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The popularity of
Koh Lanta has increased tenfold in the last five years. Situated
70 kilometers from the province of Krabi, Koh Lanta archipelago, famously known
in Thai as Moo Koh Lanta, comprises of more than 50 islands and lies in the Andaman
Sea off the west coast of Southern Thailand. The inhabitants are spread over two
islands: Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi. The most popular one for tourists is,
without a doubt, Koh Lanta Yai which boasts the most beautiful
beaches and provides vacationers with more activities than they can bargain for.
Koh Lanta
Noi is less popular as the island is the administrative center of Koh
Lanta. Some of the locals live there and there are practically no hotels
or resorts on Koh Lanta Noi, though lately the construction sites
are becoming more apparent. But five-star spots have been slow to move to Koh
Lanta Noi.
Travelling
to Koh Lanta nowadays is easy. Flights leave daily from Bangkok
to Krabi and it takes about one hour from Krabi Airport to reach Hua Hin
Pier to catch a car ferry that will take visitors to Koh Lanta Noi and
then to Koh Lanta Yai by another ferry. All in all, it will take people about
three hours to get to their resorts in Koh Lanta Yai from the Bangkok airport,
and that also depends on which part of Koh Lanta Yai they are heading to. Therefore,
to holiday in Koh Lanta one may need more days than other holiday spots in Thailand.
But it is worth it because once people arrive on Koh Lanta; they will never want
to leave.
Beaches
are the main places of interest in Koh Lanta. Offering more than
ten (it depends who counts what), each of them has its own charm and characteristic.
It has to be said that without a determination to visit all of them, it’s difficult
for visitors to call on all the beaches in Koh Lanta during one
trip, as it is easy to fall in love with one quickly, and comfort will settle
which makes it harder to move on.
Divers,
experienced or beginners, will find Koh Lanta a heaven as professional
divers around the world acknowledge that Koh Lanta is one of
the best locations in the Kingdom. Koh Lanta is close to world-class
diving sites such as Hin Daeng and Hin Muang—Koh Phi Phi is two hours away by
boat. In some parts of Koh Lanta, these islands are even visible from the resorts’
windows.
At
the southern part of Koh Lanta also sits Mu Ko Lanta National Park
(spelling sometimes differs), Thailand’s 62nd national park. Unprecedented views,
white sandy beaches and boat trips are three main reasons to drop by Mu
Ko Lanta National Park—it is ideal for a picnic, a day-trip swimming,
and a one-hour jungle trek.
Whether
it is a quiet retreat or full-throttle action that the visitors are looking for,
Koh Lanta has something for everyone. High-end, middle-range or budget holiday,
Koh Lanta embraces all kinds of travelers, at any time, any season.
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