Ko Lanta

Travel guide

The long, slender island of Ko Lanta, or Ko Lanta Yai to be exact, was once one of the lesser-visited backpacker spots in southern Thailand. It played second fiddle to the grand traveller magnets of Ko Phi Phi and Railay Beach on the west coast, and Ko Pha Ngan and Ko Tao on Thailand's east coast. But for those in the know, a bit of second fiddle was just what the doctor ordered.

As travellers moaned about packed out beaches and overpriced bungalows on Ko Phi Phi and Railay, Ko Lanta was awash with near-deserted beaches and surprisingly good value accommodation -- with an ample supply of both budget bungalows and more mid-range hotels and resorts.

But, like all the best secrets, word about just how great Ko Lanta slowly spread and the last few years has seen substantial development on the island. But don't panic: Just because there's a six-star boutique over the headland doesn't mean all the bamboo shacks have gone the way of the dodo. The swish upmarket resorts have blended in quite well, with some so discreet that you wouldn’t know they were there unless you were looking for them. The budget accommodation on the beaches is also less obtrusive compared with other popular Thai islands.

Ko Lanta Yai (Big Lanta Island) is the largest island within the Ko Lanta archipelago, a grouping of some 50 mostly uninhabited islands. The southern reaches of this group, including the southern tip of Ko Lanta Yai itself, form the quite well regarded Mu Ko Lanta National Marine Park. The main island is home to some 10,000 indigenous residents -- most of whom are Muslim -- and who have busied themselves for generations in fishing and agriculture. Tourism is a relatively new scene.

While it is easy to see the hotels, resorts, bars and restaurants lining the northern beaches of Ko Lanta Yai and assume an "anything goes" style attitude prevails here, that would be a mistake. The locals, especially the older generation, are quite conservative, though many of the people you'll deal with day to day may hark from elsewhere in Thailand and be more cosmopolitan in their views.

This conservative vibe has helped solidify the island's reputation as a safe, family-friendly destination. Indeed, this is further buttressed by the generally calm waters and broad open beaches along Ko Lanta’s west coast. If you're travelling with small kids in tow, you'll likely find Ko Lanta to be a winning choice.

While the western coast is lined with fine, open beaches, the island's east coast is more given over to mangroves and small riverine inlets. You're unlikely to find yourself in this part of the island except as a part of one of the popular kayak excursions or perhaps if you're doing a bit of exploration by bicycle. The villages on the east coast, like pretty much anything off the main tourist strip, are old school and conservative. Expect lots of friendly reactions, but dress -- and behave -- with consideration.

Today, Ko Lanta has accommodation for just about every budget, from luxurious hideaways to backpacker bungalows, and everything in between. In a nod to it remaining off the package tour radar, the island remains seasonal, with some guesthouses, resorts and restaurants shutting down in low season. There's an upside to low season of course: If you don't mind coming out of the ocean to the occasionally soggy beach towel, you'll get some astounding cheap deals from those places that do stay open, and more than likely have the beach all to yourself. The low season is slowly luring more tourists though, and most restaurants and accommodation in the larger areas are now open all year.

In season, Ko Lanta offers stacks of ways to keep busy, from sunbathing (yes, you can be busy sunbathing) through to snorkelling and diving trips, kayak trips, elephant rides, afternoon volleyball matches, back-country explorations by bicycle or just slowly but steadily wearing out your hammock.

The diving in particular is worth a mention. Many look no further than Ko Phi Phi and Ko Tao when it comes to selecting a diving location in Thailand, but with the main season running from October through to April, there's ample time to fit some diving in around Lanta as well. Reefs lie directly off some of the main island's beaches, but dive trips also go out to some of the many other islands in the archipelago, as well as to sites between Ko Lanta and Ko Phi Phi, meaning you'll often have a less crowded diving scene than at the aforementioned dive spots. It's also popular with dive live aboard trips. Note that snorkellers can often join a dive trip at a reduced fee.

 

Orientation
Long and thin, the island's main administrative hub is at Ban Saladan on its northern tip. From here a good road runs down the island's entire west coast, with a second, poorer quality road running down the east coast. The two roads are joined about halfway down the island via the village of Khlong Nin. Recent work has been started on the eastern road, but the work hadn’t been completed at the time of writing. When completed, it should make journeys along the east coast much easier.

All ferry traffic, regardless of whether you're coming via Krabi, Ko Jum, Ko Phi Phi or the islands in Trang province, comes via Ban Saladan, though speedboats and smaller longtail hires may depart from elsewhere on the island. If you're arriving "by land" you'll have a couple of short car ferry connections between the mainland and Ko Lanta Noi and then again to reach Ko Lanta proper.

In Ban Saladan you'll find all the typical traveller services you might need: banking, onwards travel information and so on. There are a number of banks in Saladan, all with ATMs. Take your pick from Krung Thai Bank, Siam Commercial Bank and Siam City Bank. All have offices with foreign exchange counters and ATMs in Saladan. All will exchange travellers cheques and all exchange major world currencies. Elsewhere on the island there are ATMs but no foreign exchange counters (although most large resorts will exchange large world currencies at a high price). ATMs are usually attached to 7-eleven convenience stores. You will find ATMs on Khlong Dao (Saladan), Long Beach and Khlong Nin Beach. Cash advances on credit cards are available from most ATMs and banks on Lanta.

Emergency medical services are available on Lanta. The first port of call, if you are staying on Khlong Dao, Long Beach and Baan Phruklom Beach is the Saladan Health Centre in Saladan (Tel: 075 668 170). The nurses do speak English and can deal with most minor medical emergencies. 24 hour service cover is available. However, if anything major should happen then the hospital in Lanta Old Town should be contacted. Koh Lanta Hospital (Tel: 075 697 100) is larger and better equipped. The hospital is also more accessible for those staying in beaches south of Baan Phruklom.

Most Beaches and have a police presence, however the main police station on the island is in Lanta Old Town. There is a reasonably large police station in Saladan. It is important to note that all initial police enquiries should be made through the tourist police (Tel: 075 637 308). The tourist police are available 24 hours a day and someone should be available to speak English.

The closest immigration office is in Krabi town proper.

Internet services are available just about everywhere on the island. Most resorts are now offering their own, free internet. However, if you are looking for independent internet services, you will find shops on every beach, sometimes literally meters away from the beach. Costs are reasonable, with most places offering 2 Baht/minute.

For orientation purposes, AmazingLanta has an excellent map of Ko Lanta.

Text and/or map last updated on 9th March, 2010.

More information

Other spots near here
 » Baan Phruklom Beach
 » Klong Dao Beach
 » Klong Jak Bay
 » Klong Khong Beach
 » Klong Nin Beach
 » Long Beach
 » Mai Pai Bay

Further reading
 » Diving with a difference -- Reef conservation in Thailand

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Escape-Cabins
438 Moo 3 Saladan
From: US$7.43 with HostelWorld


Lanta Castaway Resort
Koh Lanta Yai, Phra Ae Beach
From: US$9.00 with Sawasdee


Kaw Kwang Beach Resort
Koh Lanta Yai, Kaw Kwang Beach
From: US$9.00 with Sawasdee


Sayang Beach Bungalows
Koh Lanta Yai, Phra Ae Beach
From: US$12.00 with Sawasdee


Lanta Marine Park View Resort + Spa
Koh Lanta Yai, Kantiang Beach
From: US$12.00 with Sawasdee


Lanta Bee Garden Bungalows
Koh Lanta Yai, Klong Dao Beach
From: US$12.00 with Sawasdee


Lantawadee Resort and Spa
Koh Lanta Yai, Phra Ae Bay
From: US$13.00 with Sawasdee


Lanta Thip House
Klong Khong
From: US$14.62 with HostelWorld


Pada Hotel
Koh Lanta Yai, Klong Nin
From: US$15.00 with Sawasdee


Sincere House
150 m.1 Saladan
From: US$15.48 with HostelWorld


Gooddays Lanta Chalet + Resort
Koh Lanta Yai, Phra Ae Beach
From: US$16.00 with Sawasdee


Mook Lanta Boutique Resort + Spa
Koh Lanta Yai, Phra Ae Beach
From: US$18.00 with Sawasdee


Lanta Island Resort
Koh Lanta Yai, Klong Dao Beach
From: US$18.00 with Sawasdee


Papillon
195 moo 3 t. Saladan Koh Lanta
From: US$18.58 with HostelWorld


Lanta Palace Hill Resort
Koh Lanta Yai, Klong Nin Beach
From: US$19.00 with Sawasdee

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