Koh Lanta is a 25 km-long island off the Andaman coast of Thailand, south of Phuket and Krabi. Renowned for its long beaches, quiet seclusion, and natural beauty both above and below the water, Koh Lanta is a beach lovers and scuba divers paradise.

Located 70 km south of Krabi, Koh Lanta features a pair of large islands so close to the Thai mainland that it not inconceivable that bridges will someday be built to connect them to each other and to the mainland. It may be many years before this happens however, as Koh Lanta is already a popular Thai beach holiday destination, but its still a long way from the development and popularity of nearby Phuket or Koh Phi Phi.

Technically a group of islands including the two largest, Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai, Koh Lanta is technically the name of an administrative district in Krabi Province, though when referring to Koh Lanta most people mean Koh Lanta Yai, where most of the nicest beaches and tourist attractions are located.

The prime attractions on Koh Lanta are its long beaches, clear water, and laid back atmosphere. Even after a decade of development that has resulted in the construction of a few of the finest beach resorts in Thailand, the sheer size of Koh Lantas west coast ensures that there is plenty of space for visitors to enjoy a relaxing holiday even in the height of peak season in late December and early January.

The west coast of Koh Lanta features nine beaches along its 25 km shore, most which are great for swimming and ideal for long, romantic walks and sunset views. Its a great place for a family vacation or a romantic escape.

The most developed areas of the island are on the northwest shore, particularly the beaches of Klong Dao and Long Beach (Phra Ae). These beaches feature the highest density of resorts and tourist services, though this is still a relative term as they are well distributed along the beach and up on the main road.

Farther south the beaches become more secluded and the road terminates at a national marine park. In fact, beach hopping from north to south, either by rental car, motorbike, or long-tail boat is one of the great attractions of Koh Lanta. The island is also a scuba divers paradise as there are many coral reefs, limestone outcrops, seamounts, pinnacles, and undersea caves around Koh Lanta and nearby islands.

The main tourist office on Koh Lanta is located at Baan Saladan, where visitors arriving via car-ferry or boat first arrive. Baan Saladan has the highest concentration of banks, dive shops, markets, medical clinics, and motorbike rental services. Koh Lantas post office is located in the east coast of Koh Lanta, in Baan Koh Lanta (Lanta Old Town), which serves as the islands capital.

Koh Lanta is an island province consisting of 52 islands. Koh Lanta Yai, the largest of the islands, is located approximately 70 kilometers from Krabi town and can be visited either by car-ferry from the mainland or boat from Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, or Phuket.

As Koh Lanta lies just south of the Andaman coasts prime attractions, namely Krabi, Koh Phi Phi, and Phuket, it has maintained its laid-back atmosphere, even as Koh Lanta has slowly developed to include some of Thailands finest beach resorts. Still, Koh Lanta remains an amazing beach destination for families, couples, backpackers, and scuba divers: anyone who is looking for a Thai island that has not succumbed to overdevelopment but still has many options in regards to accommodation and activities.

Koh Lanta Yai is 6km wide and over 30km long, featuring nine golden sand beaches and a diverse terrain, including mangroves, waterfalls, and forested hills.

A paved road runs from the north to the south of the island, parallel to the coast, and provides access to the headquarters of the Mu Koh Lanta National Park and the lighthouse on the southern tip.

Just south of Koh Lanta Yai lay the islands of Koh Ngai, Koh Kradan and Koh Muk, all of which offer equally stunning beaches and snorkeling and even greater seclusion.

Transport

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Koh Lanta is located along the Andaman Coast, just south of Krabi province. The most common way to travel to Koh Lanta is by car or mini-bus from Krabi or by boat from Krabi Town, Railey Beach, Koh Phi Phi or Phuket. Driving from Krabi, one must take two short car ferries from the mainland to Koh Lanta Noi and then across to Koh Lanta Yai. Boats to Krabi run more frequently in the high season and certain routes are stopped during the stormier monsoon season months. It is also possible to travel north from Trang to the south of Koh Lanta.

Once on Koh Lanta, transportation is somewhat limited, and a rental car or motorbike is the primary method for getting around the island, though there are long-tail boats available for beach and island hopping and some tuk-tuks and songtaews for getting around Saladan and the northern beaches.

Getting to and from Ko Lanta

• By Bus:
  One can take a bus from Bangkoks Southern Bus Terminal to both Krabi and Trang, the two closest locations for arranging transfer to Koh Lanta.
  
  From Krabi there are a number of private tour companies that can arrange for mini-bus or boat travel to Koh Lanta that include fees for ferries and other transfers to your hotel on Koh Lanta. The journey takes between 1 and 2 hours.
  
  From Trang, daily mini-buses depart at noon for Koh Lanta, a trip that takes approximately 2 ½ hours including a short vehicle ferry crossing.
  
  From Phuket one must first take a bus from Phuket Town to Krabi Town, where mini-bus or boat transfer can either be pre-arranged or booked upon arrival.
• By Air:
  There is no airport in Koh Lanta, so those wishing to fly to Koh Lanta must fly to Krabi Airport and then take a car or mini-bus 70 km south to the island, including travel upon two short car ferries. There are numerous flights to Krabi from Bankok and various other airports around Thailand. Ground transport from Krabi airport to Koh Lanta is well established and timed to leave following air arrivals.
• By Other:
  By Boat
  Ferry services between Koh Lanta and Krabi, Ao Nang and Phuket via Koh Phi Phi are all based out of Koh Lantas Saladan Pier. Ferry services are subject to weather and to demand, many not providing services during the rainy season (May-October) because of rough seas and fewer tourists visiting the island.
  
  From Krabi, ferries depart from Krabi Towns main pier to Koh Lantas Saladan Pier twice daily.
  
  From Koh Phi Phi two ferries depart daily from Ton Sai Pier to Koh Lantas Saladan Pier only during the dry season (November-April). Boat service does connect Koh Phi Phi to Krabi during the rainy season so it is possible to take a boat from Koh Phi Phi to Krabi and then another boat from Krabi to Koh Lanta or transfer to a mini-bus or car in Krabi or Ao Nang.
  
  From Phuket one can purchase a boat ticket to Koh Lanta but must first stop along the way at Koh Phi Phi and occasionally change boats there.
  
  By Rail
  It is possible to travel by rail from Bangkoks Hua Lumphong Station to Trang, from where one can transfer to a mini-bus that leaves Trang each day at noon for the 2 ½ hour journey to Koh Lanta.

Getting Around Ko Lanta

Getting around Koh Lanta is relatively simple as there are few roads on the island. A paved road runs north-south along the west coast of the island, connecting all the major beaches. Beyond that, road conditions vary greatly and one should exercise caution if self driving a motorbike or automobile on roads other than the western coastal road.

By tuk tuk and songtaew: