Koh Lanta in Krabi and Railay Beach
Part of the Krabi and Railay Beach travel guide — see every topic in All Krabi and Railay Beach Guides.
Koh Lanta is a long, quiet island south of Krabi. It is really two islands, Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai, joined by a bridge. Most beaches and hotels are on the west coast of Lanta Yai. The island is slower and calmer than Phuket or Phi Phi, with long beaches, green hills and good sunsets. It is popular with families and long-stay visitors. This guide covers the beaches, the national park and how to get there.
Getting to Lanta
There is no bridge from the mainland yet. A new bridge to Lanta Noi is being built and is not expected to open for several years. By road, minivans and cars from Krabi airport or Ao Nang take a short car ferry from the mainland to Lanta Noi. Then they cross the Siri Lanta bridge to Lanta Yai. The whole trip takes about two to three hours. In the dry season, passenger boats and speedboats also run from Ao Nang, Phi Phi and other islands. In the wet season many of these boats stop, so the road and car ferry are the main way in.
The west coast beaches
From north to south, the main beaches are Klong Dao, Long Beach (Phra Ae), Klong Khong, Klong Nin, Kantiang Bay and Ba Kan Tiang. Klong Dao and Long Beach are wide and easy, with many places to stay and eat. Klong Khong is relaxed and social. Further south the beaches are smaller and quieter, with more forest behind them. Kantiang Bay is a pretty bay with calm water in the dry season. A scooter or tuk-tuk is useful, because the beaches are far apart and the southern road is hilly.
The national park
The southern tip of Lanta Yai is part of Mu Ko Lanta National Park. At the park office there is a small lighthouse on a headland, two quiet beaches and a short nature trail through the forest. Monkeys live here, so keep food in your bag. A park fee is charged at the gate. The road to the park is steep and partly rough, so drive slowly. The view from the lighthouse at sunset is one of the best on the island.
Koh Rok and Koh Haa
The best snorkelling and diving from Lanta is around Koh Rok and Koh Haa, small islands to the south and west. Koh Rok has white sand and clear water with reefs close to the beach. Koh Haa is a group of rocky islands with clear water, popular with divers. Speedboat day trips leave from Lanta's west coast and include lunch and snorkel gear. These islands are inside national parks, so a park fee applies. Trips usually run only in the dry season, roughly November to April, because the open sea is too rough in the monsoon.
Koh Lanta at a glance
| Getting there | Minivan and car ferry from Krabi, about 2 to 3 hours; boats from Ao Nang and Phi Phi in the dry season |
|---|---|
| Hours | Car ferry runs in daytime; boats are seasonal |
| Cost | Ferry and minivan fares; national park fees for the south tip and island trips |
| Best time | About November to April; many places close or slow down in the wet season |
| Bring | Cash, sun cream and a light rain jacket in the wet season |