Things to Do in Koh Lanta: Islands, Caves, Beaches

The short answer

If you only have a short stay, do three things: one boat day to the southern islands, one land day at the national park and Old Town, and one slower day on a west coast beach. That mix shows you the sea, the forest and the island's older culture without rushing. Everything else on this page is a bonus that depends on your interests and the weather.

The page runs from the biggest days out to the smallest. Boat trips come first because they need booking and depend on the season. Land days follow, then beaches, wildlife and evenings. The last section puts it all together. If you want a full overview of the island first, start with our Koh Lanta travel guide.

The boat days: Koh Rok, Koh Ha and Koh Kradan

The island trips south of Koh Lanta are the classic day out. Koh Rok is a protected marine reserve with white sand and clear, shallow reefs for snorkelling. Koh Ha is a small group of rocks known for caves and underwater pinnacles. Koh Kradan has a long, fine beach that suits people who prefer swimming to snorkelling. Our island page covers each one.

Plan for a long day. Boats leave early in the morning and trips last 7 to 8 hours. The snorkelling tour to Koh Rok and Koh Ha takes 7.5 hours for US$47, while the 4-island trip towards Koh Kradan takes 8 hours for US$42. We compare the two routes in our guide to the best snorkelling tours.

One rule matters more than any other. Koh Rok and Koh Ha are closed to visitors from around 16 May to 14 October because of the monsoon. Trips to Koh Kradan and Koh Mook continue during that period. For timings and what each boat includes, read our full guide to day trips from Koh Lanta.

Emerald Cave (Tham Morakot) on Koh Muk

The Emerald Cave is a sea cave on Koh Muk, in Trang province. You swim through a dark tunnel of about 80 metres and come out into a closed lagoon with a small beach, surrounded by cliffs. It is one of the most memorable swims in the region, and most 4-island trips from Koh Lanta include it as a stop.

It is also the most weather dependent stop. The tunnel is only passable at low tide and when the sea is calm, so boat crews sometimes skip it or cancel the visit on the day. You cannot visit it alone without a boat. Bring a waterproof torch if your tour does not provide one, and read our Emerald Cave page before you go.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park and the Laem Tanod lighthouse

At the southern tip of the island, the national park combines the Laem Tanod lighthouse, forest trails and a beach of fine sand. You will often see macaques and monitor lizards near the headquarters. The walk up to the lighthouse viewpoint is short, and the rocky coast below is one of the best views on Koh Lanta. See our national park page for the layout.

Entry costs 200 THB per foreign adult, with a reduced rate for children and Thai visitors, paid at the gate. Plan half a day. There are no taxis waiting at the entrance, so come by scooter or arrange a return ride in advance. Our entrance fee and opening hours guide has the practical details.

• Keep food out of sight: the monkeys are bold.
• Wear proper shoes for the forest trail.
• Combine with Bamboo Bay or Kantiang Bay on the way back.

Koh Lanta Old Town and the east coast

Old Town is on the quieter east coast. It is a row of wooden houses on stilts over the water, with Chinese temples, small shops and restaurants looking out over the mangroves and the islands offshore. It was a trading port long before tourism arrived, and it is still where you get the clearest sense of the island's mixed Thai, Chinese and Muslim history.

The area is also home to the Chao Leh community (Urak Lawoi), the sea people of the Andaman coast. Our article on Chao Leh culture explains who they are and how to visit respectfully. There is no beach here, so pair Old Town with a seafood lunch over the water. Practical tips are on our Old Town page.

The beaches, from Klong Dao to Bamboo Bay

All the swimming beaches are on the west coast. From north to south, the 6 main ones are Klong Dao, Long Beach (Phra Ae), Klong Khong, Klong Nin, Kantiang Bay and Bamboo Bay. The north is busier and flatter, the south is quieter, greener and harder to reach. The east coast is mangrove and fishing villages, so it is not a place to swim.

Klong Dao is calm and long, good for families. Long Beach has the most restaurants and bars. Klong Khong is relaxed and cheaper. Klong Nin is quieter, Kantiang Bay is a curved bay under jungle hills, and Bamboo Bay is small and wild. Our beach guide compares them in detail.

Mangroves, caves and kayaks on the east coast

The mangrove forest at Tung Yee Peng is the easiest way to see the east side of the island from the water. You paddle a kayak through tunnels of mangrove roots, often with macaques and monitor lizards along the banks. Longer trips add Koh Talabeng and Skull Island, with limestone cliffs and caves. Start with our mangrove forest page.

Choose between a half day and a full day. The half-day kayak with Old Town takes 4 hours for US$27, while the Koh Talabeng and Skull Island trip takes 6 to 7 hours for US$60. The water is calm, so these trips often run when the west coast is too rough. Our guide to mangrove tours explains what to expect.

Elephants, monkeys and wildlife, done right

If you want to see elephants, choose a place where you watch rather than ride. Following Giants is an ethical sanctuary near Old Town with no elephant riding. Visits focus on observing the animals and helping to feed them. Book ahead, as group sizes are small.

Much of the island's wildlife you will see for free. Macaques and monitor lizards live in the forest around the national park, and the mangroves are good for birds. Keep your distance, do not feed the monkeys yourself and hold on to bags. Watching quietly from a kayak or a trail gives you far better sightings than chasing animals for a photo.

Sunset spots, night markets and after dark

Evenings on Koh Lanta are easy going. The west coast faces the sunset, so any beach bar there works for a drink as the sun goes down. The evening markets around Saladan are good for cheap street food. For bars, beach parties and the monthly full moon events, see our guide to Koh Lanta nightlife.

If bars are not your thing, there are good alternatives. A Thai cooking class fills an afternoon or evening and ends with dinner. Several gyms run beginner sessions in Muay Thai. The sunset kayak with bioluminescent plankton takes 5 hours for US$49 and is one of the more unusual evenings on the island.

How to string it together: 3, 5 or 7 days

With 3 days, keep one day for the southern islands, one for the national park and Old Town, and one for a beach. With 5 days, add the mangroves and a free day for rain or rest. With 7 days, add the Emerald Cave trip, a cooking class and a second beach area. Our 3, 5 and 7 day itineraries give hour-by-hour plans.

Book the boat day early in your stay, so you have spare days if the sea is too rough. Between mid May and mid October, swap Koh Rok and Koh Ha for Koh Kradan and Koh Mook, and lean more on mangroves and indoor activities. Read about the best time to visit and the rainy season before you fix your dates.