Neighbourhoods in Koh Lanta
- 01
Ban Saladan
The island's main town and port at the northern tip, where ferries arrive and the first shops, clinic and tuk-tuk stands sit.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Daytime; check ferry times
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Check ferry and boat times in advance, as they are weather-dependent and thin out in the wet season.
- 02
Kantiang Bay
A bay of about 1 km on the southwest coast, with few hotels, good snorkelling and a calmer, more private feel than the northern beaches.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to March, morning for snorkelling and late afternoon for sunset
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Hotels in the bay may offer snorkel gear and transfers; check availability and safety conditions in the wet months.
- 03
Klong Dao Beach
About 3 km of fine white sand close to the Saladan pier, with the island's widest choice of restaurants and hotels yet rarely crowded.
- Time needed
- Half a day or a base
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to March, morning swim and sunset
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Beach cafes and restaurants set out tables on the sand in the evening; check closing times in the wet season.
- 04
Lanta Old Town
The island's older east-coast town, with a long pier, shophouses, Chinese shrines and sea-people communities. A slow morning here gives the culture that the beach strip lacks.
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning, before the heat; dry season is more comfortable
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Respect residents' privacy when photographing homes, shrines and the sea-people settlement nearby. Cover shoulders and knees if you step into a shrine.
- 05
Phra Ae (Long Beach)
A crescent of about 4 km on Ko Lanta Yai's west coast, quiet despite plenty of accommodation. Good for long walks, swimming and sunset.
- Time needed
- Half a day or a base for several nights
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- November to March; mornings and late afternoons
- Tickets
- No entry fee. Wikivoyage lists several clinics on Phra Ae, including some that operate only in the dry season, so check hours if you may need one.
Experiences in Koh Lanta
- 06
Lanta Animal Welfare visit
A charity that rescues and treats stray cats and dogs on the island. You can book a short tour of the clinic and meet animals, or help by donating or adopting.
- Time needed
- About an hour
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Daytime tour; check availability
- Tickets
- Book a tour via the charity's website. A reviewer on the site reported about 300 baht per person, but the page does not state a fee, so check current details and opening hours.
- 07
Time for Lime cooking class
A beachside Thai cooking school and restaurant on Klong Dao, with classes that can be vegan, vegetarian or pescatarian and whose profits fund an animal charity.
- Time needed
- 2 to 4 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Evening or morning class, dry season
- Tickets
- Book through the school's contact page. Wikivoyage reports evening classes at about 2,000 baht, but check current prices. Tell the school about allergies and dietary needs when booking.
Culture in Koh Lanta
- 08
Chao Leh (sea people) culture
The Chao Leh, or sea people, have lived on Lanta for generations. Learn about their stilt villages and boat-floating ceremonies, and visit with respect.
- Time needed
- 1 to 2 hours
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Daytime; ceremonies follow the lunar calendar
- Tickets
- No ticket, but this is a residential community. Ask before photographing people or homes, avoid walking into houses, and consider joining a locally guided visit rather than turning up alone.
Day trips in Koh Lanta
- 09
Ko Rok and Ko Haa snorkelling day
A full-day boat trip from Lanta to the snorkelling islands of Ko Rok and Ko Haa, among the best places in the area for clear water and reef fish.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to March; trips stop or reduce in the wet season
- Tickets
- Book through a reputable operator. Wikivoyage reports that combined Ko Haa and Ko Rok tours cost roughly 1,500 to 2,000 baht including a park fee of about 400 baht, but prices change. Smaller park islands close to visitors from 16 May to 31 October.
Gardens and parks in Koh Lanta
- 10
Mu Ko Lanta National Park
A marine national park of about 134 sq km covering the southern tip of Ko Lanta Yai and dozens of islands. On land it offers forest, a short trail and an old lighthouse; at sea it protects the snorkelling islands.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- November to March, in the morning; avoid the wet season when the road turns difficult
- Tickets
- Wikivoyage lists an entry fee of about 200 baht plus a small vehicle charge, but fees change, so check at the gate. Smaller islands in the park close to visitors from 16 May to 31 October. Carry cash.
