Lanta Island

Danny Filipenko

Lanta Island

The island of Koh Lanta is all about relaxation away from the noisy crowds and wild parties. Its 9 beaches lie from the north to the south along the west coast. Although the majority of them are home to multiple resorts and bungalows, they still don’t feel busy due to the vast areas. And even at its fullest Lanta is peacefully quiet and welcoming to chill out in a beach bar watching one of its numerous signature sunsets.

Quiet island with long wide beaches

Open for visiting all year round

5-star accommodation and dining are available

Another Lanta‘s signature is its diving. The world-famous Hin Daeng, Hin Muang and Koh Haa sites are around 1 hour away from here. The first two are huge underwater rocks with colourful corals. They offer the world’s highest incidences of whale shark sightings. Koh Haa boasts more than a dozen dive sites, caverns and chambers where you’ll see turtles, octopus and pointy-nosed barracuda.

Looking for a real turquoise coloured water and great snorkeling or diving you may wish to cruise another hour south from Lanta to visit the islands of Koh Rok. The two islands are fringed with a substantial coral reef, home to an exceptional variety of fishes.

Opposite to a relatively touristy west coast, Lanta’s east coast is all local and historical. This is where the district capital, Lanta Old Town is based. With a handful of ‘official ‘ buildings like a post office, a hospital, Buddhist and Chinese temples, this relaxing village boasts many good seafood restaurants, amazing stilted guesthouses with a sea view, and interesting shopping like handmade hammocks and an original batik and art gallery.

Take a taxi to explore the Old Town and check other attractions like Lanta View Point and Khao Mai Kaew Caves. The latter offers a wonder of rocks and caverns, and houses spectacular stalactites and stalagmites. Some of the caves are just huge, and one of them contains a pool.

Mangrove forests on Lanta’s north-east coast is where all sorts of rare species of birds, monkeys, crabs and others animals can be spotted. So why not to take a canoe trip to this area? Enjoy the opportunity for a silent paddle through the backwaters, observing much more than is possible from a noisy boat.

Finding a good accommodation in Lanta is easy. The best options for a 5-star stay would be Pimalai Resort, the first 5-star hotel of the island, set on white-sand Ba Kan Tiang Beach near Lanta Marine National Park. There are also Layana Resort & Spa on Phrae Ae Beach and Twin Lotus Resort & Spa on Klong Dao Beach. And then there are 2 more great (and very affordable) places to stay: the elegant Costa Lanta on the same Klong Dao Beach and The Houben in Ba Kantiang Bay.