Slow down on the Andaman Sea.

The Andaman island that never tried to become Phuket

Koh Lanta stretches along a single long west coast of sandy bays, with a national park and a lighthouse at the southern tip, mangrove creeks on the east side and an Old Town built on stilts over the water. Most of the island is still low-rise and unhurried, and that is exactly the point of coming here.

It is also a very practical base: satellite islands such as Koh Rok, Koh Haa and Koh Kradan are day trips by boat, the beaches suit families and couples alike, and prices sit well below the busier resort islands. We are an independent guide, so we tell you when Koh Lanta is not the right fit too.

Choosing the right stretch of coast changes your whole trip

Almost all of Koh Lanta's hotels sit along one long west-coast road, beach by beach. We break the island into zones, with price bands, trade-offs and direct hotel search for each one.

• Nearly all hotels sit along the single west-coast road, so the beach you pick is the neighbourhood you get.
• Long Beach and Klong Nin have plenty of restaurants and bars within reach.
• Kantiang Bay and Bamboo Bay suit quieter stays, but you will rely more on a scooter or taxi.
• Rates vary a lot between high and low season; compare current prices before booking.

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Meet the island's people and wildlife with care

Koh Lanta has a long history as a home of chao leh sea-gypsy communities and a trading town on the water. Reading about them before you arrive makes the Old Town and the fishing villages far more meaningful.

If you want to see elephants, choose an operator that does not offer riding or performances, and read what the sanctuary actually does before booking. Our guide to Following Giants explains what to look for. Labels like "ethical" are used loosely across Thailand, so ask questions.