Koh Lanta is our absolute favorite out of all the Thailand islands, and at the time of writing, we will have been living in this paradise haven for 4 months!
Koh Lanta is known for its laid-back and relaxed atmosphere, and still has all the paradise beaches, only a lot less busier than many of the more famous Thailand islands.
We understand that deciding on the best Thai island can be quite overwhelming, especially when there are so many great ones to choose from.
The purpose of this article is to convince you that Koh Lanta is your best option, especially if you are looking to unwind and relax. So let’s get straight into everything you need to know about this stunning island, starting with how to get there.
How Do I Get to Koh Lanta?
You will more than likely have flown into either Phuket or Krabi Airports for your Thailand Holiday, so we will discuss briefly how to get to Koh Lanta from each place.
For both trips, Phuket to Koh Lanta and Krabi to Koh Lanta, we recommend booking your tickets online via 12go because it is (mostly) cheaper and basically, it is the easiest option – Win Win!
Phuket to Koh Lanta
To travel from Phuket to Koh Lanta, you have a few transportation options:
Ferry: You can take a ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta, this is the most common option.
The ferry ride can range from 1.5 hours to 4 hours depending on the type of ferry you choose, for example, choose the Speedboat option for a shorter trip.
Ferries depart from various piers in Phuket, such as Rassada Pier or Ao Po Pier, and in Koh Lanta, the ferry arrives at Saladan Pier.
We opted for the 1.5-hour speedboat on the one occasion when we had family visiting. For some reason, they didn’t fancy the 6-hour bus ride!
Private Taxi: Another option to travel from Phuket to Koh Lanta is to arrange for a private transfer, either by car or minivan. This option offers flexibility regarding departure time and can be more comfortable, especially if you’re traveling with a group or have a lot of luggage.
Minivan/ferry: Some companies offer a combined bus and ferry ticket from Phuket to Koh Lanta. This option involves taking a bus from Phuket to Krabi and then transferring to a ferry from Krabi to Koh Lanta.
It may take longer than other options but can be more budget-friendly.
We have taken this option on MANY occasions. This journey will take 6 hours and will cost $15 per person.
There will be a food/toilet break along the way. Just sit back and enjoy the stunning landscape through Krabi province.
*This journey does tend to change every time we take it so best to bring some snacks with you just to be safe!
Regardless of which option you choose, it’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance, especially during peak travel seasons, to ensure availability and secure the best prices.
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Krabi to Koh Lanta
The nearest airport to Koh Lanta is Krabi Airport, depending on where you are coming from it can be a bit more expensive when compared to Phuket Airport.
Krabi is known for its famous paradise beaches surrounded by sky-high limestone cliffs, hotels for all budgets, and great nightlife. Find out the 15 Awesome Things to Do in Krabi, and learn why this tropical destination should be included on your Thailand itinerary.”
Afterward, continue your trip to Koh Lanta. The best and cheapest option for a single traveler to get to Koh Lanta from Krabi is by booking a minivan. You get picked up at your hotel and dropped off at the doorstep of your next stay. This journey will take 2 hours and prices start at $10 per person.
Whether you are at Krabi airport, Krabi bus terminal, or in Krabi Town/Ao Nang, as with Phuket, 12go is your easiest and cheapest option!
Things To Do in Koh Lanta
There are plenty of things to do in Koh Lanta, as long as you like water and sand that is!
Beach Hopping: Explore the pristine beaches of Koh Lanta, each with its own unique charm. What we love about Koh Lanta is its rugged, natural beauty seemingly untouched by the negative aspects of tourism.
Snorkeling and Diving: Discover the underwater world surrounding Koh Lanta. The island is close to several excellent dive sites, including Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, and Koh Haa, which are teeming with colorful coral reefs.
Island-Hopping Tours: Take a boat tour to explore the nearby islands and attractions, such as the Four Islands (Koh Chuak, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, and Koh Ngai), Koh Rok, or the Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot) on Koh Mook.
Visit National Parks: Explore the natural beauty of Koh Lanta by visiting Mu Ko Lanta National Park. Hike through lush jungle trails, visit the lighthouse at Laem Tanod, and take in stunning panoramic views.
Kayaking and Paddleboarding: Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the island’s mangrove forests, hidden coves, and limestone cliffs at your own pace.
Or in our case, just try and stand up!
Sunset Watching: We have been so bold as to say that Koh Lanta offers the best sunset views in Thailand.
We invite you to judge for yourself and let us know if you find any better. Grab a drink from one of the beachfront bars or restaurants and watch the sun dip below the horizon in a blaze of colors.
Cultural Experiences: One of our favourite things to do in Koh Lanta is to immerse ourselves in local culture by visiting traditional fishing villages like Old Town (Ban Sala Dan), exploring local markets, or attending cultural performances, such as Thai boxing matches.
Koh Lanta Beaches
The very best of the things to do in Koh Lanta are….you guessed it, visit Koh Lanta beaches! These are the reason for Koh Lanta’s title as “the best Thai island”.
Relax on the soft sands of popular beaches like Long Beach, Klong Dao Beach, or Kantiang Bay, or explore the quieter spots like Bamboo Beach or Nui Beach.
If you can drive a scooter then head off on a Koh Lanta road trip and we can guarantee that any road you decide to explore will lead to yet another stunning beach which you will have practically to yourself.
If you don’t fancy driving yourself, don’t worry, there will be plenty of friendly tuk-tuk drivers to take you around the island.
Let’s take a look at our favorite Koh Lanta beaches:
Koh Lanta Beaches: Klong Dao Beach
Klong Dao Beach is one of the most popular and longest beaches on Koh Lanta. This will be the beach in the location where you get off the ferry at Saladan Pier. The beachfront area of Klong Dao is lined with restaurants, cafes, bars, and a variety of accommodations.
Koh Lanta Beaches: Long Beach
While not as vibrant as some of the nightlife hotspots on nearby islands like Phuket or Koh Phi Phi, Long Beach still offers a lively nightlife scene compared to other Koh Lanta beaches. This is a popular place for tourists with beach bars, live music, fire shows, and occasional Koh Lanta beach party.
Koh Lanta Beaches: Klong Nin Beach
Klong Nin Beach is where we choose to stay during our visits to Koh Lanta. It still has beachfront bars and restaurants but with a balanced local vibe.
In our opinion, the natural beauty, chilled atmosphere, affordable living, and friendly people here are unparalleled to anywhere we’ve been.
Hence we are still here 4 months on, and it is our favourite of all the Koh Lanta beaches!
Koh Lanta Beaches: Kantiang Bay
Kantiang Bay is located just 5 km from Klong Nin Beach and yet it is another snippet of paradise immersed in a local feel.
Given that Kantiang Bay is a smaller area it seems to have a busier feel. We are like Goldilocks and the Three Bears with Klong Nin Beach being “just right” for us!
Koh Lanta Beaches: Bamboo Beach and Nui Beach
We may be living in a chilled location but some days we want even fewer people! We head off on the scooter and explore some lesser visited destinations which will have you pinching yourself.
Given Koh Lanta’s small size, all these gems are within 30 minutes of reach.
There is not much at these hidden gems but you will always find one shack selling cold beers!
Koh Lanta Hotels
The following Koh Lanta Hotel recommendations are chosen based on personal experience, reviews, location, and value for money.
Koh Lanta Hotels: Andalay Boutique Resort
If you are looking for beachfront luxury at a very affordable price then look no further than Andalay Boutique Resort.
We booked family members into this accommodation when they visited us for 2 weeks. This also meant that we spent a lot of our time here!
Keep in mind that booking in advance and during low season can lead to substantially lower prices.
We got a room in this stunning resort with breakfast included for less than 80 Euro per night – now that was some bargain!
Needless to say, our family had an amazing holiday waking up to these views every morning.
Koh Lanta Hotels: Lanta Klong Nin Beach Resort
Lanta Klong Nin Beach Resort is where we have been staying for the past 50 nights and if you are happy to simply walk 20 metres across the road to the beach then this accommodation is a much more affordable option.
It is also our opinion that the restaurant on-site has the tastiest local food and that this resort has the best pool in Koh Lanta!
Of course, if you plan on staying for a long period of time be sure to ask for a discounted rate. We are staying in this pool view villa for 20 Euro per night!!
Koh Lanta Hotels: Nirvana Beach Resort
We couldn’t leave it without giving you one option of utmost luxury, we’re talking private pool and jacuzzi on your own beachfront balcony luxury!
As far as Koh Lanta hotels go, Nirvana Beach Resort has it all!
We think that experiencing the ultimate luxury of resorts in Thailand, which are still at a fraction of the cost they would be anywhere else in the world, is a box that must be ticked while in Thailand.
Realistically, you can’t go too far wrong with Koh Lanta hotels. Just make sure to read the reviews.
Lanta Old Town is on the east coast, but we recommend staying along the west coast for the stunning beaches and visiting the Old Town as a day trip.
Enjoy The Best Thai Island!
Honestly, Koh Lanta is a slice of heaven, boasting some of Thailand’s most beautiful natural landscapes, and access to all the popular Thai islands – without the crowds.
If this sounds like the kind of holiday you would love, then we can guarantee that Koh Lanta is the best Thai island for you.
Enjoy our favorite island, and make sure to respect the environment and the culture in all the areas you visit. Let’s leave this gem unspoiled for as long as possible.
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Slán go fóil
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Amazingly detailed and Informative blog x
Thank you!!