Koh Lanta southern Thailand     

Some Koh Lanta beaches are dotted with granite boulders. If you want to have it very calm, Koh Lanta southern Thailand is probably the right place

A drop in the Andaman Sea

Since the airport at nearby Krabi southern Thailand opened, Koh Lanta, one of southern Thailand's best kept secrets, is rapidly gaining popularity. But this laid-back island is still reasonably underdeveloped, making it a charming place to drift off into soporific holiday bliss. One of a collection of pretty isles in the southern Thailand Andaman Sea, Koh Lanta is filled with dozens of cheap bungalows aimed at backpackers. However, newer up market resorts are available. Chao Lay - nomadic sea gypsies - still make up a large percentage of the population and you'll find some of their villages on the south- eastern tip of the island. The interior is a national park - entry 200 baht - with virgin rain forest. If you come during high season (November to March), the sandy beaches that stretch the entire length of Koh Lanta's western coast can get busy. At other times of year the island is largely deserted as the seas swell with monsoon weather.

How to get there: There are regular overnight departures to Krabi departing early evening from Bangkok's southern bus station. The journey takes 12 hours, and tickets cost from pounds 8. Thai International flies direct from Bangkok to Krabi. From Krabi bus station, jump on a Koh Lanta-bound mini-bus - the pier is then a 60- minute drive. On the island, various mini-buses, taxis and so on will take you to the beach/resort. Transfers can be arranged with all Lanta hotels, beach resorts or other accomodation.

Where to stay: The new Pimalai resort (00 66 2 320 5500; www. pimalai.com) aspires to five-star pleasure, but falls a little short. Still, it is the best accommodation on the island and its attached spa is now fully functioning. Standard rooms are well designed and the beach-side suites are to die for - the beach here is an enormous swathe of shimmering sands. Pimalai claims to be environmentally friendly, though it does encroach on the public beach which would seem to upset those aspirations. It also has two restaurants serving up a barbecue menu and spicy southern Thai food. Rooms from 6,000 baht (pounds 95)

What to do: Laze on the gorgeous beaches and swim in the cooling southern Thailand Andaman Sea, head into the rainforest and the beautiful waterfalls an hour's walk up a path, opposite the Mai Pai beach just south of Pimalai. Hire a motor bike and explore the island, visiting the cave complex at Mai Kaeo or the orchid farm at the northern end.
Author Andrew Spooner

Lanta Island  

Ko Lanta lied on the west coast of Andaman Sea in between Krabi and Phi Phi Island . Large Size Island with 6 km wide and over 30 kms long, 9 beaches lie from north to south along the sunset coast. Stunning scenery, fantastic white sandy beaches, coastlines have more than 70 small islands and plenty with forest, coral reefs and under water life. Exposed to the Tsunami hit southern Thailand , Koh Lanta got very little physical affected. She has been quietly recovering with most hotels operating normally. Koh Lanta was very fortunate in that no damage occurred to the natural scenic beauty. All the beaches remain as beautiful as ever. All dive sites did not suffer in the disaster, rather the water is cleaner and clearer than ever.

How to get Ko Lanta

Ko Lanta is easy and not expensive to be reach from Phuket and Bangkok. The island is serviced by passenger and car ferries from Krabi & Phi Phi car ferries from Krabi only.

Krabi is the most convenient gateway to Ko Lanta if coming from Bangkok, and if arriving from Phuket passage is via either Phi Phi or Krabi. Trang also serves as a regional transit point for those coming in from the south. Please bear in mind that if your arrival time is late in the day, the local minibus or public passenger ferries scheduled for Ko Lanta may not always be available.

Location of Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta yai ( big ) & Koh Lanta noi ( small ) are located in the

Andaman Sea of South-West-Thailand ( north of the Malayan Peninsula ), about 45 km south of Krabi-town in the Krabi province.

~ 7' 28" north latitude, ~ 99' 4" east longitude.

The islands are only one km away from the mainland and accessible by ferry / car-ferry all year round.

The Koh Lanta district contains 53 islands which mainly are part of the Koh Lanta marine national park.

Tourism in Koh Lanta

The development for tourism is ongoing for the last 20 years. The real ignition spark came about 6 years ago, when basic infrastructures arrived on the island. Every year since then, tens of new resorts, restaurants, shop etc. start their services along the west coast, right on the beach as well as at nearby main streets and hill sites.

Typical tourism "high season" is from November until May, with "peak season" from of December 20th until January 10th. Many businesses are opened all year round with very low prices during "low season", June until October. This time of the year is wonderful, too.

Tourist services of any style & for any budget are offered to the distinguished guest from around the world.

Here we would like to give you a brief overview of the "Tourist destination Ko Lanta".

The tourist center of Ko Lanta is " Ban Saladan " at the northern tip of Koh Lanta yai. Many shops, supermarkets, travel agents, dive-shops, restaurants and other facilities make it worth to spend some good time there. For most tourist guests on the island, this cosy village is the first and the last place to see, whilst being on the island.

Ferries to/from Krabi, Pee Pee and Phuket are departing and arriving at Ban Saladan pier, only.

All beaches on the west coast, in order from north to south : ( mentioned prices are estimated, average "high/low season" prices )

The first beach, "Klong Dow Beach", next to Ban Saladan, which is known to be the most beautiful beach, about 2 kilometer long, flat and white sanded. There are about 20 resorts on this beach. Prices from 400 - 4500 THB per night.

The second beach, " Phra Ae Beach or Long Beach ", about 5 kilometers long, nice and sandy. There are about 17 resorts on this beach. Prices from 250 - 4500 THB per night.

The third beach, " Klong Khong Beach ", 3 km long with sand and rocks. Great sunsets. There are about 22 resorts on this beach. Prices from 200 - 900 THB per night.

The forth beach, " Klong Tob Beach ", a short strip with sand and rocks. A very quiet beach with only a few bungalows around. Prices from 250 - 900 THB per night.

The fifth beach, " Klong Nin Beach ", a beautiful 1,5 km long beach with about 10 bungalow resort. The famous "Otto Bar" just moved to there, formerly located at Klong Dow Beach. Prices from 250 - 4800 THB per night.

The sixth beach, " Klong Hin Beach ", with sandy and rocky parts - good for snorkeling. Klong Hin Beach is about 1 km long and has 3 resorts so far. Prices from 250 - 2600 THB per night.

The seventh beach, " Kan Thiang Beach or Bay ", a beautiful, curved sandy beach, 800 meter long. The only 4+ star Resort and Spa "Pimalai" and 3 other resorts are located there. Prices from 250 - 2900 (!) THB per night.

The eighth beach, " Klong Jark Beach, a small and quiet beach, surrounded by tropical jungle. There are 3 resorts on this beach. Prices from 300 - 900 THB per night.

The ninth beach, " Aow Mai Bai or Bamboo Bay " is the last beach outside the national marine park which is next to it. A quiet and private beach with only 2 bungalow resorts. Prices from 250 - 800 THB per night.

And last but not least the tenth and most southern beach, " Ta Noad Beach ", next to the old light-house, the landmark of Ko Lanta. The Lanta marine national park head-quarter is located right at this beach. No resorts or other commercial facilities there.

Ko Lanta is a diver's paradise for beginners and the experienced. There are very few places on the planet where divers can enjoy an underwater world so rich and diverse. And imagine learning to dive in water that's the same temperature as your bath water at home.

Nature in Koh Lanta Ko Lanta island offers tropical nature at it's best..

This small tropical paradise off the south-west coast of Thailand has 25 km of beautiful beaches backed by verdant jungle & rain forest.

Here you still find real big trees, many animal species, including rare birds, mammals and reptiles. More then 80% of the island are covered with tropical rain forest, which is mostly protected national-park area.

The mangrove coast in south Thailand, covers sinking limestone ranges, millions of years old. On Koh Lanta there are many mangroves, which you can admire while going on a canoe-trip. Mangroves and intertidal mudflats are of great conservation value in Thailand, helping sustain valuable inshore fisheries and protecting the coast from erosion.

If you arrive by car ferry, than watch out for monkeys, which are living here in the mangroves. They are crab-eating macaques and one of the numerous mammal species living in this environment.

Nature for a living, rubber tree and palm tree pLantations: On Lanta are hundreds of rubber tree pLantations, which are tapped every day before sunrise. The rubber then has to be dried, cleaned, and pressed, before being sold as 1,2 kg mats. Coconut palms and oil palms are common on Koh Lanta as in the whole south of Thailand and they provide a modest income for the local farmers.