Ko Lanta Island is located in Krabi Province near the mainland of Thailand. From the island to the provincial capital is only 80 km, and to Bangkok – 930 km. Lanta – it is not even one island, but a group of two pieces of land, the closest to the mainland – Lanta Noi is inhabited by Thais, who built it with one-story houses. But on the paradisiacal island of Lanta Yai, the guests of this country like to relax.
The double island is the fourth largest in the country, after Phuket, Ko Chang and Ko Samui. It is part of an archipelago that also includes 50 islands, most of which are uninhabited.
Lanta Yai Island
Ko Lanta Island in Krabi is conventionally divided into tourist and residential parts. The eastern part of the island is mostly inhabited by locals, there are few hotels, except in the southeastern part. Normal beaches, as well as tourist infrastructure, are concentrated on the west coast. From there the locals take tour groups to the east part of the island to the Old Town of Lanta Town, gypsy village and mangroves.
The perimeter of Ko Lanta Island in Thailand is almost completely surrounded by a paved road. In different sections the road runs 10-200 meters from the coast. From west to east of the island stretches several highways. In the southern part there are practically no roads.
Lanta Island’s landscape is predominantly mountainous, riddled with caves and few valleys. Almost all seashores are covered with sandy beaches, some of them wild, fringed with dense vegetation. There are several diving spots near the coast.
Who’ll like it on the island?
Lanta is, above all, beaches, excursions to beautiful places with lush vegetation and stunning panoramas. Lovers of nightlife, rest in noisy clubs and discos, here and maybe not so like it. However, you can find a girlfriend for the night and on the local beaches, despite the fact that officially brothels are not here. There is hardly a place in Thailand without girls of easy virtue and Thai alcohol.
Lanta will please the inhabitants of megacities, looking for peace and tranquility from the rest. Crowds of tourists and noisy youth groups practically never happens here. But the views are like those of a realist painter, in love with tropical vegetation, the purity of white sand and the beauty of the water surface.
Families with children will definitely be happy with their vacation on the double island. But it is dangerous to bring the little ones here, there are often problems with the search of infant formula, and there is an acute shortage of pharmacies and doctors, especially pediatricians. But the question what to do on Koh Lanta rarely occurs to anyone, there is plenty of entertainment.
How to get to Ko Lanta Island?
While Ko Lanta Island has no airport, getting there isn’t difficult. The easiest way to get to this natural and tranquil island is from Krabi Airport or Phuket, and from there you can get a comfortable minivan to the hotel. Thai guests arriving at Bangkok airport will need to use local airlines to get to Krabi or Phuket, and from there the same minivan transfer and transfer to the ferry (book a ferry in Thailand is available at 12 Go Asia). Read more in the articles:
- Requesting a transfer in Thailand
- How to get from Bangkok to Phuket
- How to get from Bangkok to Krabi
Transportation of Koh Lanta
The easiest way to get around the island is by renting a motorcycle or car in Klong Dao (more about bike rental in Thailand). The average cost of renting a motorcycle is 200 baht per day. Tourists who prefer not to drive can ride Thai taxis. Local cab is more like a motorcycle with a sidecar, which can hold up to three people. The trip is paid by arrangement with the driver, on average they ask 20-30 baht per kilometer, and from one to the other beach the ride will cost 100-120 baht.
Beaches on the island of Ko Lanta
In comparison to the coasts in Pattaya and other large Thai island territories, the beaches on Ko Lanta Island are particularly wide and spacious. Vacationers here are not so many, sometimes the distance between sunbathing tourists can be 100-150 meters, no one disturbs anyone. “In “detail” let’s list the most popular:
Kor Kwang beach
Kor Kwang beach is located right at the tip of the island with the same name and is the northernmost beach next to the town of Ban Saladan. Its curved shape offers you nice sand and clear coastal water. It is the most crowded sandy beach on Koh Lanta Island. Definitely one of the best beaches in Thailand!
Klong Dao Beach
Klong Dao Beach is located south of Kor Kwang and is the most popular spot on the island. It offers 3 kilometers of beautiful white sand and clear sea. It is a perfect combination of nearby amenities for tourists with peace and quiet.
Pra Ae Beach
Pra Ae Beach on Ko Lanta Island, also known as Long Beach is one of the longest on the island – it is 5 kilometers of pure white sand. Luxury hotels are built on this beach. Because of the large size of the beach, you will always find a secluded spot, perfect for long walks.
Klong Khong Beach
The Klong Khong Beach, located in the center of the west coast of the island, is a favorite among tourists vacationing on Ko Lanta Island. This beach offers plenty of bungalow rooms and is ideal for sunbathing and long walks along the coast, but does not allow for proper swimming due to the rocky terrain.
The beach offers plenty of room in bungalows.
Klong Nin Beach
The Klong Nin Beach is the most beautiful southern beach with numerous coconut palms and rainforests. It offers beautiful soft white sand along with a calm and peaceful environment. The northern part of the beach is not very suitable for swimming because it is rocky.
Kantiang Beach
Kantiang Beach is one of the smaller beaches, but perhaps one of the most beautiful on Lanta Island. It is known for its clear waters and coral reefs – it is an ideal place for diving on Lanta.
For those who are critical about having stores, stalls and food stalls near their vacation spot, then you should prefer the northern and central part of the island. And the fans of wild recreation on the island of Lanta, not spoiled by vendors and girls of easy virtue, it is better to go closer to the south coast. There you may not see a single tourist in a whole day.
Climatic features of the island
Weather on Ko Lanta is the same as in the whole province of Krabi. It is most comfortable from December to the end of March. During this time there are almost no rainy days, the sea remains relatively calm, it is not hot. The temperature maximum for Thailand during this period of +28 … +32 is considered a cool time of year.
From March to the end of spring the thermometer may reach +34 … +36, but the absence of rain and comfortable humidity index allows you to spend a lot of time by the sea. But the summer and autumn in the island and the whole province are rainy, the downpours can last for weeks. The high humidity makes the island cool, but the sea is never cooler than 27 degrees centigrade all year round.
Watch the the weather in Thailand right on our website! Current weather informers from Yandex are updated several times a day and allow you to see the weather for the week ahead. And you can also see real weather with online webcams of Thailand.
Ko Lanta Island Hotels
Hotels on Ko Lanta Island are often cottages and primitive bungalows scattered near the coast, between the beach and the main paved road that skirts the perimeter. On the other side of the highway is almost everywhere a tropical jungle, hotels are not built there. In addition, there are no high-rise buildings on the island at all, the local laws prohibit the construction of buildings higher than the local plants.
The largest selection of hotels is in the northwestern and western part of the island, towards the south the density of development decreases, and with it the cost of accommodation increases. During the season a comfortable room with air conditioning costs 800 baht. If you want you can find an option for 500 baht, but usually such rooms are far from the stores and eating places. A room with a fan will cost between 400 and 600 baht. In general, the housing on the double island is somewhat more expensive than on the same Ao Nang.
Read More:- Diving in Thailand – The best places and seasons to dive!.
- 7 The Most Exciting Excursions in Krabi Province.
- Nai Yang Beach is Phuket's most tranquil and authentic beach.
- After you arrive at Krabi Provincial Airport.
- Picking the best beach in Krabi province.
- The Phi Phi Islands – beaches, climate, hotels and recommendations Phi Phi Islands are a group of small vacation islands in the Adaman Sea..