Koh Lanta Mania
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The Complete Koh Lanta Travel Guide
Saladan
The first place you will usually arrive to on Koh Lanta is the main town of Baan Saladan, commonly referred to simply as Saladan.
Here you will find the main commercial centre of the Island with banks, ATM’s, a clinic, post office, police station as well as shops & stalls for souvenirs.
Saladan is a small bustling town where you can shop or enjoy the cafè culture and watch the world go by. This is also a great place to eat at some of the best fresh sea food restaurants on the Island.
Take your time to explore as many of the businesses are within traditional wooden over- the-sea stilt buildings.
All ferry boats leave/arrive from here - so it is easy to take a trip to Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, or Ao Nang - or you can just laze on the beach!
Recommended
Lanta Seafood
Cafe Mocha
Baracuda
Koh Lanta Thailand
Khlong Dao Beach
On the North West Coast of the Island you will find the ever popular Khlong Dao Beach, just 1.5KM from Saladan. This has proved to be exceptionally popular with families, due to the shallow waters and calm sea.
With around 3KM of pristine beach, there is a wide choice of where to stay to suit all budgets.
Although the most developed of all Koh Lanta’s beaches, you will still find mature trees lining the beach, and it is always easy to find a quiet spot to sunbathe. In addition to this, all facilities and services you could possibly want or need are within easy walking distance.
In between topping up your tan, why not go sailing or game fishing, or even learn how to cook Thai food?
Recommended
Nang Sabai
Ling Uan
Cheeky Monkey
Koala Bar
Long Beach or Prae Ae
Just a short drive South from Saladan and Khlong Dao, you will find another fabulous beach. Around 5KM in length, Long Beach, also known as Prae Ae, is a much more cosmopolitan area, and with deeper waters, great for swimming.
There are many excellent options for places to stay in Long Beach- from backpacker to 5* luxury (either in a resort or a private villa)- what do you deserve? There are countless beach bars and restaurants to while away the hours, or if you are feeling adventurous why not go elephant trekking through the jungle?
Nighttime comes alive on Long Beach! After the sun has set watch live Muay Thai (boxing), enjoy a tasty evening meal at the Tavern or Red Snapper, and then dance off all those calories at Opium until the wee hours.
The best part is…you can do it all again tomorrow!
Recommended
The Tavern
Country Lao
Ying Yang Bar
Opium
Khlong Khong Beach
Traveling further South you will find Khlong Khong, 3KM of palm fringed sandy beach.
This beach is a little rocky, especially at low tide; however this does provide great snorkeling.
Nearly all of the resorts are right on the beach, most have swimming pools.
Some would argue Khlong Khong is frequented by a livelier crowd! It is a great value location for backpackers to enjoy the sunsets & beach parties.
There is also a great choice of private sea view villas available for rental - to live that little bit of extra luxury.
Recommended
Ting Tong Bar
Mong Bar
Where Else?
Khlong Nin Beach
The next main beach going South is Khlong Nin, and this is seriously laid back! The whole beach is a multitude of bungalows, bars & restaurants, catering to every taste.
One of the best beaches to relax, take some shade (or sun!) and enjoy your daily sun downer.
This is a stunning beach, and well worth the effort to get there. Great swimming, fabulous sunsets, soft sand and friendly people- what exactly are you waiting for?
To us Khlong Nin is a highlight of the island, and if you only get there for an afternoon- make sure you do!
When the evening comes, restaurants offer fresh sea food BBQ’s and beach bars come alive until late!
Recommended
Whiterock
Otto Bar
P'Daeng Bar
Roi Thai
Kantiang Bay
Further South again, you will come across Kantiang Bay, a stunning crescent of white sand largely taken up by medium & high end resorts, but always with plenty of room to find yourself a nice secluded piece of the beach!
Kantiang Bay has won several "best beaches of the world" competitions, and to be fair- who are we to argue?
This is definitely chilled out! A great place to visit any time of year as the bay is protected from bad weather and always looks pristine.
If you carry on further South from Kantiang Bay, the beaches get even more beautiful (and quiet) until you reach the National Park area at the Southern tip of the Island.
One beach to the South worthy of a mention has to be Bamboo Bay- this is only for the hardcore relaxers amongst us. A typical day would include taking it very easy.
Recommended
Aqua Bar
Drunken Sailors
Same Same
Top View
Lanta Old Town (East Coast)
On the East Coast of the Island, the first thing to consider is the amazing views - best seen from Viewpoint or Khao Yai restaurants.
Another “must do” is take a trip to Lanta Old Town. Stop for lunch and just observe how this 100 year old fishing village goes about its day.
From here you can go South and visit the Sea Gypsies (at Sang Kha Ou) or take a long tail boat out to one of the many nearby islands to sunbathe or snorkel.
The East Coast of Koh Lanta could easliy be a whole world away rather than the 4-5KM from the Western beaches that it actually is. Predominately utilized for agriculture such as rubber tree plantations, it is an excellent opportunity to see real Thai Island life. You will find a diverse mixture of local people from Muslim rubber farmers at Thung-Yee-Peng, moving South to the cultural melting pot of Lanta Old Town, and then further still, the Sea Gypsies in Sang-Ka Ou. Well worth a visit.
Recommended
Mango House
Khao Yai
Frogs & Apples
Islands
Koh Lipe is part of the gorgeous Tarutao National Marine Park and is situated 70 km off the southwest coast of Thailand near the Malaysian border. Lipe is tiny and stunning; everything is within walking distance! The calm crystal waters of the Andaman Sea that surround Lipe are ideal for snorkeling and diving.
Koh Mook is a small island about 45 minutes by boat from Koh Lanta. It is well known for its beaches and the famous Morakot Cave. The inhabitants of Koh Mook live traditionally using longtail boats and making their living as fisherman.
Koh Kraden is part of the Haad Chao Mai National Park. The island has several beaches, among the most pristine white sandy beaches of the Andaman Coast. Well worth a day out and ideal for snorkeling.
Koh Ngai (pronounced High) is a short boat ride from Koh Lanta and well worth the effort. Excellent beaches, snorkeling straight off the sand and a back drop of impressive limestone karysts. Out of this world and picture post card perfect!
Koh Lanta - Jewel of the Andaman
Around the Island
Welcome to Koh Lanta, the tropical island paradise that has something for everyone - from young families to party goers.
Lanta has everything you could need to enjoy your perfect holiday from exciting tours and activities, the best in beach going and top notch amenities and experiences to keep you wanting more. Dive world class sites, ride elephants, visit deserted “castaway” islands, learn to cook authentic Thai cuisine -the list of activities to try is long, however we hope your holiday is too.
If this sounds a little too adventurous for you - just kick back, relax and wait for your daily fix of the beauty that a famous Lanta sunset can offer. Best enjoyed with a cold beer and maybe a barbequed fish- and if you find your second wind later on, a beach party is never too far away.
This is definitely still Thailand, offering the best in Thai cuisine and warm Thai hospitality with that wonderful tropical twist making Koh Lanta famous for its laid back way of life.
Koh Lanta is a an island of diverse cultures and great people offering a local Thai mix of Muslims, Sea Gypsies and Chinese along side its many cosmopolitan visitors.
Koh Lanta´s excellent and pristine beaches have won numerous international travel awards for their soft sand and the crystal clear and warm waters of the Andaman Sea. There are eleven excellent beaches to be found on Lanta´s West coast, getting more quiet and secluded the further South you travel. So go find your favorite!
If you want to experience more authentic local culture, take a motorbike across the Island to the East Coast. Visit Lanta's Old Town and spend some time soaking up the atmosphere of a 100 year old fishing village.
Koh Lanta is a National Marine Park including 52 exotic islands to explore- some inhabited, some not! All are stunning and if you can tear yourself away from your beach of choice- go find another one!
All of Koh Lanta´s interior is primary jungle and protected forest complete with all the flora & fauna you could hope for! Best of all, since this is a protected area, it will stay this way.
Koh Lanta is the island Phuket and Koh Samui forgot to be, offering a window to traditional Thai culture (the ¨real¨ Thailand) mixed with laid back island life. Perfect!