Koh Lanta Guide
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Tap any button to jump straight to it. Start with where to stay.
Koh Lanta is a long island — about 25 km from Saladan in the north to the national park in the south — with a string of sandy beaches down the west coast. First time? Klong Dao & Saladan is easiest, close to the pier and with calm, family-friendly sand. Want the most choice of restaurants and bars? Stay on Long Beach. On a budget or love a laid-back, sociable feel? Pick Klong Khong & Klong Nin. Want peace, jungle and the prettiest bay? Head to Kantiang Bay and the south. Tap an area, or if you’re not sure, use the quick picker below.
| Area | The vibe | Best for | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klong Dao & SaladanSee hotels ↓ | Calm beach near the pier | First-timers and families | 💰💰 Mid-range |
| Long BeachSee hotels ↓ | Liveliest beach, restaurants and bars | Couples, friends and foodies | 💰💰 Mid-range |
| Klong Khong & Klong NinSee hotels ↓ | Laid-back with sunset bars | Solo travellers, friends and budgets | 💰 Good value |
| Kantiang Bay & the SouthSee hotels ↓ | Prettiest bay, quiet, jungle | Couples wanting peace | 💰💰💰 Upmarket |
Price level is a rough guide to the hotels in each area, not a price. Tap a hotel's booking buttons for today's rates.
Two quick taps and we’ll match you to the right part of Koh Lanta.
A simple solo plan for Koh Lanta: stay on Long Beach or Klong Khong for food and a friendly feel, join a snorkel trip to Koh Rok or the Four Islands to meet people, and hire a scooter only if you are a confident rider.
Restaurants, bars, massage shops, 7-Elevens and ATMs are all along the road behind the beach, and the long sand is great for sunset walks.
Klong Khong has a sociable, laid-back feel with sunset bars and small bungalows, and the daily snorkel trips from the island make it easy to meet other travellers.
A beautiful bay with jungle behind it, a small village and quiet evenings — but it is a 20–30 minute drive to the busier beaches.
Koh Lanta has some of the best-reviewed cooking schools in Thailand, around Long Beach and Klong Khong — a fun, sociable morning on your own.
The island is long, so you will need wheels. Tuk-tuks (motorbike sidecars) wait near the beaches and piers, and many hotels can call one. Scooters are easy to hire, but only ride if you are experienced.
Klong Khong and the south end of Long Beach have the best choice of simple, good-value bungalows on the island.
Koh Lanta links by van and car ferry with Krabi, and in high season by boat with Phi Phi, Phuket and Koh Lipe further south.
Which beach suits you? Koh Lanta is a long, green island in the Andaman Sea, south of Krabi. Its sandy beaches run one after another down the west coast, so every one faces the sunset. Here is how they compare.
A long, wide, gently sloping beach just south of Saladan — calm in the dry season and great for children.
Klong Khong has rocks, rock pools and sunset bars; Klong Nin, just south, is a long, quieter beach with soft sand.
A beautiful curved bay in the south, with soft sand, clear water and jungle-covered hills behind.
The island’s busiest beach — about 4 km of sand, with resorts, restaurants and beach bars all along it.
Speedboats take you to the white sand of Koh Rok, the reefs of Koh Haa and the Four Islands off Trang on day trips.
Krabi has limestone cliffs and Railay, and Koh Lipe has white sand and clear water further south — both link up with Koh Lanta by boat in high season.
Klong Dao is the first big beach you reach from Saladan, the little harbour town in the north where the ferries and vans arrive. It is long, wide and gently sloping, with soft sand and calm water in the dry season, so it is a favourite with families. Resorts sit right along the sand, with small restaurants, massage shops and 7-Elevens on the road behind, and Saladan’s seafood restaurants and shops are only five minutes away.
A long, wide, gently sloping beach with soft sand and calm water in the dry season — one of the best on the island for children.
A well-reviewed bar on the sand at Kaw Kwang, just north of Klong Dao — a lovely spot for a sunset drink.
A very highly rated Thai restaurant at the north end of Klong Dao, with nearly a thousand glowing reviews.
One of the best-reviewed restaurants on the island, near Saladan — famous for burgers and a fun, friendly feel.
A very highly rated massage shop in Saladan, for Thai, oil and foot massages after the journey.
Long Beach, also called Phra Ae, is Koh Lanta’s busiest beach — about 4 km of golden sand with resorts all along it and a road full of restaurants, bars, massage shops, cooking schools and 7-Elevens behind. It has the biggest choice of places to eat and drink on the island, while still feeling relaxed. The north end is quieter, and the south end has the most going on.
Koh Lanta’s longest busy beach, with golden sand, beach bars and big sunsets — great for long walks.
A much-loved animal rescue centre on Long Beach, caring for the island’s cats and dogs. Visitors can take a tour and even walk a dog.
One of the most-reviewed restaurants on Koh Lanta, near the south end of Long Beach, with tasty Thai food and friendly service.
A very well-reviewed restaurant on the Long Beach road, with Thai and Western dishes.
A long-running Thai cooking school near the south end of Long Beach, with very good reviews and a friendly, fun feel.
Klong Khong is a laid-back beach with rocks, rock pools and sunset bars, and a sociable, backpacker-friendly feel. A few minutes south, Klong Nin is a long, quieter beach with soft sand and small beach restaurants. Together they have plenty of good-value bungalows, cooking schools and cafés, and you are about 20 minutes by road from Saladan.
A laid-back beach with rocks, rock pools and sunset bars on the sand — at its best in the late afternoon.
A very popular café on the main road at Klong Khong, great for coffee and breakfast.
A very highly rated Thai restaurant at the north end of Klong Khong, with over a thousand great reviews.
A very well-reviewed bar at the north end of Klong Khong — friendly, relaxed and fun.
A well-loved Thai restaurant by the sea at Klong Nin, with relaxed tables and sunset views.
The quiet, beautiful end of Koh Lanta. Kantiang Bay is a curved bay with soft sand, clear water and jungle-covered hills behind, with a small village of restaurants and bars just back from the beach. Further south are little Klong Jark Bay, Bamboo Bay and Mu Ko Lanta National Park, with its lighthouse at the southern tip.
A beautiful curved bay with soft sand, clear water and jungle behind it — many visitors’ favourite beach on the island.
The southern tip of the island, with a white lighthouse on the rocks, a small beach and a short nature trail. A park fee applies.
A tiny, much-loved Pad Thai spot in Kantiang village, with over a thousand great reviews.
A very highly rated, chilled bar at Klong Jark, just south of Kantiang.
One of the highest-rated places on the island, on the road at the north end of Kantiang, with thousands of great reviews.
Koh Lanta is one of the easiest islands in Thailand for families. It is reached by van and car ferry, so there is no boat to worry about, the beaches are long and gently sloping, and in the dry season the sea is calm. Klong Dao is the classic family beach, with soft sand and shallow water, and Long Beach has the most restaurants close by. The island is relaxed and friendly, with no big nightlife scene.
Getting there with kids: from Krabi airport it is a van ride of about 2 to 3 hours, including a short car ferry — children can stay in their seats. In high season you can also come by boat from Krabi, Phi Phi or Phuket.
A long, wide beach with soft sand and calm, shallow water in the dry season — the classic family beach on Koh Lanta.
A much-loved rescue centre for cats and dogs on Long Beach. Children love the tour, and older kids can help walk a dog.
A day trip by speedboat or long-tail to the islands and beaches off Trang, including the Emerald Cave — a big adventure for children.
A guided walk through the jungle and into a real cave, with ladders and narrow passages — fun for older children.
Every beach on Koh Lanta faces west, so you can watch the sun go down over the sea while the children play on the sand.
The southern tip of the island, with a lighthouse, a small beach and a short nature trail — an easy half-day out.
Genuinely well-rated hotels that suit families.
Quiet bays, jungle, lovely resorts and a sunset over the Andaman Sea every evening — how to plan a romantic trip to Koh Lanta.
Every beach on Koh Lanta faces west. Find a spot on the sand at Kantiang Bay and watch the sun drop behind the sea — the most romantic hour of the day.
A speedboat trip to the white-sand twin islands of Koh Rok, with clear water and some of the best snorkelling in the area.
Hire your own long-tail boat and driver for the day to visit quiet islands and reefs at your own pace.
Koh Lanta has lots of very well-reviewed massage shops and resort spas — a perfect way to end a day in the sun.
The wild southern tip of the island, with a white lighthouse on the rocks and big sea views. Combine it with lunch at Bamboo Bay.
Many couples add a few days in cool, green Chiang Mai, with temples, night markets and mountain resorts.
Koh Lanta is made for slow days — sunsets every evening, quiet beaches and lots of very well-reviewed massage shops, spas and yoga classes.
One of the best-reviewed spas on Koh Lanta, on Long Beach, for Thai, oil and foot massages and spa treatments.
A big, very well-rated resort by the sea at the south end of Klong Nin, with its own spa.
A very highly rated yoga centre at Klong Dao, with classes for all levels.
From May to October Koh Lanta gets heavy showers, and even in the dry season a storm can roll in. Here are some cosy, indoor ways to spend a wet afternoon.
One of the highest-rated cooking classes on the island — learn to cook Thai dishes, then eat them. Perfect when it rains.
A very well-reviewed massage shop at the south end of Long Beach, for Thai, oil and foot massages.
A small, very highly rated massage shop on Long Beach — easy to pop into when a shower rolls in.
Out to Koh Rok, Koh Haa and the Four Islands — or on to Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket and Koh Lipe. Use 12Go to book your own boat, van or bus.
The classic Koh Lanta day out: a speedboat to the white-sand twin islands of Koh Rok and the clear water around the limestone islands of Koh Haa, with snorkelling stops.
A boat trip to the islands off Trang, including Koh Mook, where you swim through a dark sea cave to a hidden beach inside the rocks.
A simple Krabi, Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe plan (10 nights, high season):
1. Krabi, 3 nights — Ao Nang, Railay and island-hopping.
2. Koh Lanta, 4 nights — about 2–3 hours from Krabi by van and car ferry, or by boat in high season. Long beaches and quiet bays.
3. Koh Lipe, 3 nights — about 3 to 3½ hours by speedboat from Koh Lanta. White sand, snorkelling and island trips.
From Koh Lipe, take the speedboat to Pak Bara and a transfer to Hat Yai Airport, or the boat to Langkawi in Malaysia.
A speedboat day trip to Phi Phi, with Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and snorkelling among tall limestone cliffs. A long but spectacular day.
White sand, very clear water and no cars, further south near the Malaysian border. Direct speedboats run from Koh Lanta in high season.
Limestone cliffs, Railay and island-hopping. Vans run all year, about 2 to 3 hours with the car ferry, and boats run in high season.
Big beaches, Old Phuket Town and nightlife. In high season a speedboat runs via Phi Phi in about 3 hours; all year you can go by road through Krabi.
Rather than a day trip, many people stay a few nights on Phi Phi. Boats run from Koh Lanta in about 1 to 2 hours in high season.
Where to actually eat — home-style Thai cooking, southern and Thai-Malay dishes, fresh seafood and great-value restaurants along every beach road. Here are the best-reviewed places around the island.
A busy, very popular Thai restaurant on the Long Beach road, with over a thousand reviews.
One of the most-reviewed restaurants on Long Beach, loved for its burgers — great for a break from Thai food.
A popular, well-reviewed restaurant in Saladan town, close to the pier — handy before or after the boat.
A very highly rated, friendly Thai restaurant at Klong Khong, with fair prices.
One of the highest-rated places in Lanta Old Town, with home-style food in the old stilt-house street.
A well-loved restaurant at Klong Khong for southern Thai and Malay-style dishes.
A very highly rated restaurant on Long Beach for spicy north-eastern Thai food — papaya salad, grilled chicken and sticky rice.
Simple, well-loved places worth a visit.
A very well-reviewed pizza restaurant on Long Beach, with over a thousand great reviews.
A very highly rated barbecue restaurant on Long Beach — a fun change from Thai food.
A very highly rated breakfast and brunch café on the Long Beach road.
A very well-reviewed café in Lanta Old Town, great for coffee and a slow morning by the water.
A much-loved restaurant right by the sand at Kantiang Bay, with Thai food under the trees.
Sunset bars, beach bars and small, friendly bars — from Klong Dao and Long Beach to Klong Khong and the quiet south.
A very well-reviewed cocktail bar at Klong Dao, with a friendly, relaxed feel.
A relaxed, well-reviewed bar and restaurant at the north end of Long Beach.
A very highly rated small brewery and bar at Klong Khong, with its own beers.
A very highly rated cocktail bar in Kantiang village, friendly and chilled.
A small, very highly rated beach bar at quiet Klong Jark, south of Kantiang.
Koh Lanta is relaxed after dark — there are no big clubs. Long Beach has the most bars and restaurants, Klong Khong has friendly sunset and reggae-style bars, and Klong Dao and Kantiang are quiet. Pick your base to match.
In the evening the road behind Long Beach fills with people heading between restaurants, bars and massage shops, with beach bars on the sand.
Bars with cushions and low tables on the sand, music and cold drinks as the sun goes down — the most sociable sunsets on the island.
A very well-reviewed, friendly bar and diner at Klong Nin, good for a drink and a chat.
A popular bar and kitchen on Long Beach, with a relaxed, lively feel in the evening.
A popular Irish-style pub on Long Beach, with pub food and cold drinks.
A very highly rated little bar in Lanta Old Town — a lovely, quiet evening on the east side of the island.
Festivals, busy times and things to plan your Koh Lanta trip around.
Every beach on Koh Lanta faces west, so every evening the sun goes down over the sea — the best free show on the island.
On the full moon of November, people float little flower baskets with candles on the water to say thank you to the water spirits. Lovely on the beaches and in Lanta Old Town.
The busiest time of the year on Koh Lanta, with festive dinners and fireworks on the beaches on New Year’s Eve. Hotels are full and prices are highest.
Thailand’s famous water festival. Koh Lanta is calmer than the big cities, but expect friendly water splashing along the beach roads.
Most islands in Mu Ko Lanta National Park close from 16 May to mid-October for the monsoon, and Koh Rok closes from 1 June to 30 September. Koh Lanta itself stays open, but fewer boats run.
The classic trip: a boat to the islands off Trang, with the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook, snorkelling and beach stops.
A speedboat trip to the white sand of Koh Rok and the clear water around Koh Haa — the best snorkelling near Koh Lanta.
A speedboat to Phi Phi for Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon and snorkelling among the limestone cliffs.
Koh Haa and the famous dive sites of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are within reach of Koh Lanta. Dive centres run trips every day in season.
A beginner experience with an instructor, starting in shallow water and then a real dive. No licence needed.
Get your diving licence in three to four days, with small groups and trips to the islands nearby.
Koh Lanta has some of the best-reviewed cooking schools in Thailand. Shop, cook and eat a Thai feast in a morning or evening.
An evening boat trip along the coast to watch the sunset from the water.
Paddle through the quiet mangrove forest on the east coast with a local guide.
A guided walk through the jungle in the middle of the island and into a real cave, with ladders and narrow passages.
Beginner pad-work sessions with friendly trainers at gyms like Nicha Muay Thai Gym at Klong Nin. No experience needed.
Morning and evening classes for all levels at studios like Oasis Yoga in Klong Dao.
Take a tuk-tuk across the island to the old harbour, with wooden stilt houses, small cafés and shops, and a slow, peaceful feel.
Tap the one that matches your trip. You’ll get the best areas and what they’re like.
You want a beautiful beach, a lovely room, good dinners and calm nights.
Best areas: Kantiang Bay and the south for the prettiest bay and the most romantic resorts, or Long Beach for more restaurants and sunset bars close by
What it’s like: Soft sand, jungle hills, sunset drinks and dinners by the sea.
Do together: Sunset on Kantiang Bay · Koh Rok by speedboat · the national park lighthouse · couples massage · dinner in Lanta Old Town
Usually skip: Rooms right on the main road if you want quiet nights.
🚤 Safety tip: book island trips with your hotel or a well-reviewed company, and check there are life jackets on board.
Kantiang & South →Long Beach →Koh Lanta has no airport. Almost everyone comes through Krabi , then a van that drives onto a short car ferry. Everything arrives in Saladan, at the north end of the island, and most vans drop you at your hotel.
From Krabi: A van from Krabi airport, Krabi Town or Ao Nang takes about 2 to 3 hours, car ferry included, and runs all year. In high season (about November to April) there is also a passenger boat from Krabi of about 2 hours.
Staying in Krabi first? See our Krabi guide →
From Phuket: In high season a speedboat runs from Rassada pier, stopping at Phi Phi, in about 3 hours. All year you can go by road through Krabi, about 5 hours by van or about 4 hours by private car.
Staying in Phuket first? See our Phuket guide →
From Phi Phi: In high season, speedboats and ferries run to Koh Lanta in about 1 to 2 hours.
From Koh Lipe: In high season, speedboats run between Koh Lipe and Koh Lanta in about 3 to 3½ hours. Lots of people do Krabi, then Koh Lanta, then Koh Lipe.
Going on to Koh Lipe? See our Koh Lipe guide →
From Bangkok: Fly to Krabi in about 1 hour 20 minutes, then take the van. You can do it in one day with a morning flight.
Park fee: There is no fee for the island itself. Foreign adults pay about 200 baht (children about 100 baht) to visit Mu Ko Lanta National Park at the southern tip, or on trips to Koh Rok.
Getting around: The island is about 25 km long, so you will need wheels. Tuk-tuks (motorbike sidecars) wait near the beaches and piers, and hotels can call one. Scooters are easy to hire, but only ride if you are experienced.
Koh Lanta has some lovely villas, especially on the hills above Kantiang Bay and along Long Beach.
Best areas: Kantiang Bay and the south (hillside villas with sea views) and Long Beach (villas close to restaurants).
What it’s like: More space and privacy, but some hillside villas have steep paths, and you will need a tuk-tuk to reach restaurants.
Good if: You’re on honeymoon, travelling as a family or group, or want a special treat.
Tap a plan to see it day by day. Getting to Koh Lanta takes about half a day from Krabi, so give yourself at least three nights — five or more is better.
Planning when to visit Koh Lanta? The dry season, from November to April, is the best time, with sunny days, calm seas and all the boats running. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings rain and rougher seas, fewer boats run and some places close — but vans and the car ferry keep running all year. Here’s a simple guide.
Quick pick: Want the best weather → aim for December–March. Want island trips → go between mid-October and mid-May. Want lower prices → try November or April. Want to avoid the crowds → skip Christmas–New Year.
Best: November to April · Rainy season: roughly May to October
November to February is dry and sunny, with calm seas. March and April are hot. From about May to October the south-west monsoon brings heavy showers and bigger waves on the west-coast beaches.
Effect on travel: In the rainy season boats from Phi Phi, Phuket and Koh Lipe run less or stop, and some resorts and restaurants close. Vans from Krabi and the car ferry keep running all year, so you can always get here.
Best areas in the rainy season: Long Beach and Klong Dao, where more places stay open.
💡 Leave a spare day before an onward flight in the rainy season, in case a boat is cancelled.
Most park islands open about 15 October to 15 May · Koh Rok about 1 October to 31 May
The islands of Mu Ko Lanta National Park, including Koh Rok and Koh Haa, close every year for the monsoon. Koh Lanta itself stays open all year.
Effect on travel: If Koh Rok, Koh Haa or the Four Islands are a must, come between mid-October and mid-May. Trips can be cancelled on rough days, so book them early in your stay.
Best areas for island trips: Klong Dao & Long Beach, where most tour companies pick up from.
💡 Book your island trip for your first or second day, so you have spare days if the weather changes.
Late December to early January · Mid-April (usually 13–15 April)
Christmas and New Year are the busiest and most expensive weeks on Koh Lanta. Songkran, the Thai New Year water festival, is friendly and fun but much calmer than in the big cities.
Effect on travel: Hotels and transfers fill up, prices rise and some resorts ask for a minimum stay over the holidays.
Best areas when it’s busy: Kantiang Bay & the south stays calmer than Long Beach.
💡 Book rooms and transfers months ahead for Christmas and New Year.
| When | What happens | Effect on travellers |
|---|---|---|
| November – February | Dry season (best weather) | Sunny, calm seas, all boats running — busiest time, book early |
| March – April | Hot season | Very hot, calm seas, great visibility for diving; Songkran in mid-April |
| May – October | Rainy season | Showers, rougher seas, fewer boats, some places closed, low prices |
| Mid-October – mid-May | Park islands open | Koh Rok, Koh Haa and island trips |
| November (full moon) | Loy Krathong | Candle-lit krathongs floated on the water |
| Late December | Christmas & New Year | Peak prices and crowds, fireworks on the beaches |
| April | Songkran | Water splashing along the beach roads, busier hotels |
Planning rule: On Koh Lanta, the season matters most. Come between November and April for sunshine, calm seas and island trips, and book early for Christmas and New Year.
It can be, if you want a quiet, green island and low prices. Vans and the car ferry run all year, but the sea is rougher, the park islands are closed and some places shut, so most people are happier between November and April.
At least three, because the journey from Krabi takes about half a day. Five nights or more gives you time for an island trip, the national park, the Old Town and plenty of beach days.
Yes — especially over Christmas and New Year, and generally from December to February. Prices are lowest from May to October. Book as early as you can for peak dates.
Tap any tip for the short version. Practical stuff that saves you a bad first day.
Koh Lanta is about 25 km long, so it is too far to walk between most beaches. It is about 15 minutes by road from Klong Dao to Long Beach, and about 45 minutes from Saladan to Kantiang.
Tuk-tuks (motorbike sidecars) wait near the beaches and piers, and hotels can call one — agree the price first. Scooters are easy to hire, but the hills in the south are steep, so only ride if you are experienced and always wear a helmet.
Klong Dao is the easiest first base — it is the first beach from the pier, with calm water and soft sand. Long Beach is a great choice too, with the most restaurants and bars on the island.
Take a van from Krabi airport, Krabi Town or Ao Nang. It takes about 2 to 3 hours, including a short car ferry, and runs all year. In high season, from about November to April, there is also a passenger boat of about 2 hours. See our Krabi guide.
In high season, a speedboat runs from Rassada pier in Phuket, stopping at Phi Phi, in about 3 hours. All year you can go by road through Krabi, about 5 hours by van. See our Phuket guide.
No. The nearest airport is Krabi, about 2 to 3 hours away by van and car ferry. Trang airport is another option, and Phuket is further away.
Fly from Bangkok to Krabi in about 1 hour 20 minutes, then take a van to Koh Lanta. With a morning flight you can do it in one day.
Yes. In high season, from about November to April, direct speedboats run between Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe in about 3 to 3½ hours. It is a popular way to combine Krabi, Koh Lanta and Koh Lipe in one trip.
Not for the island itself. If you visit Mu Ko Lanta National Park at the southern tip, or go on a trip to Koh Rok, foreign adults pay about 200 baht and children about 100 baht. Fees can change, so carry a little extra cash.
November to April is the best time, with dry, sunny days, calm seas and all the boats running. From May to October it is the rainy season, with rougher seas, fewer boats and some places closed.
The island is about 25 km long, so you will need wheels. Tuk-tuks (motorbike sidecars) wait near the beaches and piers, and hotels can call one. Scooters are easy to hire, but only ride if you are experienced and always wear a helmet.
Yes — it is one of the best islands in Thailand for families. You arrive by van, the beaches are long and gently sloping, the sea is calm in the dry season and the island is relaxed. Klong Dao is the classic family beach.
Hotel prices on Koh Lanta change a lot by season, between low and high season, and with special offers, so a fixed price would often be wrong. Tap Booking.com, Agoda, Expedia or Trip.com on any hotel to see today’s live price in your own currency. Christmas, New Year and December to February are the most expensive times.
Our guides to the places nearby, with how long it takes to get there.
Limestone cliffs, Railay beach and island trips
A tiny car-free island with white sand and clear water
Beaches, island trips and resorts for every budget
Long, peaceful beaches and big resorts
