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Koh Lanta - Overview
 Located
between Krabi and Phuket Island in the Andaman sea, Lanta is one
of 15 islands in the Ko Lanta marine national park. A quiet and
unspoilt island with a slow and relaxed lifestyle, it has spectacular
coral rimmed beaches, surrounded by rugged mountains, good diving,
large "umbrella trees" and friendly people not yet jaded
by mass tourism.
In the past, it was difficult to reach from the mainland. Electricity
came from generators, telephone lines were non-existent and cars
were a rare sight. In 1996 the island was connected to Thailand's
mainland electrical grid and in 2001 to the telephone network.
With the arrival of electricity, and fame generated by the Hollywood
movie “The Beach” (filmed only a few kilometres away
on neighbouring Phi Phi Island) news of this beautiful island
has crept out.
Over the last few years, Lanta has been quietly developing its
tourist industry, with new resorts under construction. Almost
all the resorts are small and most are family run. Most are built
using natural, materials and blend well into their surroundings.
Careful development has ensured that Lanta is still a place to
find peace and quiet and, be able to take advantage of modern
facilities at the new resorts. The original basic bamboo huts
(no bathroom) are now supplemented by new bungalow resorts with
swimming pools and hot water, and even 4 -5-star resorts at the
top end. (For more info please click
here)
Much of the island is owned by a clan of 'Sea Gypsies', a tribal
group of unknown origin who are distinctly different from Thai.
The "Chao Ley" people who retain their separate language,
customs and ceremonies, are natural fishermen and keep the island
supplied with fresh fish, shrimp, crayfish and oysters. The rest
of the island is under the control of the Ko Lanta National Marine
Park. Although the traditional economic pursuits of fishing, coconut
and rubber harvesting, rice and prawn farming and fruit growing
are now supplemented by growing tourism, Lanta still remains a
place to get away from it all. And, it still takes 2 boats to
get there....
Best time to visit
November to April. November is the coolest month with average
day temperatures of 28 - 30C, cooling to 20-21C at night
The monsoon season lasts from May through to October. During
this period, the sea can get choppy and swimming is not recommended.
There is no diving available due to rough seas and poor visibility.
Most of the smaller resorts, close due to a lack of customers.
Transport is available only by minibus from Trang and Krabi via
car ferries. Package tours which include activities, accommodation
and transfers are available in high season. Click
here for details.
What to Do
Sightseeing - Tours around Lanta
Take an island tour in a jeep or minibus. The tours give an introduction
into the local culture as well as visiting various beauty spots
and places in interest including rubber plantations and hot springs.
Visit the Orchid Nursery farm at Long Beach. It is easily accessible
by motorbike or bicycle. Entry fee 30 baht per person
Snorkelling tours around neighbouring
islands.
Local snorkelling tours by speedboat go to the four islands
of Ko Ngai, Ko Muk is with its Emerald Cave, Ko Kradan and Ko
Chunk. The itinerary can change depending on the currents and
weather conditions. Snorkelling equipment is included.
Jeep/Motorcycle Hire
Rent a jeep and explore Lanta island. No international driver’s
licence is needed when driving on the island. Personal accident
insurance or collision damage waiver is not available so make
sure you have valid insurance cover from your country. Jeep rental
costs around 1,200 baht per day. Note: Driving a motor vehicle
on the beaches is strictly not allowed.
Mountain biking
Mountain bikes are available for hire at most main resorts. There
are lots of trails.
Elephant trekking.
There are less than 5,000 elephants left in Thailand with about
2,000 still wild in the jungle. Thailand's elephants were used
in the logging industry, but since the ban on logging, and with
urban encroachment, tourism is fast becoming their main means
of survival. The money from elephant trekking helps to pay for
their food (they eat about 250 kg. of food a day!) and health
care, helping them to survive. Half day treks to Lanta's interior
are available, including visits to cool waterfalls and caves on
the way. Note: Some treks are not suitable for children under
eight due to road and trail conditions.
Walking/Trekking
Lots of trails. In the centre of the island is Tham Khao Mai Kaew,
a five or six-cavern limestone cave complex. Hike through beautiful
forest to the caves which are entered by going down a small hole
in the rocks which leads to a series of caverns. Some are huge,
while others can only be accessed by squeezing through on hands
and knees. Impressive stalactites and stalagmites, bats and even
a cavern pool that you can swim in, (descending via a long slippery
slope with a knotted rope - tricky to get back!)
A local family living close to the trail, offers a guide service
for 50 baht per person. Well worth it - a guide is essential inside
the caves, The family also runs a basic restaurant. The caves
are located off the lower road which crosses the island and then
down a narrow 1.5 km track through a rubber plantation that ends
up at their home.
Diving.
Dive operators offer liveaboards and daytrips to numerous local
divesites around the area. Koh Phi Phi Island has soft corals
and tropical fish, Ko Ha offers steep walls dives, small caves,
tunnels, canyons and two gigantic caverns, while at Ko Rok, a
journey of 2.5 hours there's an underwater coral garden filled
with coral fish, barracuda, turtles and lobsters. The submerged
rocks of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, at a depth of up to 70 metres,
offer steep walls covered in soft corals and anemones. Reef sharks,
tuna, mackerel, barracuda and Manta Rays, are regular visitors.
If you're not a diver but would like to learn, dive operators
offer PADI Dive Courses from beginner to Instructor Development.
Island Hopping
Lanta is surrounded by different islands, each with its own character.
Rent a local "longtail" boat and go island hopping.
Take short snorkelling trips on your own, or go with a dive company,
or charter a speedboat to some of the more remote islands. Charges
vary, speedboats need up to 90 litres of petrol per hour so prices
charged are accordingly.
Ko Rok Nok & Koh Rok Nai
High-speed boats are now available from Lanta Island, visiting
islands like to Koh Rok Nok and Rok Nai for snorkelling and/or
exploring.
Rok Nok and Rok Nai Islands (outside and inside) are located about
25 kilometres South of Ha Island and belong to the Koh Lanta National
Park. The two sister-islands are separated by a narrow channel
about 15 metres deep, have some of the prettiest beaches in Thailand
and are completely uninhabited. Diving here is relatively shallow,
with the best corals and fish life living above 18 metres. The
bottom is composed mostly of hard corals, with small areas of
soft corals at deeper depths. Black tip sharks patrol the reef
shallows and Hawksbill turtles are also sighted regularly.
Kayaking/Canoeing
Lanta is a perfect place to explore by canoe, especially Ko Lanta
Noi and Ko Klang. On offer are mangrove forest, sea caves with
stalactites, and small islands, which have unique eco-systems.
Kayaking tours leave daily during the high season and include
food, drink, life jacket, guide, transfer and two persons per
kayak.
Fishing
Hire a local "long tail" boat and go on a half-day,
full day or night fishing trip. Most provide basic fishing gear
at additional cost, but you can always bring your own.
Camping
Camping is permitted on Ko Rok Nok. The island is striking with
a crescent shaped bay lined with cliffs, a white sandy powder
beach and a old Banyan trees in the interior. The coral at Koh
Rok Nai and limestone caves of Ko Talang are also worth seeing.
You can make reservations at the National Park HQ in the south
of Ko Lanta which looks after the island. There are no shops and
no people living apart from a couple of park staff on the island.
Camp grounds are at Had Ko Rok - a white powder sand beach with
coral reefs just offshore. There are toilets and basic facilities.
You can hire a tent for around 350 baht per night for a big tent
(4 persons) and 200 baht per night for a small tent (2 persons.)
If you prefer to bring your own stuff, it's 20 Baht. Electricity
is provided from 6.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
To camp in Ko Rok, you must bring your own food and drinking
water. Because you can’t buy anything there.
The most convenient way to Ko Rok from Lanta is to join a package
tour which includes a visit to Ko Rok Nok, or charter a speedboat.
It takes about one hour from Ko Lanta to Ko Rok by speed boat.
And if you want to stay overnight (camping), you can return with
the same boat the next day or arrange for a return transfer. Just
tell the captain of the boat. The National park has a charcoal
burner you can use for food preparation. Remember there are no
shops, so bring your own food, drinks and mosquito protection.
Beaches - Where
to Stay
The main village on Lanta, is Saladan which is the main
pick-up and transfer point for boats. Saladan has clothes shops,
supermarkets, mini marts, a bank, a health centre, bookshops and
also travel agents where you can book local tours or tickets to
other destinations. Close to Saladan, is Klong Dow Beach which
is about 2-kilometres long. There are about 18 resorts on this
beach. with a price ranging from 400 to 3,500 baht per night.
Pha-Ae or Long Beach is slightly less expensive with
around 10 resorts with a price range of about 250-2,000 baht per
night. The beach is 5 kilometers long. Klong Khong or Rocky
beach is less popular with more basic bungalows and local rattan
huts. Klong Nin - a beautiful little beach has a few bungalows
and not much else, prices start around 250-2,000 baht per night.
Klong Hin - another rocky beach doesn't have miles of
sand, but is good for snorkeling.
Kan Thiang is a perfect curved 800 metre sandy beach,
and also the location for the new five star Pimalai
luxury resort. Gorgeous, upmarket and blending beautifully
with its surroundings, the resort occupies 100 acres of lush tropical
forest with direct access to the beach and offers canoes, windsurfers,
small sailing boats, mountain bikes and use of the Fitness room
free of charge to guests. The other attraction is the Pimalai
Spa, built in the shape of a village style, with straw roofed
'Salas' it offers pampering in paradise.
Where to Eat
A few restaurants recommended by travellers include:
Otto Restaurant - The very end of Khlong Dao Beach, illuminated
by chains of coloured lights at night.. Goof ground coffee, and
a wide choice of tasty Thai specialities. Live music several evenings
a week.
Sea View Restaurant - Saladan. Great Thai Food and low
prices. Built on a wooden pier over the water, with views along
the coastline to neighbouring houses and the island opposite.
Great spot to watch the world go by.
Lanta Sea House - Centre of Khlong Dao Beach, a favourite
spot for dinner. This family run restaurant offers a great choice
of freshly caught seafood, prepared as you like, and served in
a garden area along the beach.
Baan Pimalai Restaurant - Located in the upmarket and
beautiful Pimalai Resort. Overlooking beautiful Kan Thiang Bay,
you will find the most attentive service on Lanta together with
great food and the best wine cellar on the island.
Santos Cafe - Good for coffee break , if you're shopping
in Saladan
How to Get there
 There
is no airport on Lanta, so if you're outside the region, e.g.
in Bangkok, fly to either Phuket, Krabi, or Trang and then transfer
to Koh Lanta by bus to the ferry point, and then boat. Normally
you will have to change ferries at Phi Phi island en route. If
you're coming from Bangkok, even on the first morning flight,
you will not be able to connect to Lanta on the same day, so overnight
in Phuket is recommended, unless you arrange a private transfer.
By Train: From Bangkok - to Hadyai or Trang and transfer
by bus/boat
By Boat: If you're already in the region, catch the Express
boat from Phi Phi Island or Krabi town. The boat arrives at Phi
Phi Island around 11:00am and the connecting boat to Lanta departs
at 14:00 (November to April only) Open pick-up trucks and minibuses
are waiting when the boat arrives, about one hour later at Saladan
on Ko Lanta to transfer you to your accommodation. Transfer is
often offered free of charge by most resorts.
Notes: From November to April only, a regular boat operates
between Tonsai Bay on Phi Phi Island and Saladan on Ko Lanta.
From May to October the boats from Phi Phi Island to Ko Lanta
do not operate due to strong winds and high waves in the monsoon
season. During this season, private transfer is the only way to
visit Ko Lanta.
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