After the gentle introduction of southern Phuket, Koh Lanta became the heart of my Andaman Sea journey. I stayed there for 8 nights — the longest stop of my trip — and it ended up being exactly what I needed: space, stillness, long beach walks, indulgent hours of swimming, reading, napping, and a slower rhythm that made time stretch in the best possible way.

If you’re looking for an island in Thailand that balances deep rest with easy adventure, Koh Lanta is one of the best places to do it. It’s calm without being boring, social without being overwhelming, and incredibly welcoming — especially for solo travellers. 🩵

🛳️ How to get to Koh Lanta

There are several ferry and speedboat options each day between Rassada Pier in Phuket and Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta. The slow ferry typically takes around 4 hours and travels via Koh Phi Phi, where you change boats. Speedboats are much faster at roughly 1.5 hours, but from my research, they can be prone to delays or an uncomfortably bumpy ride if sea conditions aren’t ideal.

I ended up choosing the slow ferry with Phi Phi Cruiser, and it turned out to be a great decision. The journey was pretty smooth, and because I boarded early, I snagged a comfortable seat on the shaded upper deck, complete with a lovely sea breeze. The atmosphere on board was surprisingly fun and relaxed — honestly one of the most enjoyable ferry rides I’ve had.

The transfer at Koh Phi Phi was well organised: they placed stickers on passengers so it was clear who was continuing onto Koh Lanta, and I was directed to the correct boat. On the second leg, a lady came to arrange hotel pick-ups from Saladan Pier for everyone, which was super handy!

I booked all my ferry tickets in Thailand through 12Go Asia, and everything was easy and smooth.

🛖 Where to stay in Koh Lanta: north vs south

Koh Lanta’s west coast is lined with long beaches, and where you stay really shapes your experience. I split my time between Pra-Ae Beach (Long Beach) in the north and Klong Nin Beach further south — and I’m so glad I did.

Long Beach is more developed and social, with plenty of cafés, restaurants, and beachfront resorts. It’s a bit more lively but still very relaxed, and a great place to ease into the island. It is also significantly closer to the port if you want to take boat trips.

Klong Nin, on the other hand, felt noticeably quieter and more spacious. The beaches are just as beautiful, but the atmosphere is slower, more intimate, and closer to nature. I found myself enjoying the southern part of the island more — not only because my accommodation was lovelier and more spacious, but because exploring the lush hills, viewpoints, and smaller hidden beaches down south felt more adventurous and rewarding.

🛌 Hotels I stayed at:

• Lanta Pearl Beach Resort — reasonably priced bungalows in a beautiful, well-maintained property right on the small lane that leads to Long Beach. It was perfect location-wise. However it's worth bearing in mind their bungalows vary in size quality. I initially got a smaller and older one facing the pool, which I asked to change because I preferred more privacy, and the second bungalow I got was bigger and newer. It was quite handy to have their restaurant on site, though it was nothing outstanding — I much preferred the local eateries nearby.
• Lanta Intanin Resort — I really liked my stay there, really well-priced, modern and spacious rooms. Mine was upstairs with a balcony and I loved the view over the jungle! The beach was basically right across the street. They offered free breakfast on a lovely terrace overlooking the jungle where there were a lot of monkeys! They might come and steal a banana or two! 🙈

🏖️ Koh Lanta beaches: where slow days shine

Koh Lanta is made for beach days that don’t need much planning. Long Beach and Klong Nin Beach are two of the best on the island — perfect for swimming, reading, napping, and long sunset walks where the sky slowly turns gold.

Further south, the island becomes wilder, more rugged, with lush jungles everywhere. Smaller beaches like Nui Beach, Nui Bay, and Khlong Chak Beach feel tucked away and untouched. You can easily explore these on a scooter, but I took a mountain bike, which turned out to be quite a workout due to the hills — not for the faint-hearted but a rewarding adventure!

A quick note on Nui Bay vs. Nui Beach, as the names can be confusing. Nui Bay is the more famous and popular of the two — and in my opinion, probably the most visually stunning beach in Koh Lanta. Tucked beneath dramatic cliffs and lush jungle, with crystal-clear water and a laid-back beach bar, it really is postcard-perfect. That said, our visit came with a bit of chaos courtesy of the resident monkeys, who were busy stealing unattended bags! 🐒 We ended up shifting spots multiple times just to stay ahead of them.

Nui Beach, on the other hand, became my personal favourite place to spend a slow beach day. Accessed via a set of steep stairs next to Diamond Cliff Restaurant, it’s likely this slightly hidden entrance that keeps it so quiet. The beach felt wonderfully spacious and peaceful, with free canopies offering shade and plenty of room to spread out. It’s the kind of place where hours slip by unnoticed — and I could happily spend an entire day there reading and swimming. 🫶🏻

🤿 Adventures in and around Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta might feel slow on the surface, but it offers some truly unforgettable experiences — especially if you love the ocean. 🐠

My island-hopping and snorkelling trip to Koh Rok, Koh Haa, and nearby islands was undoubtedly my highlight in Koh Lanta, and from my Thailand trip! The water was crystal clear, the marine life wonderful and untouched, and it was pure magic to follow the fish and eventually land on a small white sand cove! There are many options available on GetYourGuide.

A day trip to Koh Phi Phi is also easy from Koh Lanta. While Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, and Phi Phi itself can feel intense, the scenery in the area is undeniably beautiful — towering limestone cliffs, turquoise lagoons, and incredible viewpoints. Returning to Koh Lanta afterwards though definitely made me appreciate tranquillity of the island even more!

On land, Koh Lanta rewards slow exploration. Scooter rides through the southern hills, visits to Mu Ko Lanta National Park, jungle trails, viewpoints, and quiet cafés all offer moments of stillness between adventures.

🛥️ Moving on: from Koh Lanta to Koh Yao Noi

8 nights in Koh Lanta somehow flew by and I could easily stay for longer. But when it was time to move on, I took a smooth and comfortable speedboat across the Andaman Sea to Koh Yao Noi — a peaceful island tucked between Phuket and Krabi.

👉 Explore the complete 2-week Andaman Sea itinerary here