Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is the grown-up-gently island of Thailand's Andaman coast: long, quiet beaches like Klong Dao shelve softly, the sea in high season is bathwater-warm and barely moves, and the pace suits families rather than full-moon crowds.
- Best forFamilies · Beach lovers · Couples
- In May30°C · 27 rainy days · sea 32°C
- Ideal stayA week
- Approx. flying time~17h 10m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyTHBThai baht
- LanguageThai
- Local time19:096h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType A / B / C / OBring an adapter
- Drive on theLeftSame as the UK
- Dialling code+66
Why go
A long island on the Andaman side with a single road down the west coast and a run of beaches that grow quieter the further south you go. The sand shelves gently, the sea in high season is warm and barely moves, and the sunsets face straight out over open water. Inland there are rubber plantations, and at the southern tip a national park with a lighthouse, a jungle trail and resident macaques.
This suits families and anyone travelling slowly, with a week the natural length of stay. High season runs November to April, and in the monsoon many places close and the sea turns rough. Krabi and Phuket connect by ferry or minibus, and the Four Islands and Koh Rok day trips are within easy reach. Anyone chasing nightlife should carry on to Phi Phi or Koh Phangan.
- Ideal stay
- A week
- The vibe
- Long beaches, low key, easy going
From our guides
Lanta is Thailand at its most relaxed: long west-facing beaches, a mellow Muslim-Thai fishing culture and sunset bars where a cold Chang costs little more than a pound. Bamboo bungalows steps from the sand remain genuinely cheap outside January. Hire a scooter, work through the beaches from Long Beach south to Bamboo Bay, and time dinner to the nightly sky show.
Featured in Ten beaches with calm, shallow water for small swimmers and Ten affordable tropical escapes that won't empty your savings
Things to do
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Klong Dao beach
The northernmost long beach, shallow and gently shelving, which is why families base themselves here. Shops and restaurants are within walking distance.
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Long Beach (Phra Ae)
A wide stretch with everything from budget bungalows to smarter resorts, and the island's best concentration of beach bars for the evening.
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Bamboo Bay and the south
The far south is quieter, steeper and greener, with small coves and views back up the length of the coast.
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Mu Ko Lanta National Park
The southern tip has a lighthouse, a short jungle trail, cheeky macaques and rock ledges to swim from when the sea is calm.
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Lanta Old Town
A stilted fishing settlement on the east coast, with wooden shophouses built out over the water and seafood served on the jetties.
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Koh Rok and the Four Islands
Day boats run out to clear-water snorkelling at Koh Rok, and to the caves and lagoons of the Four Islands trip towards Krabi.
Getting there
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Fly to
Krabi (KBV)
Nearest airport to Ko Lanta Yai, about 60km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Koh Lanta
Krabi (KBV) is the practical gateway, about two and a half hours by minivan with a bridge and short ferry crossing; from Bangkok (DMK) you fly to Krabi first. Speedboats also run from Phuket and Ao Nang in high season.
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On the ground
Getting around
One main road runs down the west coast linking the beaches, and almost everyone hires a scooter. Songthaews and hotel transfers cover the rest.
Public transport: Limited. Songthaews and motorbike taxis exist but a scooter is how the island really works.
Flights
Los Angeles Koh Lanta, Thailand
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Roughly 17h 10m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about 28°C in September to 32°C in March. Driest in February; wettest in October, with rain on about 27 days. The sea is warmest in May at around 32°C, coolest at 29°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
May30° · rain 27 days · sea 32°Warm and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2015–2024 at Ko Lanta Yai (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Beach bungalows from bamboo to boutique, mid-size resorts on the northern beaches and a scatter of villas. Very few high-rise hotels and no large international chains.
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Best base overall
Long Beach, or Phra Ae
The longest west-coast beach with the broadest spread of bungalows, restaurants and beach bars, and sunsets every evening. Some stretches shelve more steeply than the beaches further north.
Find stays in Long Beach, or Phra Ae -
Best with children
Klong Dao
Nearest to the pier, gently shelving and calm for most of the high season, with the widest choice of family resorts and shops. It is also the busiest and least characterful beach.
Find stays in Klong Dao -
Best value
Klong Khong
Simple bamboo bungalows and hammock bars keep prices low here, and the sunset scene is genuinely good. The beach is rockier at low tide and swimming can be awkward.
Find stays in Klong Khong -
Quietest
Kantiang Bay
Down in the far south, a curved bay backed by jungle hills with a small village and a handful of resorts. It is a long drive from the pier and the main restaurant strip.
Find stays in Kantiang Bay
Worth knowing before you book: Many places shut altogether from May to October, and ferries reduce or stop. January prices are the year's highest, with minimum stays common over Christmas and New Year.
Search everything else in Koh Lanta by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Timing
- November to April is the dry season with a calm sea. From May the monsoon brings surf, closures and much lower prices.
- Getting there
- Ferries and minibuses run from Krabi and Phuket, with a bridge and a car ferry linking the island. Allow the best part of a day either way.
- With kids
- The northern beaches shelve slowly and stay shallow a long way out, which is why they suit small children. Watch for jellyfish notices at resorts.
- Driving
- Scooters are the default and the road is straightforward but busy. Wear a helmet and check that your insurance actually covers you.
- Cash
- Cash machines cluster in the north of the island and thin out towards the south. Draw baht before you head down the coast.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Railay Beach
Krabi, Thailand · 56km away →
Koh Yao Noi
Thailand · 78km away →
The Andaman Coast: Phuket
Ko Phi Phi and Ko Lanta, Thailand · 88km away →
Koh Lipe
Thailand · 122km away →
Langkawi
Malaysia · 155km away →
Koh Phangan
Thailand · 264km away →Elsewhere in Thailand
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta?
Daytime highs run from about 28°C in September to 32°C in March. Driest in February; wettest in October, with rain on about 27 days. The sea is warmest in May at around 32°C, coolest at 29°C.
How long should I spend in Koh Lanta?
Our suggestion: a week.
How do I get to Koh Lanta?
Krabi (KBV) is the practical gateway, about two and a half hours by minivan with a bridge and short ferry crossing; from Bangkok (DMK) you fly to Krabi first. Speedboats also run from Phuket and Ao Nang in high season.
Do I need a car in Koh Lanta?
No. Songthaews and motorbike taxis exist but a scooter is how the island really works.
What currency and language are used in Koh Lanta?
Currency: Thai baht (THB). Language: Thai. Plugs: type A and B and C and O.
Who is Koh Lanta best for?
Best for families, beach lovers and couples. In a phrase: long beaches, low key, easy going.