Koh Lanta was one of our favourite islands during our trip through Thailand. We visited in July, right in the low season, and that actually made the island feel even more relaxed. Quiet, green, not too crowded, but still with plenty to do. After Krabi, Koh Lanta felt like a breath of fresh air: still comfortable and easy to travel to, but much less busy and far more laid-back.
We travelled to Koh Lanta from Krabi and stayed for a few days before continuing to Koh Mook. For us, that route made a lot of sense. Krabi is convenient and varied, but also busier and more touristy. Koh Lanta immediately feels slower. More island, less rush. You will find long beaches, small villages, mangroves, national park nature and plenty of restaurants, without the island feeling overbuilt or overcrowded.
Why Koh Lanta is such a lovely island
Koh Lanta is located in Krabi province, on the west coast of Thailand. The island is larger than you might expect, but it never really feels chaotic. Most beaches are on the west coast, while the east side is where you will find more local villages, mangroves and the old town.
What made Koh Lanta so special for us was the atmosphere. The island felt much calmer and more authentic than places like Krabi or Koh Phi Phi. Of course there is tourism, but it is less loud and intense. No extreme crowds, no huge party streets and no feeling that everything revolves only around visitors. Especially in July, it was very quiet.
At the same time, Koh Lanta is not boring. You can visit different beaches, rent a scooter, explore the mangroves, drive to Old Town, walk in the national park or take a boat trip. That makes the island ideal if you want to relax for a few days, but do not want to spend all your time by the pool.
Within a route through Thailand, Koh Lanta is a really nice stop. Especially if you are coming from Krabi and then continuing to smaller islands such as Koh Mook.
Koh Lanta in the low season
We visited Koh Lanta in July, which is low season on this side of Thailand. You notice that straight away. The island is quieter, some restaurants or tours run on a more limited schedule and the sea can be more unpredictable. Still, we found it a very pleasant time to visit Koh Lanta.
The lack of crowds was a big plus. In some places, it was almost completely quiet. That gave the island a lot of charm, especially if you are not looking for packed beaches or busy nightlife. We had decent weather and could still explore the island without any problems.
Staying at Twin Lotus Resort and Spa
We stayed at Twin Lotus Resort and Spa, and it was a lovely place to experience Koh Lanta. The resort is located on Klong Dao Beach, a long sandy beach in the north of the island. That makes it a convenient base if you are arriving from Krabi, with the beach, restaurants and facilities relatively close by.
The resort itself felt calm and relaxed. We had a beautiful bungalow, there was a nice pool and you can walk straight to the beach. That is exactly what you want on an island like Koh Lanta. No complicated planning, just waking up, having breakfast, swimming, walking to the sea and then deciding whether you feel like doing something else.
What we liked about Twin Lotus:
- The beachfront location is ideal.
- The pool is great for a quiet break.
- You stay in beautiful bungalows in a green setting.
- Klong Dao Beach is a practical and peaceful base.
- The resort feels comfortable without becoming too large or impersonal.
For us, Twin Lotus was mainly a very relaxing choice. You are not isolated, but it still feels peaceful. Especially in the low season, the resort felt spacious and calm. Because Koh Lanta is quite long and spread out, we liked staying somewhere that was easy to reach, but still had plenty of space and beach around it.
View Twin Lotus Resort and Spa here
Fun things to do on Koh Lanta
Klong Dao Beach: the beach right outside your door
Because Twin Lotus is located on Klong Dao Beach, we had the beach literally on our doorstep. That was a big plus for us. Klong Dao is a long and wide beach, so it does not quickly feel crowded or cramped. Especially in the low season, it was wonderfully quiet here.
The beach is not necessarily the wildest or most spectacular beach in Thailand, but it is a very nice place to stay. You can walk, swim, relax and easily find somewhere to eat or drink. For a few relaxed island days, that is exactly what you need.
Klong Dao is also convenient in terms of location. You are in the north of Koh Lanta, so you do not have to travel far after arriving on the island. At the same time, you can still easily explore the rest of Koh Lanta from here. If you mainly want peace, beach and convenience, this is a great place to stay.
Mu Ko Lanta National Park
One of the trips we made was to Mu Ko Lanta National Park in the south of the island. The drive there is already enjoyable, because you gradually move towards the quieter part of Koh Lanta. Along the way, you pass beaches, greenery, hills and fewer and fewer buildings.
In the national park, we went for a walk. It was a nice change from the beach and pool. Do not expect a very difficult hike, but it is a tropical walk where good shoes are useful. It can be warm and slippery, especially after rain. Bring water and preferably avoid going at the hottest time of day.
At the national park, you will also find the famous view with the lighthouse, beach and rocky coastline. This is one of the best-known photo spots on Koh Lanta. Keep in mind that there are monkeys in the area, although I personally found them quite shy here.
Good to know: you can visit the national park with this half-day tour.
Boat trip through the mangroves
Another fun activity on Koh Lanta is a boat trip through the mangroves. We really liked this peaceful excursion, because you see a completely different side of the island. No beach this time, but green mangrove forests, narrow waterways and a much more local landscape.
Many mangrove tours leave from or around Tung Yee Peng, a village on the east side of Koh Lanta. You can often explore the area by boat or kayak. We chose a boat trip, which was very relaxed. You cruise slowly through the mangroves and see how green and watery this part of the island is.
This is not a spectacular adrenaline tour, but a lovely activity if you want to get to know Koh Lanta a little better. Well… until three monkeys jump onto your boat. If you are not keen on that, let your guide know in advance.
If you want to arrange it easily, you can take a look at a mangrove boat tour at Tung Yee Peng.
Koh Lanta Old Town
We also visited Koh Lanta’s old village, usually called Koh Lanta Old Town. It is located on the east side of the island and feels very different from the beach areas on the west coast. You will find wooden houses, small shops, waterfront restaurants and a quiet village atmosphere.
Old Town is not large, but it is nice for a short wander. It is the kind of place where you walk around slowly, have a drink or lunch by the water and then continue your drive. Do not expect a huge centre or busy market, but rather a small and atmospheric village.
For us, Old Town fitted well with the impression we had of Koh Lanta: relaxed, simple and not too crowded. It is not a place where you need to spend a whole day, but it is a lovely stop while exploring the island.
Other fun things to do on Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is an island where you can easily fill your days without planning everything too tightly. Besides the national park, mangroves and Old Town, there are more things you can do.
- Discover different beaches: besides Klong Dao, Long Beach, Klong Nin and Kantiang Bay are also popular spots.
- Ride a scooter: a nice way to see the island, but only if you have experience and drive carefully.
- Take a snorkelling or island tour: especially in high season, there are more boat trips to nearby islands.
- Watch the sunset: the west coast is perfect for beautiful evenings by the sea.
- Enjoy relaxed dinners: Koh Lanta has plenty of restaurants, without the hectic atmosphere of busier islands.
What we liked most was that Koh Lanta does not make you feel like you have to tick everything off. You can go out and explore, but a day at the beach or by the pool feels just as logical.
How to get from Krabi to Koh Lanta
We travelled to Koh Lanta from Krabi. This is a common route and fairly easy to arrange. Depending on the season and your departure point, you can travel by ferry, speedboat, minivan or a combination of transport.
In high season, there are usually more boat connections. In low season, transport can be more limited and minivans with ferry crossings via the mainland are more common. The advantage of Koh Lanta is that the island is connected to the mainland by car ferries, so you are not completely dependent on long boat routes like you are with smaller islands.
Expect the journey from Krabi to take a few hours, depending on where you leave from and how you travel. If you are coming from Ao Nang, Krabi Town or the airport, accommodations or local travel agencies can often arrange a transfer. That is usually the easiest option.
Where to stay on Koh Lanta
Most travellers stay on the west coast of Koh Lanta, because that is where the beaches are. Which area suits you best depends on what you are looking for.
- Klong Dao Beach: convenient, quiet and practical, especially if you want a comfortable stay on a long beach.
- Long Beach: popular, long and with plenty of accommodation and restaurant options.
- Klong Nin: a little further south and often loved by travellers looking for a relaxed beach atmosphere.
- Kantiang Bay: quieter, beautifully located and further south.
- Old Town: atmospheric on the east side, but less logical if you mainly come for the beach.
For us, Klong Dao Beach was a very good choice, especially because we stayed at Twin Lotus. You have the beach right outside your door, you are not too isolated and you can still easily explore the rest of the island.
How many days do you need on Koh Lanta?
For Koh Lanta, I would recommend staying at least three nights. That gives you time to arrive, relax and take a few small trips around the island. With four or five nights, it becomes even better, especially if you like travelling at a slower pace.
For us, Koh Lanta was exactly the kind of island where you can stay longer without getting bored quickly. Not because there are huge must-see sights everywhere, but because the atmosphere is so pleasant. One day at the beach, one day in the national park, one day for the mangroves and Old Town, and in between: slow meals and swimming. You do not really need much more.
If you have little time, you can visit Koh Lanta for two nights, but I would only do that if the connections work out well. Otherwise, you spend relatively much time travelling for very little time on the island.
Who is Koh Lanta best for?
Koh Lanta is especially suitable for travellers looking for a relaxed island that does not feel completely remote. The island has enough facilities, but it does not feel crowded or overdeveloped. That makes it a good fit for couples, families, slow travellers and anyone who wants to experience Thailand without the intensity of the most famous islands.
Koh Lanta is a good choice if you:
- are looking for a quiet but accessible island;
- want to combine beach time with small outings;
- are not looking for intense nightlife;
- want a more authentic atmosphere than in Krabi or Koh Phi Phi;
- like staying several nights in one place;
- are looking for a logical stop between Krabi and Koh Mook.
If you are mainly looking for parties, big crowds or spectacular highlights around every corner, Koh Lanta may be too quiet for you. But if you are looking for balance, it is a very good choice.