Four Islands and Emerald Cave Speedboat Snorkel Tour
The classic day out from Ko Lanta: a speedboat run to the small islands off Koh Mook and Koh Ngai, with reef snorkeling stops, a swim through the dark tunnel into Emerald Cave and a beach lunch.
Krabi, Thailand
Koh Lanta
Ko Lanta is the slow, long-beached island of Thailand's Andaman coast, a place of wide west coast sand, quiet mangrove creeks, a century-old fishing town and a ring of small islands offshore.
This guide covers eighteen things to do, from the classic four islands trip with a swim through Emerald Cave to snorkeling at Koh Rok and Koh Haa, kayaking into sea caves, a Thai cooking class and sunset among glowing plankton, plus the free beaches, Lanta Old Town, the national park and a waterfall. It also helps you choose between nine hotels and six practical guides on seasons, where to stay, getting there and planning three easy days. Ko Lanta rewards a flexible plan: boats run in the calm months from about November to April, and the island is greener, cheaper and quieter for the rest of the year.
Don't miss
Four Islands and Emerald Cave Speedboat Snorkel Tour
The classic day out from Ko Lanta: a speedboat run to the small islands off Koh Mook and Koh Ngai, with reef snorkeling stops, a swim through the dark tunnel into Emerald Cave and a beach lunch.
Koh Rok and Koh Haa Snorkeling Day Trip
The longest and clearest snorkeling day from Ko Lanta: a fast boat south to the marine park islands of Koh Rok and Koh Haa for white sand, coral shelves and a lagoon swim.
Mangrove Kayaking Tour with Lunch
A half-day paddle through the mangrove channels on Ko Lanta, with limestone views, birds and monkeys, a swim stop and a Thai lunch.
Sunset and Bioluminescent Plankton Boat Tour
An evening trip to watch the sun go down over the Andaman Sea and then swim or paddle in water that glows with bioluminescent plankton.
Things to do in Koh Lanta
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Four Islands Longtail Boat Tour
The slower, cheaper and quieter way to see the same island group: a traditional longtail boat, snorkeling stops, a beach lunch and a swim through Emerald Cave.
Koh Rok and Koh Haa Snorkeling Day Trip
The longest and clearest snorkeling day from Ko Lanta: a fast boat south to the marine park islands of Koh Rok and Koh Haa for white sand, coral shelves and a lagoon swim.
Mangrove Kayaking Tour with Lunch
A half-day paddle through the mangrove channels on Ko Lanta, with limestone views, birds and monkeys, a swim stop and a Thai lunch.
Mangrove and Lanta Old Town Half-Day Tour
A half-day outing that pairs a mangrove paddle or boat ride with a guided stroll through the stilt houses and shophouses of Lanta Old Town.
Talabeng Sea Cave and Ghost Cave Kayaking Half-Day Tour
A small-boat half day that kayaks into the hidden sea caves of Koh Talabeng and the neighboring cliffs, with lagoon stops and a swim.
Sunset and Bioluminescent Plankton Boat Tour
An evening trip to watch the sun go down over the Andaman Sea and then swim or paddle in water that glows with bioluminescent plankton.
Lanta Thai Cookery School Cooking Class
A hands-on Thai cooking class at a long-running school on Ko Lanta, with market ingredients, a set menu of classic dishes and a shared meal at the end.
Koh Kradan and Four Islands Full-Day Longtail Tour
A full-day longtail trip that adds Koh Kradan, one of the prettiest small islands off the Trang coast, to the usual four islands and Emerald Cave route.
Phi Phi Islands Snorkeling Speedboat Tour from Koh Lanta
A long but rewarding day that takes a speedboat north from Ko Lanta to the Phi Phi islands for snorkeling, lagoons and the dramatic cliffs around Maya Bay.
Mangrove and Monkey Point Longtail Boat Tour
A short, easy longtail boat trip through the mangrove creeks of Ko Lanta, with a stop at Monkey Point to watch the macaques and a swim.
Private Transfer between Krabi Airport and Koh Lanta
A door-to-door private car between Krabi Airport and your hotel on Ko Lanta, which saves juggling vans and car ferries after a long flight.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
Costa Lanta Adults Only
Ko Lanta Yai
A design-minded, adults-only beachside hotel on Ko Lanta, aimed at couples who want quiet, style and a relaxed pace.
Check rates →Royal Lanta Resort and Spa
Ko Lanta Yai
A full-service beach resort with a spa, pool and restaurants, suited to families and couples who want everything on site.
Check rates →SriLanta Resort and Spa
Ko Lanta Yai
A resort and spa on Ko Lanta that pairs a quiet garden setting with a pool and in-house wellness treatments.
Check rates →Anda Lanta Resort
Ko Lanta Yai
A friendly mid-range resort with a pool and bungalow-style rooms, a good all-round base for first-time visitors to Ko Lanta.
Check rates →Lanta Casa Blanca
Ko Lanta Yai
A small, white-washed boutique stay on Ko Lanta, with a personal feel and a calm atmosphere.
Check rates →Alama Sea Village Resort
Ko Lanta Yai
A sea-village style resort on Ko Lanta, with relaxed rooms, a pool and a quiet, coastal atmosphere.
Check rates →Long Beach Koh Lanta Resort
Long Beach
A beach resort named for the lively Long Beach area, with bungalow-style rooms and easy access to the sand and the evening scene.
Check rates →Southern Lanta Resort
Southern Ko Lanta
A quiet resort on the southern side of Ko Lanta, handy for the national park and the island quieter beaches.
Check rates →Maya Koh Lanta Resort
Ko Lanta Yai
A newer-style resort on Ko Lanta with modern rooms and a pool, aimed at travelers who want comfort and value.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Four Islands and Emerald Cave Speedboat Snorkel TourStay
Costa Lanta Adults OnlyKo Lanta Yai
Do
Koh Rok and Koh Haa Snorkeling Day TripStay
Long Beach Koh Lanta ResortLong Beach
Do
Mangrove Kayaking Tour with LunchStay
Royal Lanta Resort and SpaKo Lanta Yai
Koh Lanta guides
Koh Lanta for First-Time Visitors: What to Know Before You Go
A practical first-timer guide to Ko Lanta: how the island is laid out, how to get there, which beaches suit whom, the trips worth booking and what to pack.
Where to Stay on Koh Lanta: Beaches and Areas Compared
A guide to choosing where to stay on Ko Lanta: Klong Dao, Long Beach, the quieter bays, the south and the old town, with tips on distance and seasons.
Three Days on Koh Lanta: A Relaxed Itinerary
A three-day plan for Ko Lanta that mixes a big island day, mangroves and the old town, a cooking class and sunset time on the west coast.
Best Time to Visit Koh Lanta: Seasons, Weather and Crowds
When to go to Ko Lanta: the calm dry season, the green monsoon months, boat trip availability, crowds and what changes through the year.
Island Hopping and Snorkeling from Koh Lanta: Which Trip to Pick
Compare the island trips from Ko Lanta: four islands and Emerald Cave, Koh Kradan, Koh Rok and Koh Haa, Phi Phi, and sea cave kayaking.
Getting to and Around Koh Lanta: Transfers, Ferries and Scooters
How to reach Ko Lanta from Krabi, Phuket and Ao Nang, what the car ferries are like, and how to get around the island by taxi, tuk-tuk or scooter.
