Koh Lanta Beaches

General, THAILAND

Koh Lanta Yai is a beautiful island in the south of Thailand. It offers a great variety of beautiful beaches along the west coast. Starting from north to south, it is worth visiting all of them:

Saladan Pier
Not really a beach but most likely the first spot you are setting your feet on when arriving on Lanta. The biggest – and only “real” pier – is located in the very north of the island, facing towards the mostly uninhabited island Koh Lanta Noi. The pier is frequently approached by tourist ferries bringing tourists, locals and goods from and to the island. Since 2016 a new bridge is connecting the rarely inhabited Koh Lanta Noi and the more developed Koh Lanta Yai. The bridge is now open for traffic. With this new road you will save one car ferry trip when arriving to Lanta which means you have to take the car ferry only once – from the main land to Lanta Noi.

Klong Dao (video available below)
The first sandy beach in the northern part of the island. It is very wide, probably the widest beach on Lanta and it has the shape of a sickle. The water is quite shallow and therefore ideal for families with kids.

Long Beach / Pra Ae (video available below)
As you can already tell by its name, it is the longest beach on Koh Lanta. Many hotels and restaurants are located close to the beach along the main road. There are many good hotels in this area as well as a selection of night clubs and party areas. Therefore this is the place for families as well as party tourists. But – to be honest – Lanta is probably not the best choice for party tourists. There are a lot islands in Thailand offering far more party facilities than Koh Lanta.

Klong Kong
One stop further south, Klong Kong is already more relaxed and layed back than the upper beaches on Lanta. There are a view restaurants close to the beach and many hotels and restaurants along the main road.

On the picture you can see Klong Kong in the lower part and Long Beach in the upper part.

Klong Toab
Klong Toab is a small beach right next to the main road. There is one restaurant which offers good breakfast. It is another Shanti Shanti Restaurant. The one on Klong Nin is part of my blog post 7 best restaurants on Koh Lanta.

There are many rocks and longtail boats at this beach, so I would go there for swimming as it is quite difficult to get to the water line at low tide.

Klong Nin
Our favorite beach on Koh Lanta. There are many small beachfront bars and restaurants at this beach. It is very relaxed and although it offers many places to have dinner or a cocktail, it is not crowded. It is a perfect place to spend a relaxed day at the beach or to watch the beautiful sunsets while sitting in the sand on one of the many sun chairs or beach mats offered by the bars. Places to recommend are Charlee Barley’s and Otto’s Bar.

Nui Beach
A visit to this beach can be perfectly combined with a snack at the Diamond Cliff Restaurant. The beach is right next – or let’s say – below the restaurant. It is also the easiest way to access it – by climbing down the stairs which lead from the restaurant down to the beach. There is also a trail that connects the main road and the beach but it is difficult to find. Nui Beach is just perfect. It definitely contributes to your Robinson Crusoe feeling when building your own sunshades with palm leaves and bamboo branches…

Kantiang Bay
This beach is home to the famous “Why Not Bar”. It is worth to come here for a relaxed afternoon at the beach or for cocktails at night time. The southern part of Kantiang Bay belongs to the most expensive hotel on Lanta – the Pimalai. It is the hotel of choice for luxury holidays on the island. Even the royal family stays here from time to time. There is a big floating pier on the beach which is used by guests arriving to the Pimalai hotel by boat. It can also be used for jumping into the water…

Nui Bay
A small beach next to Kantiang Bay with many rocks and longtail boats. Many people stop here with their scooter to watch the sunset.

Bamboo Beach (video available below)
The beach on the very end of Koh Lanta west coast is Bamboo Bay. A beautiful beach with only very view people. There are not as many bars and restaurants in this area as further up north but it doens’t matter. It is a great place to enjoy the sun and the ocean and with 2 bars close-by you can also get some refreshments down there.

National Park with Lighthouse
When entering the National Park area on the far end of the island, you will have to pay an entrance fee as well as a parking fee to the park rangers. At the very southern part, there is an old lighthouse which gives a beautiful motif for pictures. The water in the bay is very calm and shallow with a great blue colour. The opposite part of the beach consists of rocks and rough water, a great contrast separated be the lighthouse and its cliff. It is possible to buy snacks at a small counter but beware of the monkeys!!! There are many of them. And they are not afraid. At all. It will be you being afraid in case you are having a coke or an ice cream or whatever monkeys typically like in your hands. We have seen many woman and children being attact by a group of monkeys stealing their cornetto (which gives a funny picture – a baby monkey passing-by holding ice cream in his hands). But they can be quite frightening. Strangely they seem to stay away from adult man. Probably because of bad experiences with them… So I can only recommand to watch your belongings (sunglasses, keys, wallet, camera, food, drinks). Monkeys are tricky – but also very cute and funny 😉