By air
Krabi (KBV), then ~2 h by road and car ferry
Southeast Asia · Thailand
Koh Lanta, Thailand
Long quiet beaches and slow island days
Getting there
Best time to visit
November to April — dry, calm seas
Don't miss
Mu Ko Lanta National Park
Lanta Old Town
Klong Dao and Long Beach
The Tiger Cave
Things to do
Snorkelling trips to Koh Rok
Kayaking the mangroves
Sunset on Long Beach
The national park lighthouse
Where to eat
What to pack
Swimwear, snorkel gear, insect repellent
A quieter corner
Lanta Old Town on the east coast, stilt houses over the water
Questions travellers ask
How do I reach Koh Lanta?
Fly into Krabi (KBV), then allow about 2 hours by road and car ferry.
When are Koh Lanta's seas calm?
November to April, when it's dry and the seas are calm. Pack swimwear, snorkel gear and insect repellent.
What can I do on Koh Lanta besides the beach?
Take a snorkelling trip to Koh Rok, kayak the mangroves or visit the national park lighthouse, then catch the sunset on Long Beach.
Is there an older, quieter side to Koh Lanta?
Lanta Old Town on the east coast has stilt houses over the water, and southern Thai curries to try while you're there.
About Koh Lanta
- Island
Where it is
Koh Lanta is a district of Krabi province in southern Thailand, made up chiefly of the long islands of Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi in the Andaman Sea, with part of the district protected as Mu Ko Lanta National Park, established in 1990.
History
The Lanta islands are thought to have been settled since prehistoric times, and the Chao Le sea peoples have long made their home here, many of them around Old Town, the administrative centre on the quieter east coast. The district was established in 1901 and the island's name was officially changed to Lanta in 1917. Today its long, sandy beaches and diving make it a popular destination.
People
Lanta's people are Thai Muslim, Thai Buddhist and Thai Chinese families and the Urak Lawoi, an Austronesian sea people whose language is related to Malay. Fishing, rubber tapping and tourism are the main livelihoods, and Southern Thai is the common language.
Known for
- Long, quiet west-coast beaches
- Lanta Old Town on the east coast
- Mu Ko Lanta National Park
- Snorkelling trips to Koh Rok and Koh Haa
- Mangrove kayaking on the east coast
Did you know?
The Urak Lawoi and other sea peoples of this coast hold a boat-floating festival in the sixth and eleventh lunar months, setting small boats adrift at night to carry away evil and bring good fortune.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.