Bangkok Thailand Travel Map & Things to do in Bangkok : Ko Lanta

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LAST VISITED NOV-DEC 2014


All Lanta's tourist beaches confront west - great sunsets (image Wiki world domain/Phil Weaver)

Lanta together with neighbors (image - modified Google Earth)

Ko Lanta is a fairly long, narrow isle with a backbone of forested mountains together with a dozen or hence pretty squeamish beaches along its western coast. The measuring hither is relaxed, much to a greater extent than hence than Samui, Phi Phi or Railay/Ao Nang.

Map from Amazing Lanta

BIGGER ISLAND MAP with all beaches together with most hotel together with bungalow outfits.


THE BEACHES
 From N to south:

KLONG DAO

Closest to the pier together with Ban Saladan town (for to a greater extent than particular click epitome to expand). Klong Dao is a pop beach for visitors. The most heavily developed department is that business office unopen to the primary route from nigh mid-beach right. I noticed latest trip that a fair fighting of novel construction, by together with large mid-range or ameliorate was going on inward the left section. Note that this is a fair haul from the employment organisation strip along the primary route together with from Ban Saladan township, non that most guests inward places similar this volition walk it.
Pedants may notice I placed the pier marking a fighting too far left - it is non correct at the terminate of the primary coastal route but a few hundred meters right. The vehicle punts access the isle approx center-top of shot (image - modified Google Earth).

Northern Klong Dao. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1  nice novel midrange articulation was nether evolution straightaway correct of camera. Klong Dao tends to acquire a fighting shallow at lowest tide, with each terminate existence maybe worse affected. But no problems mid-tide every bit inward this shot.


I shot this from much farther southward a few years before - nicer conditions. If I could afford upper-midrange I'd rest at i of the ii joints at the far terminate - Twin Bay Resort or Kaw Kwang Resort. Looked existent squeamish together with non crowded past times neighbours.

Towards the southward terminate of Klong Dao. Lotsa restaurants, beach bars, massage places together with resorts along here. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pretty squeamish area. 
Bottom-budget travellers volition notice accommodation choices a fighting restricted on this beach away from depression season.

In December 2014 I managed to rest a few nights inward this squeamish southern expanse of Klong Dao at Ocean View Resort. I lifted my thought of non only this business office but of the whole beach. I'll position a fuller study inward the TRIP REPORT department when I acquire a chance

The primary route behind Klong Dao - to a greater extent than or less a continuous 2km strip of businesses into Ban Saladan. More eating together with bar options, plenty of full general stores, go agents together with other businesses, several ATMs together with i banking concern branch with money changing facilities. I establish the counter exterior closed - when I went within to the deliciously cool aircon it was crowded with farangs together with locals, hence I continued into town.

Ban Saladan. One of the advantages of Kong Dao beach is the proximity to Ban Saladan town (and the pier). When I kickoff visited Lanta in that location were nigh one-half a dozen businesses hither - at nowadays in that location are hundreds of shops etc together with you lot tin acquire most goods together with services. I establish several banks with money modify counters - rates seemed competitive to Phuket together with Phi Phi. Plenty of ATMs. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few other money changes.

Many Lanta visitors praise the sea-food restaurants lining the inlet westward of the pier/main street. Being a tight-wad, I haven't experienced them. No shortage of restaurants together with bars elsewhere inward town too.

In December 2014 on render from Ko Jum, I stayed a few nights at Sincere Guesthouse less than 100m from the ferry pier - non bad outlook from the eating topographic point deck, expert value, top management. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fuller study later.


AO PHRAE - LONG BEACH

Ao Phrae (Long Beach) straightaway southward of Klong Dao. This is my recommendation for people non certain which beach they should rest at. Fairly unopen to the ferry, plenty of accommodation at all budget levels (although lowest priced joints are inward the minority inward high season), no shortage of bars together with restaurants but soundless with sizable undeveloped sections inward the middle half. Unlike many Lanta beaches, no depression tide blues away from the southern most 10-15%. The primary route behind the beach has a fair selection of bars, restaurants together with other businesses, but non every bit continuous every bit at Klong Dao.

Long Beach certain is loooong (image Panoramio-prollee) The busier 30% of the beach starts this end. Pretty nice 
though.

Lanta Palm Beach is an okay flashpacker measure resorts on the northern 3rd of the beach. I stayed hither several years agone inward this hot water/aircon bungalow (not the flashest they had). They also had some really inexpensive fan bungalows which were mainly for students inward the associated dive school.


Lanta Palm Beach does the common tables-on-the-sand with seafood BBQ at nighttime thing. Prices are kept honest past times three competing similar beach restaurants straightaway south, a whole bunch to the N inward the management of the shot below, together with nigh a one-half dozen along the beach access route from the primary route - including a genuine Indian identify for all you lot Brits hankering for some abode cooking.

The northern 35% of Long Beach is touristy but non overdone. Bit early on for sun-worshippers inward this pre-breakfast shot.

The northern one-half of Long Beach. As said inward a higher identify kickoff 35% od the consummate beach is pretty intensively developed (but nice) - the next 50% is mainly a forested reserve although 2 midrange places together with a few little massage platforms take away hold managed to avoid the obvious planning restrictions .......

........ plow 180 degrees from the previous shot for the southern one-half of Long Beach. 

The forested reserve continues for most of this stretch.

The primary beach ends at this little stone department - that is the rather squeamish deck of Moonwalk eating topographic point (maybe +20/40% over typical budget bungalow prices). I retrieve Moonwalk has bungalows too.
There is a little klong (creek: it may non survive all that little inward moisture season) hidden inward the corner of the beach. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 pop swimming spot together with some enterprising local had set Sun lounges/umbrellas inward dorsum of the beach against the trees here.
The rocks go on some 50m behind photographic tv set camera although at total tide most are covered together with the deck piers inward shot are sitting inward water.

Long Beach far south. The final 10-15% of Ao Phrae is southward of Moonwalk. Water shallow at depression tide with lots of stone (less than five minutes gets you lot to that squeamish department inward the previous shot), okay inward a higher identify mid-tide for swimming although non too much sand left at total tide. 
Pretty fully developed along hither with accommodation at all toll ranges. I stayed at the budget/flashpacker Marina which is to correct of camera, 2nd final before the headland. The final articulation is Korner Bar which inward 2012 is running the Sabbatum nighttime political party (they tend to rotate to unlike beaches throughout the week) with thumping music to 3am together with noisy revellers some other 2 hours. Jeez. Pretty placidity the other 2 nights nosotros stayed. I'll acquire Lady Tezza to do a trip study on Marina when she gets the chance.

Lanta Marina - squeamish budget/flashpacker at the southern terminate of Long Beach. Quiet - except for Sabbatum nights 2012/13 (and continuing into the 14/15 high season)

Long Beach southward lowest tide. Only the final (southern) 10% of the beach is rocky - more-so inward the H2O behind the camera, but this mightiness brand for some expert fish-spotting snorkelling at high tide. Platform over beach at correct is business office of cool novel bar/restaurant (great sunsets) - piers would survive lapped past times H2O at high tide.
Lots of edifice going on to correct of photographic tv set camera inward 2012 - large exxy apartment-style place. Supervising farangs seemed to survive speaking Russian. The pop Lanta Marina was farther dorsum - squeamish looking Thai/South Sea isle bungalows but I was surprised the sand inward front end looked to take away hold had no clean-up.
Middle 60% of Long Beach where the trees are is largely unbuilt apart from i smallish really flash identify left of the seismic sea wave tower (what sort of bribe did they pay the zoners?) together with a bunch of traditional massage cabanas correct of tower.
Long Beach has lots of expert value places, restaurants, bars but soundless has over one-half the beachfront non built on together with has no huge Phuket or Samui type western hotels (although a large novel upmarket articulation set dorsum from the beach is going inward with the northern headland - the beachside expanse looks similar it volition take away hold sitting cabanas, together with maybe bars/restaurants inward traditional Thai rather than western style).


RELAX BAY

Even though Relax Bay is separated from Long Beach past times a headland many booking sites grade flahpacker/lower midrange Relax Bay Resort every bit on Long Beach.
There are 2 other resorts on this beach - at the beach terminate of the fundamental access route is Hippy Bar which has a handful of budget bungalows. Visible towards the correct terminate is Andaman Bay Resort, some other budget option. Note the associated Jar Bar was belongings the Fri nighttime political party inward early on high flavor 2012.

I stayed at Relax Bay Tropicana as Relax Bay Resort (far terminate of beach) was known hence on my really kickoff see to Lanta - it was a wonderful budget articulation with an amazing-view eating topographic point on stilts towards the top of the far headland. These days the resort is upmarket some with a beach storey eating topographic point together with much to a greater extent than vegetation hiding the to a greater extent than comfortable accommodation. The bay itself is pretty nice, although it does endure markedly from the depression tide blues.

This December 2014 shot taken 2 years after the i inward a higher identify it shows considerable evolution - at to the lowest degree i extra little resort together with several bars/restaurants. Virtually no beachfront left to develop. Relax Bay Resort seems to take away hold spread correct downwards the northern one-half of the bay. Prices a fighting off-putting to this budget traveler - 2500 bungalows.

Everyone's ever bespeak for a beach bungalow on the sand. Relax Resort has this one.

Relax Bay Resort. This is the beachside restaurant. The resort's beach-bar expanse is abt 50m to the right. The quondam eating topographic point high on the steep hillside on looooong wooden piers plainly cruel downwards inward a moisture flavor storm. I had a wonderful similar trend bungalow final century with funky stone outdoor bath - these places are at nowadays staff lodging.
The novel bungalows are midrange looking concrete together with drinking glass types inward traditional style, many of them behind the beach to the correct of shot.
I rock-hopped to a greater extent than or less to Long Beach inward nigh 10 minutes - pretty slow except inward the top quarter of the tide.




KLONG KHONG

Klong Khong is separated from Relax Bay past times a brace of tiny hence far undeveloped beaches, easily accessed from Relax Bay. I'm non certain what these are called. 
Klong Khong itself has a shallow S shape. This is the backpackers' beach - maybe 80% of the accommodation is backpacker/flashpacker. The primary route parallels most of the beach together with has a discontinuous strip of services less impressive than at Long Beach, permit solitary Klong Dao. However in that location is no shortage of restaurants, bars, massage places etc along the beach itself.
This beach gets some exposed rocks at depression tide peculiarly at the southern (right inward shot) terminate but is really pleasant inward most sections.
The N terminate (left side inward pic) of Klong Kong is approx 8km from Saladan pier.

Klong Khong far north. The beach is pretty narrow hither towards total tide. That resort restaurant's piers would survive inward the H2O at highest tide. Note the recurved nature of the beach gives you lot a feel of isolation here, every bit does the lower density of accommodation. Past the eating topographic point is an undeveloped (still inward 2014) beach department which runs at to the lowest degree 300m - must survive worth a fortune. The next shot is several hundred meters to a greater extent than or less the far corner......

...... Klong Khong central. Budget resorts (and a few higher hit joints), restaurants together with bars cheek past times jowl along here. Note the width of dry out sand dorsum of beach indicates non too much beach left at the top of the tide. Some rocks exposed at lowest tide. But altogether a pretty squeamish fighting of beach with a expert atmosphere. I regard Klong Khong every bit the backpackers' beach these days.

In Nov2014 on both sides of a trip to Ko Bu Bu I stayed at ii unlike resorts on Klong Kong. More info, shots inward the TRIP REPORT department when I acquire time

Klong Khong nigh south. The resorts/restaurants strip continues some 200m to a greater extent than or less the far corner inward the previous shot.

Klong Khong far south. The final 500m of the beach is pretty underdeveloped with only 2 resorts inward belatedly Nov 2012. This is in all probability partly because the primary route diverts inland some distance from the beach together with because this expanse has a sizable stone platform offshore which largely gets exposed at depression tide.


KLONG NIN

Klong Nin is mid-island starting nigh 13km from the pier. Once in i lawsuit to a greater extent than in that location are a brace of little beaches separating it from Klong Khong - I retrieve i is called Klong Toab.
The primary route sticks closely behind the beach together with is 2nd only to Klong Dao for selection of businesses. If you lot click to expand you lot tin regard the little employment organisation district at Klong Nin Junction where the coast route turns a brusque distance inland nigh 20% across shot from the left.
 Note the pier at Old Lanta town top correct of shot. The saddle route from the westward to the due east coast tin survive seen heading across isle from the little employment organisation district expanse - doesn't human face it but rises quite a fighting to cross the divide. You tin regard a Y junction a brusque distance inland - the cross-island route veers left together with the smaller route into the cave expanse veers right.

Klong Nin north. More or less a continuous delineate of resorts, restaurants, bars along here. Big hit of prices although budget inward the minority. Far headland had some nicely panoramic places, ameliorate seen inward the next shot......

Klong Nin far north. Vacant expanse behind bounding main wall simply waiting for development.

Klong Nin facing south. Pic is taken turning 180 degrees from the shot two-above this. The beach-side strip really similar to the southern department until nigh the far headland. Those rocks may seem a turn-off but I stayed at Lanta Paradise Resort nigh the to a greater extent than distant ones inward 2007 together with fifty-fifty at dead depression tide the H2O non far from the beach was deep plenty for expert swimming at lowest tide. The inward a higher identify pic was shot at nigh quarter tide.

Khlong Nin is a pretty squeamish beach, maybe 2 km long, expert sand, H2O deep plenty at depression tide for swimming unopen to shore, a few rocky sections but no problems, some squeamish candle-lit dining tables together with bars set on the sand at night, together with a fair fighting of accommodation by together with large midrange together with flash-packer.

Late afternoon depression tide shot of the beach inward front end of Paradise Resort - dining tables existence set for dinner. Even with the tide this depression I establish I could swim this side of the biggest offshore rock. At high tide they are submerged.
Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 discontinuous ribbon of the common restaurants/bars, go agents, mesh places, laundry services etc lines the inland side of the beach route downwards to the N terminate of Khlong Nin Bay (in fact it continues with gaps all the way to Sala Dan at the N of the island) nigh 1km N of PARADISE. Here it intensifies into a little shopping expanse - in that location are a brace of ATMs too. The turn-off for the route to the due east coast is simply past times this retail cluster when heading north.

LANTA PARADISE is a pretty squeamish identify inward a expert department of the beach. It has an attractive puddle straight behind the beach together with the to a greater extent than expensive bungalows are clustered here. I had a human face at i of the most expensive aircon jobs together with it certain did human face god. One criticism, all these bungalows are clustered fairly tightly. There are some less expensive bungalows across the route - I stayed inward i inward 2007 together with it was a dump. But I noticed inward a afterwards trip that they had been updated.
The beachside eating topographic point has those candle-lit tables on the sand at night, some really squeamish nutrient together with inexpensive prices. Service good. There are a issue of beach bars together with restaurants inward unopen proximity. Sprawled on a mat on the sand with an elcheapo happy-hour large Chang watching a pretty awesome sunset is my thought of qualiteee time.
Paradise has internet, a little store, a go desk together with washing service. There are similar providers close-by on the beach road.

The little shopping expanse at Klong Nin Junction simply inward from the N department of the beach. Restaurants, a tailor, motorbike hire, minimarts, a clinic, a chemist's shop etc. One unofficial money changer with rates only slightly downwards on the banks inward Ban Saladan. Several ATMs. The primary coast route turns hard left at the far terminate of the strip - the cross isle route goes ahead slightly to the right.

The higher of the ii viewpoint restaurants on the cross isle road. You take away hold the islands betwixt Lanta together with the mountainous mainland coast to banking concern check out. The coast is closer than it appears hither - my elcheapo point-and-shoot's built-in broad angle adds depth.
The gradient upward from the westward coast is deceptively gradual hence that when you lot pop over the top of the saddle simply upward the route from hither you lot acquire a surprise at the view. Average cyclists should take away hold petty problem getting upward hither from the westward although the descent to the due east coast is initially really steep - non much fun coming the other way fifty-fifty for people similar me used to cycling inward a really hilly town. The steep department has some abrupt bends - in that location take away hold been some bad motorbike crashes here. Hire tuk-tuks are fifty-fifty to a greater extent than vulnerable - those babies are existent unstable together with a trap for the inexperienced farang hirer.
Very reasonable prices were still a characteristic of this eating topographic point inward early on high flavor 2012/13.

Back towards the westward coast a good sign-posted route to the correct goes nigh 700m to the Mai Kaeo Cave expanse (fee charged). This route is flat, paved for the kickoff business office together with was inward expert status over the unsealed department when I did it. Restaurant expanse nigh parking lot is expert for data together with the recommended guide. Unfortunately I've never had the spare fourth dimension to genuinely acquire into the caves. Maybe next visit.


THE SOUTHERN BEACHES

South of Klong Nin are a brace to a greater extent than smaller beaches including Klong Hin. Then come upward the five really attractive southern beaches - Kantiang Bay, Nui Bay, Ao Jark (aka Waterfall Bay), Mai Pai (aka Bamboo Beach or Last Beach) together with the southward facing beach inward the National Park area. The eastern ends of Kantiang Bay together with Bamboo beaches are approx nineteen together with 23km respectively from the pier.
Note I take away hold cranked upward the vertical exaggeration a fighting excessively on this oblique Google world epitome - yet those mountains are pretty impressive.


Kantiang Bay (Ba Kantiang/Ba Kan Tien Bay)

This is a lovely department of sand, shot hither from i of the budget Muslim restaurants with the primary route every bit it climbs the southern headland (no alcohol here, but a Coke with H2O ice is simply the thing after a hike over the steep headlands from Bamboo Bay three beaches south). 
No depression tide blues except for the northern most 10% where stone is exposed. Much of the beachfront together with the side past times side steep hillside across the primary route is dominated past times the super flash Pimalai Resort. If you lot click to expand you lot tin regard their mid-beach floating pier. Less expensive options are beachside at the northern end, upward on the far headland together with inward Ban Ba Kantiang itself which is side past times side the northern headland. There are also some really expensive villa developments inward the higher areas. There is no accommodation inward this southern department unopen to camera. Yet. (as of December 2012).
I've wanted to rest at Kantiang hence on our render from nearby Ko Jum inward December 2012 I grabbed a squeamish room at the really expert value Ancient Realm Boutique Resort inward Ban Kantiang. I had  fancied a room with a view on the southern headland until I read Mooshie's bar at Marine Park View Resort throws the strange noisy political party - our experience at Marina inward belatedly Nov had scarred us. But having been upward to the budget/flashpacker Lanta Top View Resort spectacularly sited correct at the top of the seaward terminate of the far headland, I at nowadays realise that non too much dissonance would come upward up from Mooshie's. However Top View has a 10+ infinitesimal hike downwards to the beach for a swim - Ancient Realm has a squeamish petty puddle together with a three infinitesimal walk to the beach. 

Ancient Realm Resort together with Spa - a lower midrange identify at Kantiang Bay at budget/flashpacker rates. No seafront or views but otherwise inward a really expert topographic point unopen to shops, restaurants together with the beach. Very placidity except for the telephone telephone to the mosque.
I'll acquire Lady Tezza to do a trip study on Kantiang Bay and Ancient Realm when she gets the time. Right at nowadays she's busy cleaning the house, mowing lawns together with washing the cars - there's a hell of a lot to do on render from a trip. I'd similar to aid but trips exhaust me. I demand fourth dimension to recover. About 2 months.

The little shopping expanse at Ban Kantiang every bit the primary route drops from crossing the northern headland. Minimarts, several restaurants, a tailor, several dive joints together with other stores. At to the lowest degree 2 ATMs together with a store approx across the route from photographic tv set camera offering money changing at to a greater extent than or less 6% less than the banks inward Saladan. The smaller route to the correct at the junction inward background goes 300m downwards to the northern department of the beach.

For you lot seriously rich bastards heading for Kantiang, they don’t human face much nicer than PIMALAI RESORT AND SPA, which looked every bit expensive every bit it is.

Seriously rich bastards doing it tough patch waiting for sunset inward front end of the Pimalai. And relax large mover, if I published a pic with your secretarial assistant snuggled beside you lot instead of your wife, sure, it's bad luck buddy - but at to the lowest degree you lot tin claim a taxation deduction - staff "training". Wives tin banking concern check on husbands' companions past times click-expanding shot.

Sunset is worth waiting for.

The Pimalai has both beachfront together with hillside rooms. The higher hillside ones are on the inland side of the primary route - guests are shuttled to a greater extent than or less on golf game buggies with security guards belongings upward primary route traffic when they cross.
I shot this from the headland eating topographic point of Lanta Top View Resort. Aint incorrect there.

The beach at Kantiang Bay - i of the nicest on the island (image Panoramio-latinfo.com)

Nui Bay

South of Kantiang you lot acquire into the expanse of Lanta's to the lowest degree developed beaches. Compact Nui Bay has no evolution apart from a cool beach bar/restaurant which was novel from my 2008 visit. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 do goodness of this seems to survive a much ameliorate access runway downwards from the primary route bike common - this had a dozen bikes at 1400 vs simply mine together with i fisherman's  same fourth dimension of solar daytime four years ago. Nice sand, no depression tide blues.
I afterwards walked to a greater extent than or less the seaside stone platform to hither from Kantiang Bay at depression tide inward to a greater extent than or less 10 minutes. No worries although in that location would survive some problems inward the top one-half of the tide.

Nui Bay - no resorts here. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 handful of sun-worshippers summation some locals fishing. The signposted runway downwards from the primary route is non too difficult.

DEC 2012 - beach bar, novel to Nui Bay since my 2008 see (no farther evolution dec 2014).




Ao Jark/Waterfall Bay

Next southward is Waterfall Bay. For people seeking the often asked for quiet, relatively undeveloped white sand beach with squeamish H2O (no depression tide blues apparent) together with non bad sunsets, this together with its nigh vecino Bamboo Bay could survive the go. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few budget/flashpacker places along the beach together with inward a higher identify the rocks at the far end. Some to a greater extent than expensive places higher on the far headland together with a few cool beach bars - i visible at far correct together with i hidden past times the nigh headland.
Once in i lawsuit to a greater extent than I walked the stone platform to access from the N - pretty slow at depression tide together with petty to a greater extent than than 10 minutes.




Cool bar at southern terminate of Klong Jak.

The novel Last Resort.

 A brusque distance past times Last Resort is the centrl beach's Klong Jark Resort, a sweetness quondam fourth dimension type budget articulation where I stayed a few nights inward Nov 2014. Details inward the TRIP REPORT section

The plow to the waterfall is at this elephant-trekking sign on the primary route beside the tiny cluster of shops every bit shortly every bit the primary route drops from Ao Jark's southern headland (btw - quickest beach access is to the correct at this spot). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 expert dirt route leads to a pay parking expanse after nigh a km - from in that location a sign advises that the waterfall is a 35 infinitesimal walk. When I tried this inward 2012 the runway seemed to disappear - I learned inward 2014 that I had taken the incorrect path (who said DUH!)

In December 2014 in that location were to a greater extent than people nigh together with past times next the crowd I reached the falls easily. Only abt a 10m driblet but the H2O was delightfully cool to stand upward nether - banking concern check dudes center/right. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 brusque side path leads to some underwhelming caves. I'll position to a greater extent than details of the falls expanse inward the TRIP REPORT section. peculiarly abt access, inward illustration you lot see at a non-busy time.

A brusque distance along the dirt access route from the primary route is this elephant camp. These dudes may survive the acquire for you lot waterfall tragics - too full general rainforest treks a sign promises to acquire you lot to the waterfall (presumably along a separate, dedicated track) visiting several bat caves along the way.



Bamboo Bay/Last Beach/Mai Pai

Arguably fifty-fifty quieter than Waterfall Bay. No evolution inward December 2012 southward of the mid-beach LaLaanta Resort (midrange). Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 few flashpacker (maybe budget inward the depression season) places inward the nigh photographic tv set camera northern beach together with stone platform expanse with i or ii to a greater extent than expensive joints a fighting higher on the headland. Water seems a fighting shallow together with rocky this northern terminate inward a shot taken towards lowest tide, but plenty of deep H2O all tides inward other areas.
Note a few gutter obstacles stopped me trying to walk the stone platform from Waterfall Bay - the steepish primary route route over the headland took only 10 minutes or so.


Mai Pai is a pretty sweetness beach. Place below is inward the trees nigh midway along.

LaLaanta Resort has replaced oldtime backpacker favourite Last Beach bungalows. Not precisely a budget place.

Baan Phu Lae resort at the N terminate of the beach has a sweetness rockside restaurant. Hey vino lovers - 120b together with waiters don't realise large balloon spectacles commonly only acquire a splash.

The National Park

A large proportion of southern Lanta is national common but the headquarter expanse takes a much smaller several hundred hectares expanse at the southern tip of the island.
Several years agone the entrance fee was a ridiculous 400baht. This was dropped to a soundless crazy 200 (this expanse is no Ko Surin) which kept tightwads similar me out - but I was pleased to notice the fee inward dec 2012 was at nowadays 100baht which makes a see worthwile.
This is a pretty squeamish expanse with an okay beach (at correct - at left the sand-backed boulder beach could survive a fighting hard together with lumpy nether the sunbathing sarong although the snorkelling off hither is said to survive some of the best on Lanta - this may non hateful too much: Lanta is a fighting unopen to the mainland to acquire the crystal clear H2O expert coral needs), some K baht national common bungalows (Ban Phu Lae at the southern terminate of Bamboo Bay was bespeak 1400 for their barely flashpacker front end rowers together with national common bungalows tend to survive bigger than the typical private ones), a camping ground area, eats inward the canteen (although NP canteens take away hold been dry out for the past times 2 years together with I take away hold establish NP nutrient varies from dire to non bad depending on the contractor), a visitors' data ticker together with lavatory blocks,  a runway upward to the nearly-southern most dot on Lanta lighthouse together with an interesting jungle trek which loops for 1.7km from simply behind the beach inward bottom correct of epitome upward to the entry pay station (highest symbol top left). 

The national common beach together with distant lighthouse from the jungle trekking track.

These dudes were grooming inward the bush simply behind the beach. Several were on the sand - it may pay to maintain an optic on your valuables when swimming.

The beach-end start of the jungle track. Climbs maybe 200m inward nigh 2/3rds of the 1.7km length to the access pay station - a few brusque steepish sections but no sustained heart-breakers for people of average fitness (although circumferentially-enhanced cyber terrorist Kananga, aka Singapore Slim, who has never failed to environs a custard pie no affair how big, may experience otherwise) with several stops for data boards along the way.
Question: should you lot acquire UP or common your bike upward nigh the access pay station together with walk DOWN every bit this lady is doing? I advise walking UP - you lot rising 200m inward to a greater extent than or less 1200m vs the same inward nether 800m if you lot walk downwards the runway together with chose to walk the shorter render upward the access road. This is i steep route - don't scissure the throttle of your moped going upward or you lot are probable to acquire air nether the front end wheel. Don't inquire how I know this.

New department of route at the southward of the isle - was dirt southward of Kantiang until a few years back. Paved department at nowadays goes all the way to the national common at the far southern terminate of the island.



THE EAST COAST
From the northern terminate of Klong Nin the across-island route takes off to the EAST COAST. I take away hold done this on a bicycles - the climb over the overstep is non too bad on the western side. But I gotta acknowledge the haul dorsum upward the other side was a existent expert workout for a thankfully brusque distance (and I ride every solar daytime at abode inward a really hilly town).

Towards the top of the overstep are ii scenic restaurants. I called into the higher one, the master copy VIEWPOINT. The outlook hither is pretty special over the due east coastal plain, the bay with its diverse islands together with the mainland inward the distance. I was amazed at the inexpensive drinks - thirty for a little beer was cheaper than simply nigh every other eating topographic point or bar this trip. Meals are available together with their prices seemed pretty expert too.

Late afternoon low-light shot from Viewpoint Restaurant.

The due east coast is really relaxed, no squeamish beaches here, simply attractive countryside every bit you lot caput southward a few km to OLD LANTA TOWN. This is a pretty neat seaside town with some squeamish quondam buildings, a few restaurants together with fifty-fifty a bar or two, none of the common hamlet roadside junk together with rubbish together with a really long pier where guys volition offering long tail bay-trips to little nearby gems similar KO BU BU summation snorkeling/kayaking the expanse betwixt Lanta together with the mainland. South of the town, the route narrows markedly. I believe it goes for some other few km to a bounding main gypsy village, but having the climb dorsum over the overstep to human face forrad too, I turned the wheel around. That was when I kickoff visited Old Lanta Town inward the early on 90s. I had a moto inward 2014 but non the fourth dimension to explore farther south.

Old Town primary street.

Part of Old Lanta Town from the pier (image Panoramio-RN Nilsen)

KO BU BU

If you lot desire i of the most set dorsum islands inward Thailand with only i (budget) resort, no roads/villages or other development, Bu Bu, twenty minutes from Old Town pier, fits the bill. I stayed some fourth dimension hither inward belatedly 2014 - got a total page with lots of pix, maps together with info HERE.


Back downwards the loma dividing due east together with westward coasts together with less than 2km from the Klong Nin is the turn-off to the MAI KAEO CAVE. It is less than 2km upward the sidetrack to the cave. This gets expert reviews, but lack of fourth dimension forced me salve this i to next trip. You could walk upward hither from most places on the closest beach, my Khlong Nin, inward an hr or less.

Some of the places mentioned on this page - Google image.


A GOOD LANTA WEBSITE
ANOTHER
AND ANOTHER
LANTA LONGTAILS - trips to nearby islands, camping



others' inputs:
SUNNYSAYAN - "Yoga at Relax Bay - over looking the bounding main - a squeamish identify to practice.
Lanta Old Town- you lot tin non only see Bubu from hither but MANY other islands together with angling spots off the eastern coast. Ko Talebeng is stunning. To salve fourth dimension - trips to Ko Ngai are offered hither too. Trips to Ko Po are only 10 mins away- together with in that location you lot tin take away hold the whole beach to yourself.
If you lot prefer a large boat together with it’s the high season- you lot tin purpose the four isle tours boats every bit transfers- both ways Lanta-Ngai. 400 or 500 each way.
In depression season, IF the air current is calm for a few days - solar daytime trips tin survive made to Ngai. banking concern check with lantalongtails for to a greater extent than info.
Other places of involvement inward Old Town are, an master copy Art Gallery together with the hammock house. Behind the town (one street) is a squeamish Buddhist monestary together with next to that is the Lions Tsunami village. Some of the best Thai nutrient on the isle is at "Beautiful" eating topographic point along the seaside street.
The UNDP is funding an Islander Museum to survive opened soon, inward a beautifully restored 100 y/o authorities building; it sits inward the common at the human foot of the pier. The United Nations is soundless inward Lanta Old town to save the four fragile cultures of Ko Lanta. It plans on restoring to a greater extent than buildings.
Yes, the novel houses built on the route past times the bounding main gypsy’s hamlet (Sang Ga U) are seismic sea wave houses. Stop inward at Sea Gypsie House five mins. southward to banking concern check out some squeamish local crafts."

MOSEGRISEN - "Between the ii "VIEWPOINT" places you lot refer together with the village, there's inward fact a 3rd one... SAME SAME.. nosotros stopped in that location for some H2O ice cream...very inexpensive together with fabulous views.
Koh Lanta - Koh Ngai Daily Ferry Boat
High Season only: The Excursion Ferry Boat acquire out Ban Saladan Pier, North of Koh Lanta daily to a greater extent than or less 8 am. acquire inward Koh Ngai at 10.00 am. Vice versa, the trip dorsum to Koh Lanta past times the same ferry boats leaves Koh Ngai to a greater extent than or less 2 p.m. takes 2 hours to acquire inward Ban Saladan Pier, inward Koh Lanta Yai - THAI TOUR
The Casuarina is a non bad resort. situated on Phra ae Beach (Long Beach), i of the best sandy beaches on Koh Lanta Yai. It stretches for a ii kilometres facing the Andaman Sea together with Phi Phi Island. Nice garden together with pool.
They take away hold half dozen beach bungalows. Actually only 2 of them take away hold "front on beach view" the other four are form of "a side view"....
Anther half dozen set a petty farther back. They are all really expert size. Then they take away hold a issue of hotel rooms.. some with bounding main view.. set a petty farther dorsum again...
Thai trend hotel rooms together with bungalows nicely decorated together with fully air-conditioned with consummate modern amenities.
The nutrient is ok... together with the full general experience of the identify is that of a good run operation
Royal Lanta on Klong Dao beach, offers Traditional Thai trend bungalows , individually built by together with large with wood interior design. The grounds are super good kept; the puddle is great. The eating topographic point together with nutrient also. Bit to a greater extent than expensive than other restaurants along the beach but the presentation of the nutrient is also nicer.
Rooms are great... really large especially the executive rooms with a vary large bath together with spa bath. Standard of hotel together with service is nigh every bit expert every bit it gets without paying a kings ransom.
D. R. Lanta resort on Klong Dao beach, really cheap, create clean together with good equipped bungalows, expert nutrient together with fantabulous friendly service, they take away hold a puddle too."

BALYANG - "We stayed at Lanta Marine Park view, Kantiang Bay  - nosotros were happy to take away hold the to a greater extent than expensive bounding main view bungalows which did take away hold non bad views.
The restaurant/bar was really good. We also had a few meals at Same Same But Different eating topographic point at the other terminate of the beach that was really nice.
Good swimming although nosotros had really cyclonic atmospheric condition for most of our rest which was disappointing.
Some dorsum packers got really upset with management every bit they had booked ahead for the cheaper bungalows but were told when they arrived they weren't available - it seemed to us the cheaper ones were often non available. That was genuinely the only negative thing nosotros came across.


Kantiang: Marine Park View starts at beach storey against the far headland together with ranges diagonally upward the headland. I don't know if the fancy articulation correct at the top left of the headland inward this poor-light shot is business office of the joint. Floating pier mid-beach is business office of the Pimalae which shuttles guests inward on a large speedboat.

We hired bikes cast the petty hamlet nearby together with accessed most of the isle - genuinely liked quondam Lanta town - really quaint. We were a fighting disappointed with bamboo bay bungalows every bit that was were nosotros originally wanted to rest but it was really isolated together with a fighting hard to access inward moisture atmospheric condition - resort fighting delapidated for price
but sensationally positioned eating topographic point overlooking the bay, simply gorgeous views although nutrient only ok."

BANGSUE - "We stayed on lanta final weekend (late Apr 07) on klong dao. yes it's genuinely built upward all the way along but the beach is create clean together with this fourth dimension of twelvemonth it is quiet, nosotros only stayed i night, but nosotros pushed the boat out together with paid 2K for a beach front end suite (they quote 4.5 - 5K during high season). It was a non bad room with a large bath together with bedroom/living area. It had a veranda with tabular array together with chairs on the beach front end where nosotros could sit down together with picket the nighttime autumn looking across to both of the Phi Phi islands.
The 8am ferry Lanta to Krabi had finished for the depression flavor together with nosotros had to acquire a minibus across to krabi town. That was 200b each, from Saladan from in that location you lot tin acquire a songthaew across to Ao Nang for 40baht. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 percentage long boat to Railey was 60B each way from there."
(Bangsue came upward to Lanta from Ko Ngai) - "From ngai a (longtail) boat across to lanta was 1200 to the Lanta Town pier - 'koh ngai villa' reception sorted out the longtail for us. 'koh ngai villa' reception sorted out the longtail for us. There was no-one else going across that morning, hence nosotros had to pay it all, took nigh an hr or so. They said they would take away hold us upward to saladan for 2k, but nosotros simply stuck with 1200 together with making our ain way up. nosotros were walking upward the route from the pier at lanta together with a guy inward a pick-up said he would take away hold us upward the N terminate for 400, hence nosotros said ok. he hence took us circular to his employment solid to run across the married adult woman together with kids together with modify his shirt, he took us upward to phra ae together with hence on to klong dao, which was 'suay' plenty for the other half."

BANYANTREE232 - "The southern bays are to a greater extent than relaxing but the best restaurants are simply N of Relax Bay. Plus there's a Muay Thai gym inland a few hundred metres.
But it doesnt genuinely affair where you lot rest every bit long every bit your room is good. The isle is slow to explore on a bike. Little traffic compared to Phuket.
Apart from the cave together with beaches the isle has few attractions.
Good identify to relax or do some muay thai at the gym."

Khlong Jak - i of the lovely set dorsum southern beaches (image Panoramio-prollee)

LOUISE BERGER
On Koh Lanta I tin strongly recommend staying at Red Snapper. It's primarily a restuarant run past times Dutch chefs (fantastic creative food) but they also take away hold some lovely fan bungalows that are newly built, en-suite, with patio, chairs together with hammock. Every ii days our room was cleaned together with sheets together with towels replaced. At 500 Baht a nighttime it felt similar genuinely expert value compared to other accommodation on Koh Lanta. The owners, Ed together with Joyce, were genuinely friendly together with really helpful together with accommodating. When nosotros left, a few days ago, I know they had some infinite for Nov still.
Red Snapper is nigh 6km out of Saladan along Phrae Ae beach (which I've in all probability mispelt). It is set dorsum from the beach, nigh a minute's walk. Opposite is Faim de Loop bakery together with Flip Flop Divers (who are a fab diving company). Flip Flop also take away hold a eating topographic point which serves tasty, expert value food. To our pleasance they showed Friends episodes on a large covert from 6.30pm - 7.30pm together with hence a cinema from 7.30 onwards. There is a 7/11 a few minutes downwards the road.
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JIMMYK who tends to rest midrange to high-end had this to say:
Ferry ride to Koh Lanta, my favorite island. As you lot acquire off ferry inward saladan, you lot tin either take away hold your hotel's or a tout's complimentary ride to hotel , or if you lot wanna salve time, walk nigh 200 meters into town (stop at supermarket to purchase fireworks together with other provisions is optional) hire a moto-sidecar to Long beach which is soundless largely undeveloped.
The beach closest to Saladan is too crowded together with non every bit nice.
In Saladan The overwater restaraunts(Lanta Seafood) are expert together with a expert value together with thai locals genuinely tin survive seen eating there. The sunday marketplace is also kinda fun.
Lanta Sand Resort is best identify to rest on Long Beach (better than the the pricier Layana). We stayed inward a private bungalow with a really romantic outdoor garden bath---no beachview though-- for nigh 5000B together with hence moved to the novel block of Hotel trend rooms for 4200B (new hence they are running a promotion). In room 1005, your patio is on top of the puddle hence you lot tin swim from your room to swim-up bar---great, novel HUGE room. This was my girlfriends favorite room.
Long Beach is fairly placidity at night, but commonly i beachside bar has a political party somewhere if you lot desire to socialize.. Nearby The Funky Fish together with Mr Wee's Pizza are non bad places to lay inward a sala together with grab some food.
We hence moved downwards the beach to Lanta Castaway, which is novel this season. nosotros stayed inward their i beachfront unit of measurement for 2800B which was an fantabulous value if you lot tin acquire the room. No puddle here, together with rooms non every bit flash every bit some of the places described above.
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WHEN TO GO
Ko Lanta is non a non bad moisture flavor isle hence the obvious fourth dimension is dry out flavor which tends to survive mid-late Nov thru to sometime inward Apr (I gotta tell the start together with terminate of this catamenia has been dodgy inward recent years upward until belatedly 2012, mayhap coinciding with the La Nina moisture catamenia inward the nearby western Pacific - plainly an El Nido dry out catamenia is kicking inward belatedly 2012 onward hence hopefully nosotros volition acquire some drier starts/ends to dry out flavor inward the next few years).

The primary problems with moisture flavor inward Lanta are:
- all the tourist beaches confront westward into the prevailing south-west monsoon. This agency that on those 20-25% of days when the monsoon winds acquire existent blowy you lot tin take away hold blustery unpleasant conditions on the beaches, often with biggish unsafe surf which commonly continues for a solar daytime or ii after the winds drop.
- the onshore winds blow a lot of fishing, household together with woods junk onto the beaches. Because many resorts unopen in that location is less beach cleaning inward this catamenia together with some smaller opened upward resorts surrender because the volume of junk gets overwhelming.
- tempest H2O runoff impacts H2O clarity.
- lack of visitors tin survive a fighting deadening for the outgoing political party animal
The ferries from Phi Phi, Ao Nang, Krabi together with Jum don't run (surely this has to modify soon?)

The pluses are:
-significantly discounted prices - you lot tin acquire a genuinely squeamish room inward an upmarket resort for what you lot would survive paying flashpacker inward high season. And high terminate places volition brand certain their department of beach is cleaned.
- fewer noisy gits for people who similar seclusion or quiet.
- commonly plenty sunny periods for a expert beach holiday. Some moisture flavor days tin survive serene - no air current together with non a cloud inward the sky.
Anyway, on my latest Lanta trip I noticed quite a few signs exterior accommodation proclaiming OPEN ALL YEAR! Not hence long agone 90% of resorts would unopen for the moisture season.
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GETTING TO LANTA - UPDATED DEC 2012

FROM KRABI together with KO JUM

For several years only i ferry per solar daytime from Krabi town has run - at 1IOO. Accommodation places, trip booking counters etc inward town tin sell tickets which ususally include transfers to the pier at Klong Jirat several km westward of town. If you lot are arriving at Krabi jitney station several km the other side of town, the lady who runs the little go agency in that location tin sell tickets together with adjust transfers. She often meets incoming buses.

FROM KRABI AIRPORT
Several flights a solar daytime come upward inward to Krabi from Bangkok, Ko Samui, KL, Singapore together with less ofttimes Sweden charters. See details inward the FROM BANGKOK department downwards page for transfers from the airdrome to Lanta.

FROM AO NANG/TON SAI/RAILAY
One ferry per solar daytime leaving at 1030. The ferry starts at the Noppharet pier simply due east of Ao Nang -  if you lot are at Ton Sai together with Railay you lot volition survive shuttled out from the beach inward longtails to run across the ferry mid-bay. This used to survive a separate ferry to the Krabi town i but the guy on my ferry from Jum inward December 2012 insisted the ferry started at Ao Nang together with called into Krabi town. Maybe in that location soundless are ii ferries - I take away hold seen a published 1030 start to the i out of Klong Jirat pier nigh Krabi town.

There are touts on the ferries showing pictures of their places together with if you lot haven’t got somewhere to stay, this tin survive an slow shortcut. There are fifty-fifty to a greater extent than touts on the pier at Ban Sala Dan, heaps of taxi drivers, along with drivers from the resorts because a hell of a lot of places ship carry to run across the ferries.

The inward a higher identify ferries commonly unopen downwards some fourth dimension inward May together with don’t run in i lawsuit to a greater extent than until Oct/Nov.

When the ferries halt running, from Krabi you demand this PUBLIC MINIVAN SERVICE which starts contrary a footpath tabular array set inward Krabi town's Soi 6, runs to a greater extent than or less town to diverse guest-houses together with businesses together with hence to the jitney station, together with before heading south, crossing to Lanta via ii brusque vehicle punts. Once on the isle the minivans should run downwards to Old Lanta Town together with should driblet you lot at your resort every bit far southward every bit Klong Nin, but I take away hold establish them a fighting selective. This service also runs inward high season, when it is hourly. It is cheaper than the ferries together with is also supposed to take away hold 2 hours, but my final trip saw almost three overstep before nosotros were on the island. It depends a lot on the issue of vehicles waiting at the punts. We also cruised to a greater extent than or less Sala Dan for almost thirty minutes dropping packages together with people off before heading south.

 I noticed latest see that these minivans volition also telephone telephone into the airdrome if contacted beforehand. The shot below has contact details.
I also noticed signss inward 2012 proverb this outfit at nowadays has a pick-up service inward Ao Nang. Travel desks volition take away hold the details.

About fourth dimension the Krabi airdrome taxi mafia had their monopoly busted

FROM KO JUM
One of the morning time Lanta leap ferries from the Krabi aea picks upward passengers off Ko Jum at to a greater extent than or less 1200. Ko Jum resorts volition take away hold details together with kojumonline website (see my Ko Jum page) tends to maintain data upward to date.

Accessing the Ao Nang/Krabi to Lanta ferry off Ko Jum.
When this ferry is non running inward depression flavor you lot demand to choose grip of the world longtail ferry from Ban Ko Jum to Laem Kraut on the mainland coast, ride the waiting world songthaew across to the primary north-south highway together with hold back for a Krabi-Lanta world minivan to come upward by.

FROM PHI PHI AND PHUKET
Two ferries per solar daytime do this trip (in to a greater extent than or less xc minutes from Phi Phi - add together 90/120 from Phuket). This Phi Phi-Lanta leg of this service also shuts downwards roughly May thru to Oct/Nov.
At other times the Phi Phi-Lanta ferries coordinate departue with the Phuket to Phi Phi ferries' arrival. You tin purchase a thru ticket inward Phuket - for some argue tickets at accommodation together with tour desks are cheaper than at the Phuket pier if you lot store around, together with commonly include complimentary carry to the pier.

Out of Phi Phi inward depression flavor when the direct Lanta ferry has ceased, choose grip of the Krabi town ferry together with purchase a ticket at the pier for the minivan to Lanta. Phi Phi go desks etc tin adjust this trip correct thru if you lot don't desire to purchase the separate sections.

Tigerline tin acquire you lot to Lanta inward high flavor to a greater extent than rapidly from Phuket via Phi Phi. Once in i lawsuit to a greater extent than Google is your friend.

Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 fast speedboat at nowadays runs betwixt Phi Phi together with Lanta - at K inward 2012/13. Note that Tigerline burns along at 80% the measuring of a speedboat together with tin survive way less bumpy together with moisture inward choppy conditions. But maybe the speedboat delivers straight to beaches southward of Saladan - ask.

There is also a speedboat service from Phuket to Lanta leaving Phuket at 0830 together with 900. This takes only xc minutes together with for the time-deprived may survive worth the stone oil moisture ride on choppy days.

There is also a Phuket-Lanta minivan service. It also picks up/drops off at Krabi jitney station together with other points along the way. There were nigh four services a solar daytime early on December 2008 when I final used it together with non the hourly trips indicated past times the website - but this may modify inward peak season. I used it going the other way betwixt Lanta together with Phuket airdrome - it charges double to acquire into the airdrome (high vehicle entry fees) hence I got them to driblet me at the airdrome turnoff on the primary road. An airdrome limo picked me upward before whatever motorbike taxi or tuk tuk came along together with dropped me at arrivals for complimentary - I gave the guy 50baht for a Singha. Trip took me 4.5 hours - add together thirty minutes or hence if you lot desire Phuket town. This service starts at the Phuket terminate at the jitney terminal inward Phuket town together with terminates at the depot inward Klong Dao from where you lot demand to notice your way to your resort.

This minivan service is a expert Phuket-Lanta alternative to the world jitney to Krabi or the Lanta turn-off approx 50km southward of Krabi inward depression flavor when the direct Phi Phi-Lanta ferry is non running. In high flavor I prefer the ferries - although to a greater extent than expensive the trip is shorter (it is a hell of a long haul out of Phuket to a greater extent than or less Phang Nga Bay: delays at the ii vehicle punts nigh Lanta tin survive fourth dimension consuming inward high flavor too) together with to a greater extent than scenic if you lot sit down outside. Take precautions re sunburn. And if you lot are inward a existent hurry, both Tigerline together with the speedboats tin salve to a greater extent than time.

If you lot desire to do Phi Phi to Lanta in depression season, you lot would best choose grip of the ferry to Krabi together with acquire into the town's Soi half dozen for the minibus service. Thing is, whatever accommodation or go desk on Phi Phi tin adjust this together with tell you lot of whatever changes.

FROM TRANG.
Minivans acquire out from the go agents contrary Trang railway station together with acquire onto Lanta via the vehicle punts. This takes nigh three hours. They deliver to accommodation every bit far sourh every bit Klong Nin. In recent years the trips take away hold been hourly. Look for the minibuses exterior KK Travel. The trip took me 2.5 hours the final fourth dimension I did it.

Minivan together with others accessing Lanta via vehicle punt.

Progress December 2014 - span link betwixt Lanta Noi together with Lanta Yai underway. If in that location is parallel run to supervene upon the vehicle punt at the mainland terminate of Noi hence route access to Lanta volition survive hence much faster.

For people flying in: - I read that Air Asia flies into Trang from Bangkok together with transfers people to Lanta past times ferry from Hat Yao pier southward of Trang. That sounds similar a quick together with scenic way to acquire to Lanta.


FROM THE TRANG ISLANDS AND FURTHER SOUTH
Tigerline run a fast ferry from Langkawi isle inward north-west Malaysia calling inward at Ko Lipe, Hat Yao on the mainland southward of Trang for Ko Libong, hence Kos Kradan, Muk together with Ngai before calling inward at Lanta.

In December 2012 I noticed Phetpailin had a boat leaving Ko Mook/Muk at 0900 for Lanta. I also noticed this boat picking upward at Ko Ngai a fighting afterwards - presumably it also picks upward at Ko Kradan.
For later transfers their morning time Trang Island daytrip boat out of Ban Saladan volition take away hold other people dorsum from the Trang islands to Lanta. I take away hold used this boat from Muk/Mook long agone together with I noticed a guy hop on this twelvemonth at Mook to a greater extent than or less 1230. This ferry tends to cruise past times Ngai together with Kradan on the render trip at diverse times depending on its snorkelling/Emerald Cave schedule which is tide subject - your accommodation on the islands volition know. The Petpailin boats are much faster than previously, but non every bit speedy every bit Tigerline although considerably cheaper.

In December 2012 speedboats were also running transfers. Daytrip boats out of Lanta from Lanta Garden Hill and Opal Tour were taking people from the Trang islands resorts dorsum to Lanta (some volition driblet you lot at beaches along the Lanta coast on the way to Saladan).

Lanta Garden Hill daytrip speedboats at Ko Kradan. We saw these boats picking upward people from resorts on both Kradan together with Ngai to take away hold dorsum to Lanta.

Note that daytrip longtails also come upward downwards to Kradan, Mook together with Ngai (seen here) from the southern beaches of Lanta (this is how nosotros accessed Ko Ngai inward December 2012 - 450 baht each). It is possible to pay for a ride dorsum to southern Lanta on i of these if it is non full. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 grouping of four on our boat hence liked Ngai they booked bungalows for the next 2 nights together with came downwards in i lawsuit to a greater extent than next day, arranging with the boat guy to survive taken dorsum ii days later.
Lanta Longtails operate all sorts of trips to a greater extent than or less the little islands betwixt Lanta together with the mainland, together with tin shuttle you lot to/from the Trang islands.

SPB SPEEDBOAT which leaves Lipe together with picks upward at Ko Bulon Lae used to also pick upward people on some of the Trang islands on the way to Lanta. I'm non certain what the electrical flow grapple is. I also heard inward early on 2012 that SPD were running a speedboat betwixt Phuket together with Lipe which in all probability calls inward at Lanta.

Accommodation places on the islands volition contact these boats for you.



FROM SAMUI-PHANGAN-TAO
Bangkok Air run flights from Samui into Krabi airport. There you lot could take away hold a prior arrangement for the Krabi-Lanta minivan to pick you lot up, or your accommodation's carry if it has a transfer service or fifty-fifty i of the expensive Krabi airdrome taxis.

You tin purchase a less expensive ferry/minivan-bus thru ticket from accommodation together with go agencies on these islands. This commonly involves a ferry to Donsak (there is also a nighttime ferry from each isle straight to the Surathani town pier) from where you lot volition survive shuttled to a go agency in/closer to Surathani together with hence position on a minivan/bus for Krabi followed past times either the ferry or the minibus to Lanta. This tin run seamlessly but in that location take away hold been complaints of lots of fourth dimension wasted sitting nigh waiting for connections, miserable buses etc.
You tin avoid this past times getting your ain ticket to Donsak with inclusive transfer the 40+km into Surathani (can pay at the deviation pier or on the ferry), making your ain way to the Surathani world jitney station or nearby world minivan station together with heading to Krabi together with onwards to Lanta.
Note inward December 2012 I noticed a minivan cruising to a greater extent than or less Lanta picking upward at accommodation with LANTA-SAMUI on the side. I take away hold no thought where together with at what times this starts on the Gulf isle side (I'm assuming it  is waiting at the Donsak ferry pier, but when?) but Google may aid you lot here. Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 direct Donsak-Lanta service certain would salve a lot of mucking around. Hell it mightiness fifty-fifty start on Samui - the Donsak ferries are mainly vehicle ferries.

FROM BANGKOK
The quickest way would survive to wing into Krabi together with do the minivan, resort pickup service or taxi thing. Flying via Trang would take away hold longer although annotation the fighting nigh Air Asia together with its Hat Yao ferry transfers inward a higher identify - flying via Phuket longer again.

The cheapest would survive a jitney from the either Khaosan Road or Bangkok's southern jitney terminal to Krabi jitney station together with hence the world minivan or if the timing is right, the ferry. Note the private buses running out of the Khaosan Road expanse take away hold a bad reputation for thefts from underbus luggage together with other hassles. Bangkok-Krabi is nigh 12 hours.

Train tragics could condider a develop to Surathani (12h) together with hence a minivan or jitney transfer to Krabi together with hence the world minivan or the ferry. Or a develop to Trang (15h) followed past times a minivan straight onto Lanta from the go agencies across the route from the station (KK Travel is a expert i together with co-ordingates the vans). Both Surathani together with Trang take away hold sleeper develop services from Bangok. I retrieve I'd acquire for the Trang service - pass the extra three hours on the develop cutting the zzzzzs together with hence salve fourth dimension together with hassle with a i measuring hop onto Lanta.



GETTING AROUND ON LANTA.
When arriving past times ferry, many people are met past times drivers from their resorts. If you lot purpose a tout on the ferry or at the pier to pick accommodation he/she volition often lay on complimentary or inexpensive carry to the resort. Otherwise you lot volition survive met past times a wall of shouting "taxi" (pickups with canopies over the tray) drivers who await to retire on your fare alone. Offer i 3rd their kickoff toll together with run upward to half.
I noticed inward 2012 that in that location seems to survive a policy of dropping customers on the primary route nigh the resort together with leaving them to walk the final few hundred meters. "Lane too rough" is the excuse. Rubbish, because ferry tickets out of Lanta commonly involve inclusive shuttles to the pier from your resort's reception.

For full general trips to a greater extent than or less the identify in that location are plenty of these pickup truck taxis but few or no world songthaews inward 2012. In Nov/Dec 2014 I noticed a novel HOP ON HOP OFF SHARE TAXI running from Saladan to Old Lanta Town (I've got an thought it volition divert into Kkong Kong). I'm non certain how often these run - I got the impression that your accommodation etc tin band together with notice out when the next i is passing by.

Distinctive bluish together with white percentage taxi - I'd simply got off inward Klong Dao nigh the N of the isle from Old Lanta town (150b vs 400+ inward conventional pickup truck "taxi". Catalan brace inward dorsum had got on at Long Beach together with were going to Saladan - 100 each.

The primary cast of world carry for locals seems to survive tuk-tuks together with motorcyle-sidecars, no incertitude inexpensive to those inward the know, but the drivers seem to desire a fortune from tourists. In Dec2012 the Koh Lanta Pocket Guide had these tuk-tuk prices:
Saladan to Klong Dao 40b
Long Beach 60b
Kkong Khong 90b
Klong Nin 150b
Kantiang Bay 300b. Hopefully their website will maintain prices updated.

RIP OFF! - I'm getting dismayed at the Lanta carry cartel - the prices they are charging are probably 4x what you lot would pay inward Bangkok - to sit down inward the dorsum of a bumpy, noisy, diesel fuel spewing pickup truck with dirt flying abt yer eyes, no aircon, no security belts or airbags - whatever accident together with you lot volition dash yer brains out on the hard steel of the cabin rear. Reckon these guys demeanour whatever 3rd political party insurance? Hey, regard all those novel luxury puddle condos on Phuket's Surin Heights? - this is where the Lanta taxi mafia together with their buddies from Phuket summation the longtail cartel from Ao Nang, Phi Phi together with all the nearby Andaman islands, retire. After one-half a dozen fares. And you lot thought fugitive Wall Street bond traders were buying those joints.

Pickup "taxi" toll board at Klong Dao belatedly 2014 This is the nearest tourist beach to the pier. From Saladan (the pier area) you lot could maybe add together 50baht. Or heaps to a greater extent than if you lot are a pussy bargainer. The per mortal bit kills me - tip, if a large group, grapple hard for a BIG reduction.

If you lot are staying inward Kantiang Bay maybe your accommodation tin organise the Kantiang Shuttle to pick you lot upward - nosotros paid 150 each inward December 2012 - simply a topographic point nether a pickup canopy but quiter together with to a greater extent than comfy than a tuk tuk together with way cheaper than a "taxi" which the resort said was 700.
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Influenza A virus subtype H5N1 lot of people hire motorcycles which are ubiquitous together with inexpensive. Main roads are by together with large good sealed together with non too crowded but maintain an optic opened upward for pot-holes, peculiarly during or shortly after moisture season.
Tuk tuks are available for hire but caution should survive applied - these things loathe corners.
I didn't regard too many swain bicyclists.

On my cycle to Lanta Town inward 2008 I noticed a farang identify unit of measurement had a local driver inward a private motorcar showing them the due east coast. Maybe some of the nicer resorts take away hold private drivers hanging to a greater extent than or less offering trips similar at Phuket.


DAY TRIPS
These days Lanta is offering a whole bunch of solar daytime trips. Speedboats brand hence many distant locations to a greater extent than accessible.
Do a Google for trips out of Lanta including to:
The four islands - the Trang islands southward of Lanta which includes the fantastic Emerald Cave on Ko Muk.

Inside the Emerald Cave - shot click-expands nicely.  I've done a TRIP REPORT of my 2014 four isle solar daytime trip 2nd from the top here.

Ko Rok - a national common isle westward of the Trang islands with the best snorkeling I've seen inward Thailand.

Sweet National Park HQ beach at Ko Rok. Also on inward a higher identify link.

Ko Phi Phi - The Beach (Maya Bay) of moving-picture demo fame on Phi Phi Ley,/Phi Phi Don,/Mosquito island.

The Beach, Maya Bay. Unusually uncrowded hither because it is 0630. I haven't done the daytrip out of Lanta. Here I stayed overnight at Maya Bay out of Phi Phi Don. Once in i lawsuit to a greater extent than TRIP REPORT details when I acquire a chance.

Longtail snorkelling/kayaking trips of the islands together with mainland coast out of Old Lanta Town pier.

Longtail day-trippers out of Old Lanta Town pier banking concern check the snorkeling off Ko Bu Bu

I'm non certain which is best value. I personally retrieve the Emerald Cave is the most gob-smacking location inward the Andaman. However people who take away hold non seen Maya Bay may acquire ameliorate value from the Phi Phi trip together with snorkelers the Ko Rok trip.

Note too in that location is a whole bunch of Lanta ground tours including total isle tours, caving, elephant riding, cooking classes yada.

Any resort or go desk/agent tin organise these.



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READERS' TRIP REPORT SECTION.

If you lot desire to give the sack inward a trip study on LANTA or whatever other location delight ship text and/or captions summation whatever pix to lajolla22@hotmail.com. Hopefully nosotros tin maintain information upward to engagement without me having to render to dozens of islands every 2nd year. There are hence many other places I desire to visit.

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If you lot are visiting Lanta you lot may also survive interested inward nearby:

PHI PHI

KO JUM

KRABI/RAILAY/AO NANG/TON SAI

KO NGAI

KO KRADAN

KO MUK

KO HAA (DAYTRIP)
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If you lot take away hold whatever questions, delight inquire them inward THE FORUM rather than below. I don't acquire a jeopardy to banking concern check all threads daily, but unless I'm travelling I'll sweat to monitor THE FORUM regularly.
Sumber http://tezzasthaiinfo.blogspot.com/

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