A lush green island with turquoise waters

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta suits travelers who want long west coast beaches, simple bamboo-hut stays and a slow pace on a lightly developed island.

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Ko Lanta Yai is a large island off Thailand's west coast, in the Strait of Malacca, lying between the Phi Phi Islands and the mainland. It belongs to Krabi Province and, with Ko Lanta Noi and several other islands, makes up Ko Lanta District. At about 25 km long and 6 km wide, it has room to spread out, and it remains relatively undeveloped.

The main beaches sit on the west coast: Klong Dao, Pra-Ae (Long Beach) and Klong Khong Beach. Ban Saladan, the town and port at the northern tip, has ferries to Koh Ngai and Phi Phi. Part of the island is inside Mu Ko Lanta National Park, which Thailand established as its 62nd national park in 1990. Most of the island's Moken, known as Chao Ley or sea people, live in Old Town on the east coast. Accommodation is mostly basic bamboo huts, and paved roads are few. The drier months, roughly November to April, suit a beach trip best. Plan at least three nights to cover the west coast and the park.

Koh Lanta in five

Fly into Krabi and plan a road and ferry transferKoh Lanta has no airport. Flights land in Krabi, and the island is reached by road to the pier and then by ferry.Getting around
Carry baht for the east coast and the southBring baht for days spent away from the main west coast beaches, since the east coast and the south are less developed.
Check the roads before you rent a scooterPaved roads are few and mostly in the north, and they get rougher toward the south. Ride only with a valid motorcycle license and wear a helmet.
Check Ban Saladan ferry times for Phi PhiFerries to Koh Ngai and Phi Phi leave from Ban Saladan at the northern tip. Confirm the day's schedule at the pier before you plan a day trip around it.
Ask before you photograph Moken homesOld Town on the east coast is home to most of the island's Moken, also called Chao Ley or sea people. Ask before you photograph people or their homes.

Things to do in Koh Lanta

See all attractions in Koh Lanta

a man and a woman sitting next to each other

Landmark · Koh LantaTham Khao Mai Khew

A person with curly hair wearing a black hat in a rural landscape

Sight · Koh LantaKo Talabeng

Viewpoint · Koh LantaKlong Khong Beach

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Koh LantaPut the places you like in Koh Lanta on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Baht (THB)
Entry: Visa exemption for many passports; check the rules before you fly Read more
Emergency: 191 police, 199 fire
Tipping: Not required; a small tip or rounding up is appreciated
Time: UTC+7, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Dry, pleasant
FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Dry, pleasant
MarchClear9 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Dry, hot
AprilRain22 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Dry, hot
MayRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Hot, dry
JuneRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Rains begin
JulyRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low27°Monsoon, wet
AugustRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Monsoon, wet
SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low27°Monsoon, rough seas
OctoberRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Rains, easing
NovemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Dry season starts
DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Dry, busy

Average daily high and low in Koh Lanta, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Koh Lanta

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 32°
Humidity: 79%
Wind: 16 km/h
Chance of rain: 61%

Koh Lanta

07:56 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+7

Today30°25°61%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 61%.
Wed30°25°80%Wednesday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 80%.
Thu30°25°74%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 74%.
Fri30°24°89%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 89%.
Sat31°24°73%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 73%.
Sun29°25°92%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 92%.
Mon29°25°90%Monday: Rain. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 90%.

Updated 03:45 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 33.76 THB

Amount

Converted to

THB · Thai Baht

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Koh Phi Phiby ferry from Ban Saladan; check schedulesThe Phi Phi Islands are reached by boat from Ban Saladan on Koh Lanta.
Koh Ngaiby ferry from Ban Saladan; check schedulesA nearby island with beaches, reached by ferry from the same pier at Ban Saladan.
Ko Lanta Noiby road over the bridge; check travel timeKo Lanta Noi, part of the same district, now reached by road over the bridge that opened in 2015.

Before you go to Koh Lanta

eSIM for Koh LantaData for ferries and mapsRead the guide

Insurance for island travelCover for scooters and boatsRead the guide

Money and cards in ThailandBaht cash for small islandsRead the guide

Where to stay on Koh LantaBeach, bungalow or townRead the guide

Rules for Koh Lanta, checked

Many passports enter Thailand visa-free for short stays. Check the current rules and arrival requirements on immigration.go.th before you fly.Source
Cover shoulders and knees at temples, and take off your shoes before you enter a temple hall or shrine.
Flying a drone needs permission from the Thai authorities. Check the rules before you bring one.
Carry a valid license for any motorbike you ride, and wear a helmet. Check that your travel insurance covers scooter riding.

Plan around Koh Lanta

Getting around the island

Flights to Krabi, ferries and roads on Koh Lanta

Read the guide Money and costs

Baht cash, card use and typical prices

Read the guide Visas and entry

Entry rules and what to check before you fly

Read the guide Where to stay

Bungalows and hotels on each part of the island

Read the guide Phones and eSIM

Data, maps and offline use on the island

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Boat trips to Phi Phi and island tours

Read the guide

Koh Lanta FAQ

Where is Koh Lanta?

Koh Lanta, also called Ko Lanta Yai, is a large island off Thailand's west coast in Krabi Province. It lies between the Phi Phi Islands and the mainland.

How do you get to Koh Lanta?

Fly to Krabi, then take a road transfer to the pier and a ferry to the island. The island has no airport, so the trip from Krabi combines road and ferry.

Is Koh Lanta quiet?

The main beaches on the west coast, Klong Dao, Pra-Ae and Klong Khong, are the island's most developed stretch. The east coast and the south are less developed and less accessible, and most accommodation on the island is basic bamboo huts.

How many days do you need on Koh Lanta?

Plan at least three nights if you want a Phi Phi day trip and time in Old Town. Each extra night gives you more time to explore the beaches and the national park.

Where can you see the Moken on Koh Lanta?

Most of the island's Moken live in Old Town, the administrative centre on the east coast. Visit with respect and ask before you take photos of people or their homes.

When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta?

The drier months, roughly November to April, are the usual choice. From May to October the southwest monsoon brings rain and rough seas, so check the sea conditions before a boat trip.