Restaurant guidebook for Koh Lanta
Essentials
If you are staying for more than a few days, you may want to stock-up at this large supermarket in Saladan. This is by far the best place to buy everything you might want from western branded items and everything from your basics to pasta, cereals, baby food, toiletries and alcohol etc., all in one place.
23 locals recommend
Lanta Market
If you are staying for more than a few days, you may want to stock-up at this large supermarket in Saladan. This is by far the best place to buy everything you might want from western branded items and everything from your basics to pasta, cereals, baby food, toiletries and alcohol etc., all in one place.
These are scattered up and down the island and are fine for basics including water, other drinks, toilet rolls, milk, yoghurt, some cereals, some tinned goods and a basic range of toiletries.
14 locals recommend
7-Eleven
These are scattered up and down the island and are fine for basics including water, other drinks, toilet rolls, milk, yoghurt, some cereals, some tinned goods and a basic range of toiletries.
Sightseeing
Old town An authentic and charming Chinese fishing village on the east coast, with lots of nice, quiet restaurants sitting on stilts over the water, enjoying views of the dramatic sea views here. Worth a trip, as much for the beautiful drive through the interior of the island. You can do this on your own with a bike, motorbike or car or just hire a tuk tuk/taxi. (approxim. 6km)
28 locals recommend
Koh Lanta Old Town
Old town An authentic and charming Chinese fishing village on the east coast, with lots of nice, quiet restaurants sitting on stilts over the water, enjoying views of the dramatic sea views here. Worth a trip, as much for the beautiful drive through the interior of the island. You can do this on your own with a bike, motorbike or car or just hire a tuk tuk/taxi. (approxim. 6km)
A whole day trip - not to be missed. We love this and go every year. There are four stunning stops with opportunities to kayak and snorkel in turquoise waters and see some of the beautiful islands and rock formations scattered south of Koh Lanta. There is one particularly magical stop with a beach within a cave! This trip does require some level of competency in swimming. We recommend the speed boat option as the long tail takes longer and is very noisy.
My Longtail 4 Islands Lanta Tour
A whole day trip - not to be missed. We love this and go every year. There are four stunning stops with opportunities to kayak and snorkel in turquoise waters and see some of the beautiful islands and rock formations scattered south of Koh Lanta. There is one particularly magical stop with a beach within a cave! This trip does require some level of competency in swimming. We recommend the speed boat option as the long tail takes longer and is very noisy.
Parks & Nature
National Park On the south of the island, this is a real hidden gem, with a beautiful beach, landscaped gardens with huge palms and a 2 hour walk that you can do through the National Park. The trail is all marked out and relatively easy apart from the steps that take up the first 20 minutes or so. Again, we recommend this early in the morning before it gets too hot. I did this with our baby in a carrier but with toddlers it may be difficult unless they are being carried. (25 minutes drive, entrance fee)
37 locals recommend
Mu Ko Lanta National Park
National Park On the south of the island, this is a real hidden gem, with a beautiful beach, landscaped gardens with huge palms and a 2 hour walk that you can do through the National Park. The trail is all marked out and relatively easy apart from the steps that take up the first 20 minutes or so. Again, we recommend this early in the morning before it gets too hot. I did this with our baby in a carrier but with toddlers it may be difficult unless they are being carried. (25 minutes drive, entrance fee)
Everything Else
A 2km long white sand beach and the sea is very calm due to the shallow incline of the beach. Extremely clean water. Great for kids, especially in the area in front of Castaway resort/restaurant as there is some shade there, particularly until early afternoon.
12 locals recommend
Pra-Ae Beach
4245A 2km long white sand beach and the sea is very calm due to the shallow incline of the beach. Extremely clean water. Great for kids, especially in the area in front of Castaway resort/restaurant as there is some shade there, particularly until early afternoon.
The two last beaches before the National Park. Wide sweeping beaches, mostly fine sand with some rocks around the edge. The quietest and wildest of Koh Lanta’s beaches with stunning backdrops of the National Park.
9 locals recommend
Kantiang Bay
The two last beaches before the National Park. Wide sweeping beaches, mostly fine sand with some rocks around the edge. The quietest and wildest of Koh Lanta’s beaches with stunning backdrops of the National Park.
Entertainment & Activities
You can do this by long tail boat but we recommend kayaking if you can as the peace and quiet is part of the appeal of this trip. On this trip, you feel thousands of miles from civilisation and yet you’re only on the waters between Koh Lanta Noy and Koh Lanta Yai. In high season, you will see large groups of monkeys (waiting to be fed)… you have the option to feed them which means they are likely to come onto your boat/kayak. If they do, particularly if you have kids, just note that if you were to be scratched (quite unlikely) you would need to get rabies jab, just in case. Recommend early morning before it gets too hot.
Kayak Camp
You can do this by long tail boat but we recommend kayaking if you can as the peace and quiet is part of the appeal of this trip. On this trip, you feel thousands of miles from civilisation and yet you’re only on the waters between Koh Lanta Noy and Koh Lanta Yai. In high season, you will see large groups of monkeys (waiting to be fed)… you have the option to feed them which means they are likely to come onto your boat/kayak. If they do, particularly if you have kids, just note that if you were to be scratched (quite unlikely) you would need to get rabies jab, just in case. Recommend early morning before it gets too hot.
Koh Lanta offers World Class diving and has lots of dive shops, particularly around the Saladan area. There are lots of reputable companies but we recommend Lanta Diver, Saladan, Dive & Relax, Long Beach and OK Club divers, Klong Khong. Lanta Diver is probably the biggest dive company, with at least two big boats going out each day in high season. Dive & Relax and Ok Club is great if you prefer to travel by speedboat to get to sites quicker and to dive in smaller groups.
Ko Bida Nai
Koh Lanta offers World Class diving and has lots of dive shops, particularly around the Saladan area. There are lots of reputable companies but we recommend Lanta Diver, Saladan, Dive & Relax, Long Beach and OK Club divers, Klong Khong. Lanta Diver is probably the biggest dive company, with at least two big boats going out each day in high season. Dive & Relax and Ok Club is great if you prefer to travel by speedboat to get to sites quicker and to dive in smaller groups.
If you’re into yoga, Koh Lanta is a great place to do it with open air salas, sea breezes and relaxed vibes. They also do a great healthy but tasty breakfast and lunch. I can highly recommend Oasis Yoga in Saladan or Lanta Yoga, Long Beach.
Oasis Yoga
If you’re into yoga, Koh Lanta is a great place to do it with open air salas, sea breezes and relaxed vibes. They also do a great healthy but tasty breakfast and lunch. I can highly recommend Oasis Yoga in Saladan or Lanta Yoga, Long Beach.