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Krabi Province, Thailand
Photo: Jens-Petter Salvesen, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ko Lanta (เกาะลันตา) is an archipelago off the Andaman Coast of Southern Thailand. Like many other destinations in Krabi Province, it is known for its diving and long white beaches.
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Small Lanta Island
Island just north of the main Ko Lanta, with no tourist facilities as such but is well-worth a visit. Hire a motorbike and drive across the bridge connecting the two islands. There are a few circular roads, all paved, that will take you around the island to see the local way of life. There are a few local restaurants along the way so you can stop for some fried rice. Pick up a map before you go from one of the tourist offices on Lanta Noi, and drive carefully!
A small village on Ko Lanta's east side. It's one of the region's most culturally diverse, with Chinese merchants, original Thai fishing families, and an ancient sea gypsy community. Many years ago, Ko Lanta's Old Town acted as the port and commercial centre for the island and provided a safe harbour for Arabic and Chinese trading vessels sailing between the larger ports of Phuket, Penang, and Singapore. Today, Old Town is the district capital. It has a post office, Buddhist temple, Chinese temple and the island's hospital as well as a long pier. It's a charming place to visit and boasts many good restaurants and interesting shopping like handmade hammocks and an original batik and art gallery. It's also a great jumping-off point to other islands like Ko Bubu and Ko Talenbeng.
Known to Thais as "chao-le", sea gypsies have occupied the area for hundreds of years, settling along the coast in stilted houses erected between the water level of high and low tide. They are unique in that they mix very little with the general population, speak their own language, and have their very own supernatural and traditional beliefs and rituals. An example of the latter is the "loi ruea" (floating boat) ceremony where the village men build a symbolic boat and place wooden statues of themselves in it along with nail pairings, hair and popped rice. By performing this ritual, they ask for forgiveness from the sea gods and for any wrongs that may have done to the sea. It is believed that all evil is carried away in the symbolic boat.
Covering a total area of 135 square kilometres is in Ko Lanta District and consists of many islands. The two major islands are Ko Lanta Yai (เกาะลันตาใหญ่) and Ko Lanta Noi (เกาะลันตาน้อย)It has 2 km trail leading to the small beach and abandoned lighthouse.
Khlong Chak Waterfall
A nice spot to cool down in fresh water.
Over the years, Klong Dao has developed into the most popular beach on the island with a spectacular 3 km long beach of fine white sand and shallow clear water. Yet, because of its length, it is never really that busy. The beach has an abundance of accommodation ranging in cost from just a couple of hundred to a few thousand. It is more than ideal for those who like a quiet beach, but prefer to have all the usual tourist amenities such as international food, music and bars, etc.
For most of the length of Klong Khong Beach there is a klong (small canal) running opposite the beach and an old coconut plantation. Towards the south end is an area where the local fishermen tie up their boats to the shore. A rocky reef runs along the length of the shore making it difficult for swimming, but great for admiring the sunset.
This beach is separated by a klong that runs down to the beach at the northern third of the beach dividing it in two. The beach is covered with coconut and pine trees and the back end is tropical rain forest. Like almost all beaches on Ko Lanta, Klong Nin offers a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere and its sand is white and fine. The northern stretch is the best for swimming as it has far fewer rocky paths than the southern part of the beach.
This beach, with its attractively curved shape, has lovely sand and clear aquamarine water.
A kilometre long beach on a gently curving shoreline, Kantiang Bay is home to a limited number of hotels and resorts, leaving the pristine beach with an uncrowded feeling even during the busy holidays. There are excellent corals for snorkeling as well. Lying 18 kilometres south of Baan Saladan, Kantiang beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and was voted one of the "Top Ten Tropical Beaches in The World" by the Sunday Times of London.
Long Beach
This beach, in the north of the island, is a stunning crescent of sand about 4 km long. There is a lot of accommodation there, but since it is spread out, visitors get the feeling that place is peacefully quiet.
Nui Bay
Private charters, island tours, beach camping and fishing trips.
A wonderful, humble little studio with a wall fully adorned with photos of happy customers. Very relaxing, good massage, with care and attention. You may have some difficulty finding this place.
Open all year. Built entirely on the sea on wooden stilts and enjoys a private pier where you can relax before and after your treatments.
A game with a tennis ball and a net played in front of Hans Restaurant every day from 16:30. It's great fun.
Professional and fun evening Thai & fusion cooking classes right on the beach. It's run with a passion, usually only 1 class per day. What is most unique is that all the profit goes to Lanta Animal Welfare, founded by the owner, to help the sad situation of the animals on the Island. Classes start at 16:00 (introduction, making curry paste, 4 dishes, mostly seafood.
A professional, exciting place to train in muay Thai. They welcome any ability from beginners and children. They have a range of trainers, some ex- and current-champion fighters from all over Thailand. The skills and techniques are taught in a personal, approachable style. They also have fights every Sunday at Williams Stadium, and a lot of foreigners who stay in the area and train may have the option of fighting.
A crêpe stall run from a motorcycle sidecar. You can most often find him in Moo 1, Saladan, opposite Lanta Diver when the dive boats come back (around 15:00). His chocolate and banana crêpe and his chicken crêpe are especially tasty.
Serves great fresh seafood BBQ. Enormous tiger prawns, fresh squid, snappers galore. All fish & seafood is caught fresh, locally each day, and cooked in any style you like, served with baked potatoes and a free salad bar (with the best dressings you can imagine). The regular menu is also good, with stir fries and curries at 100 baht, only a little more than the 70-80 baht you'd pay on the road. The juices are small, though. The view out over Kantiang Bay is beautiful and you can request a table on the beach. Aqua Bar, the in-house cocktail bar, serves what may be the freshest and most adventurous cocktails on the island, including mango daiquiris and fresh lime margaritas.
A casual restaurant and bar with a great vibe on the main road in Klong Dao. Selection of Western dishes and Thai food and delicious desserts. Kids menu. Citrus owner and chef Aoy is expert at cooking Swedish dishes like Toast Skagen and homemade meatballs served with mashed potato and homemade cream sauce and lingonberry sauce.
Wholly built of wood and beautifully decorated, it offers a spacious open dining area and bar. The restaurant, run by the cook, his brothers and sisters, serves bland Thai food at 140 baht for curries and soups.
Aspires to be nothing more than a laid-back café. Serves Western dishes such as pasta and burgers as well as Thai dishes and fusion creations.
Fun place to start the evening. Good food and a lively place in the evening.
Seres burritos and quesadillas made with homemade tortillas. Has great daily specials as well as delicious grilled and fresh wholewheat sandwiches using imported cheeses. Vegan and vegetarian friendly, everything is made fresh from scratch. Rio's Kitchen only delivers. Free delivery to Kantiang Bay, delivery available to other locations for a fee.
A friendly, family operation. They have a delicious menu: lots of Thai dishes and a few Western ones as well. The pad Thai is excellent. It is very popular with families and the owner's children often play with tourist children.
Excellent food at a modest price (80 baht for a standard dish). Includes Western options like hamburgers, pizza and pasta. Also offers cooking classes, or 100 baht extra to help cook your meal.
A very small restaurant. The Thai food is arguably the best on Klong Dao Beach and is cheap. Real Thai-style eating with the tables directly on the sand and no decorations at all, but a nice view and cool breeze from the sea.
A long-established favourite. The menu features a wide selection of wonderful Thai dishes and Chinese as well. The "special" spring roll is excellent. There is bar service and a small artisan boutique.
A friendly bar/restaurant/bungalow. This is a great place to meet other travellers from every demographic. Relaxed sunset happy hours every night. Sometimes live music from international guests.
Local guy named Arms plays here with his band "Lantana".
Bar on the beach/rocks that often has cheap drink offers on and sometimes guest DJs. Nice atmosphere and open late. Axe pillow seating outside and covered seating inside.
This is an upmarket resort in Ko Lanta. The restaurant setting is beach front and beautiful. The staff are friendly and attentive but not intrusive. Delicious menu and good wine list. Is more expensive than other restaurants in the area.
A good spot to relaxing with a drink on the beach, listen to some reggae and maybe watch sports on TV. Mook himself is a person worth meeting.
Klong Khong Bay Bungalows
Well-known professional Thai and fusion cooking school, it also has a beach and tree-top restaurant where you can relish the sunset and breeze while peeking at what the cooking “students” are creating down below. More and more people are checking out the great food, atmosphere and mojitos. They offer a filling 6-course tasting menu for 495 baht, year-round. Personal and friendly place with 8 cosy fan-cooled bungalows. Free Wi-Fi. You will love the food and you must love dogs also, as the Norwegian owner is the organiser of Lanta Animal Welfare.
All equipped with air-conditioning, cable TV, and phone. Restaurant, swimming pool and massage.
On 8 acres of white sandy beach front.
Restaurant, bar, and swimming pool.
Amazing hotel that is not on the beach, but extremely clean, very comfortable beds, very helpful staff, well-managed. The rooms look like the ones posted on their site, unlike some other hotels. A five min walk to Klong Dao Beach, just cross the street. Prices are excellent, especially in low season. The staff will arrange for a motorbike for you and have it brought to the hotel. Open all year round and close to many good restaurants.
48 bungalows.
Typical beach-side bungalow resort with three-bed air-con bungalows. The restaurant is in the lower price range but the offerings, while extensive, are very watered down (they don't do spicy). Nice and friendly staff.
Hotel-style building on the beach. They have a fancy (by Lanta standards) restaurant.
Luxury villa with beautiful bungalows in the Thai architectural style, pool, and laundry service.
Secluded resort with tropical garden.
This is one of the only off-beach options on the island. The rooms are large, very comfortable, and stylish. Wi-Fi, TV, DVD player, air-con, private bathroom, free water, swimming pool, friendly staff, mini fridge, patio and all around good value. Large four person guesthouse also available.
Small resort with simple fan bungalows and more luxurious air-con bungalows. The restaurant offers Thai, Western and Tex-Mex dishes. On-site PADI dive centre called Dive & Relax.
On Phra Ae Beach which stretches for 2 km along the Andaman sea front.
Equipped with air conditioning, cable TV and Wi-Fi. Poolside bar, restaurant and swimming pool with Jacuzzi.
Standard fan, large fan, standard air-con and deluxe triple rooms with balcony, private toilet, and shower and breakfast. Terrace, restaurant, massage service and travel agency.
Thai-style villas set in quiet gardens, 100 m from the beach. All rooms have air-con, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, king size beds, fridge and mini-bar.
141 air-con bungalows (11 by the beach). Pools, bike rental, Wi-Fi, and a restaurant.
French-Belgian owned resort on a 1 km beach and Thai-French restaurant, Manao, which has a superb view over the beach and rocky promontory. The fresh local king prawns or daily catch at the restaurant are recommended.
Well-designed bamboo bungalows, mosquito nets and good Indian & Thai food from the restaurant.
50 rooms and bungalows, all equipped with comfortable bedding and safe. Facilities and services are garden, outdoor swimming pool and barbecue facilities.
12 bungalows and bar at Klong Khong Beach, a 3 km stretch of golden sand and shady palms. The bungalows are clean, cheap and simple. Have a drink in Ting Tong Bar, an authentic Thai style beach bar and famous for its live music. Enjoy your cocktail while watching the stunning sunset. A relaxed and laid back atmosphere and a place that's hard to leave.
A great bar, restaurant, swimming pool and motorbike rental available.
On the beach. Single, double, and family bungalows with air-con, hot shower, cable TV, minibar, free Wi-Fi in restaurant. Best garden with trees and flowers and the pool is nice with a sea view. Also includes Lanta Pavilion Sunset Restaurant, which offers standard Thai dishes, a selection of European favourites, and a few Indian, Mexican and Japanese dishes. There is also daily seafood BBQ on the beach with a great variety of the fresh seafood done in many styles. They serve pizza, burger and steaks, exotic cocktails, fruit shakes and desserts.
On 35 rai of land, in the foothills of the Ko Lanta Yai and overlooking Klong Tob Bay, this resort offers a choice of rooms, each with its own distinct style and ambience, numerous sports activities, dining options and private swimming pools.
Beautiful resort with full amenities for only 1,200 baht a night, all bungalows. Air-con in all rooms, incredibly sweet staff, and restaurant + bar with some good music and some performances now and then. Can rent motorbikes, schedule side trips, do laundry, etc., all in the resort for the same price as anywhere else on the island. On the beach, with no rocks, 24 hour swimming.
Fully equipped villas that sleep up to 6-8 people.
Thai-chic luxury bungalows 3 steps from the beach. Air-con, large balcony (with sun loungers), hot shower, fridge & TV as standard, swimming pool with view out over the bay. Open all year with exceptional discounts during the low season. 7-Eleven on the main street, good souvenir and clothes/jewellery shopping at nearby Indigo Gekko Bay View Restaurant and "Aqua Bar" directly on the beach.
Open year-round with some great rates in low season. Restaurant and "Why Not?" Bar on the beach. Wooden bungalows. Good atmosphere and spills out right onto the sand. Not to be confused with the nearby Marine Park View Resort, which is on the hill. Free pickup from Ban Sala Dan to Ao Kantiang, but return to Ban Sala Dan is 500 baht.
A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. PADI diving centre and cooking classes. Also includes The Seven Seas wine bar and restaurant, which serves fusion cuisine and has an extensive wine list and nice sea views.
Bungalow resort with budget price ranges for fan or air-conditioned bungalows.
Twenty spacious bungalows on Mai Pai/Bamboo Bay, the southernmost beach. Two beachfront swimming pools, a Jacuzzi, a beach bar, a Thai/Western restaurant, and a beach front dining area. All bungalows include air-conditioning, satellite TV, a mini-fridge, free Wi-Fi, and covered front porches. Most have ocean views. Open year-round with some great rates in low season.
There are 9 separate rooms available, each with a shower/WC, TV/cable, and fan or air conditioner. The rooms surround a lovely garden with small pond. The kitchen is available for use by guests as well as the outdoor dining area with ample tables and chairs.
All units are built directly over-the-sea in what many describe as Thailand’s most charming and culturally diverse fishing village. Rooms are renovated to feature the original teak structures that served as Chinese shop houses over 50 years ago.
Unique hammocks. Handwoven in Thailand by the Mlabri tribe. Largest selection of quality hammocks on the island.
All about handmade inspiration, creating original items for you and your home. Goods such as clothing, toys, ceramics, jewellery and art.
Even though it is Indonesian in origin, the art of batik has embedded itself in the local culture. There are also a lot of handicrafts such as pineapple paper.
By passenger van
There is a minivan service that runs between Krabi Town and Ko Lanta, However it must be booked in advance through your hotel or someone local, the cost is 350-400 baht per person.
By car
The distance from Bangkok to Krabi is approx 950 km or about 12 hr by car.
By boat
Private companies on Ko Lanta operate boat services to many destinations.
By train
The nearest train station to Ko Lanta is in Trang province just south of Krabi. From there, there are trains to and from Bangkok.
The main roads on the island are well paved. However the road just north of Mu Ko National Park is still unpaved dirt.
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