THAILAND: KOH LANTA

In Thailand, our Andaman Sea island hopping adventures took us from Railay Beach to Koh Lanta, located in Thailand’s Krabi Province, and part of an amazingly beautiful archipelago that lies south of Krabi.

Koh Lanta, also known as Koh Lanta Yai, at 30km long and 6km wide is the largest island in this chain along the Andaman Sea.

This laid back and picturesque island known for its stunning beaches and diverse natural beauty but it is its reputation as a non-touristy and informal paradise that instantly appealed to me.

To truly immerse ourselves in the island’s relaxing tropical vibes, uncrowded white sand beaches, unpretentious beach bars, incredible sunsets, and hedonistic atmosphere, we decided to spend two weeks on Koh Lanta.

Another reason for our extended stay was the time of year.

We arrived here in early November, just as the tourist season was starting on the Andaman Sea.

We knew we needed to wait for boat services to fully start up operations to facilitate our further island hopping.

On Koh Lanta we stayed at the beautiful (affiliate link) Mook Lanta Eco Resort in a beautiful wooden bungalow on stilts.

Our Andaman Sea Island Hopping Route

The Andaman Sea Island Hopping Map and Route - The Backpacking Housewife — *Our Andaman Sea Island Hopping Route*

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Koh Lanta Accommodation

Koh Lanta offers a wide range of accommodations, from budget hostels to luxury resorts and everything in between.

We stayed at Mook Lanta Eco Resort which is known for its eco-friendly wooden bungalows on stilts and I booked using Booking Dotcom.

We really enjoyed our beautiful deluxe bungalow at with it’s (private) jungle shower and the resort’s location close to Long Beach (Phra Ae Beach) and lots of local restaurants, bars, and shops including a 7/11 Store.

On Koh Lanta we stayed at Mook Lanta Resort in wooden bungalows on stilts. — *We stayed at Mook Lanta Resort in a Deluxe Wooden Bungalow*

FIND YOUR PERFECT PLACE TO STAY ON KOH LANTA USING THIS MAP

Most days on Koh Lanta, I relaxed by reading in a hammock, sunbathing on the beach, or going for a Thai massage.

There are lots of opportunities to get a Thai massage and they are so wonderfully affordable on Koh Lanta.

I also practiced yoga at a local Shala as there are also lots of yoga studios and retreats.

When my backpacking husband wasn’t scuba diving, we both enjoyed chilling at beach bars and taking romantic beach strolls along Long Beach, especially as the sun was going down and we had the beach to ourselves because it was so early in the tourist season.

KOH LANTA Beach Bars

At lunchtime or in the evening, we frequently stopped at Moonwalk Beach Bar on Klong Khong Beach.

This was my favourite place to enjoy a refreshing ‘Leo’ or ‘Chang’ beer and to relax on bean bag cushions at a low driftwood table and watch the spectacular sunsets.

You can also stay at Moonwalk Lanta Resort in their standard bungalows for a unique Klong Khong beachfront experience.

Moon Walk Bar was the inspirational beach bar location in my bestselling novel The Backpacking Housewife.

Our favourite spot - Moonwalk Beach Bar on Klong Khong Beach Koh Lanta — *Moon Walk Bar*

*A Leisurely Leo Beer at Moon Walk Beach Bar*

MOONWALK BAR AT NIGHT KOH LANTA — *My favourite spot to watch the sun going down in Koh Lanta*

Koh Lanta’s Chao Ley or Sea Gypsies

In my research, I discovered that Koh Lanta is home to the Chao Ley, or ‘sea gypsies‘ believed to be the indigenous people of these islands.

For me, the notion of a of sea gypsy conjured up a romantic image and one that I used for inspiration for my fictional hero in my romantic adventure novel Island In The Sun.

Ban Sangka-Ou, a fishing village in the southeast of the island is home to around 400 Chao Ley people and offers a fascinating insight into their traditional culture and way of life, although it’s not a typical tourist attraction.

Ban Sangka-Ou, a fishing village in the southeast of Lanta Yai — *Ban Sangka-Ou Traditional Fishing Village*

Koh Lanta Beaches

Long Beach (Phra Ae Beach): One of the most popular beaches, known for its long stretch of white sand and clear waters. It offers plenty of accommodation, dining, and entertainment options.

Klong Khong Beach: Known for its relaxed vibe, beach bars, and beautiful sunsets. It’s a favourite among backpackers.

Kantiang Bay: A more secluded beach, perfect for those seeking tranquillity and stunning natural surroundings.

Bamboo Bay: Located at the southern end of the island, it’s a quiet and less crowded beach ideal for relaxation.

Koh Lanta Diving

Koh Lanta has several reputable dive centres, many of which are PADI 5-star centres, offering a range of services from Discover Scuba Diving and Open Water courses to advanced and specialty courses.

You may already know this already if you’ve read my travel posts, the backpacking husband is a keen and well qualified scuba diver and he chose to dive with (not affiliated) Andaman Dive Adventures which is a 5-star PADI dive centre.

He tells me that Koh Lanta is a gateway to some of Thailand’s best dive sites with warm waters teaming with marine life.

The backpacking husband dived off Koh Lanta with Andaman Dive Adventure - a 5 star PADi dive centre — *The Backpacking Husband Dived With Andaman Dive Adventures*

Scuba diving off Koh Lanta is renowned for its variety of dive sites that cater to both beginners and experienced divers.

The nearby coral reef and dive sites include Hin Daeng (Red Rock), Hin Muang (Purple Rock), Koh Bida Nok, Koh Bida Nai, Koh Phi Phi, Shark Point, and Anemone Reef.

Beginners can enjoy easy and safe diving at sites like Koh Haa and Koh Bida.

Visibility generally ranges from 15 to 30 meters depending on the site and season and water temperature is typically between 27°C to 30°C (80°F to 86°F) year-round.

Experienced Divers will find thrilling and challenging dives at Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, and other deeper or more current-exposed sites.

Water currents vary by site with some locations experiencing strong currents suitable for drift diving while others are more protected and suitable for beginners.

Some days, I joined him out on the dive boat.

Although I don’t dive, I do enjoy snorkelling and was amazed by the variety of tropical fish and other sea creatures like sea snakes, barracudas, cuttlefish, catfish, moray eels, boxfish, trumpetfish, and crocodile fish. It was incredible!

The Backpacking Husband Diving in the Andaman Sea — *The Backpacking Husband Diving The Andaman Sea off Koh Lanta*

Scuba diving off Koh Lanta offers a rich and fulfilling diving experience and is characterized by its diverse marine ecosystems, spectacular underwater topography, and the opportunity to encounter vibrant coral gardens, dramatic underwater landscapes, and encounters with large and small marine species.

If you would like to go scuba diving from Koh Lanta I would recommend you talk to local dive centre professionals about the local dive sites they would recommend for you and your skill level.

To give you a flavour of what you might expect from Koh Lanta diving, from our own personal experiences, I’ve compiled a list of the popular dive sites.

Koh Lanta Dive Sites

Hin Daeng (Red Rock) and Hin Muang (Purple Rock) – these are two of Thailand’s most famous dive sites, located about 70 km south of Koh Lanta.

Expect steep walls covered in vibrant corals, large pelagic species such as manta rays and whale sharks, and an abundance of marine life including barracudas, trevallies, and fusiliers.

Koh Haa are a group of five small islands about 25 km west of Koh Lanta.

Here the ‘Cathedral’ is a series of caverns and swim-throughs, shallow lagoons perfect for macro photography and a diverse array of marine life, including macro life, nudibranchs, seahorses, shrimps, crabs.

Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai are located near Koh Phi Phi and these sites offer excellent diving opportunities.

Here you will find dramatic limestone formations, moray eels, sea snakes, turtles, and large schools of fish such as snapper and trevally and leopard sharks.

Koh Rok dive site consists of two islands, Koh Rok Nai and Koh Rok Nok, and they are known for their crystal-clear waters, pristine coral reefs, excellent visibility, and marine life including moray eels, clownfish, and parrotfish.

Shark Point and Anemone Reef are dive sites are located between Koh Phi Phi and Phuket.

Expect a large pinnacle covered in sea anemones, colourful corals, abundant tropical fish and large species like manta rays, whale sharks, reef sharks, leopard sharks.

Dive sites Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai are located near Koh Phi Phi — *Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai are located near Koh Phi Phi*

Koh Lanta Tours and Cultural Experiences

Explore Lanta Old Town: a charming area with wooden stilt houses, shops, and restaurants reflecting the island’s cultural heritage.

Yoga and Wellness: Numerous retreats and yoga studios offer classes and wellness programs, making it a great destination for relaxation and rejuvenation.

Island Hopping: Many tours are available from Koh Lanta to nearby islands like Koh Phi Phi, Koh Rok, and the Four Island tour, including the famous Emerald Cave on Koh Mook.

Marine Park: The Mu Ko Lanta National Marine Park was established in 1990 and is known for its lush jungle, scenic lighthouse, and diverse wildlife.

The marine park protects sixteen tropical islands including the southwestern tip of Koh Lanta.

Koh Lanta Weather

The island experiences a tropical climate with a distinct wet and dry season.

The best time to visit is from November to April, during the dry season when the weather is sunny and pleasant.

At other times of the year, out of season, you might find the sea is too rough and the marine park, some resorts, and many boats are out of service.

You might find my post The Best And Worst Times To Visit Thailand helpful in planning when to visit Koh Lanta and the islands in the Andaman Sea.

How To Get To Koh Lanta

Ferries and boats run from Krabi, Phuket, and nearby islands to Koh Lanta.

You can also get to Koh Lanta by road via a minivan or a taxi from Krabi which involves just a short ferry ride and this is the best route when it’s out of season.

I recommend using 12Go for minivan transport and tickets.

Overall Vibe Of Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, making it a perfect destination for those seeking a more relaxed and authentic and less commercialized Thai island experience.

Whether you’re looking to explore underwater wonders, relax on pristine beaches, or delve into local culture, Koh Lanta offers a bit of everything.

A highlight of Lanta for me was the various bars – especially the atmospheric Moonwalk Bar on Long Beach – and the many small bars and restaurants (try May’s Kitchen) and street food vendors that serve delicious and fresh Thai food.

I loved our two week stay on Koh Lanta and can’t wait to go back one day.

Do join me on my epic Andaman Sea Island Hopping Adventure in Thailand as I travel from Krabi to Railay to Koh Lanta and onto many other fabulous tropical islands all the way down to Langkawi Malaysia.

I actually used my experiences on this trip to fuel the fictional adventures in my bestselling romantic adventure novel The Backpacking Housewife in which my heroine, Lori, travels to Koh Lanta and also island hops down the Andaman Sea.

Find out more about my books and my Backpacking Housewife series published by HarperCollins on my Books Page.