Koh Lanta Yai is Krabi Province's laid-back answer to the party scene of Koh Phi Phi. Long enough to fit diverse beach personalities — the lively north, the quieter mid-island, and the wild national park south — it rewards visitors who stay for more than a night.

🚢 Getting to Koh Lanta by Ferry

From Krabi (Rassada Pier)

• 08:00 — High-speed ferry (1 hr 45 min) — ฿350
• 13:00 — High-speed ferry (1 hr 45 min) — ฿350

From Koh Phi Phi

• 09:00 & 13:30 — Ferry (1 hr 30 min) — ฿300

From Ao Nang (High Season Only)

• 09:30 — Speedboat (1 hr 15 min) — ฿700

🏖️ Best Beaches on Koh Lanta

Long Beach (Hat Khlong Dao)

The longest beach on the island and the most family-friendly. The northern end has lively restaurants and beach bars; the southern end is peaceful and great for sunset walks.

Klong Nin Beach

Mid-island, quieter, and lined with boutique bungalows. The shallow sandbars at low tide make it excellent for long walks. Home to some of Lanta's best restaurants.

Kantiang Bay

A postcard-perfect horseshoe bay in the south. Clear water, a reef for snorkelling, and the excellent Pimalai Resort. Gets quieter the further south you go.

🌿 Koh Lanta National Park

The southern tip of the island is protected as part of Mu Koh Lanta National Park. Entry fee: ฿200 adults / ฿100 children. Highlights include the old lighthouse, scenic ocean viewpoints, mangrove kayaking, and pristine snorkelling at the nearby uninhabited islands on a day trip.

✅ Practical Tips

• Rent a scooter (฿200–250/day) to explore at your own pace — the main road runs the full length of the island.
• From May to October (low season), some beach bars close and ferries reduce. But fewer crowds and lower prices.
• Lanta Old Town on the east coast is a half-day trip — wooden Chinese shophouses on stilts over the sea.
• Book accommodation at Kantiang Bay well in advance; it's tiny and fills up fast.