Ko Lanta is a long, slender island group in the Andaman Sea off Krabi province, about 70 km (43 miles) south of Krabi town: Ko Lanta Noi, close to the mainland, and the much larger Ko Lanta Yai, where almost everyone stays. Its west coast is a string of long, sandy beaches facing the sunset, backed by forested hills; its east coast has mangroves, fishing villages and the old wooden stilt houses of Lanta Old Town. Relaxed and family-friendly, with a mix of Thai Muslim, Buddhist, Chinese and Urak Lawoi sea-nomad communities, Lanta is the island to choose for long beach days rather than nightlife. Come for Long Beach and Kantiang Bay, the lighthouse and trails of Mu Ko Lanta National Park, caves and mangroves, snorkeling trips to the Trang islands and Ko Rok, and diving at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Lanta’s best weather is from about December to April; from May to October the southwest monsoon brings rain and rough seas, and many resorts close.
Right now in Ko Lanta
- Wed 27–29°C 80–83°F 7 mm Partly cloudy
- Thu 26–29°C 80–83°F 4 mm Cloudy
- Fri 27–28°C 81–83°F 8 mm Light showers
Weather: MET Norway (CC BY 4.0) · Sea temperature: NOAA CoastWatch · Rates: ECB
Top tours in Ko Lanta
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Ko Lanta at a glance
- Best for: families and couples, long sandy beaches and sunsets, snorkeling and diving trips, quiet island time and good-value stays.
- How long: 4–5 days for the beaches and one or two boat trips; a week or more to slow down.
- Best time: December to April, with highs of about 33–34 °C (91–93 °F) and very little rain in January and February.
- Getting there: about 2–3 hours by minivan or car from Krabi Airport (KBV), with a short car-ferry crossing; seasonal boats from Ao Nang, Ko Phi Phi and Phuket.
- Getting around: tuk-tuks (motorcycle sidecar taxis), rental scooters and cars, and boat tours to the outer islands.
- Fees to know: Mu Ko Lanta National Park charges an entry fee at its headquarters and on boat trips to Ko Rok and Ko Ha; Ko Rok closes from June 1 to September 30, and Ko Ha and Hin Daeng–Hin Muang from August 1 to September 30.
- Before you go: entry rules, the Thailand Digital Arrival Card, money and general safety are in our Thailand travel guide.
Ko Lanta’s areas: where things are
Ko Lanta Yai is about 27 km (17 miles) from north to south. One main road runs down the west coast past the beaches to the national park at the southern tip; another follows the quieter east coast to Old Town. Saladan, in the north, is the main village and port.
Saladan
The island’s gateway, with the pier, banks, supermarkets, clinics, dive shops and seafood restaurants built over the water. It is practical rather than pretty, and the closest town to the northern beaches.
Khlong Dao and Long Beach (Phra Ae)
The northern west-coast beaches are the longest and most developed, with soft sand, gentle slopes and a wide choice of hotels and restaurants. Khlong Dao is popular with families; Long Beach, a few kilometers south, has more bars, cafés and beach bungalows.
Khlong Khong and Khlong Nin
The middle of the west coast. Khlong Khong is rocky at low tide but has a laid-back backpacker feel and beach bars; Khlong Nin is a pretty, sandy beach with good swimming and a village with shops and restaurants at the junction to the east-coast road.
Kantiang Bay and the south
South of Khlong Nin the road climbs over the hills to smaller, more secluded bays: Kantiang Bay, with fine sand and a few upscale resorts, Ba Kan Tiang and Nui Bay. The southern tip belongs to the national park.
Lanta Old Town and the east coast
Ban Si Raya, the island’s original port, has wooden Chinese shophouses and stilted houses over the water, now home to cafés, guesthouses and craft shops. Nearby is the Urak Lawoi village of Sang Ka U, and mangrove channels that can be explored by kayak.
Top things to see on Ko Lanta
Mu Ko Lanta National Park
The national park protects the southern tip of Ko Lanta Yai and about 15 surrounding islands, including Ko Rok and Ko Ha. At the headquarters on the cape of Laem Tanot there is a white lighthouse, two small beaches, a short nature trail through the forest, and a view that is one of the best on the island. Monkeys live around the headquarters; keep food out of sight. In 2026 the park’s “Returning Homes to Hermit Crabs” project, in which visitors donate seashells for hermit crabs, won the Nature and Scenery category of the Green Destinations Story Awards, as announced by the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Lanta Old Town
Wander the main street of Ban Si Raya, with its shophouses, piers and sea views, stop for coffee or a seafood lunch over the water, and look for the Chinese shrine. Mornings are quiet; some shops close in the low season.
Khao Mai Kaeo Cave
A cave system in the hills in the middle of the island, explored with local guides on a family-run tour: you squeeze through passages, climb ladders and wade through pools to see stalactites and bats. Wear shoes you don’t mind getting muddy.
Khlong Chak Waterfall
A forest trail of about 45 minutes in the south of the island leads to a waterfall that is best during and just after the rainy season. Go with a guide or follow the marked path, and avoid it after very heavy rain.
More classic sights
- Viewpoint cafés: hilltop cafés on the road between Khlong Nin and Old Town look over the east coast and its islands.
- Kantiang Bay: one of the most beautiful bays on the island for an afternoon swim.
- Mangrove kayaking: paddle the channels near Old Town with a local guide, ideally at high tide.
- Sunset on Long Beach: beach bars put out cushions and fire shows in the high season.
Beaches
- Khlong Dao Beach
- Khlong Nin Beach
- Long Beach (Phra Ae)
Caves
- Khao Mai Kaeo Cave
Nature
- Khlong Chak Waterfall
Protected areas
- Mu Ko Lanta National Park
Islands, snorkeling and diving
The Four Islands and the Trang islands
The most popular day trip from Lanta is a speedboat or long-tail tour to islands off the coast of Trang province: Ko Muk, where you swim through a dark sea cave into the Emerald Cave’s hidden beach; Ko Kradan, with clear water and coral; Ko Ngai; and Ko Chueak. See our guide to boat trips.
Ko Rok
Two islands about 47 km (29 miles) south of Lanta, with fine white sand and some of the clearest water in the area, part of the national park. According to the national parks department, Ko Rok and its campsite and bungalows close every year from June 1 to September 30. See our guide to snorkeling.
Ko Ha, Hin Daeng and Hin Muang
The five limestone islets of Ko Ha are an excellent dive and snorkel site, and Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, two submerged pinnacles farther out, are among Thailand’s top dives, with soft corals and, at times, manta rays and whale sharks. All are in Mu Ko Lanta National Park and close from August 1 to September 30 every year. See our guide to diving.
Beaches
The west-coast beaches are long and shallow-sloping, good for swimming from about November to April. Kantiang Bay and Khlong Nin are among the prettiest; Khlong Dao is the most family-friendly. See our guide to beaches.
Activities and best months
- SnorkelingIn Mu Ko Lanta National Park, Ko Rok (with its bungalows and campsite) closes 1 June-30 September and Ko Ha and Hin Daeng-Hin Muang close 1 August-30 September every year. · source
Other things to do on Ko Lanta
Food and drink
Lanta’s food reflects its mix of cultures: southern Thai curries and spicy gaeng som, Thai Muslim dishes such as roti, massaman curry and chicken biryani (khao mok gai), and fresh seafood grilled on the beach or served at the restaurants on stilts in Saladan and Old Town. The weekly markets in Saladan and along the main road sell fruit, snacks and curries in bags; many restaurants close or open shorter hours from May to October.
Cooking classes, yoga and Muay Thai
Thai cooking schools, yoga studios and Muay Thai gyms are spread along the west coast, many open year-round.
Festivals
The Laan Lanta Festival, held in Old Town in some years around the dry season, celebrates the island’s cultures with food, music and crafts. Twice a year, around the full moons of the sixth and eleventh lunar months, the Urak Lawoi hold their Loy Ruea ceremony, launching small boats to carry away bad luck. Songkran in mid-April and Loy Krathong (November 24 in 2026) are celebrated across the island.
Day trips from Ko Lanta
- The Four Islands and Emerald Cave: a full day by speedboat or long-tail, year-round in calm weather.
- Ko Rok: a full day by speedboat, from October 1 to May 31.
- Ko Ha and Hin Daeng: snorkeling or diving, from October 1 to July 31.
- Ko Phi Phi: Maya Bay and the Phi Phi islands by speedboat; see our Ko Phi Phi guide.
- Krabi and Ao Nang: limestone cliffs and Railay, about 2 hours by road; see our Ao Nang guide.
Nearby destinations
- Ko Phi Phi36 km
- Ao Nang (Krabi)56 km
- Phuket90 km
- Ko Lipe127 km
- Khao Lak145 km
- Langkawi162 km
- Ko Samui234 km
- Ko Pha Ngan260 km
Getting there and getting around
By air and road
The nearest airport is Krabi International Airport (KBV), with frequent flights from Bangkok in about 1 hour 20 minutes and some international routes. From the airport, shared minivans and private transfers reach Lanta in about 2–3 hours. The road crosses a short channel by car ferry from Hua Hin pier on the mainland to Ko Lanta Noi, then a bridge to Ko Lanta Yai. Trang Airport is a similar distance to the southeast.
By boat
In the dry season, roughly November to April, passenger boats and speedboats connect Saladan with Ao Nang, Railay, Ko Phi Phi and Phuket, and some island-hopping boats continue south to the Trang islands and Ko Lipe. From May to October services are reduced or stop, and sailings can be canceled in rough weather.
Around the island
Tuk-tuks, motorcycles with sidecars, are the local taxi; agree on the fare before you ride. Renting a scooter or car is a good way to explore, but you need the right license, an International Driving Permit and a helmet; the road south of Kantiang Bay is steep and winding. Many resorts arrange transfers from the pier.
When to go and how long to stay
Ko Lanta faces the Andaman Sea and follows its monsoon calendar: dry and sunny from about December to April, then wet from May to October, when the southwest monsoon brings heavy showers, big waves on the west coast and fewer boats. The table uses the 1991–2020 normals of the Thai Meteorological Department (TMD) for its Ko Lanta station, as submitted to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO): average daily highs and lows, total rain, and days with at least 1 mm of rain.
| Month | Average high / low | Rain (days with 1 mm or more) | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F) | 31 mm (1.2 in), 3 days | Dry, sunny and calm; peak season |
| February | 34 °C (92 °F) / 24 °C (76 °F) | 24 mm (0.9 in), 2 days | The driest month; ideal for boat trips |
| March | 34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (76 °F) | 69 mm (2.7 in), 5 days | Hot and mostly dry; clear water |
| April | 34 °C (93 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F) | 122 mm (4.8 in), 9 days | Hot; first storms late in the month; Songkran |
| May | 33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (78 °F) | 228 mm (9.0 in), 14 days | Monsoon begins; many resorts start to close |
| June | 32 °C (89 °F) / 25 °C (78 °F) | 286 mm (11.3 in), 15 days | Wet and windy; Ko Rok closed from June 1 |
| July | 32 °C (89 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F) | 288 mm (11.4 in), 15 days | Rain and sun mixed; rough seas on the west coast |
| August | 31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F) | 342 mm (13.5 in), 15 days | Wet; Ko Ha and Hin Daeng closed from August 1 |
| September | 31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F) | 319 mm (12.6 in), 17 days | One of the wettest months; very quiet |
| October | 31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (76 °F) | 298 mm (11.7 in), 18 days | Still wet; parks reopen October 1; resorts reopen late in the month |
| November | 31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (76 °F) | 148 mm (5.8 in), 12 days | Drying out; season starts |
| December | 31 °C (89 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F) | 65 mm (2.5 in), 8 days | Mostly sunny; busy at Christmas and New Year |
Ko Lanta gets about 2,220 mm (87 in) of rain a year, nearly 80% of it from May to October. In the dry season the sea on the west coast is usually calm and clear.
Weather month by month
Averages from TMD normals 1991–2020, Ko Lanta · Last reviewed 5 Oct 2026
4 days on Ko Lanta
Day one, settle into your beach and watch the sunset. Day two, a Four Islands tour with the Emerald Cave. Day three, the south: the national park and its lighthouse, Kantiang Bay and a sunset dinner. Day four, Old Town in the morning, Khao Mai Kaeo Cave or mangrove kayaking, and an evening market.
A week or more
Add a day trip to Ko Rok or a dive day at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, a cooking class, and a day doing very little.
Where to stay on Ko Lanta
- Khlong Dao: a long, safe beach close to Saladan, good for families.
- Long Beach (Phra Ae): the widest choice, with restaurants and a little nightlife.
- Khlong Khong and Khlong Nin: relaxed, mid-range stays and pretty beaches in the middle of the coast.
- Kantiang Bay and the south: quiet bays and upscale resorts, farther from shops.
- Lanta Old Town: guesthouses on stilts over the water and a local feel; no swimming beach.
Rates are highest from late December to February. From May to October many resorts close and those that stay open cut prices sharply.
What a trip to Ko Lanta costs
Prices are approximate, for October 2026, converted at about 33 baht to the US dollar.
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Market or street food dish | 50–100 baht (about US$1.50–3) |
| Seafood dinner for two | 800–1,800 baht (about US$24–55) |
| Minivan from Krabi Airport | 350–600 baht per person (about US$11–18) |
| Tuk-tuk across the island | 100–400 baht (about US$3–12) |
| Four Islands tour by speedboat | 1,200–2,000 baht (about US$36–60) |
| Ko Rok snorkeling trip, including park fee | 1,900–2,800 baht (about US$58–85) |
| Scooter rental, per day | 250–350 baht (about US$7.50–11) |
| Mid-range beach resort double | 1,800–5,000 baht (about US$55–150) |
Practical tips for Ko Lanta
- Low season: from May to October, check that your hotel and the restaurants you want are open, and expect fewer boats.
- Respect local customs: much of the island is Muslim; dress modestly away from the beach, and some places don’t serve alcohol.
- Cash: ATMs are in Saladan and along the west-coast road; bring cash for boats and markets.
- Boats and weather: leave a buffer day before an international flight, especially from May to October.
- Cannabis and vaping: cannabis flower needs a Thai prescription, and e-cigarettes are illegal in Thailand.
- Help: the Tourist Police (1155) speak English, and the TAT Contact Center (1672) answers tourist questions.
Safety
Ko Lanta is quiet and family-friendly, and serious crime against visitors is rare.
- Sea conditions: from about May to October, the southwest monsoon brings big waves and rip currents to the west-coast beaches; swim only when flags allow it, never when red flags fly, and avoid the sea in stormy weather.
- Jellyfish: the Tourism Authority of Thailand lists Ko Lanta among the places where box jellyfish are occasionally reported; swim where notices and vinegar stations are posted, pour vinegar on a sting for at least 30 seconds, and call 1669.
- Diving and boats: dive within your training with a licensed operator, and check that speedboats carry life jackets for everyone. Day trips are canceled when the sea is rough.
- Road safety: the island road is narrow, dark at night and steep in the south; wear a helmet and don’t ride after drinking.
- Monkeys and wildlife: don’t feed or carry food near the monkeys at the national park; watch for snakes on forest trails.
- Heat: drink plenty of water and use strong sunscreen, especially from February to April.
- Emergencies: call 1155 for the Tourist Police (English spoken), 191 for the police and 1669 for an ambulance.
What to pack for Ko Lanta
Swimwear and a rash guard, reef-safe sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, sandals and water shoes, a dry bag for boat trips, a headlamp for dark roads, insect repellent, a light rain jacket from May to October, and modest clothes for villages and temples. Thailand uses 220 V; sockets take both flat two-pin and round two-pin plugs.
What to pack
- Reef-friendly sunscreenSnorkelers burn their backs fast; mineral sunscreen and a rash vest are kinder to marine life.
- Snorkel masks and finsYour own mask fits better than a rental and makes clear-water coves and lava pools more fun.
- Water shoesEntries are often over rock, so water shoes protect feet getting in and out.
- WetsuitsEven in summer, 30+ minutes in 19–23 °C water gets cold; a 2–3 mm suit extends sessions.
Ko Lanta travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Ko Lanta?
From December to April, when it is dry and the sea is calm. May to October is the rainy season, and many resorts close.
How do I get to Ko Lanta?
Fly to Krabi and take a minivan or car, about 2–3 hours with a short car-ferry crossing. In the dry season, boats also run from Ao Nang, Ko Phi Phi and Phuket.
Is Ko Lanta good for families?
Yes. It is one of the most family-friendly islands in Thailand, with long, shallow beaches, quiet resorts and little nightlife.
Which beach is best on Ko Lanta?
Khlong Dao for families, Long Beach for choice and atmosphere, Khlong Nin for a pretty beach with a village, and Kantiang Bay for a quiet, beautiful bay.
When is Ko Rok closed?
Every year from June 1 to September 30, according to the national parks department. Ko Ha and Hin Daeng–Hin Muang close from August 1 to September 30.
Is Ko Lanta open in the rainy season?
Yes, the island is open year-round, but many resorts, restaurants and boat services close from about May to October, and the sea is often rough.
Can I do a day trip to Ko Phi Phi from Ko Lanta?
Yes, speedboat tours run from Ko Lanta to Ko Phi Phi, usually including Maya Bay outside its August and September closure.
Is Ko Lanta good for diving?
Yes. Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are among the best dive sites in Thailand, and Ko Ha is excellent for snorkeling and easier dives, from October to July.
Do I need a scooter on Ko Lanta?
It helps, because the island is long and spread out, but tuk-tuks go everywhere and many resorts offer transfers.
How many days should I spend on Ko Lanta?
Four or five days for the beaches and one or two boat trips; a week or more if you want to relax.
Sources and last review
Researched and last reviewed on 4 October 2026. National park closure dates: the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation; the Green Destinations award, jellyfish areas, cannabis and e-cigarette rules and the Tourist Police: the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT); climate normals: the Thai Meteorological Department via the World Meteorological Organization’s 1991–2020 normals; Loy Krathong date: the 12th-month full moon from the US Naval Observatory; exchange rate: the US Federal Reserve. Park fees, transfer and boat times, sight details, festival dates and typical prices are general references or estimates, flagged for checking. Prices and schedules change, so check the official sites before you go. For entry rules, money and general safety, see our Thailand travel guide.
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