21 Best Things to See in Koh Lanta, Thailand (+How to Reach and Where to Stay)

When my five busy, busy days in Phuket were finally up, I really needed a place where I could hide in my burrow and do nothing…but also have opportunities to interact with other human beings and go around once I was well rested. In short, I was in search of a place that would be quiet and happening at the same time. A beautiful balance of both worlds where I could pick and choose how I wanted to live my day: as an antisocial hermit crab or a busy bee. Enter: Koh Lanta.

Located in the Krabi Province of Thailand, Koh Lanta is actually a group of two islands: Koh Lanta Yai (big Koh Lanta) and Koh Lanta Noi (small Koh Lanta) connected by the Siri Lanta Bridge. The tourism infrastructure is almost entirely in Koh Lanta Yai and that’s where most of the top things to see in Koh Lanta are. Noi is inhabited by a few fishing villages, a mosque, a bank, and rubber and palm plantations. However, there is one odd restaurant and a viewpoint that might attract tourists.

The majority of the population in Koh Lanta is Muslim. However, it is also now a thriving hub for digital nomads and expats who come here and live on a temporary basis for a few weeks to months at a stretch. But there are also other foreigners who have been living in Koh Lanta for many years, almost a decade now. Koh Lanta has some of the best sunsets in Thailand and is a nice mix of party bars and quiet spaces, with a lot of things to see in Koh Lanta to keep you out and about. And since it’s a MASSIVE island, there are enough things to see in Koh Lanta to keep your holiday going. Also consider this 1-week Krabi guide for inspiration beyond Koh Lanta!

This “Things to See in Koh Lanta” is a massive 7,000-word guide around the island. To save time, use the table of contents below to skip to the parts you’re most interested in 🙂

🏝️Visiting Koh Lanta? Here are a few quick links at a glance:
✈️Book Flights: Skyscanner for cheapest deals
🚤Book Transfers: 12goAsia
🛌Book Hotels: Booking and Expedia for best deals
🤳Book Tours: GetYourGuide, and Viator
🩺Global Travel Insurance: SafetyWing
🧴Sunscreen: Thank You Farmer (Reef Safe), Foxtale (SPF 70)

Top Things to See in Koh Lanta

Visit the Lanta Animal Welfare Centre

This comes number 1 on my top things to see in Koh Lanta list because well, it’s worthy of that position. Founded in 2005 by one Junie Kovacs from Norway, Lanta Animal Welfare has been doing an incredible job rescuing, sterilizing and rehabilitating animals not only in Koh Lanta but also in the major area of Krabi and Trang Provinces. You can book a tour with them which starts every day at 10:30 am and costs just 200 Thai Bhat (475 INR/ 5 USD). Here are other ways you can make a difference at Lanta Animal Welfare, definitely one of the best things to do in Koh Lanta:

• Become a dog walker
• Sponsor a cat or dog
• Become a flight attendant and accompany the animal to its new forever home
• Apply for long-term volunteership
• Shop from their souvenir shop
• Adopt a furry friend

Take a Cooking Class at Time for Lime

Time for Lime is one of Lanta Animal Welfare’s main sponsors. This Thai cooking + cocktail making class led by Junie and taught by Noi, is definitely one of the top things to do in Koh Lanta. The location for this class is pretty sweet too – right by the pool with a bunch of friendly cats and dogs hanging around. After a good dose of cooking, drinking and eating, there is also the opportunity to jump in the pool. The best part? All profits from this class go directly into funding the cause at Lanta Animal Welfare. So while there are a lot of other Thai cooking classes at Koh Lanta, I’ll suggest you attend this one and feel good about supporting an important cause in the process!

Snorkel Around Koh Rok and Koh Haa

This was the first tour I took when I had had enough of spending days by myself and wanted to go out and about and explore new places and meet new faces. As amazing and humongous as Koh Lanta is, sadly it does not have any great snorkelling spots on the island. So your best bet would be to book one of the two snorkelling tours being sold everywhere on the island – one of my most favourite things to see in Koh Lanta. The most popular Koh Lanta day trips is the 4 Islands snorkelling tour. While this is a great tour in itself, it can get too hectic with not enough time being spent on each island to truly take in the vibe of it. And because it’s the most popular one, this tour always runs crazy crowded.

I took the Two Islands tour to Koh Haa and Koh Rok and it was such an incredible experience, truly. Our first stop was Koh Haa which is a group of five sister islands with absolutely stunning snorkelling. In a matter of 45 minutes, I spotted a banded sea krait, a moray eel, several needlefish, a couple of barracuda and a whole lot of other tropical reef fish. It was no surprise to me that Koh Haa is also one of the most popular dive sites in Koh Lanta. So this is easily one of the coolest things to see in Koh Lanta.

The next spot was Koh Rok and while the snorkelling here isn’t that great, the beach is one of the best I’ve ever seen in my life – no kidding. This is also where the good folks over at Tin Adventures set up a delicious picnic lunch. You can also spot curious monitor lizards just casually chilling here on Koh Rok.

I’ll suggest this particular Two Islands tour with Tin Adventures over all others because it is focused on a small group with a maximum of 10 people. This is one of the top things to see in Koh Lanta and it helps with things not getting crowded with a better chance to connect with fellow travellers. I’ve seen other operators come in with as many as 35 people on a single tour! All tours – of the best things to see in Koh Lanta – include pick up and drop off from your hotel, snorkelling gear including mask, snorkel and fins, and a set buffet lunch. (Tell them your dietary restriction beforehand).

Pro tip: Avoid booking your tours on weekends as this is when things get most crowded with domestic tourists and digital nomads flocking in during their free time on weekends.

Go Scuba Diving

Scuba diving in Koh Lanta is supposed to be epic, especially at dive sites like Koh Haa, making it one of the funnest things to see in Koh Lanta. While there are a bunch of dive centres on the island, you’ll want to find a centre with a PADI 5-star rating with a focus on small groups to make your diving experience truly worthwhile. Many dive tours also include snacks, beverages, lunch and pick-up and drop from your hotel.

If you’re a certified diver, consider booking their fun dives tour at Koh Haa. If you’re a beginner diver with little or no past experience, you can book a Discover Scuba Diving package with them. If you’re interested in trying another incredible way of being one with the ocean, their Discover Freediving Tour is pretty cool. But if you’re not into scuba diving or freediving and would rather just snorkel around, check out their Koh Lanta Snorkelling Tour which is one of the best things to do in Ko Lanta for non-divers.

Why Koh Haa for diving? Well, picture this: 30-metre visibility, incredible dive sites for all levels, reef sharks, guitar sharks, stingrays, turtles, seahorses and even the elusive whale shark! Need I say more?

Explore the Koh Lanta Mangroves by Kayak

One of the most magical things I find about Koh Lanta is that one side of its coast is just flanked by a dense, thriving mangrove forest home to a plethora of birds and other unique biodiversities. And what better way can there be to explore these incredible, life-sustaining forests than on a kayak? The Mangrove Forest Kayaking tour in Tung Yee Peng village is one of my favourite Koh Lanta activities and can actually turn into a fantastic morning exercise with a chance to get closer to mangroves and spot some incredible birds while at it. The silence around the mangroves is incredibly peaceful, and I’ll definitely recommend this activity.

You can even club mangrove kayaking with the full day kayaking tour which takes you to Koh Talabeng as well. I took the full day kayaking tour and definitely recommend it – it’s hands down one of the craziest things to see in Koh Lanta.

Responsible travel tip: All mangrove tours on Koh Lanta also participate in feeding the monkeys. I urge you to refrain from this activity as feeding animals in the wild can have serious repercussions for the entire biodiversity of a place.

Kayak into the Caves at Koh Talabeng

Speaking of kayaking, let’s talk about my most favourite spot to kayak in all of Thailand: Koh Talabeng, also known as “Ghost Island”. Talabeng is a small, rocky outcrop island in the seas around Koh Lanta. The rocks on this island are actually limestone karst formations and it is incredible to witness the different shapes and forms the limestone has taken over millions of years of wind and water erosion. This might as well be one of the best Koh Lanta day trips.

If you’re still wondering about the best Koh Lanta things to do, Koh Talabeng has limestone caves inside and you can actually take your kayak and paddle through these limestone caves! It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I was extremely thrilled by the end of it. The tour also takes you to a secluded beach where you can have a nice swim. All in all, complete value for money – and probably the best few bucks you will spend for things to see in Koh Lanta!

If you have the time to dedicate an entire day to kayaking, I’ll suggest you take the full day kayaking tour instead which offers kayaking in two spots: the mangroves and the sea caves of Talabeng. (This is the one I did).

Be a Trash Hero

Trash Hero is an amazing non-profit organization with chapters in multiple islands across Thailand, that is working towards eliminating plastic waste from the islands and the seas around it – for one of the most impactful Koh Lanta activities.

They have weekly beach cleanups that you can join as a volunteer to do your part – something you must add to your Koh Lanta itinerary. The waste collected during the weekly cleanups is then upcycled in different possible methods. They also sell reusable water bottles and bags to reduce plastic consumption as far as possible. They have several businesses participating as “water refilling stations” where you can go and refill your bottles for free. Trash Hero also works with the local children and communities on awareness and other programs for better impact. Check out the Trash Hero website here to know more about their programmes and to donate to the cause.

Get a Thai Massage on the Beach

If you visit Thailand and don’t get a Thai massage, did you even visit Thailand? When I was in Phuket, I took a one-hour basic Thai massage session and it was a great way to learn to connect with the body. Ever since I’ve been getting Thai massages whenever possible. Traditional Thai massage is a massage practice that uses principles from acupuncture, reflexology, Ayurveda, assisted yoga asanas etc. It’s a great way to release tension and knots in your body, focus on a particular issue you might be having with your body – or simply just relax and unwind.

On Koh Lanta beaches, especially along Phra Ae Beach (Long Beach), there are shacks with Thai massage therapists with a 60-hour session usually ranging between 200 to 400 Thai Baht (475 to 1000 INR/ 6 to 12 USD). It’s definitely one of the best Koh Lanta things to do and I one hundred per cent recommend it. It’s a great way to properly have a lazy beach day without doing much!

Visit a True Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

If there is one thing Thailand is (in)famous for, it has to be its elephant camps where people can ride and get up close and personal with elephants, while forsaking their personal space and freedom as wild animals. Even if you choose not to go riding and visit an “ethical” elephant “sanctuary” instead, you’re most likely to get a chance to bathe with them and feed them fruits and bamboo shoots etc. But there’s one true ethical sanctuary called Following Giants in Koh Lanta that is dedicated to finding better ways to interact with elephants. If you’ve been in search of impactful things to see in Koh Lanta, look no further.

Owned and run by the local community, Following Giants is in the process of restoring a rainforest so elephants can forage food for themselves and not rely on what humans feed them. No human is allowed to touch the elephants, apart from their personal mahouts who they have very close relationships with. While bathing, elephants are left to be themselves and don’t endure the stress of having humans around during their relaxing time. It’s one of the kindest Koh Lanta activities you can try.

All this is important because each elephant has personal preferences of what they like and don’t like to eat. Similarly, some elephants love bathing while others don’t step into the water until absolutely necessary. So making them do these activities at the expense of their unique personalities is as unethical as chaining and riding them.

At Following Giants, you can choose tours which allow you to walk behind these animals along with an English-speaking guide to learn more about their natural ways of living and individual personalities. Visitors can also participate in seed plantations to help restore the rainforest and a lot of other activities. Check them out, it’s truly one of the best ways of interacting with elephants I have seen in my life – a must-add to your Koh Lanta itinerary!

Hike Up to Khlong Chak Waterfall and Khao Mai Kaew Cave

If you’re still thinking about what to see in Koh Lanta, check this out. Tham Khao Mai Kaew is a cave named after the Kaew trees growing in the region. Also known as “Bat Cave” because of its many resident bats, this cave is an incredible place to see stalactites and stalagmites. The trail is short and easy (about 2 kilometres) and well signed. The vines hanging from the cave are climbable and add an extra bit of adventure to the whole thing!

The Khlong Chak Waterfall is a beautiful and easy hike through the rainforest of Lanta National Park. The pool is emerald green and very refreshing to swim in. The trail is actually not too difficult and well-signed so you won’t lose your way. This is also a great spot to spot, photograph and identify birds. The dip in the pool at the end of the hike through the humid cave is definitely rewarding too! It’s one of the best places in Koh Lanta and one of the top things to see in Koh Lanta.

Pro tip: Recently, it has become mandatory to take guides along to the cave+waterfall. A guide costs 300 Baht and is available at the parking easily. However, I would recommend booking the Full Day Trip with Following Giants that includes the hike as well as meeting elephants and a bunch of other activities too!

Learn about the Chao Ley or Urak Lawoi People

Chao Ley (Thai) or Urak Lawoi (Malay) or Sea Gypsy (English) are terms you will most likely stumble upon while visiting the islands of the Tarutao–Langkawi archipelago Koh Lipe, Koh Jum, Koh Adang etc, and of course, Koh Lanta. The Chao Ley are actually Aboriginal Malay people who live – or rather lived – nomadic lives mostly dependent on the sea. They speak a language close to Malay, but influenced by Thai. My taxi driver referred to them as “free people”. When I asked what he meant, he told me, “they no business, religion, study, job. They hunt, eat, happy”. But the ever-expanding market economy and the opening of Tarutao National Marine Park around the islands of Koh Lipe has severely affected their ways of living, with forced eviction from traditional fishing grounds. So I wonder how “happy” can they really be.

They have a small, community museum in the Old Town of Koh Lanta located right by the parking. It charts the history of the people of Koh Lanta, including the Urak Lawoi. I went there on my very last day and it was closed for the day so I missed the opportunity to actually go inside. But I’ve heard it’s a nice small museum, one of the best things to see in Koh Lanta to educate yourself about a rapidly vanishing culture.

There is also an Urak Lawoi village known as Baan Sangka U on the east coast of the southern part of Koh Lanta. The village in itself is not a tourist attraction but the Sanggaou Seafood Restaurant and Bungalows might be a good place to visit if you want to learn about the Urak Lawoi – if you’re looking for inspiration on what to do in Koh Lanta.

Check this out if you’d like to go on a guided tour to Sangka U, the Sea Gypsy village. This might be the most informative way to learn about their culture.

Watch a Movie Under the Stars at Lanta Cinema

While there is no traditional movie theatre in Koh Lanta, movie buffs can still enjoy a good movie at Lanta Cinema – a beautiful outdoor movie theatre – one of the most fun things to see in Koh Lanta. They have screenings 6 days a week and you can see the updated schedule on the Lanta Cinema Facebook page. They also have a confectionery station serving popcorn, soda, beer and other food and drinks – the perfect fix for Koh Lanta nightlife!

Take a Muay Thai Class

Muay Thai – often also referred to as Thai boxing – is a traditional Thai combat sport. It is also the national sport of Thailand. While watching a Muay Thai match should definitely be on your top things to do in Thailand list, but in Koh Lanta, you can even take a class (or two) and learn the basics of Muay Thai! The Lanta Muay Thai Complex and the Lanta Muay Thai Academy are two good places to consider this, and sweat it out!

If you'd rather just watch a Muay Thai match instead, I'd suggest you book this Muay Thai Boxing at Patong Boxing Stadium in Phuket - the largest stadium in southern Thailand!

Wander Around Koh Lanta Old Town

The Koh Lanta Old Town is where most of the population lived many many years ago. Koh Lanta Old Town still retains some of that old-world charm such as houses built on stilts right by the ocean but apart from that, it has mostly turned into a tourist spot with shops and cafes lined up on one street. Regardless, it’s still one of the best things to see in Koh Lanta (and even spend a few nights).

If you’re wondering what to do in Koh Lanta Old Town, here are my top picks:

• Visit the Community Museum and learn about the island and its people’s history.

• Take the Lanta Old Town and Mangrove Forest Sightseeing Tour. In my opinion, this is actually the best way to explore the Old Town and one of the best Koh Lanta things to do. The tour has an English-speaking guide who will tell you the history and then take you on a beautiful longtail boat ride through the mangrove forest, then visit the Sea Gypsy village, go on a swim at Kantiang Beach and a lot more. The perfect way to get multiple things done in a single day!
• Try a local Thai craft beer at Big Tree Beer Garden. It’s one of the best Koh Lanta restaurants. They have a selection of some nice local beers. I tried the Full Moon IPA and looooved it.

• Have a Thai meal at a seaside restaurant on stilts. I recommend Apsara Cafe, as it is the oldest serving restaurant in Koh Lanta Old Town.

• Shop till you drop! There are a lot of unique shops here in Koh Lanta Old Town that you won’t get elsewhere on the island. Look for butterfly wings earrings – made from the real wings of dead butterflies. Hammock House is also a great place to choose many different shapes and colours of hammocks from.

• Walk to the Ancient Pond. While the pond in itself is nothing much worth seeing, the walk is actually quite nice and bypasses the main street and goes into the narrow bylanes of Old Town. It’s a nice 15 minutes spent in peace.
• Stay at the Deep House Seaview Homestay. It’s a beautiful place to stay away from the hustle bustle of the main part of the island and actually engage with the local people and learn about their lifestyle.

Watch a Fire Show

Fire shows are definitely one of the ultimate Thai experiences you can have in the country. These shows are often spectacular with fire artists putting in their best work to make incredible formations with fire. On Koh Kanta, Why Not Bar, Turtle Beach Restaurant and Indian Bar are three places where you can enjoy a fire show on the beach while sipping your drinks after the sun has gone down, one of the most chilled-out (yet fiery!) things to see in Koh Lanta.

They don’t happen every evening, so call in advance to know the schedule!

Catch a Sunset at Laem Tanode Lighthouse

This was one of my favourite things to see in Koh Lanta. Laem Tanode Lighthouse is the picture-perfect spot to go catch one of Koh Lanta’s famed sunsets. To reach the lighthouse, you must walk up a little bit (a very easy, short climb) and you will be rewarded with some astounding views of the Andaman Sea dotted with islands on the horizon. From the top, I could actually also see Koh Haa, the group of five islands – the famous dive site where I went for a snorkelling trip.

Tip: The Lighthouse falls under the Mu Ko Lanta National Park and so to visit, you must pay a fee of 200 Baht (~INR 450) per person. So I’d suggest you might as well make a day out of it, walking along the park’s many trails, swimming in the isolated beaches before finally going to the Lighthouse for sunset.

Try Birdwatching at Mu Koh Lanta National Park

Once you’ve paid the 200 baht per person entry fee for the Mu Ko Lanta National Park (+30 baht if you are on a scooter), you can park and start following the trails in the park in search of the native bird species here as well, one of the best things to see in Koh Lanta. I love birdwatching, taking photos and later identifying them. It’s one of my favourite hobbies!

There’s quite a comprehensive list of the avifauna found in Lanta National Park which you can check out here. I found this website which offers birds and wildlife tours in the national park – and it seems to be the only one offering these tours. Try contacting them if you would like a guided tour!

Take a Day Trip to Emerald Cave in Koh Mook

Tham Marakot Cave – popularly known as the Emerald Cave – in Koh Mook is definitely one of the best Koh Lanta day trips. Snorkelling here is an exceptional experience. You start with your guide and head torches and enter into a completely dark cave, swimming through it, to come out the other end…into literal paradise! The cave opens into a small pristine beach with a patch of a thriving rainforest. It’s basically the hollow part of the island and it feels surreal to be here, one of my most favourite things to see in Koh Lanta.

Tham Marakot is believed to have been discovered by pirates to hide their treasure. This Emerald Cave is also a part of the Four Islands Snorkelling Trip from Koh Lanta. While I only went to Koh Mook and Koh Kradan (also included in this trip), it might be worth booking this tour and seeing two more spectacular islands – Koh Ngai and Koh Chuak.

Pro tip: Avoid booking all your Koh Lanta day tours on weekends as this is when things get most crowded with domestic tourists and digital nomads flocking in during their free time on weekends.

Go Over to Koh Lanta Noi

As mentioned before, Koh Lanta is actually made up of two islands separated by a narrow channel of the sea under the Siri Lanta Bridge – Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi. While Lanta Noi does not have a lot of tourism infrastructure, it definitely makes for a great day trip to just zip past the pristine part of the island on your scooter, one of the best Koh Lanta activities. There are a few Koh Lanta restaurants on this side where you can get a basic Thai meal as well. But apart from that, expect spectacular sceneries, untouched beaches and plenty of photo ops!

Visit the Tung Yee Peng Village

The Tung Yee Peng Village is a community-based tourism project, one of the collect things to see in Koh Lanta. The local population of Muslim farmers and fishermen here have opened their homes for tourists to come and learn and be inspired by their unique way of life – dependent on the mangrove forests lining up along the village.

The entry to the village is 20 Baht per person. And once there, you can engage in a number of Koh Lanta activities. One is taking a ride on the “charcoal boats” through the mangroves – and maybe even having a lunch picnic on board! The Ta Ruea market is a nice place to see the local life and get some authentic souvenirs. You can also stay at a homestay and have a homemade meal made with rare local vegetables and fresh seafood while here – amongst other top things to do in Koh Lanta!

Tip: You might want to club your visit to Tung Yee Peng with the full day kayaking tour to mangroves and sea caves because this village is where the tour starts and ends from! Alternatively, Tung Yee Peng is one of the stops on this full day guided tour around Koh Lanta.

Go Beach Hopping in Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is actually a massive island with a huge coastline – so there is no dearth of beaches to be found here. In fact, beach hopping might just be one of the easiest things to see in Koh Lanta. However, the best beaches are only on the west coast as the east coast is mostly flanked by a dense mangrove forest. While most beaches in Koh Lanta are as spectacular as the next, the general rule of thumb is the farther south you go, the more beautiful, cleaner and quieter the beaches get. You will find bars and restaurants along most beaches, save for the ones that are part of the national park.

Here is a list of some of my favourite beaches in Koh Lanta:

• Bamboo Beach (Maiphai Bay) is technically the “last beach” on the west coast of Koh Lanta before the national park begins. It’s very clean, and quiet and has one or two restaurants on the beach. Definitely recommend it for a sunset dip + dinner!
• Nui Bay is a tiny stretch of sandy beach, that feels like a private slice of heaven. It’s also one of the few places with the best snorkelling in Koh Lanta.
• Phra Ae (Long Beach) is the longest beach in Koh Lanta – about 2.5 kilometres long. There is always a quiet corner that can be found here – even though it’s one of the most popular and has restaurants, massage places and beach shacks everywhere. This is the best beach to go to for some nightlife as well.
• Khlong Nin Beach is located right before Nui Bay. It is one of the best beaches to stay in Koh Lanta especially if you like to be away from the busy parts but still have access to good bars, restaurants and basic necessities.

How to Reach Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is actually very accessible. There are ferries that ply to Koh Lanta multiple times every day from various parts of Thailand. So if you’ve been wondering how to get to Koh Lanta, here are the most popular ways to reach Koh Lanta:

How to Reach Koh Lanta From Phuket

Phuket to Koh Lanta is the route I took myself. I booked a minivan + ferry combo ticket from 12go Asia (this is how I’ve booked most of my tickets while travelling around Thailand). This route takes you from Phuket Bus Terminal 1 to Krabi Pier in a minivan. The minivan is then transferred to a ferry and then finally onto the Koh Lanta Pier.

This combo ticket costs 550 Baht (~1300 INR). Though it says that the journey takes 4.5 hours, it actually takes 6 hours to complete. Be warned: the seats don’t have the comfiest leg space. But since this is the cheapest way to go from Phuket to Koh Lanta, it works. You can book this Phuket to Ko Lanta minivan + ferry combo ticket directly here.

Alternatively, if you would like to cut down your travel time and don’t mind paying a little bit more, consider taking the Phuket to Koh Lanta Speedboat. The speedboat plies from Rassada Pier in Phuket and goes to Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta. This journey takes 1.5 hours to complete and costs 1500 THB (~ 3500 INR).

There is also the option of booking a transfer directly from Phuket Airport to your hotel in Koh Lanta. Check it out here. Or you can even book a transfer from your hotel anywhere in Phuket to your hotel anywhere in Koh Lanta. Check it out here. However, be warned that these are private transfer options and cost a lot more – this would be the best option in case you are a big group of up to 10 people.

How to Reach Koh Lanta From Krabi

Since Koh Lanta is located in the Krabi Province, getting to the island from mainland Krabi is the easiest and fastest way to reach Lanta. There are several minivan + ferry combos from Krabi to Koh Lanta running on a daily basis. This journey takes about 3 hours to complete and costs around 350 THB (~ 800 INR). The easiest way to book this is on 12go Asia directly.

Other Popular Routes to Reach Koh Lanta

Other popular routes to reach Koh Lanta include:

• Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta speedboat. This route takes 30 minutes to 1 hour to complete and costs 700 THB (~ 1600 INR).
• Koh Lipe to Koh Lanta speedboat. This is a 3-hour long journey and costs 1750 THB (~ 4000 INR)

Where to Stay in Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta has some really beautiful places to suit all kinds of budgets across different parts of the island. You can find beachside accommodation, jungle accommodation and whole other types of places to stay in Koh Lanta. Here are my top picks:

Places to Stay in Koh Lanta – Low Budget

• Baan OK Chawkoh: Baan OK Chawkoh is where I spent all 10 days. It’s located about 250 meters from Long Beach. There are several cheap Thai restaurants around and even a 7-11 just a few meters away. They also have scooter rentals on-site and the owners Mr Gep and his family are very sweet. They have individual wooden cottages that are very clean and well-maintained. I fully recommend this place if you are on a tight budget!

• New Andaman Bay Bungalow: These cottages are similar to OK Chawkoh, the only difference is that they are located right on the beach! Beachside cottages on a budget = win win! These are run by my taxi guy in Koh Lanta and he is a very warm and welcoming person so you can be assured you will have a nice stay here as well!
• Hub of Joys Hostel: Hub of Joys is one of the best hostels in Koh Lanta. It’s the best place for solo travellers on a small budget, looking to meet like-minded travellers.

Places to Stay in Koh Lanta – Mid Budget

• Baan Pakgasri Hideaway: This beautiful resort features wooden cottages on the beach. Some cottages even come with a private hot tub!
• Lanta Sand Resort and Spa: This resort is located right on Long Beach, and features three outdoor pools and some beach access bungalows. Luxury on a budget, much!?
• Anda Lanta Resort: This beautiful resort is located on Klong Chak Beach. So it’s away from the main city and more towards the quiet southern part of the island. Perfect for solitude seekers!

Places to Stay in Koh Lanta – High Budget

• Twin Lotus Resort and Spa: This is probably one of the most sought-after properties in Koh Lanta, featuring sea-facing villas with private pools and bathtubs and whatnot! This is the perfect place for those looking for high-end luxury.
• Long Beach Chalet: Think gorgeous beachside wooden, air-conditioned lofts (some even come with a bathtub!). The resort also has two swimming pools and is located right on the beach.
• Baan Thai Lanta Resort: If you’re looking for luxury but with a Thai touch, this is the place to go. They have Thai-style beachfront villas, a Thai restaurant and an outdoor pool.
• Villa Grande: This is the perfect place for big groups. This place has three bedrooms with a living room. The villa is perched atop a cliff and also features an outdoor infinity pool.

You can also check out more places to stay in Koh Lanta suiting your budget type directly on Booking.com – this is where I book most of my stays and rely on it majorly while travelling!

Where to Eat in Koh Lanta

One of the best things to do in Koh Lanta is going cafe hopping. The island has some really unique cafes and places to eat that suit all budget types. Here are some of my favourite Koh Lanta restaurant:

• Baan Adam Restaurant and Shop is located right beside Baan OK Chawkoh, where I stayed in Koh Lanta. They have delicious Thai dishes at reasonable prices. Their souvenir shop has a massive collection too, and they play live music every week. The vibe is really nice, I recommend a visit!

• Noodle Shop is for those who are seeking local, Thai comfort food at very cheap prices. I loved the chicken noodle soup here. It’s not on Google, but search for “Time Thai” on Google and it’s right across the street from here.

• Beachcomber’s Restaurant used to be my go-to place for sunset drinks by the beach. Don’t forget to try their Khao Soi. It’s the best I’ve had in all of Thailand – one of my favourite Koh Lanta restaurants!
• Asalanta Organic Teahouse for organic Thai tea and vegan snacks. They are also big on eco-conscious practices. They have a sustainable souvenir shop as well as several sustainable eco-friendly activities you can take part in.

• Happy Veggie if you’re big on vegetarian and vegan food. Even if you’re not, go here to grab a vegan meal and have your mind blown by how innovative vegetarian food can be as well! Definitely one of the best Koh Lanta restaurants.
• Baja Tacos for a little touch of Mexico in Thailand! Baja Tacos is THE place to go if you’re craving some Mexican food. Their fish tacos are the bomb. The location is also very secluded, turning it into a full experience! This is one of the top places to eat in Koh Lanta.

Best Time to Visit Koh Lanta

The best time to visit Koh Lanta is between November to April. The rest of the year is monsoon season. And while it has its own charm, it may mean that you don’t get to swim in the sea very often because of choppy waters. On the plus side, however, monsoons are when the rainforests are most alive and the waterfalls have the best flow. Monsoon season is also the cheapest season to travel to Koh Lanta.

While November and December are great months to visit, storms sometimes come in for a couple of days so be ready with your raincoats at all times!

If you plan to scuba dive and snorkel in Koh Lanta, February to April is when you’ll get the most glassy, calm waters with the best visibility possible.

Getting Around in Koh Lanta

The easiest way to get around Koh Lanta is to rent a scooter. This is the most convenient and cheapest way as the island is MASSIVE and taking a taxi everywhere can burn a hole in your pocket. Scooter rentals usually cost 300 THB (~ 700 INR) from scooter rental companies. But ask the resort where you’re staying for scooters and you might be able to get one for 250 Baht (~ 600 INR).

While there are very few gas stations on the island, you can easily find petrol being sold in plastic bottles at 40 Baht (95 INR) per litre at every second shop. The roads in Koh Lanta are mostly well-maintained. Just be careful of hilly roads and blind turns.

Other ways to travel on the island are tuk-tuks (scooter taxis with a sidecar) which cost about 100 Baht (INR 240) for 2 kilometres. Private taxis usually cost about 1000 Baht (2400 INR) roundtrip for a half-day trip.

Things to See in Koh Lanta – FAQs

Is Koh Lanta worth visiting?

I think Koh Lanta is definitely worth a visit. It’s an enormous island with so many things to see in Koh Lanta. It’s a wonderful place regardless of what you like to do – whether it is slowing down or going out and partying – and everything in between! And if you are a digital nomad and are looking for a base for a few weeks, this might be the perfect place for you too.

What is there to do in Koh Lanta?

There are just about so many things to see in Koh Lanta. It’s a paradise for day trips like kayaking, snorkelling and scuba diving. There are several trails in the national park you can hike too. And a lot of cultural activities as well. Trust, you won’t run out of things to do in Koh Lanta – as is evident from my “Things to See in Koh Lanta” list!

How many days do you need in Koh Lanta?

If it were up to me, I’d spend weeks here just slowly exploring the beauties of this island. But I’d say anything less than five days would be doing a disservice to Koh Lanta. This is a great place to slow down and max out different kinds of activities.

Is Koh Lanta or Koh Phi Phi better?

Honestly, I haven’t been to Koh Phi Phi but from what I’ve heard of it, it’s not my vibe anyway. It’s got a big party culture and is way too crowded for my liking. So I will always suggest Koh Lanta over Koh Phi Phi.

Sustainable Travel Tips for Koh Lanta

• Support small, local companies, like Tin Adventures, my go-to tour operator for most kayaking and snorkelling trips from the island!
• Plastic straws are everywhere. Refuse them by saying “Mai Ao Lawd Ka” and be prepared with your own reusable straw. I love this 8-piece reusable travel cutlery set. It comes with a spoon, fork, knife, straw, straw cleaner and even chopsticks!
• Carry a refillable water bottle and ask your resort/ restaurant to refill it for you instead of buying packaged water.
• Wear reef-safe sunscreen so you don’t bleach the corals and harm the sea creatures. My current favourite is the Re’equil Ultra Matte Dry Touch Sunscreen. It doesn’t leave a white cast and isn’t bad for the environment!
• Participate in activities that are good for the planet. Day trips with Following Giants, tours of the Lanta Animal Welfare, and Trash Hero’s weekly beach clean-ups are good examples.
• Don’t step on or touch coral when snorkelling or diving. Not only is this bad for the environment, but it may also cause cuts/ scrapes or rashes.

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