Koh Lanta Things to Do

Things to Know About Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is one of Thailand’s most beautiful islands. It’s especially popular with travelers looking for peace and quiet, families, and backpackers taking a break from partying. At the same time, Koh Lanta is a great spot for digital nomads.

The island is best known for its laid-back vibe, but you’ll also find exciting activities, stunning sunsets, and unique snorkeling and diving spots.

Naturally, you can explore beautiful beaches on Koh Lanta and some really interesting sights—fromnatural attractions to charming villages.

Koh Lanta lies in the Andaman Sea off Thailand’s west coast. To the northwest are the islands of Phuket and Koh Phi Phi, to the north is Ao Nang near Krabi, and to the south is Malaysia.

Highlights of Koh Lanta on a Map

The six top sights and three most beautiful beaches are shown first. We’ve marked them on a map for easy reference.

This helps you know exactly where our Koh Lanta highlights are located.

Things to Do in Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta’s sights are easy to explore. While there aren’t as many as on Koh Samui, you can still discover beautiful nature and charming villages.

Here are our top six picks.

Mu Koh Lanta National Park

What you need to know: The park sits at the southern tip of Koh Lanta. You can walk to the white lighthouse, relax at the beach, or hike the Nature Trail through the small jungle. Entry is 200 baht, and a scooter rental costs another 50 baht.

Is it worth it? This is our favorite spot on Koh Lanta. We had it mostly to ourselves, enjoyed the calm, and took plenty of great photos. Along the 1.7-kilometer nature trail, we even encountered a family of monkeys—a real highlight!

Our tip: Bring plenty of water. During the low season, the visitor center and restaurant may be closed.

Khlong Chak Waterfall

What you need to know: The one-kilometer trail to Khlong Chak waterfall winds through central Koh Lanta’s jungle. You’ll cross small rivers and walk on uneven paths. At the end, a beautiful waterfall awaits, perfect for a cool dip.

Is it worth it? Definitely! The hike is short but varied and fun. Don’t expect a massive waterfall like Niagara Falls. Early morning visits are best to avoid crowds.

Our tips: Parking for scooters costs 40 baht. Entry is 200 baht. Wear sturdy shoes for the hike.

Lanta Old Town

What you need to know: Lanta Old Town sits on the west coast and feels very authentic. Explore the main shopping street with boutiques selling local art and souvenirs, and stop at one of the bars along the way.

Is it worth it? Yes! It’s one of the most charming areas on Koh Lanta. Many houses are built on stilts above the water, and mangroves start where the beaches end.

Our tip: Khrua Lanta Yai is a relaxed restaurant on stilts with a beautiful sea view.

Markets in Ban Saladan

What you need to know: For classic Thai markets on Koh Lanta, head to Ban Saladan. There’s a weekly market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. The highlight is the night market on Lanta Walking Street, starting around 17:30.

Is it worth it? If you love Thai markets, it’s one of the best things to do on Koh Lanta. Don’t expect the bustling chaos of markets in Bangkok or Koh Phangan—it’s smaller and more relaxed. The weekly market is interesting but optional.

Our tip: Go hungry! Try Thai street food like satay skewers, mango sticky rice, or Thai pancakes at the stalls—it’s delicious.

Mangrove Forests in Green Lanta Park

What you need to know: Mangroves are unique trees growing where land meets sea. On Koh Lanta, they form an important ecosystem, acting as natural breakwaters and providing breeding grounds for many sea creatures. Most mangroves are found in the northeast of the island.

Is it worth it? The mangrove forests offer a refreshing break from the beaches. If you enjoy nature and want to explore off the beaten track, it’s worth a visit. You can explore the mangroves on a walk in Green Lanta Park or on a guided tour.

Our tour tips: Guided tours let you glide through the waterways in a longtail boat—a highlight on Koh Lanta. Kayaking is more active but equally exciting. You might even spot some wildlife along the way.

Half-day tour through the mangroves on a longtail boat – with lunch
Half-day tour through the mangroves by kayak – with lunch

Village Tung Yee Peng

What you need to know: On the way to the mangroves, you’ll pass through the small village of Tung Yee Peng, where boats depart from the pier. The mostly Muslim locals traditionally rely on fishing and agriculture, and now also tourism. The village is a great example of sustainable ecotourism.

Is it worth it? The locals introduce tourists to their unique nature and culture. Tours include a short boat ride through the mangroves, visits to local crafts, and cooking traditional dishes—a real cultural insight!

Our tour tip: Tung Yee Peng Village Eco-Tour with lunch or dinner

The Best Beaches on Koh Lanta

Of course, the beaches are a top highlight. They’re so amazing we wrote a separate article about them.

The 8 most beautiful beaches on Koh Lanta

Here are our top three as a preview!

Good to know: All the beaches are on the west coast.

Long Beach

What you need to know: Long Beach is about 3 km long, wide, with soft sand and almost no rocks—perfect for swimming. Some areas have trees for shade and there’s a great selection of restaurants, bars, and massage spots.

Is it worth it? If you like well-equipped beaches, Long Beach is ideal. It’s the most popular area for hotels on Koh Lanta, perfect for enjoying your beach vacation in hammocks at resorts or beach bars.

Our tip: Evenings are magical! Sunsets are breathtaking, and locals sometimes perform fire shows.

Kantiang Bay

What you need to know: Kantiang Bay’s beach stretches about 2 km and is framed by green hills. The water is crystal clear, sand is soft, and there are a few beach bars along the shore.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The atmosphere is relaxed, and it never feels crowded. Our favorite spot is the Why Not Bar, right on the sand.

Bamboo Beach

What you need to know: Bamboo Beach is further south, surrounded by lush jungle. It’s long, wide, with calm waves and shade from trees. No resorts or restaurants are nearby, but you can ride a scooter almost right to the beach.

Is it worth it? If you like untouched beaches, Bamboo Beach is perfect. The further south you go, the fewer tourists you’ll encounter. You can relax and listen to the waves, with drinks and snacks available at a small stall – a great thing to do on Koh Lanta.

Good to know: Monkeys sometimes roam the beach and might snatch things—keep an eye on your belongings!

The Best Activities on Koh Lanta

Done sightseeing and relaxing on the beaches? Here are four top activities! Most are laid-back—just like Koh Lanta.

Cooking Class on Koh Lanta

What you can expect: Learn to cook popular Thai dishes and take home the skills to recreate them. Choose between a lunch or evening course. Each starts with a short tour of the herb and vegetable garden.

Is it worth it? Cooking classes are a top activity in Thailand. While we haven’t attended on Koh Lanta, our experiences in Khao Lak and Chiang Mai were excellent, so we’re confident it’s worth it here too.

Lunch course at the Lanta Thai Cookery School

Evening class at the Lanta Thai Cookery School

Good to know: Pickup is provided from hotels on the main road between Saladan and Kantiang Bay.

Massage on Koh Lanta

What to expect: We discovered a fantastic massage parlor we have to share: Faikham Lanta Traditional Thai Massage. The staff are incredibly friendly, and their oil Thai massage was one of the best we’ve ever had. It only costs 400 baht.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! A Thai massage is perfect for relaxing body and mind. Traditional Thai massage focuses on stretching, while oil massages are more relaxing—our favorite way to enjoy it.

Location of the activity: Faikham Lanta (on Google Maps), right on the main road behind Klong Khong Beach

Our tip: Go during the day to reserve an evening spot so you can fully relax afterward.

Romantic Sunrise Gondola Ride with Breakfast

What to expect: Looking for a romantic activity? Take a gondola ride at sunrise. Glide quietly through the mangroves in your private boat and enjoy the morning calm. After the sun rises, enjoy a delicious breakfast with local coffee.

Is it worth it? Definitely! Experiencing sunrise in the mangroves from a small boat is magical. Pickup is around 5 am, so best if you’re an early riser, haha!

Activity location: In the mangroves in the northeast

Our tour tip: Sunrise gondola ride with breakfast

Diving Course on Koh Lanta

What to expect: Koh Lanta offers ideal conditions for beginner divers, with calm, clear waters. Dive sites like Koh Haa feature caves, lagoons, and colorful corals. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are famous for manta rays and whale sharks.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! While we’ve done courses on Koh Tao, diving here allows you to focus fully on the activity without distractions from parties or crowds.

Activity location: Many diving schools operate on Koh Lanta. We were in touch with Flip Flop Divers (on Google Maps) and would have booked our course there.

The Best Day Trips from Koh Lanta

The scenery around Koh Lanta is stunning! If you have a few extra days, a day trip is highly recommended.

Here are the four best excursions from Koh Lanta.

All-in-One Boat Trip: Beach, Kayaking, Mangroves

What to expect: This all-in-one boat trip covers Koh Lanta’s top sights. Start with a longtail boat along the coast to spot wildlife, then get active kayaking. Stops include the mangroves and Koh Talabeng with its pristine beaches.

Is it worth it? Definitely! This tour is our favorite boat trip around Koh Lanta. It includes lunch, drinks, and snacks. At one stop, you can even climb a vertical rock wall!

Our tour tip: All-in-one boat trip on Koh Lanta

Boat Trip with Snorkeling to Koh Rok and Koh Haa

What to expect: This full-day tour takes you by speedboat to Koh Rok and Koh Haa, stopping at top snorkeling spots. You’ll also enjoy a delicious lunch and time on Koh Rok’s beautiful beaches.

Is it worth it? If you love snorkeling, this is a must. Corals are often less than 5 meters deep. The guides are fun, the food is great, and it’s suitable for families too.

Our tour tip: Boat tour with snorkeling to Koh Rok and Koh Haa

4-Island Boat Tour by Longtail Boat

What to expect: Go island hopping: snorkel at Koh Cheuak, explore the emerald cave at Koh Mook, enjoy Thai food on Koh Nga, and swim along Koh Ma’s coast.

Is it worth it? This is one of the most popular day trips from Koh Lanta. The islands are beautiful, though sometimes busy. Traveling by longtail boat is slower than a speedboat but fun and atmospheric.

Our tour tip: 4-island boat tour by longtail boat

Boat Tour to Koh Phi Phi with Maya Bay

What to expect: Visit Maya Bay, famous from The Beach with Leonardo DiCaprio, along with Phi Leh Bay, top snorkeling spots, and Bamboo Island on this full-day trip.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! A boat trip around Koh Phi Phi is a must-do in Thailand. Doing it from Koh Lanta is a great option if you don’t want to stay overnight on Phi Phi.

Our tour tip: Boat tour to Phi Phi with Maya Bay and lunch

Our Favorite Bars and Restaurants on Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta has a great mix of restaurants and bars, especially in the northwest and in Lanta Old Town. You’ll find many authentic Thai spots as well as a few international options.

We’ve picked five bars and restaurants on Koh Lanta that we really love. The first four are on the west coast, number five is in Lanta Old Town.

1. The Angels Restaurant: super authentic Thai dishes. The owner is incredibly welcoming and cooks everything herself. The massaman curry and Thai iced tea we tried were amazing. Located near Klong Khong Beach.
2. Lucky Tree Restaurant: another authentic spot with amazing Thai food. We had prawns with pineapple in a sweet and sour sauce and a delicious, spicy curry. Also at Klong Khong Beach.
3. Why Not Bar: one of the most popular bars on the island. In Kantiang Bay, you sit right on the sand. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the smoothies are delicious.
4. Bam Boobay Restaurant: two highlights here: the unique view of Bamboo Beach and the best Thai iced tea on Koh Lanta.
5. Khrua Lanta Yai: our favorite spot in Old Town. Family-run, built on stilts over the mangroves, with excellent food. We loved the coconut and Tom Yum soup.

Hotel Tips for Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta offers accommodation for every budget. In our hotel tips article, we explain the best areas to stay and share our top recommendations.

On our last trip, we stayed at the Sea Shell Beach Resort on Klong Khong Beach. We found it the perfect base for exploring the island.

This is a budget-friendly option with a beachfront location, a nice pool, and simple but spacious rooms. Great value for money.

3 more top hotel picks for Koh Lanta:

Coco Lanta Resort: stylish rooms with a tropical feel, right on the beach, with a pool, sports area, and playground. Also on Klong Khong Beach.

Long Beach Chalet: beautiful bungalows with private beach and pool access. Located on the popular Long Beach.

Lanta Palace Beach Resort: a small hotel on Klong Nin Beach for those seeking peace and quiet. Modern Thai-style rooms.

Good to know: Hotel prices here are much cheaper than on Phuket or Koh Samui, even though both are on the Andaman Sea or the Gulf of Thailand.

How to Get to Koh Lanta

There are several ways to reach Koh Lanta, depending on where you’re coming from.

Usually, visitors arrive from other destinations in Thailand, typically via minivan or ferry.

We always book tickets for these connections on 12Go, which we highly recommend.

Here are the main connections to Koh Lanta,

Flying to Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta has no airport. The nearest is Krabi. To get there, you usually change planes in Bangkok before flying to Krabi.

It’s often a good idea to combine this with a short Bangkok sightseeing trip rather than just transferring quickly. Spend a few nights in Bangkok and then fly to Krabi.

Check all flights on Skyscanner

From Krabi to Koh Lanta

From Krabi, you can take either a van/cab or a ferry.

Van/cab is convenient from the airport or bus station. Travel time is about 2–3 hours, including a short car ferry.

From Ao Nang, it’s often better to go by ferry. Allow around 1.5–2 hours. Speedboats depart from Nopparat Thara Pier or East Railay Floating Pier.

Book your journey from Krabi to Koh Lanta on 12Go

Note: Speedboat rides can get bumpy. Avoid if you’re prone to seasickness.

From Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta

Koh Phi Phi is a popular stop before Koh Lanta and very easy to reach.

Several ferries run daily between 9:30 am and 4 pm. Regular ferries take about an hour, speedboats 30 minutes, all departing from Ton Sai Pier.

Book your journey from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta on 12Go

From Phuket to Koh Lanta

If you prefer to skip Koh Phi Phi, you can travel directly from Phuket by ferry.

Ferries run daily between 8 am and 2:30 pm, usually from Rassada Pier, rarely from Jian Wanich Pier nearby. Normal ferries take ~4 hours; speedboats ~1.5 hours. Direct hotel transfers are also bookable on 12Go.

Book your journey from Phuket to Koh Lanta on 12Go

From southern islands or Malaysia to Koh Lanta

Connections exist from southern islands. Private transfers by minivan and ferry are more expensive from places like Koh Muk or Koh Libong. Koh Lipe has a daily public ferry at 9:30 am.

From Langkawi, Malaysia, you can take a ferry-van connection on 12Go. Travel time is about 7 hours, often with multiple vehicle changes. Thailand’s system is well-organized; just trust the process.

Note: During low season, there are fewer connections, especially from southern islands.

How to Get Around Koh Lanta

Getting around Koh Lanta is easy with three main options: scooter, cab, or tuk tuk.

Rent a scooter on Koh Lanta

The fastest and most flexible way to explore Koh Lanta is by scooter. Some roads are a bit steep, but they’re manageable.

Occasionally you’ll hit a short gravel path to reach a beach or the waterfall parking lot. Scooters are available almost everywhere, but most rental shops are in the northwest.

We recommend renting your scooter in Ban Saladan when you arrive by ferry. Prices are usually 300 – 400 baht per day.

If you have heavy luggage, you can take a cab to your accommodation first and rent a scooter there. Almost all hotels offer scooter rentals or can recommend a reliable provider.

Cabs on Koh Lanta

If you prefer not to drive, cabs are the main alternative. Most cabs are songthaews—smallopen pickup trucks with benches—or private drivers, minivans, and motorcycle cabs.

To get a cab, for example from Long Beach to Koh Lanta Old Town, you can either flag one down on the street or arrange one in advance through your hotel.

Always agree on a fixed price beforehand. Prices are negotiable, but there are usual guide prices for common routes. From Long Beach to Koh Lanta Old Town, expect to pay 300–500 baht one way.

Our tip: Many hotels offer their own transfer service, especially useful for arrivals and departures. It’s often more reliable and comfortable, particularly with luggage.

Tuk tuks on Koh Lanta

Tuk tuks are mostly found at popular tourist spots in the northwest. They’re perfect for short trips, like from Ban Saladan to Long Beach.

There are no meters, so negotiate the price directly with the driver. From Ban Saladan to Long Beach, budget around 100–200 baht.

More Practical Tips for Koh Lanta

Here are a few more practical tips for your stay on Koh Lanta.

How long should you stay on Koh Lanta?

We recommend spending at least two full days on the island. With a scooter, you can see all six main sights in that time, plus 1–2 beach detours.

If you stay longer, your visit is more relaxed and you can include a full beach day.

Even with just one day, you can hit half the highlights. On a previous trip, we saw the national park, Old Town, waterfall, and a sunset beach all in one day.

When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta?

The best weather is December to April. Sunshine is almost guaranteed, rain is rare, and temperatures are 26–34°C. This period is ideal for Thailand in general.

In the low season, expect frequent showers. From May to November, many hotels close, ferry services run less frequently, and some activities are unavailable or weather-dependent.

Costs: Is Koh Lanta expensive?

Not at all. Compared to many European destinations, Thailand is already cheap. Koh Lanta is actually one of the most affordable islands in the country.

You can still find great budget-friendly accommodations right on the beach, even in peak season.

Food and tours are also very reasonably priced, in line with the rest of Thailand.

FAQ about Koh Lanta