Koh Lanta is a dreamy slice of southern Thailand, known for its chill vibes, stunning beaches, and warm hospitality. It’s a place where time slows down, and flip-flops are essentially uniform.
Adventure lovers, foodies, and sunseekers all find their happy place on this peaceful island. From longtail boat trips to beach bar sunsets, every hour is happy hour. Believe the hype!
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I created this Koh Lanta guide based on the month I spent there. It should answer every single question you have, from things to do on Koh Lanta to where to stay.
Ultimate Koh Lanta Guide
5 Top Things To Do in Koh Lanta
1. Following Giants Ethical Elephant Sanctuary
Everyone dreams of seeing majestic elephants up close on their trip to Thailand. But there are only a handful of ethical organisations!
Following Giants is one of the few ethical elephant sanctuaries. This organisation is home to many rescued elephants. They offer them a happy and stress-free environment where they can roam free.
Bring your camera and book a 2-hour, half-day, or full-day program. If you want to spend a lot of time with the elephants, volunteer for a week!
2. Time for Lime Cooking School
Popular Koh Lanta things to do often involve sand and sea, but it’s the perfect place to take a Thai food cooking class! Time for Lime was the first Koh Lanta cooking school, and they’ve taught thousands of students.
Time for Lime also donates 100% of its profits to the Lanta Animal Welfare charity. They help abused and injured stray animals on the island, so it’s such a great cause.
Learn how to make delicious fresh dishes and cocktails. You can even take a dip in their pool, so don’t forget your swim gear! It’s such a fun day out.
3. Mangrove & Skull Island Kayak Tour
Did you know that several islands comprise the Mu Ko Lanta National Park? If you’re wondering what to do in Koh Lanta to see as much natural beauty as possible, explore more of the incredible coastlines on a kayak tour!
We booked this Mangrove & Skull Island Kayak Tour, and it was honestly incredible. Our guide, Forest, was the coolest local tour guide ever. We paddled through lush mangroves, spotted monkeys, and explored tons of hidden caves.
4. Beautiful Beaches of Bamboo Bay and Nui Bay
No Koh Lanta guide is complete without mentioning the beaches! Everyone has their favourites, but the best beaches in Koh Lanta, in my opinion, are Bamboo Bay (also known as Kantiang Bay) and Nui Bay.
They’re next-door neighbours on the southern end of the west coast. Both are small, secluded bays with calm waters, great for swimming. Bamboo Bay has a couple of handy beach bars for a sunset happy hour!
Other popular beaches are Klong Khong Beach and Khlong Dao Beach. Both are further north up the west coast and are much bigger, but tend to be busier.
5. Scuba Diving with Dive & Relax
Warm, crystal-clear waters, vibrant coral reefs … Thailand is such a great place to scuba dive! We completed our Open Water Diver course with Dive & Relax on Koh Lanta, and it was an amazing experience.
Learn how to use scuba dive equipment, plan dives safely, and achieve an international diving certification. There’s also the chance to swim with turtles or watch sharks hunting in the shallows!
Check your travel insurance covers scuba diving for peace of mind. It’s a three-day course, so it’s totally doable on a multi-week Thailand trip.
How To Get to Koh Lanta, Thailand
While you can reach Koh Lanta from nearby islands like Koh Lipe, Koh Yao Yai and Koh Yao Noi, most people travel from Krabi or Phuket. Those are the two routes I’ll break down in my Koh Lanta guide.
Always book in advance, as some boat companies stop sailing late afternoon. You don’t want to get stranded!
From Krabi
You can travel from Krabi to Koh Lanta via ferry, speedboat, or minivan.
Booking a ferry from Krabi (Klong Jilad Pier or Chaofa Pier) to Koh Lanta (Saladan Pier) is the most popular and cost-effective option. Crossings take around 2 hours.
You can take speedboats from Klong Jilad Pier to Saladan Pier. The journey takes just over an hour, which is why most people opt for the cheaper ferry. There’s not much difference!
If you’re arriving at Krabi Airport, you can book a minivan to Krabi Town and catch another minivan to Koh Lanta. The whole journey is around 3-4 hours.
From Phuket
Travellers starting their journey in Phuket can take speedboats from Rassada Pier to Saladan Pier. It takes around 90 minutes. Phuket is much further from Koh Lanta than Krabi, so most opt for a faster speedboat over the ferry.
How To Get Around Koh Lanta
For the most freedom, rent a scooter or bicycle. It’s by far the best way to explore the hidden beaches and off-the-beaten-path spots in Koh Lanta! The island is far too big to walk everywhere.
I recommend Koh Lanta Bike Rentals for both scooters and bicycles. It’s a friendly shop and you can rent by the day or week with a small deposit. They were amazing!
If neither is your thing, tuk-tuk taxis are usually available around the island.
Where To Stay in Koh Lanta
There are so many Koh Lanta hotels, resorts, bungalows, villas … It’s easy to get overwhelmed! I suggest staying further south on the island near Koh Lanta Old Town. Klong Nin is perfect because that’s where you’ll find the best beaches! This is the Airbnb we stayed in, honestly it was incredible and ran by the kindest people you could hope to meet in Thailand.
There are secluded guesthouses and cabins inland and laid-back resorts on the coast.
Where To Eat in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is a big island, so there are lots of great restaurants! These are some of my favourites:
- South and Sea Beach Bar: Chill beach bar on Khlong Noen Beach with authentic Thai food
- Tuesday Morning Small Talk: Great coffee, breakfasts, and light bites near Khlong Hin Beach
- Same Same But Different: Delicious Thai restaurant near Bakantiang Beach and surrounded by rainforest
- Ha Bee Bee BBQ: Also near Khlong Noen Beach, you can see the BBQ being made fresh in front of you
- Qing’s: Homemade Chinese food in a beachy indoor/outdoor restaurant
- Escape Cafe: Cosy cafe with sweet treats near Long Beach
- Star Restaurant: Popular sit-down restaurant in the north of Koh Lanta near the Siri Lanta Bridge
- Mango Sticky Rice by Auntie Joy: The best to-go mango sticky rice you’ll taste!
- Galapagos Cafe: The tastiest, healthiest smoothie bowls and salads
How Long to Stay in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is somewhere you could spend weeks soaking up the island lifestyle (which is exactly what I did!), but most don’t have that time. Three days is enough time to see Koh Lanta’s highlights, but five days is better if you also want to take a scuba diving course.
Best Time to Travel to Koh Lanta
The dry season in Koh Lanta is from October to May, when temperatures are around 25°C-34°C (77°F-93°F). December to April, in particular, draws the most crowds.
Some love visiting in April for the Songkran festival! Diving is also better during the dry season, and the boat schedules are more reliable. Visiting during this season is well worth any drawbacks.
May to October is the monsoon season, which is also the low season. Temperatures are 24°C-32°C (75°F-90°F), but the high humidity can make it feel hotter! Only visit in the monsoon season if you have a lot of flexibility and can stay on the island longer.
Book Your Thai Island Escape to Koh Lanta
You’ll love living the slow island life on Koh Lanta island, Thailand. Rent a scooter, explore hidden beaches, and soak up the sabai sabai vibes. Visiting Koh Lanta could not be easier with this Koh Lanta travel guide! Be honest, are you already planning your trip?
FAQs
- Is Koh Lanta worth visiting?
- Yes, Koh Lanta is absolutely worth visiting! It offers a laid-back Thai island experience with spectacular natural scenery and beautiful beaches.
- Is Koh Lanta too touristy?
- No, Koh Lanta is not too touristy and is known for being one of the few Thai islands to retain its authenticity.
- Is Koh Lanta safe?
- Yes, Koh Lanta is considered very safe by Thai and global standards. Just be aware of petty theft and motorcycle injuries.
- Is Koh Lanta a party island?
- While there is some nightlife on the island, Koh Lanta is not known for being a party island. Koh Phi Phi, Koh Phangan, Koh Samui, and Phuket are better party islands in Thailand.
- Can you swim in Koh Lanta?
- Yes, Koh Lanta offers great swimming opportunities! It is generally better to swim off the south and west coast, which is less rocky than the east coast.
