Koh Lanta Archipelago

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.

Although tourism is increasing every year, Koh Lanta with its picturesque Andaman coastline, manages to keep her laid-back atmosphere, natural beauty and friendliness.

Koh Lanta 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; Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai.

Koh Lanta now has it's own gasoline station.

Koh 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.

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

Nearly 25 km of Beaches on Koh Lanta Yai's West Coast.

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. It has a diverse cultural mix with Thai-Muslim, Thai-Chinese and the original Sea Gypsies living together on the island.

With it's 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.

Sea Gypsy Village in South East Lanta.

The 20,000 residents of Koh Lanta 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.

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 Bida, Koh Phi Phi to the west, and Koh Haa, Koh Rok, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang to the south, for which Koh Lanta is the closest base-point.

Many small local villages on Koh Lanta.

Koh Lanta has even more to offer: explore Lanta's caves, wander along kilometers of white sandy beaches, trek through the unspoiled rainforest of the National Marine Park, or simply relax in your hammock with a good book. Live your own dream under the tropical sun.

There are many mini-van and ferry services to Koh Lanta which makes getting to Koh Lanta very easy.

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