Where to stay in Koh Lanta: which beach to choose?
Koh Lanta's long west coast is lined with sandy beaches that all face the sunset, and they get quieter and wilder the further south you go. The choice mostly comes down to convenience in the north versus peace and scenery in the south.
Long Beach (Phra Ae) is the best all-round area and a good pick for first-timers, with restaurants and a long sandy beach. Families do best at Klong Dao, budget travellers and backpackers at Klong Khong or the cheaper end of Long Beach, and couples at Kantiang Bay. Koh Lanta has little real nightlife; Long Beach and Klong Khong are the liveliest.
Areas compared
The best areas to stay in Koh Lanta
1
Klong Dao
Long, shallow family beach in the north
Quiet฿฿฿
Klong Dao is the first beach south of Saladan, the main village and pier, about 5–10 minutes by tuk-tuk. It is a wide, gently shelving beach that is easy for children, lined with mid-range resorts and relaxed beach restaurants. Saladan's shops, ATMs, clinics and ferry offices are close by. It is calm rather than lively, which suits most families.
Best forFamiliesFirst-timersShort stays
Why stay here
Safe, gently sloping beach
Close to Saladan pier and services
Good choice of family resorts
Watch out for
Less character than the southern bays
Beach can be busy with resort guests in high season
Getting around: Tuk-tuks wait in Saladan and along the main road; the flat northern roads are the easiest on the island for scooters.
Long Beach, about 15 minutes south of Saladan, is a long stretch of sand with the island's widest choice of restaurants, beach bars, massage shops and accommodation, from bungalows to resorts. Evenings are sociable, with a few bars and occasional fire shows, but nothing like Phuket or Koh Phangan. It is well placed for both the north and the south of the island.
Best forFirst-timersCouplesGroups of friends
Why stay here
Wide choice of restaurants and bars
Long beach for walking and swimming
Central on the west coast
Watch out for
Main road can be busy and dusty behind the beach
Some beach bars play music late
Getting around: Tuk-tuks run up and down the coast road; many visitors rent a scooter, which is easier here than on Koh Tao or Koh Phangan but still demands care.
Klong Khong, south of Long Beach, is known for its relaxed reggae-style beach bars, simple bungalows and affordable food. The beach is rockier than Long Beach, especially at low tide, which makes swimming less easy but brings some snorkelling along the rocks. It is a sociable spot without being a party island.
Best forBackpackersBudget travellersSolo travellers
Why stay here
Good value accommodation
Friendly, sociable bars
Sunsets over the rocks
Watch out for
Rocky at low tide
More basic accommodation standards
Getting around: Around 20–25 minutes from Saladan by tuk-tuk; Long Beach is a short ride away.
Kantiang Bay is a sheltered cove in the south of the island, surrounded by jungle hills, with a small village and a few good restaurants. It has some of Lanta's upscale resorts alongside a handful of mid-range places. It is close to the Mu Ko Lanta National Park at the southern tip and to quieter beaches such as Khlong Jak and Mai Pai. The road south is hilly and winding.
Best forCouplesHoneymoonersFamilies wanting quiet
Why stay here
One of the prettiest bays on the island
Very peaceful
Close to the national park
Watch out for
About 40–45 minutes from Saladan
Limited shops and ATMs; many places close in the low season
Getting around: Tuk-tuks to the north are relatively expensive; the steep, winding road is not for inexperienced scooter riders.
Lanta Old Town, on the east coast, is a former trading port with old wooden shophouses and restaurants built on stilts over the water, and a mix of Thai, Muslim and Chao Leh (sea gypsy) communities. There is no swimming beach, and the east coast faces the mainland rather than the sunset. Stay here for character, seafood and quiet evenings, and ride to the west-coast beaches during the day.
Best forCulture loversSlow travellersCouples
Why stay here
Authentic atmosphere and history
Waterfront seafood restaurants
Very quiet evenings
Watch out for
No swimming beach
Need transport to reach the beaches
Getting around: Around 20–30 minutes by road to Long Beach; a scooter or tuk-tuk is needed.
Long Beach (Phra Ae)Central, with a long beach and the best choice of restaurants and bars.
Central, with a long beach and the best choice of restaurants and bars.
Budget travellers and backpackers
Klong KhongCheap bungalows and a friendly, sociable atmosphere.
Cheap bungalows and a friendly, sociable atmosphere.
Couples
Kantiang BayA beautiful, quiet bay with some of the island's best resorts.
A beautiful, quiet bay with some of the island's best resorts.
Families
Klong DaoA gently sloping beach close to Saladan's services.
A gently sloping beach close to Saladan's services.
Nightlife
Long Beach (Phra Ae)The most beach bars on the island, though nightlife stays relaxed.
The most beach bars on the island, though nightlife stays relaxed.
Budget
How much for a room in Koh Lanta?
Indicative nightly ranges for a double room in high season; expect lower prices from May to October.
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Budget
500–1,200 THB / night
A simple fan or basic air-con bungalow, often a short walk from the beach.
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Mid-range
1,500–3,500 THB / night
An air-conditioned room or bungalow in a resort with pool, on or near the beach.
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Upscale
4,000+ THB / night
A beachfront resort or pool villa, mainly on Long Beach, Kantiang and the southern bays.
Before you book
Booking tips from the ground
From May to October the west coast gets heavy swell and rain from the south-west monsoon; many resorts, especially in the south, close or reduce services, but prices drop sharply at those that stay open.
Koh Lanta is linked to the mainland by car ferry and a bridge between Lanta Noi and Lanta Yai, so you can arrive by minivan from Krabi; passenger boats from Phi Phi and Phuket arrive at Saladan in the north.
The further south you stay, the more you depend on tuk-tuks or a scooter, and the fewer ATMs and shops there are; take enough cash.
Koh Lanta is a Muslim-majority island in many villages; dress respectfully away from the beach.
All west-coast beaches face the sunset, so there is no need to pay extra just for a sunset view.
Long Beach (Phra Ae) is the best all-round choice: central, with a long beach and plenty of restaurants. Klong Dao is ideal for families, Kantiang Bay for couples wanting peace, and Klong Khong for backpackers.
It can be, for quiet and low prices, but many resorts and restaurants close from around May to October and the sea on the west coast is often rough. Swimming is not always safe; watch for red flags.
Does Koh Lanta have nightlife?
Only a relaxed version: beach bars, live music and occasional fire shows, mainly on Long Beach and Klong Khong. For big parties, Koh Phangan or Phuket are better.
Do I need a scooter in Koh Lanta?
It helps if you stay in the south or want to explore, but tuk-tuks cover the whole island. The northern roads are flat and easy, while the southern ones are hilly and winding.
By Kylian Dev