The powdery white beaches and enchanting crystal clear waters off the west coast of Koh Lanta entice tourists to this island 70 kilometers south of Krabi.
It is on the east side of Southern Thailand's Phang Nga Bay.
It stretches for 27 kilometres in the north-south direction. A sinuous mountain range covered by virgin rain forests traverse Koh Lanta and natural beauty abounds. The name Lanta is derived from a kind of rack (Lantan), that the people of the South used, to grill the catch that they regularly found in the waters off these islands when travelling along the Andaman Coast.
Accommodation
Wide range is available to choose from. There are simple ,low priced, bungalows without private bathrooms and wide variety of middle class bungalows.
Some of them even have swimming pools. Some others offer 4 and 5 star facilities. Local laws do not permit buildings, that are higher than the coconut palms, a law protecting Lanta from the negative impacts of tourism. During the last few years, the number of resorts along the western coast has increased to about 100, offering a choice to everybody's taste. Thus, Koh Lanta has become a great retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life.
Klong Jark
This is the southernmost beach on Lanta. Despite its average beauty by most standards, the beach offers its solitude and tranquility, making it a good place to stay. The nearby deserted beach like Mai Pai and the National Park are also the good secluded places. You can go to waterfall in the surrounding area by elephant trekking or self trekking. Since Koh Lanta embraces more than 50 islands, there are several interesting islands to visit for its excellent snorkeling and diving sites.
Lanta Yai Island
is where the District and National Park offices are located. Island geography is mountainous and rugged, especially near the southern tip; some beaches are gravelly, others have fine white sand.
A clan of Chao Ley, or sea gypsies are resident on Koh Yao Yai, and they preserve many of their ancient customs and ceremonies; e.g., the setting of ceremonial boats adrift to bring good luck and prosperity on the full moon nights of the sixth and eleventh months.
This and other features of their lives are open to view. To visit the Island take a regularly scheduled ferry from Ban Hua Hin Pier in Tambon Koh Klahng. Bor Muang Pier in Tambon Sai Kao; or Chao Fa Pier in Krabi Town.
Taleng Beng Island
This Island is in some ways a smaller version of Phi Phi Ley: Made of limestone-honeycombed with caves, inhabited by the same swifts whose nests are made into soup. Small beaches and caves appear when the tide ebbs.
Koh Hah (Hah island) Consisting of five uninhabited islets, Koh Hah is under responsibility of the Koh Lanta National Marine Park. These five islets are visited for their flourishing corals, reef fish, caves and swim-through caverns which cerate a good dive. The large pelagic sharks and whale sharks are often seen here.
Ngai Island
A fine sandy beach and coral reefs rundown the east side of this Island. It is perfect for diving. Regular ferries and charter craft are available from Pak Meng Beach in Trang Province.
Koh Rok Nai (Rok Nai Island)
The sub-division of the Koh Lanta National Marine Park office is located on this island. The island is featured by the sheer towering limestone cliffs facing the white fine beaches on the east side. Its waters are clear aquamarine, so clear that the colorful fish and abundant corals underwater can be seen.
The virgin nature of Koh Rok Nai is still intact, and this is one of the most wonderful dive sites of Lanta. The inland area is covered with a dense tropical rain forest which offers a natural walk to appreciate its floras and faunas.
There are also the camping sites on the island. Transportation to Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai can be made from the Pakmeng Pier in Trang, taking about 3-4 hours. Or, you can take a speed boat from Kho Lanta; the boat service is available at tour agencies, hotels and resorts on the island.
Koh Rok Nok (Rok Nok Island)
With its crescent shaped bay featuring cliffs, white powdery sandy beach and a stand of banyan trees inland, Koh Rok is extraordinarily magnificent. Camping is permitted on the island. The offshore coral bed is good for snorkeling.
Hin Dang
This submerged open water reef in the Andaman features a multiplicity of colourful corals to attract serious scuba divers.
How to Get There
Koh Lanta is actually 2 islands, very close to each other: Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai. For tourist purpose the only interesting one is Koh Lanta Yai, the one facing the open sea. There are basically three ways to go there:
- by boat from Krabi (2 hr.)
- by minibus from Krabi (2 to 3 hr.)
- by boat from Koh Phi Phi (1 hr. 20)
It took about one hour to get from Krabi to the first ferry, and there we had to wait more than 40 minutes to be able to get to Koh Lanta Noi (15 minutes) the second ferry (to Koh Lanta Yai) was faster.
Altogether it was a nice trip, even if the minibus was carrying at least 4 people more than the normal load and we had to wait long for the ferry. The ferry rides reminded me of the crossing of African rivers, but with less rust on the ferry.
