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About Koh Lanta

Plan Your Trip to Happiness

Thailand's Island Paradise

Koh Lanta is the jewel of the Andaman Sea, situated in south western Thailand, and lying just a short distance from the mainland province of Krabi. Lanta is perfectly located for some of the best diving in Thailand.

Although tourism is increasing every year, Lanta manages to keep her laid-back atmosphere, natural beauty and friendliness. You'll find us located at Lanta Castaway Beach Resort at the south end of Long Beach.

The Mu Koh Lanta Archipelago actually consists of 52 islands, 15 of which are under the control of the Koh Lanta National Marine Park. 12 islands are inhabited from which the two major islands are; Lanta Yai and Lanta Noi.

Koh Lanta Island Guide

Lanta Noi is the smaller of the two islands and is slowly starting to develop with limited tourist facilities, and the old life style and traditional styled houses can still be seen and make it worth a visit.

Exploring The Islands

Lanta Yai is approximately 4km wide and 25km long and boasts 9 fantastic, white sandy beaches, stretching almost the entire length of its sunset west coast.

The east coast of the island is mostly mangrove swamps, which provide an important breeding ground of many marine species, including sharks.

The main village of Ban Sala Dan lies to the north, with a jungle covered hill range running down the length of the island to the south, separating the mangroves of the east coast from the long beaches of the west.

Koh Lanta Island Guide

The island population contains a diverse cultural mix with Thai-Muslim, Thai-Chinese and the original Sea Gypsies living together in harmony on the island.

A paved government road runs from Ban Sang Ka Ou, the Sea Gypsy village in the south east of the island, up the east coast to Ban Saladan, and then down the west coast to the national park in the far south western tip of the island.

It’s impossible to get lost on this island!

Traditional Way of Life

With its relaxed atmosphere and slow pace of life, the fast pace of life elsewhere is soon forgotten as the enchanting beaches, thick jungle, stunning sunsets and coral rimmed beaches take over.

The 20,000 inhabitants have a traditional economy of fishing, coconut plantations, rubber plantations, rice paddies, prawn farming and fruit. This economy is now supplemented with the growing tourist industry.

You won't find a KFC, Starbucks or MacDonalds here, but you will find long sandy beaches with plenty of space to relax, rustic beach bars offering fresh seafood and sunset cocktails, and local family run restaurants by the side of the road selling cheap and delicious Thai food.

How to Get Here

We are very well connected to the mainland by a car ferry which runs continually from 5 am to midnight, and by many passenger ferry services to neighbouring islands, Krabi Town, and Ao Nang.

It’s also very easy to get to Koh Lanta by ferry from Koh Phi Phi, Phuket, Koh Jum, and the many smaller southern islands, such as Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Libong, and Koh Lipe.

Koh Lanta Island Guide

Frequent minivan services connect the island via car ferry to Krabi Town, Krabi Airport, Trang, Phuket, and Phuket Airport. Private transfers can also be booked to Khao Lak or Khao Sok National Park.

It’s also easy to get to Koh Lanta from the Gulf of Thailand, including Koh Samui, Koh Phan Ngan and Koh Tao.

Best Time to Visit

If you’re planning a trip to visit us then you’ll also want to know all about the island’s weather and climate, and the best time to visit Koh Lanta for diving, which is normally mid October to mid May.

The island is of course open all year round, however the national park is closed during the summer monsoon season, when we can expect stronger winds and rain from the west which help to replenish the islands natural water supply and keep us cool!

Some of Thailand's Best Dive Sites

Koh Lanta, due to her location, is one of the best dive destinations in the Andaman Sea.

There are a number of superb dive sites just a short boat trip away: Koh Haa to the west, Koh Rok to the south, and Hin Daeng and Hin Muang to the south west.

And with the Bida islands, Koh Phi Phi, Shark Point and Anemone Reef, Hin Klai and the HTMS Kledkaeo wreck to the west, we have easy access to some of Thailand's best dive sites.

Diving @ Hin Bida with Dive & Relax

And when you need a break from diving, there are plenty of other things to do: explore caves, wander along kilometres of white sandy beaches, trek through the unspoiled rainforest of the National Marine Park, visit an elephant sanctuary, take a Thai cooking class, try Muay Thai boxing, or simply relax in your hammock with a good book. Live your own dream under the tropical sun.

Book online to save 10% on dive trips and scuba courses on Koh Lanta.

Find out more on the Mu Koh Lanta Marine National Park.

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Dive Trips & Scuba Courses

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    • when will you arrive on Koh Lanta?
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