Koh Lanta With Kids - 8 Tips for Families

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If you vacation on Koh Lanta with kids, you will meet lots of other families. It is indeed a very popular island for a family vacation. Even though there aren’t too many activities, you can spend beautiful days on the beach here, and that is exactly what most vacationers in the tropics are looking for. Children usually rarely get bored on the beach.

Our Tips and Activities for Koh Lanta with Kids

Koh Lanta, however, doesn’t just offer beaches, but also a few more activities for families with children. While the selection is not quite as large as, for example, on Phuket with Children, you can still have a wonderful time on the island. We have put together 8 tips for Koh Lanta with kids below, which we can recommend for families. Some of them are already suitable for small children, and some (like the island tours) are better suited if the children are already a few years old.

We hope our tips will give you some inspiration for your stay on Koh Lanta.

How to Get To Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta doesn’t have its own airport, so the best way to arrive by plane is via Krabi International Airport. Various airlines such as AirAsia, Bangkok Airways, Thai Air, and more fly domestically, and Qatar Airways or AirAsia from abroad, into Krabi. You can find more information on flights and times on Skyscanner.

The further journey can then either continue by bus or minivan from Krabi. Another option would be to reach Koh Lanta by ferry from Ao Nang, Phuket, or Koh Phi Phi. There are daily connections to Koh Lanta for all variants. Prices, times, and tickets can be found on 12go.asia.

Accommodation in Koh Lanta – Our Hotel Tip

The Lanta Sand Resort & Spa is located directly on the popular Long Beach and offers a lovely beachfront location. The rooms and bungalows are modernly furnished and come with everything you need. From air conditioning, TV, fridge, to free Wi-Fi. The rooms have either a terrace or a balcony, some even come with their own plunge pool or direct access to one of the swimming pools.

All over the resort, there are a total of four swimming pools, a playroom for children, a small fitness center, and a spa for massages. The Sand Restaurant serves a diverse breakfast buffet in the morning, and The Sand Sunset bar offers tasty drinks in the afternoon and evening to enjoy the sunset.

Additionally, there is a 24-hour reception that is happy to assist, absolutely friendly staff, and a tour desk at the reception. You can also find a few dining options nearby if you’re out on foot. We felt totally comfortable and would always choose the resort again for a stay on Koh Lanta.

If you want to stay at another beach on Koh Lanta, there is a wide selection here on the island.

1. Beaches on Koh Lanta with Kids

The number one activity on Koh Lanta with kids is, of course, the beaches. Koh Lanta has plenty of them, so you can spend relaxing days in a tropical setting right by the sea with your loved ones. There are many beaches with soft sand and shallow water, which are perfect for small children.

A great option for children is, for example, Klong Dao Beach, which is not far from the main town, Ban Saladan. Here you have a very wide beach, shallow water, and it takes a while before the sea gets deep. Also, there usually aren’t any big waves, as the bay is somewhat sheltered. You’ll find several resorts and hotels right on the beach, can build sandcastles with your children, and go for a swim.

But there are, of course, other beaches suitable for Koh Lanta with kids. This includes Phra Ae Beach, also known as Long Beach. There, you will also find many hotels directly on the beach, like our recommendation, the Lanta Sand Resort & Spa, as well as some beach bars, restaurants, and above all a lot of sand and water. The water does get a bit deeper here, especially at high tide, but it is still great for kids.

Two other beaches we’d like to mention are Beautiful Beach (a bit hidden, but truly beautiful) and Klong Nin Beach, where you will also find accommodations and restaurants on the beach. Basically, the west coast of Koh Lanta offers many beaches for families, although the northern beaches are better suited for children.

2. Old Town with Playground

If you’re looking for a change of pace from the beaches with your family, then a visit to Old Town on the east coast of the island is worthwhile. There you can discover a bit more cultural life because the small, charming Old Town was once an important trading port on the island. It has also very well preserved its traditional character.

On a stroll through the Old Town, which isn’t too big, you can explore many small shops and boutiques, cozy cafés, or dine in one of the restaurants that are built on stilts over the sea. Sometimes you even get a really nice view from there. We can recommend the Rareview with a small viewing platform and, for example, a delicious Khao Soi.

Info: We would avoid the midday sun, as it’s very intense in Thailand, and especially with children, you don’t want to be out in the sun all the time. Mornings or late afternoons are better.

While visiting Old Town on Koh Lanta with children, you should also plan a stop at the pier. There is a playground there where your little ones can let off steam. You’ll also find a parking area for rental cars if you need one. Right at the pier, there’s also a huge shrimp statue, which is interesting for children and at least amazed ours.

3. Koh Lanta Water Park

There is also a small water park on Koh Lanta, which is somehow not advertised. Many people miss it, although it’s a blast for kids. The Chomview Water Park is basically located near Long Beach, on a road leading inland, and can be reached effortlessly.

The water park is connected to the Chomview Resort. In high season, it is open from 9.00 AM to 5.00 PM every day, and in low season, the water park was only open on weekends. The entrance fee is really low: 150 baht for children and 200 baht for parents. In high season, there are also some snack stalls on site; if you come in the low season, however, you should rather bring something to eat and drink.

Otherwise, it’s just fun for young and old here, with many different play opportunities in the water, small slides for kids, and big slides for teenagers or adults. We spent half a day here, and for the low entrance fee, it’s definitely a fantastic attraction on Koh Lanta with children.

4. Koh Lanta National Park

A lovely place to visit on Koh Lanta with children is the Mu Ko Lanta National Park in the south of the island. The park includes lush jungle, stunning coastal landscapes, hidden beaches, and an iconic lighthouse. It is the landmark of the region, and you can even walk up the hill to the lighthouse with children, as the path is really easy.

A highlight is the short jungle trail, which winds through the tropical forest. Here, you and your children can spot monkeys, monitor lizards, and various bird species. Afterward, you can go swimming at the Koh Lanta National Park’s sandy beach, where the water is very shallow and therefore good for children. Also, it’s usually very quiet.

Admission costs 200 baht for adults. Children under 3 years old are free, and up to 14 years old pay 100 baht. Take some food and drinks with you if you plan to stay in the national park for a while, as there aren’t many options to buy anything there.

5. Follow Giants Ethical Elephant Sanctuary

In the south of Koh Lanta at Khlong Chak Beach, you’ll find the Following Giants Ethical Elephant Sanctuary. Here, you and your family have the wonderful opportunity to observe elephants in their natural environment and, most importantly, learn a lot about these majestic animals.

The sanctuary places great importance on ethical treatment of the elephants, which is why interactions with the animals like riding or feeding are avoided. Instead, visitors can observe the elephants in their natural behavior, walk through the jungle with them, and gain fascinating insights into the lives of these giants.

There are three different programs you can book there, held at different times of the day. Prices start at 1000 baht for children (free under 3 years) and 1800 baht for adults for a 2-hour program. Half-day or full-day programs cost more accordingly. You can find exact and up-to-date information on the Following Giants website, and you can also book your program there, including pickup from your accommodation.

6. Observing Monkeys

Animals are always popular with children, and you can find some on Koh Lanta as well. Monkeys, in particular, like to make an appearance on the streets. A good spot for this is the road in the south heading toward the national park. They swing through the trees there, hang out on power lines and guardrails, or just run across the road.

We recommend exercising caution and keeping your distance. Even if the monkeys seem harmless at first glance, they can bite in the worst case. So you shouldn’t pet them. Also, watch out for plastic bags, purses, or backpacks. The little monkeys love to mess with them. It’s not really a big activity, but our kids always found it very exciting to watch the monkeys when passing by.

7. Island Tours

A highlight for many families on Koh Lanta with children, at least if the children are already a bit older, are the offered island tours. There are numerous options to various islands, such as Koh Mook or Koh Rok. There, you can go snorkeling, swimming, or simply relax.

If you want to discover more, you can also choose the popular 4-island tour, where several destinations are visited. For example, it includes Koh Chueak, Koh Waen, the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook, and Koh Ngai. Definitely a great day trip for both small and large adventurers, which you can book online in advance.

Another alternative is a calm and private longtail boat tour. You can also head to nearby islands or explore the mangroves on the east coast of the island. You can do the latter by kayak as well, which is another great activity with children.

When choosing island tours, it’s important to select a family-friendly tour with adequate safety equipment and enough shaded areas on board. Many providers offer life jackets for children, and we would even recommend private tours, as you can then adjust the pace to your family’s needs. Even if it might be a bit more expensive, you certainly don’t want to be rushing from one island to the next with children.

8. Khao Yai Restaurant

A personal recommendation, if you’re driving from Koh Lanta’s west coast to the east coast, for example to the mangrove forest or Old Town, is the Khao Yai Restaurant. It’s located on a hill with a fantastic view over the landscape. You can enjoy delicious and authentic Thai cuisine here, perfect for a midday meal.

The staff is very friendly here, and children are welcome. There are a few swings, some handcrafted figures of marine animals hanging from the ceiling, and also delicious homemade ice cream. For us, definitely worth a stop, as the kids won’t get bored too quickly before we move on.

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.

Have you already visited Koh Lanta with children? What was the nicest experience for your family? We always appreciate new suggestions, so feel free to leave us a comment.

Photos: Photo 7 (Elephant): Marek Pelikan/shutterstock.com