (this was one of the main reasons I booked it). You can also hire scooters from the hotel which is really convenient when you’ve just arrived and want to start exploring straight away.
The team here are so friendly and really happy to help with anything you need – it’s the perfect base for your time on Koh Lanta.
Layana Resort and Spa
Layana Resort and Spa is an adults-only hotel with an incredible infinity pool and stunning sea views.
There’s 3 restaurants, 2 swimming pools, a gym, and a bar, and you’ll have access to a private section of beach.
It’s ideally located just a short stroll from Long Beach, one of the best places on the island for watching the sunset.
How many days do you need in Koh Lanta?
Aim to spend at least 4 full days in Koh Lanta. This will give you time to visit the islands beautiful beaches, explore the old town, go snorkelling, hike in the Mu Koh Lanta National Park, take a cooking class, and have some time to relax and unwind.
Is Koh Lanta a party island?
No, Koh Lanta isn’t a party island like nearby Phuket and Koh Phi Phi, but there are still a few good bars. I definitely wouldn’t recommend coming to Koh Lanta if you want strips of clubs and wild nights out, it’s a place to relax and unwind.
Is Koh Lanta worth visiting?
Yes, Koh Lanta is absolutely worth visiting! Not only is it really easy to get to from other popular destinations in Thailand like Koh Phi Phi, Phuket and Bangkok, it has something for everyone here, including beautiful beaches, stunning hikes, rich marine life and a great food scene.
Koh Lanta map
Click the map below to easily find the location of my favourite restaurants, beaches, bars and points of interest in Koh Lanta.
Tips for planning your trip to Koh Lanta
Sort your international driving license before you arrive
Scooters are the most popular modes of transport in Thailand, and you need an international driving license to ride one.
Although you probably won’t be asked for it at the hire place, if you get stopped by the police they’ll want to see it.
If you’re in the UK, you can get one in less than 10 minutes by taking your driving license and a passport photo into a post office branch.
Make sure you have travel insurance
You can never predict what might happen whilst you’re in Thailand, so having travel insurance is essential.
I use SafetyWing for my travel insurance – their online dashboardkeeps your documents in one place so they’re easy to find if you need them, you can add extras such as technology cover, children under 10 are free of charge and you can even start the policy when you’re already on a trip (a lot of companies don’t let you do this).
Know the rules with your visa
If you’re travelling from the UK or the US, you can stay in Thailand for up to 30 days without needing a visa. If you stay for longer, you’ll need to pay 500THB for each day you overstay. If you do want to stay for more than 1 month, go to your nearest immigration office to apply for a 30 day extension.I’ve written a full guide that covers everything you need to know about Thailand visas, and what happens if you overstay.
