May - October is the wet monsoon season, where southwesterly winds bring wetter weather from the indian ocean. Around April the season changes and the increase in rain helps revitalise the island to its tropical lushness, everything regrows and the cool wet spells brings relief from the heat of the dry season.
During the months of November - April the island experiences the dry monsoon, northeasterly prevailing winds come overland and bring dry air. Temperatures rise during March/April and it get's quite arid and dusty on the island after many months of no rain.
The sea gypsy version of Loy Katong. Around the end of October the village men will build a symbolic boat and place wooden statues of themselves in it along with nail clippings, hair and popped rice. By performing this ritual, they ask for forgiveness from the sea gods and of any offenses they have made to the sea. It is believed that all evil is carried away in the symbolic boat.
Around the full moon in November, the Thai people build tiny rafts filled with flowers and incense and set them afloat. The act of floating away represents letting go of grudges, anger and defilements. A fresh start. A beautiful event.
Usually around March the annual cultural festival held in Lanta Old Town, highligts the island communities. The festival brings music and arts from all around Thailand. It is a must go.
Thai New Year from 13-15th April washes away the old year by pouring water on other people and ring in the new year with a cool heart. Whole villages come out in force with buckets and super soakers filled with water. Prepare to get wet!
Diving at the famous Hin Daeng, Hin Muang, Hin Bida and Ko Haa sites. Perhaps the best diving in Thailand. Yearly sightings of Whale Sharks and Mantarays are seasonal.
Many tours are available to different islands in the region, including Koh Haa, Koh Rok and the popular four islands trip.
The east side of Ko Lanta with its rich mangrove forests and caves is a great option for off-the-beaten-path kayaking. Kayaking can also be done on Ko Talabaeng, the limestone cliff near Ko Lanta.
Fishers can catch the likes of marlin, sailfish, barracuda, red snapper, and tuna. Three different kinds of fishing trip are offered by private longtail boat: half-day, full-day, and night fishing.
Boat charters are available to/from neighbouring islands and down to the south near beautiful islands near the Malaysian border.
May options for available for visiting local islands include: Koh Rok, Emerald Cave (Koh Muk), Koh Kradan, Koh Chuek, Koh Ngai and Talabeng
Located in the centre of the island, they offer a wonder of rocks and caverns and housing spectacular stalactites and stalagmites, some of the caves are just huge and one of them contains a pool.
In Klong Jark (Waterfall Bay) there are waterfalls which are best visited in the green season via an hour-long (three kilometre) nature trek inland. Elephant treks offer a more leisurely way to the waterfall on hot days.
Spending the day on a Longtail Boat, floating though the cool, shady mangrove rivers between Ko Lanta Yai and Ko Lanta Nai, an experience to be savored and enjoyed. Many wonderful photo opportunities
From Organic food farms to Butterfly and Orchid Nursery farms. There are many ecological distractions on the island.
The corridor between the rainforest is best for observing rainforest birds. Including: Flower Peckers, Hill Mynas, Green Pigeons, Drongos, Tailorbirds, Bulbuls, Sunbirds, Thick-Billed Pigeon, Canary yellow, Bird cage flower melon, Eagles and Woodpeckers etc.
There are two temples on Koh Lanta. One near the car ferry in Saladan and one found at Lanta Old Town. The one near old town is popular. Every year monks come to the temples and you can observe special ceremonies.
The emerald cave, suposedly a former hideaway for pirate treasure is a fascinating secret limestome cast cave including a beach and a small closed jungle environemnt, with a few special species of wildlife.
There is an old abandoned Chinese temple completely on its own on top of a hill on the west coast of Koh Lanta. And also a Chinese Shrine in old town.
Another cave in the south of Koh Lanta just past Klong Nin beach.
High quality one day Thai lessons to full one year courses can be arranged with education visas on the island.
There are many offerings for cooking courses, from an authentic one-n-one experience with a local family cook, to a fully blown four course menu lesson.
A newly refurbished Muai Thai Gym is situated on the island, offering high quality courses throughout the year. They are afilliated with one of the boxing stadiums and students reguarly fight in front of cheering tourists.
There are two Muai Thai stadiums on the island, one in Klong Dao and one in Long Beach. Both run reguar two fights a week.
There is a full Gym on Lanta, with treadmills, excercise bikes, a full range of weights within a comfortable air conditioned site. Open All year around.
A golf driving range is available including clubs for rent and a rather fun and original way of retreiving golf balls. Open All year around.
There are many Yoga schools on the island that cater to all the ranges. Open All year around.
Hourse back riding is available in Klong Nin and is a beautiful way to explore some of the rain forests or to gallivant down one of our amazing beaches than on horseback.
You can rent 250cc bikes and ride through rubber plantations, small villages, and some amazing scenery you might otherwise miss.
There are many local markets on Lanta, depending on the day of the week and time of the year you can catch many of them from the road side. Otherwise ask a local where you can go.
Chose between a wide range of classic treatments such as Deep Tissue massage for aching muscles, Thai massage or Swedish Aroma massage for ultimate relaxation. Some are even trained from the famous Wat Pho. You can even get a massage on the beach!
Koh Lanta is the perfect place to escape daily stress and find inner harmony through one of the islands many spa´s and resorts. You can also try more unique treatments such as Warm Coconut Soother or Figure Sculpting Bamboo Massage.
The island has a coworking space with great internet and communtiy, so you can stay connected with your business while you are visiting Koh Lanta.
A great charity organisation on Koh Lanta. They house cats and dogs that were once abandonded or wild and have adoption schemes to help find them new homes. They also have a full animal clinic onsite
Koh Lanta has a beautiful unspoiled rainforest waiting to be discovered. Rent a local guide or simply find one of the jungle paths by yourself. A perfect place to see rare species, wild monkeys and birds.
The national park in the south, encoroprates a great day out, there is 1-2 hour a jungle treck up and over the park, a beautiful crescent beach and on the other side rocky cliffs and a lighthouse.
Ko Lanta has all the benefits of local thai food, combined with the more regional southern dishes. Also a great selection of western food restaurants. You can get almost anything on the island your appetite desires!
Not famed for its night life, Koh Lanta has many beach bars and road side establishments. Each bar has a 'party night' so make sure you find out where that is to find the friendly, fun and intimate gatherings.
There are even regular cross fit classes that run on the island to keep you fit and healthy whilst away from home.
There are many beaches on Koh Lanta, the further south you travel the more remote they become:
Saladan - Lanta's main town and arrival point for most ferries, Saladan has many sotres, including Lanta Mart the largest grocery store on the island and a lovely array of stilted restaurants overlooking the sea.
Klong Dao Beach - The first large beach, this is primarily booked by families, there is less parties here and more traditional sun soaked holidays.
Kaw Kwang Beach – a small beach farthest North on Lanta Yai, this quaint sheltered beach is the home to a few resorts.
Long Beach – the main beach and the biggest, this beach is host to a wide mix of tourists, restaurants, bars and hotels. It also has a large backpacker population.
Relax Bay – a very small beach with a few boutique hotels and hut style resorts, this can be a nice escape from tourism in a good location.
Klong Kong – The next Beach Down, Klong Kong beach is much more laid back than the previous long beach and starts to see Lanta of old. Still a very big beach, it features small spread out resorts and bars. There is quite a good night life here, with many classic beach bars partying the night away.
Klong Nin – This is a smaller beach with a strip of restaurants on the beach and home to the reggae bar. South of here places start to get more wild.
Kantiang Bay – When of the furthest south beaches, Kantiang is home to Pimalai resort and some niche restaurants and bars, this is like a small village in itself, away from the rest of Lanta.
Klong Jark – The last beach before the national park, there are only 1-2 resorts here and its very wild still. Perfect for a stop on an island driving tour.
Koh Lanta National Park – At the southernmost tip of the island is the National Park, home to a walking track and beautiful beach, the national park is a great destination as a part of a driving tour around the island.
Old Town – On the east coast, nestled down in the south, is Old Town. A sea gypsy village, now featuring many nice restaurants over looking the sea on stilts. A great day out and place to chill and enjoy a different side of Koh Lanta.
The markets on Koh Lanta move everyday, here is a list of the weekly schedule and where to find them:
Monday - Klong Dao
Tuesday – on the crossing road to Khao Yai restaurant
Wednesday – under the bridge to Lanta Noi
Thursday – Pra Ae (near relax bay)
Friday – on the crossing road to Khao Yai restaurant
Saturday – Saladan
Sunday – Old Town (special morning market)
Every market starts at around 1-2 PM
Only Sunday market is a morning market.
Lanta is an easy two hour minivan ride away from Krabi Airport. Close enough to be easily accessible, and far enough to keep the tourist hordes away.
Many low-cost airlines fly to Krabi including Air Asia, Jetstar Asia, Air Malindo and Firefly.
Safety Wing is a flexible, subscription based insurance that can be purchased while already on the road.
Perfect for digital nomads and all travellers alike.
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