Ko Lanta Island – Krabi Province, West coast of Thailand on the Andaman Sea

Ko Lanta means ‘dazzling island’ and with its eight long deserted beaches, breathtaking sunsets and laid back feel, Ko Lanta has all the ingredients to charm and delight.

The island of Ko Lanta lies in the tropical aquamarine waters of the Andaman Sea, off the west coast of Southern Thailand. The island is surrounded by more than twenty kilometres of white sandy beaches and the cool mountainous interior is a maze of small dirt tracks through the unspoilt rainforest and rubber plantations. The spectacular sunsets Ko Lanta is famous for can be enjoyed along the entire west coast.

While tourism is growing quickly, Ko Lanta retains its traditional charm. There is an awareness that the island’s natural beauty needs to be preserved.

You’ll find that the different areas within Ko Lanta have their own characteristics:

From the buzzing little town of Saladan with its trendy coffee shops, jazz cafe and european bakeries, to the 100 year old, teak-wood-lined streets of Lanta’s ‘Old Town’ – home of the sea gypsys where life goes on, virtually unchanged, much as it has done for the last 100 years, Ko Lanta retains the natural charm and friendliness of rural Thailand.

On the southern-most tip, Ko Lanta’s National Marine Park protects 134 sq km of unspoilt tropical rainforest, coastal grasslands, dramatic limestone cliffs and twin bays of contrasting shiny pebbles and pure white sand. It is home to a huge range of wildlife including over 100 species of birds, large monitor lizards, deer, wild pigs, langur monkeys, flying lemurs, civets, macaques, pythons, cobras and much more.

Off the coast, the marine park encompasses a further fifteen islands which can be explored by traditional longtail boat. The marine life in this area is spectacular and can be enjoyed by divers and snorkellers alike.

You can explore Ko Lanta’s caves, wander along kilometres of white sandy beaches, trek through natural rainforest and enjoy stunning panoramic views, or simply relax in your hammock with a good book.

Much of the island is owned by a clan of ‘Sea Gypsies’, a tribal culture dating back more than a thousand years. The seafaring ‘Chao Ley’ (as they are called in Thai) retain their own language and many ancient customs and ceremonies. The Chao Ley are natural fishermen and keep the island of Ko Lanta supplied with fresh fish and seafood including enormous shrimps, squid, crayfish, oysters and more.

The twenty thousand residents out-number the tourists at all times on Ko Lanta. The traditional economy of fishing, coconut and rubber plantations, rice paddies, prawn farming and fruit are now supplemented by a growing tourist industry. However, Ko Lanta is by no means as touristy as other nearby islands and even during mid-season it is possible to walk three kilometers down some beaches and pass only a few other visitors.

Ko Lanta is the perfect place to just kick back and relax, but the island offers a variety of great activities to keep you entertained. If exploring deserted beaches, lying in your hammock or relaxing by the pool isn’t energetic enough for you, there’s a whole host of other activities we can arrange for you. Whether you fancy 4X4 off-road driving, trail or mountain biking, elephant trekking, jungle trekking, caving, sea kayaking, canoeing through mangroves, horse-riding, Thai cookery classes, Snorkelling, Scuba Diving, Thai boxing tuition, yoga, rock climbing or a visit to the Orchid Nursery, there’s plenty of things to choose from.

Thailand’s climate is the most diverse in Southeast Asia and the weather is extremely hard to predict. The temperature during the day remains fairly constant throughout the year averaging 30 degress C, with humidity, rainfall and evening temperatures varying from season to season. For most people the weather is quite warm all year round, especially in the southern parts of Thailand.

There are three seasons: Dry (November – Feb), Hot (March – May) and Rainy (June – October).

The main tourist season in Ko Lanta runs from October through April with most people visiting from December to March.

An increasing number of people are coming during the low season, and many resorts now stay open all year.

During the rainy season (May – October), the temperature remains warm and the weather is often fine, but some heavy rainfall lasting a few hours each day is typical. You can experience blue skies and hot sun for days on end, but it can also rain for days at a time.

Language & Ettiquette

Thai is the official language but nearly all Thais working in the tourism industry speak some English. Tourists usually find Thailand an extremely easy and friendly place to visit and are pleasantly surprised with the ease of getting about and being understood. If you can master some simple phrases in Thai, you’ll find the locals even more friendly. Thais believe that the least one can do is smile and be polite. If you maintain the same attitude during your stay in Thailand, you’ll have a wonderful time. Aggression is considered a sign of weakness and confrontation is to be avoided at all costs. Any misunderstandings should be resolved with good humour and a large smile.

Dress Code

Although Ko Lanta is predominantly Muslim, there is a relaxed attitude towards dress. Shorts, T-shirts, sarongs & bikini’s are the norm. Jackets and ties are not required anywhere. On the public beaches, topless sunbathing is not considered polite, but within the resorts it is tolerated. Shoulders and knees should be covered when visiting religious places. It is polite to remove your shoes when entering people’s homes and some shops. A good rule of thumb is, if you see other people’s shoes on the threshold, remove your own.

The head is considered the most sacred part of the body and it is impolite to touch a Thai person on their head. The feet are considered the lowest part of the body and you should not gesture using your feet or point directly at someone with your feet.

Throughout the year you can expect occassional heavy rainstorms (usually lasting less than an hour), so it is worth bringing a waterproof. If you want to do any trekking or caving, please bring suitable footwear. Mosquitos tend to be around during sunset and sunrise. You may want to bring long sleeved items or insect repellent for around these times.

Monarchy

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy led by King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The Royal Family has earned the love and respect of the entire nation and is held in the highest esteem. Visitors to the country are expected to treat the Royal Family with respect.

Religion

Nearly all Thais (85%) are Buddhists. A small percentage (4%) are Muslim and some are Christians, Hindus or Confucianists. Tolerance towards religion is symbolized by the fact that the King is the Protector of All Faiths. On Ko Lanta, 96% of the local Thai people are Muslim, with the majority of the rest being Buddhist.