Koh Lanta consists two islands- Koh Lanta Yai (Big Lanta) and Koh Lanta Noi (Small Lanta) and is located in the province of Krabi.
The island is 90km from Krabi Airport and 120km from Trang Airport. Ko Lanta is a beautiful island with a variety of landscape, on the island you will find both beautiful beaches as well as jungle and waterfalls.
The island of Lanta is one of the quietest islands in the region of the South of Thailand and even during the high season, it is never too crowded. There are many reasons to visit Koh Lanta – the peaceful and chilled atmosphere, long empty beaches, forest-covered mountains and beautiful sunsets are some of them. On the island, there are plenty of amazing places to discover and you can find a good variety of activities.
Accommodation can be found for all budgets if you are looking for cheap hostels and bungalows or five-star luxury hotels Koh Lanta will not disappoint.
Koh Lanta Yai is the island known to us as Koh Lanta. The island is about 30 km long and 6 km wide.
The West Coast is lined with beaches and hotel resorts, and the eastern side with mangrove forest and small local villages.
Koh Lanta Noi is a big mystery for most visitors. Small and Large Lanta is connected with the newly built bridge.
Same as on the Big Lanta, we can find here long and deserted beaches on the west coast and fishing villages and beautiful panoramas on the east coast.
Both islands are best explored on motorbike or bike.
For families and groups of people who do not dare to drive around, there is the possibility of renting a car and a driver.
I’ve lived in Thailand many years so I thought I would give you some useful tips on what places to visit and how to explore Koh Lanta like a local.
- Visit the old town
- explore Mai Keow Cave
- Elephant sanctuary
- adventure to Klong Jark Watefall
- national park mu koh lanta
- Discover the mangrove forest
- Shop in traditional thai market
- Bike trip around koh lanta noi
- Brunch at lanta’s cafe
- Nui Bay Beach
- Beach cocktails in indian bar
- Visit lanta animal welfare shelter
- Swim at Bamboo Beach (Had Mai Phai)
- Enjoy a day at long beach
- Lunch at restaurant krua dan tai
- Boat Trip to Koh Rok
- Best thai food in khao yai restaurant
- EnjoY a trip to emerald cave
- Join a scuba diving trip
- Experience the muay thai boxing training
- Visit the old town
- explore Mai Keow Cave
- Elephant sanctuary
- adventure to Klong Jark Watefall
- national park mu koh lanta
- Discover the mangrove forest
- Shop in traditional thai market
- Bike trip around koh lanta noi
- Brunch at lanta’s cafe
- Nui Bay Beach
- Beach cocktails in indian bar
- Visit lanta animal welfare shelter
- Swim at Bamboo Beach (Had Mai Phai)
- Enjoy a day at long beach
- Lunch at restaurant krua dan tai
- Boat Trip to Koh Rok
- Best thai food in khao yai restaurant
- EnjoY a trip to emerald cave
- Join a scuba diving trip
- Experience the muay thai boxing training
1 Visit the Old Town
Lanta’s Old Town is the first settlement of Lanta and its village is full of souvenir shops and stalls where you can buy a variety of spices, teas, and coffee from northern Thailand.
The houses are traditional wooden and have original lamp posts.
Old Town is located on the southeast side of the island. You can also find here some excellent seafood restaurants in this area. Try Pinto Restaurant on the wooden stilts.
2 Mai Keow Cave
The Mai Keow Cave is located in the middle of the island on the crossroad between the eastern and western side of the island. The path is well marked and you should not have a problem of finding a sign which leads to the cave. You can park your motorbike or a car in the parking lot and then take a guided tour of the cave.
The walk to the cave takes 30 minutes, followed by 1 hour walk through the cave and then 30 minutes journey back. The entrance fee is 200THB per person. I recommend you wear comfortable clothing that you are not afraid to get dirty and good shoes. Definitely do not go in flip-flops!
3 Following Giants
Definitely, a must do activity while visiting Koh Lanta is visiting the elephant sanctuary. It is truly an authentic, sustainable, and elephant-friendly sanctuary. Here you can observe the gentle giants as they roam free, happily leading the way in their natural environment.
No feeding, bathing, or riding, the place is highly recommended. We did the 2h program and loved it. You can make your reservation here FOLLOWING GIANTS.
4 Klong Jark Watefall
The Klong Jark Waterfall is located on the west side of the island, south of Tiger Cave. Watch out for sign Waterfall Elephant Trekking, which will lead you to the path leading to the waterfall.
It’s useful to have some kind of water shoes when walking around the waterfall. You can go without a guide, just follow along with the creek until you come across the waterfall.
5 National Park Mu Koh Lanta
Mu Lanta National Park and Lighthouse can be found on the west coast of Lanta at the very end of the road in the south part of the island.
There is a beautiful park and a beach and around 2km of a jungle trek.
Beware of the wild monkeys, they are everywhere, they are wild and they will try to steal your food, please note that it is strictly forbidden to feed the monkeys. You can also spot some monitor lizards and different kind of birds.
Don’t forget the entry to the park is 200THB per person.
6 Mangrove Forest
The Mangrove Forest is located on the eastern side the island, north of the Monkey Nursery. You can walk from the car park and walk on the bridge towards the concrete pier.
The circular concrete boardwalk through the forest is roughly 800 meters or so long, and you can enjoy spotting hundreds of crabs in the mud of all different shapes and colors.
By the river, you can find some old rustic floating restaurant and several small fish farms. You can also rent a kayak for around 300THB per hour and kayak through the mangrove.
7 Traditional Thai Market
Markets on Koh Lanta are usually every other day in the afternoon. You can find here a lot of food, clothing and souvenirs stands, often at very cheap prices. Market stalls are open all day long, but the night market really gets going at around 4 pm and goes through until around 9 pm.
The days changes so please check once you get to Koh Lanta, here are the market locations at the moment:
(this changes all the time so check about the location with locals when you arrive)
Monday– Klong Dao (close to Slow Down resort)
Tuesday– Klong Nin (close to Monk Bar)
Wednesday– by the bridge before small Lanta
Thursday– Relax Bay
Friday– Klong Nin
Saturday– Saladan
Sunday– morning Old Town and afternoon Long Beach
8 Trip around Koh Lanta Noi
A trip around Lanta Noi is a nice way of spending an afternoon and discovering new trails. You will discover beautiful panoramas, roads without cars, tourists and motorbikes. Don’t be afraid to go off the main road. You will find some amazing places.
9 Lanta’s cafe
Café Lanta’s is a calm oasis and a place to stop for some of the best food and coffee in Lanta Noi.
You must visit this family-run restaurant while staying in Koh Lanta, you won’t regret it. The owners are extremely friendly and attentive and the food and desserts are out of this world.
10 Nui Beach
11 Indian Bar
Indian Bar located in Klong Dao beach is a great place for relaxing and enjoying the views of the beach. The Thai owner dresses up as an Indian and performs amazing foreshow each night from 9 pm.
Indian Bar is one of the best places for cocktails and you can also order some food from the restaurant next door.
12 Animal Welfare organization
Animal lovers should visit the Animal Welfare organization in Koh Lanta which cares of stray cats and dogs. The mission of the organization is to end the suffering of hundreds of abused, wounded animals in Koh Lanta. So far, more than 15,000 animals have been sterilized and treated. You can come and visit, any help with the care and financial donation will help and very much appreciated.
For more information and how to help, visit lantaanimalwelfare.com.
13 Bamboo Beach
Bamboo Beach (Had Mai Phai) and Nui Bay Beach in the south of Lanta are beautiful beaches worth visit, with white sand and a minimum of tourists.
Due to the distance from the town, these beaches in the south of the island are exceptionally quiet – great for those of you who are looking for solitude, peace and relaxation.
14 Long Beach
Long Beach is the longest beach in Koh Lanta and at the same time the deepest – suitable for swimming all day long even with a low tide.
Long Beach is a beautiful beach where you can enjoy the sea, have a massage, sit in the restaurant or enjoy the sunset. The Beach is also a good place for beachfront accommodations in hotels and cottages.
15 Restaurant Krua Dan Tai
Krua Dan Tai Restaurant is an authentic Thai restaurant where you can sample some original Thai recipes. If you are tired of the average Thai food – cooked to suit western tourists – and want to taste real Thai dishes, then this restaurant is a place to go.
16 Boat trip to Koh Rok
This beautiful island has white powdery sand beaches & clear turquoise waters. You will find here a lot of beautiful soft corals, tons of tropical fish, and crystal-clear water. Must-visit boat tour from Koh Lanta.
17 Khao Yai Restaurant
Restaurant Khao Yai has the best views of the east side of Lanta and some excellent Thai cuisine. Great stop for something to drink and bite with beautiful views and great service.
18 Island hopppig Trip
While visiting Koh Lanta you must join at least one snorkeling trip. Apart from Koh Rok, there are more islands near Koh Lanta you can visit.
There are some amazing tours, some which also include the Emerald Cave and a couple of beautiful islands which you can visit, swim in the warm waters and enjoy snorkeling with schools of fish.
19 Scuba Diving
If you love the underwater world and would like to try Scuba Diving, Koh Lanta is a great place to try.
You do not need any certification or license, the course is suitable for total beginners with no experience.
20 Muay Thai Lession
If you love exercise and trying new things, you can sign up for Muay Thai lessons or training in one of the local gyms. Have a look at Lanta Muay Thai Academy which is based in Saladan area.
Koh Lanta is an island with lots of possibilities and places that hardly fit into 20 points.
This is my list of the most popular places and activities that I hope will make your holiday on the island more pleasant. I hope my tips on what to do in Koh Lanta will inspire you and wish you to have the best holidays ever:)
Here you can check prices and times for boat and bus tickets to Koh Lanta.
