Lanta Island: Climate, Beaches, Excursions and Entertainment

Lanta - a picturesque archipelago of two islands, Ko Lanta Yai and Ko Lanta Noi - a width of 6 km and a length of over 30 km is located about 70 km from the border of Krabi Province and Trang.

Lanta Yai Island is densely built up with hotels, entertainment centers. Lanta Noi is uninhabited and is not popular among tourists. If we talk about recreation on the island of Koh Lanta, then we mean the rest on Lanta Yai - this is a young resort, which began to take tourists only about 3 years ago. During this time, uninhabited island has become an attractive, in terms of tourism, resort.

How to get there

Lanta Island is one of the most popular destinations, and it is not very difficult to get to it. But keep in mind that there are no airports on this island, and the closest one is near Krabi Town. It is located at a distance of 60 km.

From Bangkok. The flight from Bangkok to Krabi costs 2,000 baht. You can take a bus from Krabi Airport to Ko Lanta. You can find out the departure time at the airport. The ticket price is 500 baht. Alternatively, you can also take a cab from Krabi Airport to Ko Lanta. The trip will cost about 2,000 baht. To save money, you can take a shuttle bus from Bangkok airport to Krabi Town.

The trip will cost 500 baht and take about 12 hours. These buses run mostly at night. You can find out the departure time at Bangkok Airport. You can immediately catch a bus to Lanta when you arrive in Krabi at the local terminal. The journey from Bangkok to the island takes about 16-18 hours.

From Phuket. From Phuket International Airport you can take a transfer to the hotel on the island. You can also take a bus from Phuket, which leaves from the new bus terminal in Phuket. The cost for a minivan trip from Phuket to Lanta is 220 baht. Travel time is 4.5 hours. The longest stop at the bus terminal in Krabi is 30 minutes.

From the pier, which is located in Phuket Town, several times a day ships go to Lanta. The ticket price is 1000 baht. The trip will take from 3 to 4 hours. Most travel agencies offer to get to the island by boat. However, it is quite expensive: from 1500 to 1800 baht (depending on the distance).

If there is no way to get to Lanta by sea, you can also go by land. From Phuket, you can take Route 4 to the island, bypassing Ao Nang and Krabi Town. Route number 4 passes through a small town called Klong Tom. Also next to Klong Thom is a less popular highway 4206. It leads to the village of Ban Ra Pu. From here you can get to Lanta, both by land and by sea with the help of ferries, which run quite often.

From the island of Koh Lipe. From Ko Lipe to Lanta you can take a speedboat, which runs once a day. The trip takes only three hours and costs 1,800 baht. Check with the local ferry station for departure times, as they are subject to change. A major carrier, Tigerline, operates on the same route. There are quite comfortable ships to Lanta.

From Krabi Town. From the local pier several times a day leave the ships in the direction of Krabi - Jum Island - Koh Lanta. The trip costs 400 baht. There are also mini-buses from Krabi to Lanta, but the trip will cost the same as the ship.

It takes the same amount of time, but on the ship you can see all the beauty of local nature.

Ferry service. The island of Lanta is connected to almost all major cities of Thailand by ferry service. Thus, you can get to Lanta by ferry from Krabi, Phi Phi, Phuket, Ao Nang. Ferries leave from the central piers twice a day - in the morning and in the afternoon. Sometimes such transport runs once a day (time should be clarified at the pier). Tickets can be purchased at the place of departure, a travel agency or a hotel. Travel time is from one and a half to four and a half hours. The cost of travel ranges from 350 to 650 baht (all will depend on the distance).

Transportation

The transport on Lanta includes cabs as well as tuk-tuks, which act as cabs. Many tourists move around the island on motorcycles. It will only cost you 200 baht per day. As for cabs, there are not many in the city.

Most of them are not cars at all, but motorcycles with strollers that can fit 2-3 people. Usually the driver will ask you about 20-30 baht per kilometer. But if you want to go to the neighboring island, you will have to pay more expensive. There are only two gas stations on the island with gasoline ranging from 35 to 45 baht. Both are on the road to Klong Dao.

Rent a vehicle on the island

• Car for 1 day costs from 1000 baht for a small car with automatic.
• Motorcycle from 150 baht per day, per month from 3000 baht.
• Bicycle from 50 baht per day, from 1000 baht per month.

Hotels

The island has a huge selection of hotels for all tastes and wallets: inexpensive bungalows from 250 baht per day, comfortable luxury hotels from 7000 baht per day. The average cost of a room with air conditioning - 800 baht, but there are proposals and 500 baht. With a fan for 400-600 baht. Local high-class hotels have swimming pools and fitness facilities. Massage or yoga classes are available for a fee.

Families with children will especially appreciate the hotels on the island of Lanta, as there is a special emphasis on children's recreation. Parents can leave their child in the play center or children's room at the hotel. Local restaurants have special menus for children, hotels can use the service of babysitting. No matter how many stars a hotel has, it is always a cottage or bungalow. The local law forbids the construction of high-rise buildings here. Two-story guest houses can be found only in the port village of Saladan.

Beaches

Ko Lanta can be a worthy competitor to the southern beaches of Thailand. Beaches with shell sand here are many, most of them are still wild. Among the most popular vacation spots here are:

Kantieng. This beach is only 1 km long and is considered the most beautiful beach on the island.

Klong-Dao. It reaches a length of 3 km and is ideal for those who want privacy without going far from civilization. It is one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world.
White sand, azure water, exotic plants - all this attracts tourists every year.

Long Beach. The beach is 3.5 km long and will appeal to tourists of different financial means. It is one of the most beautiful and well equipped beaches on the island. It is distinguished by its picturesque nature and snow-white sand.

Klong Ning. It is characterized by shady palm trees that grow along its entire length. There are both comfortable expensive hotels and budget bungalows. On the territory of Klong Nin grow in rows of pine trees, coconut palms and other exotic plants.

The atmosphere here is quite lively, as most vacationers from local hotels and apartments spend time here. The water warms up quickly. There are almost no strong waves.

Klong Kong is very popular with divers, as there are no strong waves on this beach. Here are the most budget hotels. Very close to this place you can admire the beautiful coral reefs. Klong Kong is considered one of the best places in Thailand for snorkeling.

Attractions

In addition to the beaches, there are many places, without visiting which the introduction to the island would not be complete. For example, Saladan Town is where all the ships to Lanta arrive. It is a small village built on stilts next to the water.

It has everything: travel agencies, restaurants, seafood, pharmacies, and an artisanal clothing market. The caves of Mei Kaeo are mysterious dungeons and a lake under the ground. However, to travel through the dungeons need a guide. This service is very inexpensive (ask for more information about the cost).

Entertainment

As for entertainment on the picturesque island of Ko Lanta, there is definitely something for tourists to do. Divers have long been fond of this island of Lanta.

The nearby islands are considered ideal for diving.

For example, a group of islands near Ko Lanta called Ko Rock is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. The coastal waters here are incredibly clean and clear. Undersea caves can be visited near the Phi Phi Islands. (Subject: Diving in Thailand.)

Hin Daeng (translated as "Red Rock") and Hin Muang (purple rock) are some of the most popular places for divers. There are 108 species of exotic fish and more than 200 varieties of coral.

The best place to go snorkeling is near the small islands of Ko Hoa, Ko Rock, Ko Bida. You can get to them by boat from the local pier near the village of Saladan. You can go fishing. Local fishermen regularly catch tuna, marlin, perch and sailfish here. Almost every agency is ready to offer you both day and night fishing on a boat. On Ko Lanta, there are many restaurants where you can taste the local seafood.

The main market of Ko Lanta is spread in different parts of the island on different days. Here you can buy clothes and souvenirs and food cheaply. There are also regular Sunday markets on the island. They are located in the old part of the island and are open from 8 to 11 am. By the way, ATMs are available on every major beach in Ko Lanta.