Koh Lanta Things to Do: 15 Highlights and Activities

Koh Lanta is one of those Thai islands that still feels truly relaxed. It’s perfect for anyone looking for peace and quiet, but it’s far from boring. You won’t find party strips or anything like that on the island, but instead laid-back towns, beautiful beaches, waterfalls, caves, mangroves, and more. Our Koh Lanta things to do are ideal if you’re looking for an island where you can unwind while still having plenty of things to do.

15 Highlights, Beaches, and Activities – Our Koh Lanta Things to Do

The island of Koh Lanta belongs to the province of Krabi, even though many people associate Krabi more with Ao Nang and its many small islands. You can easily explore the island on your own, e.g. by scooter. No rush, no traffic jams, everything is wonderfully relaxed. In our Koh Lanta things to do, we’ll show you 15 places and activities to help you make the most of your trip.

Accommodation in Koh Lanta – Our Hotel Tip

The Lanta Sand Resort & Spa is located directly on the popular Long Beach and offers a beautiful beachfront setting. The rooms and bungalows are modern and equipped with everything you need. From air conditioning, a TV, and a refrigerator to free Wi-Fi. The rooms have either a terrace or balcony, and some even feature a private plunge pool or direct access to one of the swimming pools.

There are four swimming pools throughout the property, as well as a children’s playroom, a small fitness center, and a spa for massages. The Sand Restaurant serves a varied breakfast buffet in the morning, while The Sand Sunset bar offers delicious drinks in the afternoon and evening so you can enjoy the sunset.

There’s also a 24-hour front desk that’s always happy to help, absolutely friendly staff, and a tour desk at reception. You’ll also find a few places to eat nearby if you’re getting around on foot. We felt completely comfortable here and would choose the resort again anytime for a stay on Koh Lanta.

If you’d prefer to stay on a different beach on Koh Lanta, you’ll find a large selection here across the island.

1. Siri Lanta Bridge

If you don’t arrive on Koh Lanta in Ban Saladan, you’ll probably cross the Siri Lanta Bridge to reach the tourist area of Lanta. The bridge connects Koh Lanta Noi with Koh Lanta Yai and makes getting there much easier. The Siri Lanta Bridge isn’t spectacular, but it symbolizes your arrival on the island and is worth a quick first stop. From the bridge, you can see fishing boats, mangroves, and the quieter side of Koh Lanta.

2. Saladan Market and Ban Saladan

Ban Saladan is the main town in the north of Koh Lanta. Many boats arrive here, e.g. from Koh Phi Phi or Phuket. There are several shops, travel agencies, restaurants, small cafés, and the Saladan Market. The town isn’t exactly a picture-perfect postcard scene, but it’s very practical and lively. An evening stroll can be worthwhile when the food stalls are set up and you can sample Thai snacks, curries, grilled fish, or sweet roti. If you visit during the low season, however, the place can be practically deserted.

In our opinion, a somewhat nicer part is located directly by the water. Here you’ll find several restaurants built on stilts that offer views of the boats and coastline. Saladan is also very useful for souvenirs, scooter rentals, boat tickets, or simply getting your bearings on the island. Among our Koh Lanta things to do, Ban Saladan is therefore less of a classic highlight, but it’s a place you’ll almost certainly end up visiting more than once.

3. Lanta Old Town

Lanta Old Town is located on the east coast of the island. This small old town shows you a completely different side of Koh Lanta and makes for a great excursion. While strolling through town, you can see many old houses on stilts, discover small shops and restaurants, and simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Lanta Old Town used to be an important trading hub and today is a small tourist attraction.

Lanta Old Town is especially nice around lunchtime or in the early afternoon. For example, we can recommend Rare View for a break. Delicious food and a great view included. At low tide, the coastline looks a little less picturesque, but the view is still beautiful. You can find even more information in our Lanta Old Town tips.

4. The Most Beautiful Beaches on Koh Lanta

Of course, one of the most important Koh Lanta things to do is to visit the island’s beautiful beaches. Especially along the west coast, one beach follows another. In the north lies Klong Dao Beach, which is particularly pleasant for families thanks to its shallow entry into the water. A little farther south is Long Beach, one of the island’s most popular beaches. It’s long, wide, and perfect for walks, sunsets, and relaxing beach days.

Three insider tips for Koh Lanta’s beaches are the small bays of Secret Beach, Beautiful Beach, and Tricky Trocky Beach. At many of the beaches, you’ll also find accommodations and a few restaurants, but everywhere remains relaxed. Bankantiang Beach is also one of the most beautiful beaches in our opinion and is framed by green hills. The best thing to do is rent a scooter and explore the beaches on your own, one by one. You’re sure to find the perfect spot for you.

5. Phu Pha View Restaurant

One viewpoint we can really recommend is the Phu Pha View Restaurant. It’s located right in the mountains along the coastal road after Bakantiang Beach and is hard to miss. You can stop here for lunch, for example, or simply have a drink. The restaurant offers a really beautiful view over the sea, the landscape, and the aforementioned Bakantiang Beach.

The best way to visit is to combine it with a scooter trip toward Koh Lanta National Park (see the next point). That’s what we did, and we’d stop there again anytime. A genuine recommendation, especially thanks to the incredibly kind, friendly, and child-friendly owners.

6. Mu Ko Lanta National Park and Lighthouse

Mu Ko Lanta National Park is located at the very southern end of Koh Lanta. The drive there is already a highlight, as the road passes several beaches, hills, and viewpoints. Just before the national park, you can also very often spot monkeys along the roadside. Inside the national park, you’ll find a beach, jungle, a short nature trail, and the well-known lighthouse on a small hill. You can read exactly what to expect there in our review of the national park. Admission costs 200 baht per person, plus 20 baht to park a scooter.

By the way, the lighthouse offers beautiful views in both directions. On one side, you can see the rocky beach and on the other, the sandy beach. For official information about Koh Lanta National Park, you can also check the website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand. We’d recommend allowing some time for your visit, as the journey is longer and you can also take a beautiful circular trail through the jungle, followed by a refreshing swim at the beach.

7. Khlong Chak Waterfall

If you’d like to discover a little more nature, visit Khlong Chak Waterfall on Koh Lanta. It’s also located farther south and makes a nice change from the beaches. The trail there leads through tropical jungle but isn’t particularly long. Still, make sure to wear sturdy shoes, as the ground can sometimes get a little slippery.

The waterfall is especially beautiful around and during the rainy season because it carries more water then. During the dry season, it can sometimes be very small. But the entire atmosphere surrounding it, with the jungle and Tiger Cave that you can see along the way, is worth the little adventure. Admission here also costs 200 baht per person, plus a 40 baht parking fee for a scooter.

8. Tham Khao Mai Khew

Tham Khao Mai Khew is a cave in the interior of Koh Lanta. It’s definitely more than just a quick photo stop, so you’ll need to allow some time. On site, you have to pay 300 baht per person, but this also includes a guide who takes you around. You’re not allowed to enter the cave without a guide. The guide will show you many fascinating places inside the cave, adventurous rock formations, narrow passages, small chambers, and even bats. If you’re adventurous, you should definitely add Tham Khao Mai Khew Cave to your list.

9. Thung Yee Pheng Mangrove Forest

There’s another highlight on the east coast of Koh Lanta, the Thung Yee Pheng Mangrove Forest. Here you can discover a completely different ecosystem. Instead of palm-lined beaches and turquoise water, you’ll travel through dense mangroves, narrow waterways, and peaceful nature. Depending on the provider, you can explore the area by boat or kayak.

A kayak tour is especially beautiful because you glide slowly and quietly through the mangroves. Along the way, you’ll often see crabs, birds, and sometimes monkeys along the edges of the waterways. Renting a kayak or taking a boat tour costs around 700 to 1000 baht, and there’s also a 40 baht entrance fee for the mangroves. If you’d like to experience this side of Koh Lanta, you can easily combine it with a visit to Lanta Old Town.

10. Khao Yai Restaurant and Viewpoint

One place we really liked is Khao Yai Restaurant. It’s located close to the east coast, slightly elevated in the island’s interior. Depending on where you’re coming from, the road there is a little winding but very easy to navigate. A stop is worthwhile either for lunch or simply as a break along the way. Order a drink and perhaps some homemade ice cream and enjoy the view over the eastern part of Koh Lanta.

Khao Yai Restaurant is definitely one of our Koh Lanta things to do, and we recommend a visit. It’s usually not very busy, which means you can freely choose where you want to sit. The swings right by the viewpoint are also nice. We combined our visit with our Lanta Old Town excursion, for example, and the two work very well together.

11. Chomview Waterpark

If you’re traveling around the island with children, this is probably the most popular of our Koh Lanta things to do. Chomview Waterpark is a highlight for kids and offers something different from the beach. There are various slides, pools, and play areas. You can easily spend half a day at Chomview Waterpark without getting bored.

It’s open daily from 09.00 AM to 05.00 PM. Admission costs 200 baht for adults and 150 baht for children. During the low season, however, it may occasionally be closed depending on the weather. It’s an easy excursion that might not be a must without children, but with kids, it can become a real highlight.

12. Lanta Animal Welfare

If you love animals, consider visiting Lanta Animal Welfare. It’s a well-known organization on the island that takes care of dogs and cats. You’re welcome to bring donations or food, learn more on site, and spend time with the animals if you’d like. It’s closed on Sundays but otherwise open daily from 10.00 AM to 12.00 PM and from 01.00 PM to 04.00 PM. It’s best to check the website in advance to book a visit or tour.

13. Following Giants Koh Lanta Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

Of course, there are always plenty of shows or opportunities to get closer to elephants in Thailand. We can’t recommend most of them. Following Giants Koh Lanta Ethical Elephant Sanctuary, however, is a place where you can experience elephants from a respectful distance. Always take a close look at these kinds of experiences. Good sanctuaries don’t offer riding, shows, or unnatural interactions, but instead focus on observation, feeding in an appropriate setting, and information about the animals.

On Koh Lanta, Following Giants is an interesting way to learn more about elephants, animal welfare, and responsible tourism. If you’re interested, you should definitely book a visit like this in advance. On site, you can take your time asking questions and learning more about the sanctuary. It’s a great organization, which is why this point is included in our Koh Lanta things to do, but always with the reminder to pay attention to ethical standards.

14. Explore Koh Lanta by Scooter

One of the best activities on Koh Lanta is taking a scooter tour because the island is large enough to spend several days discovering different areas. At the same time, it isn’t so huge that you’d have to travel for hours to reach our Koh Lanta things to do. The route along the west coast takes you to various beautiful beaches and eventually to the national park. The route along the east coast leads to the mangroves or Lanta Old Town. Both sides are completely different, but each is really beautiful to explore.

It’s important to only ride a scooter if you feel confident, have the appropriate driver’s license, and always wear a helmet. Some roads in the south of Koh Lanta in particular are steeper and more winding. You should be especially careful after rain. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can alternatively rent a car or use transfers. For us, a scooter is still one of the most practical Koh Lanta things to do because it lets you spontaneously stop at beaches, viewpoints, and small restaurants.

15. Koh Rok, Koh Haa, Four Islands Tour, and Koh Por

There are also several excursion destinations around Koh Lanta that you can reach by boat. Koh Rok is particularly well known for its clear water, bright beaches, and beautiful snorkeling spots. Koh Haa consists of several small islands and rocks that are especially popular with snorkelers and divers. When the sea is calm, you can experience a really beautiful underwater world here.

The Four Islands Tour is also very popular. Depending on the provider, it takes you to islands, beaches, snorkeling spots, and the famous Emerald Cave on Koh Mook. We recommend booking it in advance, e.g. on GetYourGuide. Koh Por is closer to Koh Lanta and is quieter, more local, and less spectacular than Koh Rok or Koh Haa, but that’s exactly what makes it interesting if you’re looking for a small excursion away from the typical tours. As you can see, there really are plenty of excursion options. During the rainy season, some tours may not operate. So always check beforehand, including with your accommodation once you’re there.

Koh Lanta: Tours and Tickets

Do you prefer to travel with a guide who knows the area very well? Then we recommend a guided tour with a local. This way you can get to know Koh Lanta in a completely different way. GetYourGuide offers a wide selection of exciting tours for Koh Lanta.

How to Get to Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta does not have its own airport, which is why the best way to arrive by plane is via Krabi International Airport. Various airlines, such as AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Air and more, fly to Krabi from within the country and Qatar Airways or AirAsia from abroad. For more information on flights and times, kindly check Skyscanner.

Further arrivals can be made either by bus or minivan from Krabi. Another option would be to reach Koh Lanta by ferry from e.g. Ao Nang, Phuket or Koh Phi Phi. There are daily connections to Koh Lanta in both variants. Prices, times and tickets can be found on 12go.asia.

You can find even more tips on exactly how to get to the island in our detailed guide on How to Get to Koh Lanta.

Which Koh Lanta things to do are still missing and which places would you recommend to other travelers? Feel free to let us know in the comments.