About Ko Lanta
Situated off the Andaman Coast in Southern Thailand, Ko Lanta sits between the Krabi Sea and the Trang Sea just south of the Krabi mainland. It consists of two large islands — Ko Lanta Yai and Ko Lanta Noi — along with other islets. The larger island, Ko Lanta Yai, is the center of business and tourism.
Ko Lanta is renowned for its beautiful beaches, clear blue sea, and peaceful atmosphere. This is enhanced by the locals’ traditional way of life, as Thai people from different backgrounds — Chinese-Thais, Buddhists, Muslims and sea gypsies — live together in harmony.
Islands for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are submerged rocks to the southeast of Ko Rok that boast beautiful coral and many species of reef fish. Whale sharks are frequently spotted here, making these one of Ko Lanta’s top diving spots.
Ko Talabeng is off the east coast of Ko Lanta. It has a small beach where swiftlets live. There are limestone caves that are visible only when the tide is low. The island is popular for sea kayaking tours.
Protected as part of Ko Lanta National Park, Ko Rok island has dramatic hills and a long stretch of exquisite beach. It is a snorkeling hot spot with pristine, crystal-clear water and a variety of colorful fish. There are also trails across the island ideal for jungle walks.
Ko Ha is a group of five islands. Shaped like a sail, Ko Ha Yai has green fields on its ridge making for a beautiful viewpoint, while below is a limestone cave that you can swim through. This is one of Ko Lanta’s top diving spots that's famous for its manta rays.
Four-island tour: A day trip where you which four out of five islands to visit: Ko Chuek, Ko Ngai, Ko Mook, Ko Ma, and Ko Kradan. Each offers outstanding snorkeling, clear water, and white sandy beaches. A particular highlight is Emerald Cave at Ko Mook, a devine sea lagoon that is accessible only when the tide is low. Swim through the cave to discover the emerald sea lagoon and a curve of white sand surrounded by lush tropical forest.
Ko Lanta’s Beaches
Kor Kwang Beach: Located in the north of Ko Lanta and not far from the main ferry pier at Baan Saladan, Kor Kwang has an elegantly curved beach resembling the line of a deer's neck. (Kor Kwang means "deer’s neck" in Thai.) This beach has lovely sand, clear water and, when the tide is low, you can walk to an islet at the end of the cape.
Khlong Dao Beach is probably the most popular beach on the island, thanks to its white beach and clear water. It's not far from Kor Kwang Beach and just a 15-minute drive from Baan Saladan.
Pra Ae / Long Beach is yet another of Ko Lanta's amazingly beautiful beaches. The fine white-sand beach stretches for about 4 kilometers and has fantastically clear water for swimming. There is also a public park at the island’s center, not far from Khlong Dao Beach.
Ba Kantiang Bay lies towards the southern tip of Ko Lanta. The curving bay has a soft sand beach and clear water with tropical rainforest-covered hills as backdrop. This quiet and peaceful bay is a 30-minute drive from Baan Saladan.
Tanod Cape offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Ko Lanta, located at the southern end of the island in Ko Lanta National Park. There is a lighthouse, the symbol of Ko Lanta, and a rocky beach. From here, you can take in views of the Andaman Sea with toddy palm trees ("tanod" is the Thai word for toddy palm) dotting the beach.
Ko Lanta’s Local Attractions
With the main ferry pier and a host of tour operators, shops, restaurants and even banks, Baan Saladan is Ko Lanta’s busiest area. Located in the north of the island, it's a lively commercial area day and night.
Lanta Old Town is a charming community where fishermen, Chinese-Thai merchants, Buddhists, and Muslims have lived for hundreds of years. This area was an active commercial hub in Ko Lanta's early days, and the ambiance of that era still lingers in the traditional wooden shophouses and pace of life. There is also a bridge stretching into the sea that locals use as a pier.
Baan Sangka-U is a village in the south of the island where sea gypsies, or Thai Mai, people live. This community of ethnic seafaring people called Lu Mo La Woy have called Ko Lanta home for many generations. They have an important traditional boating ceremony to ward off bad luck, and fortune telling ceremonies during the full moons of the 6th and 11th lunar months.
Situated off the Andaman Coast in Southern Thailand, Ko Lanta sits between the Krabi Sea and the Trang Sea just south of the Krabi mainland. It consists of two large islands — Ko Lanta Yai and Ko Lanta Noi — along with other islets. The larger island, Ko Lanta Yai, is the center of business and tourism.
Ko Lanta is renowned for its beautiful beaches, clear blue sea, and peaceful atmosphere. This is enhanced by the locals’ traditional way of life, as Thai people from different backgrounds — Chinese-Thais, Buddhists, Muslims and sea gypsies — live together in harmony.
Islands for Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are submerged rocks to the southeast of Ko Rok that boast beautiful coral and many species of reef fish. Whale sharks are frequently spotted here, making these one of Ko Lanta’s top diving spots.
Ko Talabeng is off the east coast of Ko Lanta. It has a small beach where swiftlets live. There are limestone caves that are visible only when the tide is low. The island is popular for sea kayaking tours.
Protected as part of Ko Lanta National Park, Ko Rok island has dramatic hills and a long stretch of exquisite beach. It is a snorkeling hot spot with pristine, crystal-clear water and a variety of colorful fish. There are also trails across the island ideal for jungle walks.
Ko Ha is a group of five islands. Shaped like a sail, Ko Ha Yai has green fields on its ridge making for a beautiful viewpoint, while below is a limestone cave that you can swim through. This is one of Ko Lanta’s top diving spots that's famous for its manta rays.
Four-island tour: A day trip where you which four out of five islands to visit: Ko Chuek, Ko Ngai, Ko Mook, Ko Ma, and Ko Kradan. Each offers outstanding snorkeling, clear water, and white sandy beaches. A particular highlight is Emerald Cave at Ko Mook, a devine sea lagoon that is accessible only when the tide is low. Swim through the cave to discover the emerald sea lagoon and a curve of white sand surrounded by lush tropical forest.
Ko Lanta’s Beaches
Kor Kwang Beach: Located in the north of Ko Lanta and not far from the main ferry pier at Baan Saladan, Kor Kwang has an elegantly curved beach resembling the line of a deer's neck. (Kor Kwang means "deer’s neck" in Thai.) This beach has lovely sand, clear water and, when the tide is low, you can walk to an islet at the end of the cape.
Khlong Dao Beach is probably the most popular beach on the island, thanks to its white beach and clear water. It's not far from Kor Kwang Beach and just a 15-minute drive from Baan Saladan.
Pra Ae / Long Beach is yet another of Ko Lanta's amazingly beautiful beaches. The fine white-sand beach stretches for about 4 kilometers and has fantastically clear water for swimming. There is also a public park at the island’s center, not far from Khlong Dao Beach.
Ba Kantiang Bay lies towards the southern tip of Ko Lanta. The curving bay has a soft sand beach and clear water with tropical rainforest-covered hills as backdrop. This quiet and peaceful bay is a 30-minute drive from Baan Saladan.
Tanod Cape offers one of the most beautiful viewpoints of Ko Lanta, located at the southern end of the island in Ko Lanta National Park. There is a lighthouse, the symbol of Ko Lanta, and a rocky beach. From here, you can take in views of the Andaman Sea with toddy palm trees ("tanod" is the Thai word for toddy palm) dotting the beach.
Ko Lanta’s Local Attractions
With the main ferry pier and a host of tour operators, shops, restaurants and even banks, Baan Saladan is Ko Lanta’s busiest area. Located in the north of the island, it's a lively commercial area day and night.
Lanta Old Town is a charming community where fishermen, Chinese-Thai merchants, Buddhists, and Muslims have lived for hundreds of years. This area was an active commercial hub in Ko Lanta's early days, and the ambiance of that era still lingers in the traditional wooden shophouses and pace of life. There is also a bridge stretching into the sea that locals use as a pier.
Baan Sangka-U is a village in the south of the island where sea gypsies, or Thai Mai, people live. This community of ethnic seafaring people called Lu Mo La Woy have called Ko Lanta home for many generations. They have an important traditional boating ceremony to ward off bad luck, and fortune telling ceremonies during the full moons of the 6th and 11th lunar months.