Koh Lanta- the complete guide to its wildlife and stunning beaches

05.03.2019.

Andaman sea brings the best of Thailand, the dreamy atmosphere in one place. Krabi island and Koh Lanta are two neighbour islands with their tiny distance so it’s a chance to visit two islands at once. Koh Lanta is much more relaxed place comparing to Krabi and the sea with its special colour of blue is much more sofisticated. The treasure of the most amazing islands in Thailand charmingly includes also the lovely Koh Lanta.

Peaceful Lanta took a special place at my heart as the choice of beaches is much wider with the sweet bars offering every kind of food. Considering its wildlife and island atmosphere, it definitely reminds on of the tropical abundance at Sri Lanka.

What to expect & how to explore Koh Lanta

Wondering how to pass across Lanta will be softened knowing there are tours for every taste. The place where I stayed is in an amazing hostel Hub of joys for every age with vast majority of amenities offered for free: rich breakfast with fruits and cakes, bicycles, fruit shakes in the afternoon, pop-corn and biscuits the whole day, towels, lockers and the social atmosphere which is relaxed and unforgetable just like the houskeepers. I will surely be back because I feel here like at home.

Renting a scooter is an option for 200 Thb that makes you go easily from the main road anywhere. Who prefers riding a bicycle along the sea? Unfortunately it’s not accesible but on a main road.

Mangrove forest- the typical wildlife at Koh Lanta

Who says Thailand is not a jungle? It is just as I imagined it from the north to the islands. Cruising in longtail boats or just kayaking is the part of the tours together with the hidden island like Bubu or Talabeng. Sightseeing tour of Lanta which I took made me see the most of the island which included: mangrove forrest, orchid garden, Lanta old town, gypsea village, lunch at the Viewpoint and the astonishing Kantiang beach.

Mangrove tour on the lake set up in fulfilling nature gives the exquisite opportunity to see and feed monkeys and these were very friendly only jumping around boat. Our driver made up the atmosphere with the laugh and jokes about monkeys. Discovering mangrove trees with their flying roots needs to be seen.

Orchid garden- the floral treasure at Koh Lanta

Green garden that we visited should be distinguished from the Lanta orchid nursery & Butterfly farm near Phrae beach. Lanta orchid nursery teaches us everything about orchids, its vast variety and why it cannot grow from the seed. Green garden encompasses small orchid glass house, the variety of tropical plants like pineapple, coconut, ginger, different kind of berries, sugar cane (which I tried juice and was very sweet), cashew nuts but also green beans.

Old town Lanta- the charming centre of Koh Lanta

Old town Lanta is the former center of the island and today’s main port to the smaller islands. This very sweet place in only one street covers unique caffes and restaurants decorated in flowers and swings, hammock house and various souvenir shops.

Beaches at Koh Lanta

Phrae or Long Beach

Phrae or Long beach is indeed very long (3km), sandy beach made of beautiful colours and compositions. During the day time it’s filled with tourists more or less and in the evening time with fire shows at nearby restaurant. These are some of the amazing tropical beaches that will leave you in awe.

Klong Dao is neighbour to Phrae beach on the north only 2 km away, similar but with more activities like valleyball. Its reflective outlook stands out.

Klong Khong beach & other secluded beaches of Koh Lanta

Further south there’s a Klong Khong beach and even further small but sweet Kantiang beach of the white sand. Caffe-restaurant Same same but different brings the sweetness up as well as the decorated road to the beach. Only 10 minutes further on south is secluded but unique, Bamboo bay.

Koh Lanta National Park

Koh Lanta National Park at the most south gives the access to various islands among popular Koh Rok and Ko Ngai (which I visited during the 4 islands tour), astonishing caves and some waterfalls as well as the lighthouse. The National Park entrance alone is 200 Thb.

Enchanting islands & tours near Koh Lanta

Four islands are not actually the islands but big rocks except the last one, Ko Ngai. This is the opportunity to do some snorkeling in the crystal clear sea (due to the fact that Koh Lanta is known for the snorkeling places) seeing the colourful fishes. The peak of the tour includes the Emerald cave which can be reached only through the dark tunnel (that’s why I don’t have photos of this amazing place with pure emerald colour). The whole experience of 4 islands tour indulged me with the feeling of being sea sick withing 45 minutes of return to Old town Lanta. Four islands themselves are: Koh Chuek, Koh Mook (Emerald cave), Koh Ngai and Koh Maa.

Final thoughts

So this beautiful Thailand with thousands of islands and Koh Lanta not so difficult to reach will surprise you and bring you into flow. Long or Phrae beach to relax or any other will bring your dreams to the top with the slice of pineapple or the fruit-shake. Neighbour islands like Koh Lipe, Phi Phi or Khao Sok (national park) make Koh Lanta the perfect base to calm and enjoy the sea.

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