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From pristine seashores and scrumptious Thai meals, to beautiful sunsets and delightful accommodations, discover out the highest issues to do in Koh Lanta, Thailand.
When individuals ask me about particular journeys I’ve been on, there’s one particularly that brings again completely wonderful reminiscences: our journey to Thailand in April 2018. It’s particular for quite a lot of causes. Firstly, it was a vacation. A kind of well-earned getaways after a very hectic interval of labor. I used to be knackered and prepared for a very good relaxation!
There are such a lot of nice issues to do in Koh Lanta, Thailand
Secondly, it was to a brand new nation! I don’t go to these fairly often any extra, and all the time really feel a little bit bit giddy getting off the airplane and seeing a brand new stamp seem in my passport.
Thirdly, it was the nation the place Macca proposed. I left with essentially the most stunning engagement ring on my finger. That magical second occurred on the island of Koh Lanta – a spot I’ve been wanting ahead to writing about intimately. You possibly can examine that second in my engagement story.
I’ll always remember that first view as we walked out of our lodge in Koh Lanta, stepped foot on the seashore and took in our environment. Vibrant deck chairs on comfortable white sand with inviting turquoise water and mysterious mountains lined in rugged jungles – WOW! Moments later we’d discovered a cute seashore bar and had been tucking into our first Thai curry of the journey, whereas sipping on coconut cocktails. Vacation mode was effectively and actually on.
Drinks with a view in Koh Lanta
Among the finest issues to do in Koh Lanta? Watch the sundown
So, whether or not you’re planning a visit to the island your self, or deciding which beautiful Thai island is for you, it’s time to share a couple of causes to go to Koh Lanta, and the very best issues to do when you’re there!
How To Get To Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is positioned on Thailand’s Andaman coast within the Krabi Province. Most individuals go to as a part of an island-hopping vacation, stopping off for a couple of days on Koh Lanta and Ko Phi Phi earlier than spending time on the mainland in Krabi at Ao Nang.
On the seashore in Ao Nang, Thailand after visiting Koh Lanta
When you’ve landed in Bangkok, your only option is to catch a flight to Krabi. You may also fly from throughout Thailand to Krabi Airport. From there you possibly can organize a switch to Koh Lanta. They journey takes between 2-3 hours on a minibus and a brief ferry, after which you’ll be dropped at your lodging in Koh Lanta.
Alternatively, can catch a ferry from Krabi or Ao Nang to Koh Lanta. That is what we did after our time on the island. It was all very effectively organised and easy – we simply booked by way of the tour desks on the town.
Stress-free on the Koh Lanta 4 island tour – one of the crucial well-liked day journeys
Causes To Go to Koh Lanta
In the event you’re making an attempt to determine which island in Thailand to go to, I’d suggest studying my Thailand island hopping information. I requested a bunch of high journey bloggers which their favorite island was and why, and so they gave plenty of nice suggestions.
Koh Lanta was really useful by a a number of individuals. It’s recognized for its laid-back vibe and pure magnificence. It’s one of many lesser-visited islands too, so that you received’t discover a loopy social gathering scene. It’s bought an genuine really feel, and it’s completely doable to have paradise seashores all to your self.
Lovely lodging in Koh Lanta
Exploring Mu Koh Lanta Nationwide Park – top-of-the-line issues to do in koh lanta
Prime causes to go to Koh Lanta embrace snorkelling, diving, rest, yoga, boat excursions, meals and outside adventures. I’d say there’s sufficient to do to maintain you busy for 3-7 days. Time to share a couple of highlights from our journey, and a few issues I’d like to do if I make it again to the island quickly.
10 Wonderful Issues To do In Koh Lanta, Thailand
Take pleasure in some seashore time
One of many huge causes to go to Koh Lanta is for the seashores. Lengthy white sand, stunning bays, turquoise water and mountainous backdrops make it a really particular and photogenic place! Many seashores have deck chairs and umbrellas out there for rent – one thing I’d suggest as there’s little or no shade when you’re out on the sand.
There are such a lot of stunning seashores in Koh Lanta
Wherever you’re staying, you received’t be removed from one of many island’s high seashores, which embrace Klong Khong Seashore, Klong Dao Seashore, Lengthy Seashore, Phra Ae Seashore and Laem Kho Kwang Seashore.
Stress-free on top-of-the-line seashores in Koh Lanta
Chill with a superb e-book, take pleasure in some tan time and while you get too scorching, quiet down with a dip within the emerald waters or by sipping a contemporary mojito or a Chang. That is what an island break in Thailand is all about!
Rent a scooter
One of the simplest ways to get across the island is on two wheels. Most accommodations have choices to rent bikes and scooters. All I’d say is, whereas at first a motorcycle might sound interesting, when the temperatures and humidity are excessive in Koh Lanta, the very last thing you’ll need to do is train!
Self guided scooter tour of Koh Lanta
I’d suggest hiring a scooter and taking your self on a self-guided island tour. We employed one from our lodge for 240 THB (underneath £6) for the day. The worth included helmets, that are required by regulation.
I cherished how liberating it was! We zoomed alongside busy excessive streets full of tuk-tuks, ventured by means of fairly jungles, emerged by new luxurious resorts within the hills and noticed a number of secluded seashores that had been utterly abandoned. It gave us the liberty to cease at some spots that had been off the crushed path. We additionally visited the spectacular Mu Koh Lanta Nationwide Park, proper on the backside tip of the island – extra on that developing.
Go on an island-hopping tour
Thailand is synonymous with paradise islands! Irrespective of which coastal spot you go to in Thailand, you’re more likely to see choices for island-hopping excursions.
There are day by day 4-island tours from Koh Lanta which take you to 4 neighbouring islands for quite a lot of experiences – often Koh Kradan, Koh Mook, Koh Ngai and Koh Chuck.
Paradise views in Koh Lanta
I cherished this day trip. I spent your complete tour in my bikini, lapping up spectacular views, diving into turquoise waters to see vibrant fish, consuming tasty Thai meals and enjoyable. It was a reminder that not having Wifi or cellphone sign is sweet for the soul!
Probably the most adventurous a part of the day was swimming by means of the Emerald Cave at Koh Mook. This island has a crater within the centre. It was unbelievable to swim by means of the darkish cave and emerge on the secret seashore inside – and sure, the water lived as much as the cave’s identify!
Contained in the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook
Contained in the Emerald Cave on Koh Mook
Koh Lanta is understood for its marine life too, and it’s honest to say the snorkelling on this tour was wonderful. At one level I used to be surrounded by unique fish in each color of the rainbow. It all the time amazes me simply how a lot is occurring underneath the water.
We additionally actually loved our time on Koh Ngai in direction of the top of the day. It’s one of many closest locations to paradise that I’ve ever visited. It ticked all of the cliché bins – the softest, whitest sand, clear, turquoise sea and a uncooked, untouched allure.
Snorkeling is likely one of the greatest issues to do in koh lanta
Koh Ngai actually is like paradise
Take pleasure in dreamy sunsets on the seashore
I’d heard about Thailand’s legendary sunsets earlier than visiting, and as soon as I noticed my first one, I used to be in LOVE! We stayed at Laguna Beach Club, a small 3-star lodge on Laem Kho Kwang Seashore. It was in an ideal location, moments from the sand.
I nonetheless keep in mind our first sundown there. We had been exhausted from the lengthy journey, however actually grateful to have made it. We toasted the primary night time of our vacation with comfortable hour cocktails (a cut price at 120 Thai Baht – £3) on the seashore, snapping smiley vacation selfies and watching because the final of the golden rays disappeared.
Our very first cocktail in Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta’s seashores are good for sundown lovers as the primary areas you’re more likely to keep all run alongside the west facet of the island, and subsequently profit from epic sunsets each night. In the event you’re planning a vacation, little doubt you’ll think about loads of sundown cocktails on the island!
Sundown over top-of-the-line seashores in Koh Lanta
Feast on unbelievable Thai meals
Earlier than visiting Thailand, I used to be a bit on the fence with Thai meals. I’d had a couple of Thai curries earlier than, however none of them had made me go WOW. I additionally knew Thai meals was notoriously spicy. I really like a bit of warmth, however would I deal with Thai ranges of chilli?
Effectively, what a revelation this journey turned out to be! I fell head over heels for Thai delicacies, and that love affair began in Koh Lanta with our very first meal.
We went looking for some lunch and located a cute seashore bar a couple of doorways down from our lodge. One pad Thai and one Thai inexperienced curry later, I used to be bought. What flavoursome and fragrant dishes, with the zing of kaffir lime, chilli warmth and wealthy indulgence of coconut milk. Mmmm, it’s making me hungry simply occupied with it.
Thai inexperienced curry at top-of-the-line eating places in Koh Lanta
Thai larb spicy salad at top-of-the-line eating places in Koh Lanta
On common, meals had been actually cheap in Koh Lanta, costing between 100 – 250 THB (£2.50 – £6). A number of locations we cherished the meals at included So Good Bar, Veedvew, Bamboo Bay Valley Restaurant and Quick Monkey (though beware – it was spicy!)
We had an ideal lunch with a view at Patoj Bar & Restaurant on the south of the island simply after we bought engaged. We made a couple of excited cellphone calls from the terrace overlooking the seashore, then tucked into ardour fruit mojitos and Thai curries!
BBQ squid in Koh Lanta
We additionally stumbled throughout an unassuming BBQ joint within the centre of city, close to Phra Ae Seashore. Probably the most heavenly scent of charred meat and fish wafted by means of the air drawing us in to Might’s Kitchen BBQ. We feasted on bbq squid with a aromatic dipping sauce and marinaded bbq hen. It felt extra like one thing you’d discover within the Caribbean, however when on vacation…!
Deal with your self to some zen time at a yoga class
Yoga is well-liked on Koh Lanta. You’ll see posters across the island for varied courses. Oasis Yoga by Klong Dao Seashore comes extremely really useful. There you’ll discover a yoga studio (with day by day courses), 13 pool-view bungalows, plus a restaurant serving wholesome dishes. It’s an ideal place to satisfy like-minded travellers.
Oasis Yoga Bungalows, Koh Lanta
Benefit from the buzz of Saladan’s night time market
One night we took a tuk-tuk to ‘Walking Street’ in Saladan (the outdated city the place the ferries are available). This can be a actually buzzy spot within the evenings. There’s an evening market with retailers and meals stalls, in addition to loads of eating places overlooking the water.
In the event you’re on a price range, this can be a good spot for meals, with noodles, satay, curries, ice cream and extra on the market, and objects ranging from 40 THB (£1).
Go to Mu Koh Lanta Nationwide Park
In the event you rent scooters and fancy seeing the untouched facet of Koh Lanta, I’d suggest driving right down to Mu Koh Lanta Nationwide Park, proper on the backside tip of the island. The nationwide park is a mixture of rugged hills, rainforest and seashore. In the event you like mountaineering, there are some beautiful trails with epic seashore views.
Exploring Mu Koh Lanta Nationwide Park
Exploring Mu Koh Lanta Nationwide Park – one in every of my favorite locations in Koh Lanta
Among the finest views on the entire island is from the lighthouse on this nationwide park. Look again in direction of the seashores and also you’ll see two picturesque bays without delay. Macca had clearly performed his analysis, as this was the spot the place he bought down on one knee!
It’s price noting Mu Koh Lanta Nationwide Park has an entrance charge of 200 THB (£5) per grownup however you can simply spend a couple of hours there. There’s a 1.7km nature path which takes round 2 hours and can present you numerous the island’s biodiversity. After the stroll you can swim within the sea or loosen up on the seashore.
When he proposed!
Social gathering on Koh Lanta
As talked about, Koh Lanta isn’t one of many huge social gathering islands in Thailand. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply there’s no nightlife in any respect.
One factor I found throughout my journey was that there’s a rota system for events. This implies should you do need to expertise the island’s wilder facet there’s just one place to go every night time of the week. The bars on rotation embrace Blanco Bar, Freedom, Pangea, Irie and Mushroom Bar. It means those that need to let their hair down can congregate, plus the bars often have reside music or a DJ, and drinks affords.
We went to Blanco Bar one night – a hostel bar with an ideal vibe. It had the same old mixture of solo travellers taking part in playing cards and consuming low-cost jugs of cocktails, {couples} on romantic getaways, and teams of buddies having fun with a couple of drinks whereas absorbing the power of the room.
Journey to a waterfall
We didn’t get round to visiting any waterfalls on our journey, but when I returned, I’d love to go to Khlong Chak Waterfall. With pink sand and brilliant inexperienced water, it appears actually spectacular.
It’s positioned within the south of the island and is surrounded by tropical rainforest. There’s a 2km hike to achieve it, plus a cave to discover on the way in which again. It’s all the time good to depart a couple of issues for a return journey!
An enormous because of the Tourism Authority of Thailand for inviting me to share my love of Koh Lanta. Don’t neglect to take a look at my different blogs about Thailand right here.
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