14 Things to Know Before Visiting Koh Lanta

When I first got to Koh Lanta, I honestly thought I’d made a huge mistake. Everything was closed and it felt totally overrated. But after figuring out what I did wrong and coming back a few times, I now realize why some people consider this the best island in Thailand.

Why Koh Lanta Feels So Peaceful

So, why do some travelers swear that Koh Lanta is the best island in the whole of Thailand? Well, because it’s the exact opposite of the big-name islands. Whereas Phuket and Phi Phi can feel busy from the moment that you land, Koh Lanta is all about taking it easy and unwinding.

There are no high-rise hotels, no mega beach clubs, and no crowds lining up for the same sunset spot, just long quiet beaches, small family-run resorts, and a slower pace of life, which is harder to find in Thailand these days. People who love Lanta love it because it’s less developed and has managed to keep hordes of tourists away.

Not only that, but it feels less explored. You can find a beach on Google Maps, hop on a scooter, and you just might be the only ones there. Something that’s almost impossible on the big-name islands. If you’re looking for a relaxing adventure without the crowds, Koh Lanta is the place for you.

Koh Lanta Can Feel Too Quiet

But that exact same vibe is also why some people arrive and think, “Is this it?” Koh Lanta is chill. And for some people, maybe it’s a bit too chill.

There’s no Bangla Road, no Full Moon Party, no pub crawls, just a few awesome beach bars to watch the sunset. There’s also less must-do activities when you’re here. Lanta’s landmarks are less iconic than those on Koh Samui, Phuket, or Koh Phi Phi.

There isn’t an endless list of things to do here, and that can be a problem for some people. I think everyone likes the sound of an off-the-beaten-path, less touristy island, but in practice, they might find it underwhelming. I recently visited with family and I think they were a little bit disappointed in some of the shops and restaurants compared to what they had expected having previously visited Phuket. You just have to know what kind of island trip you’re looking for.

Why Koh Lanta Is Easy to Explore by Scooter

Thailand has some of the highest rates of scooter accidents in the world. So, you really do need to be careful when riding, but Koh Lanta is one of the safest and easiest places in the country to try it.

There’s basically only one main road that loops around the island and most of the time there’s barely any traffic. It’s not perfect. You’ll still find potholes and the occasional guy flying around the corner like he’s in Fast and Furious 9, which was filmed near Koh Lanta, by the way. But compared to other Thai islands, it’s a completely different experience and it’s one of the most fun, too.

Part of the magic of Koh Lanta is hopping from beach to beach and finding hidden coves. You just pull over whenever you see something interesting and the best way is to do that by scooter.

Exploring Koh Lanta by Longtail Boat

But if riding a scooter feels a bit too adventurous, don’t worry. There’s another incredible way to explore Koh Lanta. Seeing the island from the water in a longtail boat lets you visit not just the best beaches, but also the tiny hidden ones that you’d never find by yourselves on the road.

But here’s the thing, not every longtail boat on the beach is a good idea. A lot of the budget ones don’t have great safety standards, and you never really know how many people they’re going to cram on board.

There’s an English guy on the island that runs a company that specializes in luxury longtail boat experiences, and they seem to be the best option. They’ll send a driver to pick you up. You get your own boat, and you spend the day with someone who actually knows the coastline inside out. It’s a real authentic longtail experience, but you just don’t have to worry that you’re going to sink.

A More Ethical Elephant Experience at Following Giants

Thailand has made huge progress in the last few years when it comes to elephant tourism. There was a time when seeing people riding elephants was completely normal. But now, most travelers understand how damaging that is, and a lot of those old camps have been shut down. But once you get away from the big tourist hubs and you come to smaller islands like Koh Lanta, you’ll still see a few places advertising elephant riding. And it’s sad to see that it hasn’t disappeared completely.

There is one place on the island though that really stands out for its ethical practices and it’s ended up being one of the coolest elephant experiences that I’ve ever had. It’s called Following Giants. And what makes it so interesting is that the owner openly admitted that the sanctuary used to be unethical. The elephants were used for riding and even for logging. But after being contacted by a wildlife organization, he completely changed the way the sanctuary operates.

Now it’s the complete opposite. No riding, no touching, no bathing, no feeding, just watching the elephants from a distance as they move naturally through the forest. Now, I’ve visited sanctuaries in the past that included feeding and bathing. Those experiences are definitely better than riding, but if you want to be 100% ethical, the elephants shouldn’t have to interact with tourists at all.

But here’s the thing that surprised me most. I actually enjoyed it more this way. What I didn’t expect was how fascinating it would be to simply watch from a distance. You get to see them interacting with a mahout, wandering through the jungle, and doing whatever the elephant decides to do. Following Giants now operates on both Koh Lanta and in Krabi. And if you want an elephant experience you can feel good about, this is the place.

The Emerald Cave Island Hopping Experience

Koh Lanta is home to one of the craziest island-hopping experiences I’ve ever done. And it ends at one of the weirdest, coolest beaches on the planet.

You’ll start by visiting the smaller islands nearby. Koh Kradan, Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, all of them stunning. All of them have great beaches and incredible snorkeling. But none of that prepares you for what’s coming at the end.

I just remember we pulled up in a longtail boat and I had no idea what I was supposed to be looking at. The longtail boat driver just kind of pointed to the distance to an island and told us to jump in. As we got closer, I realized there was no beach ahead, no sand, no bay, just a pitch-black hole in the side of the cliff. I kind of thought it was a joke, but it was actually the entrance.

We followed our guide into the darkness, the only light coming from a tiny torch strapped to his forehead, and everything else was completely pitch black. And I’ll be honest, I’m not the strongest swimmer, even on a good day. So, swimming through a pitch-black cave was not my idea of fun.

We just kept going and going, with the water echoing around the tunnel, until suddenly there was a faint glow ahead. The guide turned towards it and the tunnel slowly opened up into this hidden beach and emerald lagoon on the inside of the island surrounded by towering cliffs on all sides. No boats can enter, no one can hike in. The only way to reach it is by swimming through that cave.

It’s called Emerald Cave and it’s one of the most unique beaches in the entire world, never mind just in Thailand. It kind of feels like discovering a pirate hideout and it’s the kind of thing you’d only expect to see in a film.

Koh Lanta Snorkeling and Diving Around Koh Haa and Koh Rok

Koh Lanta is home to some of the best snorkeling spots in the whole of Thailand. Koh Haa is actually a cluster of five small limestone islands famous for its crystal-clear visibility and dramatic underwater landscapes.

Snorkelers can expect vibrant coral reefs, huge schools of colorful fish, and the chance to spot turtles and maybe even reef sharks. For divers, the area is known for its caverns, swim-throughs, and deeper drop-offs with excellent visibility. And it’s just a short ride away from the main island.

Koh Rok, on the other hand, is all about shallow turquoise water and bright white sand. The coral reefs here are incredibly healthy, making it one of the top places in Thailand to see clownfish, angelfish, parrotfish, and sometimes even larger species like barracuda or rays. If you want to see some of the best snorkeling or diving in the country, these two islands are considered the best in the area. And if you’re going to dive, check out Phoenix Divers on Koh Lanta, who are one of the highest-rated dive schools on the island.

Exploring Koh Lanta Old Town

Koh Lanta Old Town sits on the island’s eastern coast, and it’s one of the most historically significant areas on Lanta.

This small waterfront district is known for its traditional wooden houses, many of which sit on stilts above the water. The area has strong roots in the island’s sea gypsy, Chinese, and Muslim communities, and today it remains one of the most culturally authentic parts of Lanta.

Here you’ll find a short but charming street lined with local shops, cafes, and small restaurants overlooking the ocean. From the boardwalk, you get views of the dozens of tiny islands scattered across the east coast, a completely different landscape from the wide beaches on the west. Koh Lanta Old Town is quieter and more historic than the island’s beach areas, and it’s an easy place to explore in an hour or two. It’s definitely worth stopping over here for a few hours on your island trip.

Why Visiting Koh Lanta in Rainy Season Can Disappoint

This was the biggest mistake I made on my first trip to Koh Lanta. And honestly, I think this is the main reason that I didn’t like it that much in the beginning.

When I arrived, half the bars and restaurants were shut, the beaches were empty, and there were barely any tourists. And the whole place had this strange feeling, like the island wasn’t ready for visitors and maybe didn’t even want me there. On top of that, the weather was terrible. It rained non-stop and Koh Lanta is not the kind of island that shines in the rain. There isn’t a huge list of indoor activities, so once the clouds roll in, you’re basically stuck watching the storm from your room.

What I didn’t realize at the time is that I had shown up right at the tail end of rainy season, the period when the island pretty much shuts down. During the rainy season, ferries stop running, some hotels completely close, and a lot of restaurants take the whole season off. Also, you miss the best sunsets, snorkeling, and boat trips that make the island interesting. To be fair, this was also in 2021, so it was in the back end of the pandemic, which made it feel even quieter than usual. If you’re visiting from May to October, you might want to give the island a complete miss.

How Koh Lanta Fits Into a Thailand Itinerary

So, how does Koh Lanta fit into your overall Thailand itinerary? Well, it’s a southern island in the Andaman Sea, which makes it convenient to visit.

The easiest way to get there directly is to fly to Krabi Airport, then catch a ride over to the island, which is about a two-hour drive away. You will have to catch a boat in between, but they actually take the vehicle on the boat, so you never have to get out of the car.

It’s also about an hour speedboat ride or a two-hour ferry ride from Koh Phi Phi and a two-hour speedboat ride or four-hour ferry ride from Phuket. If you are really trying to find the right balance for your trip, you could visit Koh Lanta after the places that I’ve just mentioned. And that’s because on those islands, there’s a few more things to do and day trips to take. So, by the time you get to Lanta, you can simply just switch off and unwind at the end of your trip.

The Islands South of Koh Lanta

One thing I didn’t realize at first is that Koh Lanta isn’t just a great destination. It’s an even better launch pad.

Most people stop their trip here, but if you look just south of the island, there’s a whole chain of tiny, untouched islands that barely anyone talks about, and they’re absolutely stunning. A short boat ride gets you to places like Koh Mook, Koh Ngai, and Koh Lipe, which feel like the Thailand everyone wishes they discovered before tourism exploded. Crystal-clear water, quiet beaches, almost no tourists.

And if you think Koh Lanta is laid-back, wait till you see these islands. They’re much smaller, so there really isn’t a lot to do but chill out on the beach. If you string them together, Koh Lanta, Koh Mook, Koh Ngai, and Koh Lipe, you end up with one of the coolest, most off-the-beaten-path island routes in the whole of Thailand.

Where to Stay on Koh Lanta

The first thing you need to know about staying on Koh Lanta is this. The west coast is where all the magic happens. The entire side of the island faces the ocean and the sunsets here are the best.

Unlike in other places around Thailand where I think it’s really important to choose the beach that matches your vibe, I think on Koh Lanta there’s actually not that big of a difference between the different areas. They all have good places to eat. They all have a good place to grab a drink. So, it’s not really make or break where you choose to stay.

That being said, by far the most popular place to stay is Long Beach. And on a lot of islands, I would usually stay away from the main tourist area, but I’ve stayed on Long Beach before and I can see why it’s so popular. It’s a huge golden stretch of sand with small resorts, beach bars, and laid-back restaurants spread out along it. It never feels too crowded, and it’s one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.

Now, if you’re looking for the best hotel to stay, the top luxury resort on Koh Lanta is Pimalai, and it’s tucked away on the southern tip. It’s a real five-star experience, and interestingly, it’s often cheaper than the equivalent hotels in Phuket or Koh Samui.

On my most recent trip, I stayed at Rawi Warin, which is quite difficult to say. It’s usually considered the second-best resort on Koh Lanta, but it’s one of the best places that I’ve ever stayed. It’s got beautiful gardens, multiple pools, an incredible breakfast, and the service here is top-notch. The whole place is built on a hillside, so whenever you need to get around, someone just pulls up in a buggy and they pick you up, which is perfect if you have got a lot of luggage or a crying one-year-old.

But one of the things I like most about Lanta is that not everything is big and polished. There are plenty of rustic, charming options, too. Places like Lanta Chalet and Lanta Casablanca, where you’re just steps away from the sand and surrounded by nature. And if you want to be away from the kids, the adults-only hotel is perfect if your idea of paradise doesn’t involve kids doing cannonballs next to you.

Book Koh Lanta Accommodation Early

Because it’s a small island and it’s less developed for tourism, there are fewer places to stay. And this can be a huge problem if you’re planning a trip over busy periods like Christmas or if you’re booking last minute.

If you’re going to visit between December through February, which is the peak season, try and book in advance to make sure you get some good places to stay. That’s because after the places that I’ve just mentioned, there is a bit of a drop-off in terms of quality places to stay.

Koh Lanta Nightlife and Beach Bars

Koh Lanta isn’t known for its big nightlife, but that’s exactly why so many people kind of like it.

Instead of clubs, neon signs, or crowded party streets, the island is full of laid-back beach bars built from driftwood and bamboo and whatever the ocean has washed up. Most of them sit right on the sand with hammocks, bean bags, and cushions, so you can just put yourself on the beach and just chill out.

One of the most iconic spots is Rasta Baby on Klong Beach. This is a classic Koh Lanta beach bar with a glowing sunset view, fire shows, and chilled-out music.