{"id":15900,"date":"2018-12-18T23:52:18","date_gmt":"2018-12-18T22:52:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/?p=15900"},"modified":"2023-11-23T14:14:54","modified_gmt":"2023-11-23T13:14:54","slug":"koh-lanta-beaches-insider-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sommertage.com\/en\/koh-lanta-beaches-insider-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Best of Koh Lanta (Thailand): The Ultimate Travel Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

We felt at home from the very first moment we set foot on this quaint cozy island of Koh Lanta. Let\u2019s not go into how crowded some of the islands in Thailand can be, however, Koh Lanta managed to retain that authentic Thai culture and flair,<\/strong> which is what we love about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koh Lanta is well sized for an island: big enough to explore on your own and constantly discovering new places, yet small enough to give you a feel of their local island culture. In this travel guide, we\u2019ll share our own personal opinions and tips<\/strong> and what to expect when exploring this lovely island of Koh Lanta.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Koh Lanta: The cozy Thai island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Koh Lanta belongs to the province of Krabi<\/a> and is located on the west coast of Thailand,<\/strong> not far from the mainland (which you can reach with a vehicle ferry, but more on that later). The island actually consists of two islands: Koh Lanta Yai (southern island) and Koh Lanta Noi (northern island). In fact, 99% of the island is in the southern part, as this is the section developed for tourism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What did we like about Koh Lanta? It was the mix of rolling hills, lush scenery<\/strong> and quiet beaches that captured us. There also exists a small Old Town, <\/strong>which makes for a great side trip. In short: Koh Lanta has the perfect combination of everything we consider essential for an island vacation. Even though Koh Phangan<\/a> is still our favourite Thai island, Koh Lanta left a really great impression on us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Koh<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Koh<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Who is this island best suited for?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Koh Lanta is especially popular with young families and couples.<\/strong> This is because the island is very quiet and cozy. Party tourists found in places like Koh Samui<\/a> or Phuket<\/a> are, thankfully, not found here. But that does not mean that Koh Lanta is lifeless. You can find many beach bars as well as regular beach parties in various places.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even during the day, most of the beach sections are very quiet <\/strong>– unlike the main beaches on Koh Samui for example. As for hotels, those large franchised hotels are also seldom seen. Even in peak season, the beaches here were rather empty. Nothing was crowded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking of beaches: Most of the beaches on Koh Lanta are very shallow – ideal for children. We had the feeling that families with children on Koh Lanta felt very at home, because it\u2019s just a very comfortable island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best time to go to Koh Lanta<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The “best travel time” is always a bit of an issue in Thailand. Despite having a distinct rainy season and dry season, the weather can be quite random in between. You might be lucky and catch a period of the rainy season where it isn\u2019t actually that bad; whilst sometimes during the dry season, it can pour daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately we experienced the latter: During our tip in January<\/strong>, which was the peak of the high season on Koh Lanta, it was theoretically the best time to travel as dry season<\/strong> goes from January to April. However, it rained almost every single day – sometimes several times a day and often torrential. Of course, this isn\u2019t the norm – usually you can look forward to fairly stable, sunny weather and calm seas during this period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rainy season<\/strong> on Koh Lanta is from May\/June to September\/October and during this time, the island experiences a noticeable drop in tourism. Some accommodation options even close during the rainy season as it\u2019s just not profitable enough. The upside to this, however, is that prices fall rapidly to try attract more sales. The disadvantage is, of course, the very unstable weather. You can get anything from a few showers to continuous rain for days and everything in between. In addition, the sea becomes very rough during the rainy season, the beaches are neglected and left to accumulate a rather messy and dirty appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should be fair warned that the rainy season on Koh Lanta is much more prominent than in other areas of Thailand. So if you\u2019re planning on visiting, we would recommend you visit Koh Lanta outside of rainy season so you get the highest chances of good weather. January and February<\/strong> are the months with fewest rainfall and most sunshine hours. Probability of bad weather increases dramatically outside this period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Koh<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Koh<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. Koh Lanta Travel Guide: Top Beaches around the island<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Beaches on Koh Lanta are all really nice but unfortunately, in terms of tropical-paradise beaches, we only found a few and this is mainly due to the surplus in predominantly longer beaches.<\/strong> While you might find small palm-lined bays, it doesn\u2019t compare to that of Koh Phangan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All beaches on Koh Lanta are located along the west coast.<\/strong> So every night is a chance to see beautiful sunsets. The beaches in the north and in the middle of the island are particularly long, but the further south you go, the more beautiful the bays – some of which are quite secluded. We have rated all the beaches in a list from north to south for you below in our Travel Guide. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long Beach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Long Beach (also called Haad Phra Ae) is the most famous beach on Koh Lanta.<\/strong> If you love long walks on the beach, then you will feel at home here. At more than 3 km long, this is the longest beach on the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The beach is relatively flat<\/strong> and well lined with green vegetation, except most sections lacked the extra tropical feel of palm trees. Conifers grew behind instead, but in our opinion, it just takes a few palm trees to transform an ordinary beach to a dreamy tropical paradise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our visit in January saw very calm waters, <\/strong>great for swimming with some stoney sections under the surface. We read that, during the rainy season, this beach (as with most beaches in Koh Lanta) becomes rather neglected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Koh<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Koh<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Relax Bay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Relax Bay is a little more hidden,<\/strong> located just south of Long Beach. We personally find bays to be more idyllic than long beaches, therefore we liked it better than Long Beach. However, this is our opinion and may not be the same case for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lined with a few accommodation options,<\/strong> beach bars and massage cabins – this place has basically everything you need for a holiday on Koh Lanta and we particularly liked the cozy atmosphere here. During high tide, the swimming is fantastic, but when the tide goes back out, the stones can be quite uncomfortable to step on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bay can be explored very quickly, so if you prefer long evening beach walks, we would recommend one of the other larger beaches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Khlong Khong Beach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Our accommodation was close to Khlong Khong Beach, which is why we found ourselves there more than once. The Khlong Khong Beach has its own vibe and atmosphere with many Reggae bars <\/strong>and cheaper accommodation options can also be found here, hence attracting more of the younger crowd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some bars offer “happy hour” in the evening, which is great for enjoying sunset right by the beach. You\u2019ll also find regular beach parties here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, we found the sand was not as fine as on other beaches and had the feeling that a lot of coral gets washed up. For swimming there are much more beautiful beaches on Koh Lanta, but if you prefer the more relaxed island atmosphere,<\/strong> then you will like it here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Khlong<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Koh<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Best<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Klong Nin Beach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Klong Nin Beach is another very long beach <\/strong>and we didn\u2019t get to see all it had to offer. This beach resonated a little of the hippie vibes we found at Khlong Khong Beach. However, there are more accommodations here including resorts, situated right on the beach front. With regards to the swimming, we thought the beach was great!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Khlong<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Nui Beach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re looking for peace and quiet <\/strong>on the island, then we recommend Nui Beach (not to be confused with “Nui Bay Beach”, which Google maps to the south of Koh Lanta). Even in high season, there is not much going on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reason is that there is hardly any infrastructure: <\/strong>there is only one beach bar here and that\u2019s about it. Unfortunately, it\u2019s not possible to stay at Nui Beach, but it would make for a lovely day trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This photo of Nui beach was actually taken from Diamond Cliff Restaurant, which has a small trail behind it, leading down to the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ba Kan Tiang Bay<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Ba Kan Tiang Bay is a beautiful bay and captured our attention from the first moment. Surrounded by lush hills, we found this bay an absolute paradise.<\/strong> No wonder luxury resorts like “Pimalai” chose this spot on the island. If you want to live luxuriously, then you’re in the right place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At low tide, the rocks might make it a little tricky to wade out into the water, but generally speaking, swimming is good here. If we were to come back to this island in the future, we would definitely look at seeking accommodation here as we consider this to be one of the nicest beaches on Koh Lanta.<\/strong> Something to be mindful of, is that there isn\u2019t a whole lot to explore and discover, plus you won\u2019t find those long beach walks here as the bay is cliff-bound both north and south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bays in the very south of Koh Lanta<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just south of the National Park, lies some very rugged, crescent-shaped bays,<\/strong> including Bamboo Bay <\/strong>and Klong Jark Bay. <\/strong>We only saw the view from above and took some photos, so we cannot speak for the bays themselves as we didn\u2019t actually go down to them. But we noticed that there wasn\u2019t much going on in this region at all, despite being in the peak high season. So if you\u2019re after secluded beaches, you\u2019ll find your peace and quiet here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Attractions on Koh Lanta<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Koh Lanta Old Town<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We were pleasantly surprised to find that Koh Lanta actually has an old town<\/strong> and a very pretty one indeed. The Old Town is a quiet street lined with shops and restaurants left and right, so if you want to buy a nice souvenir or dine with the sea view, then you\u2019re in the right place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Koh Lanta Old Town is actually located in the otherwise secluded east of the island. <\/strong>To get there, you have to cross the backcountry lands, but don\u2019t worry, it doesn\u2019t take long and the road leads you through some stunning scenery. Tips for scootering and driving on Koh Lanta can be found at the end of the travel guide – or you can always rent a tuk tuk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mu Ko Lanta National Park<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the places you absolutely cannot miss while on the island, is the National Park located in the south.<\/strong> The southern region of Koh Lanta was easily our favourite and the National Park was rather easy to navigate. Hands down one of the most beautiful spots on the island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can park the scooter right at the entrance and explore the national park by foot. With just two beaches,<\/strong> a sandy beach and a rocky pebble beach, the National Park is not very large, so we found that swimming was only suitable on the (really beautiful) sandy beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019d recommend taking a short walk via the path to the lighthouse, <\/strong>which is located on the cliffs. From there you have a great panoramic view over the bays and ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information about visiting the Mu Ko Lanta National Park<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Admission:<\/em> 200 baht per person; 20 baht parking fee for the scooter.
Tip:<\/em> beware of the very boisterous and aggressive monkeys! Those in the National Park are very used to humans and get uncomfortably close. So never open your bag when a monkey is nearby, as they think you have something edible – and never leave your bag unattended!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Mu<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Mu<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"Koh<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Koh<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. Excursion: 4 Islands Tour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We couldn\u2019t make up our minds, whether or not we should do this tour. The reason for our hesitation was the fact that this was probably the most popular day trip offered in Koh Lanta. It\u2019s an excursion out to four small offshore islands and we were skeptical that it might just be one of those tourist traps, but in the end we decided to go through with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4 Islands Tour: Destination & Operation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The deciding factor was ultimately the well photographed and very hyped up highlight of the tour: The Emerald Cave<\/strong>, located on the island of Koh Mook. Here, you swim through a cave about fifty meters long before you land in a tiny cove surrounded on all sides by rock walls. It felt like we were in the scene of the movie \u201cThe Beach\u201d, it was so surreal that the atmosphere is hard to describe in a coherent string of words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, now comes the not so good news. We want to be honest with you so  <\/span>the real truth is that this magical haven is tragically overcrowded.<\/strong> In front of us was a Chinese tour group, behind was the next group already itching to get their photos. If you are good at mentally blocking out large crowds, you will love it. If not, you\u2019ll be sourly disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, on the other islands, mass tourism was better distributed. We were given a relatively generous amount of time for snorkelling<\/strong> on Koh Chuek. However, the snorkelling experience didn\u2019t live up to expectations as seems to be the case in most parts of Southeast Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Things to know about the tour & our verdict<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The tour to the 4 Islands is usually between 8am-4pm,<\/strong> with varying times depending on the tour company. Most likely, you\u2019ll be picked up from your accommodation by an open taxi, taken to the pier and dropped back off at your accommodation in the late afternoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two boat options: You can choose to experience the tour either by speed boat<\/strong> or with a long tail boat. <\/strong>Both usually include the transport to and from our accommodation, lunch, fruits and drinks on the boat. Both involve sharing the space with a large crowd, but the speed boat seems to be comparatively more crowded. We tried our luck, negotiating a fair price for a private boat tour, however to no avail. It would\u2019ve been much more ideal to have had our own individual tour so that we wouldn\u2019t feel rushed and cramped. In the end, we decided on the slower and much cheaper long tail boat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunch was packed and taken with us in large boxes from Koh Lanta so it was rather lukewarm by the time it was served. To be honest, we had higher hopes for lunch. All in all, you\u2019ll notice from the start how extremely touristic the tour is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On a side note, to help you take pictures at the Emerald Cave, <\/strong>the guides usually collect and transport the cell phones and cameras in a dry bag. If you have your own dry bag, then take it with you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Would we recommend the tour? Yes and no. If you have an extra few days on Koh Lanta and you definitely want to do a day trip, then it’s worth it. The Emerald Cave is seriously gigantic. However, if you are aware of what these day trips entail and would rather avoid tourist crowds, as you only have a few days, then you\u2019re better off exploring the island instead!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n
\n \n <\/path>\n <\/svg>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n

You can book the tour here: <\/strong>4 Islands Tour Koh Lanta<\/a><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n