Ko Lanta Highlights: Top 8 Things to See and Do

8 Best Things to do in Ko Lanta

1. Swim at Bamboo Beach ❤️ Must Visit

Bamboo Beach is, by far, my favorite beach in Ko Lanta, and I've visited a dozen of them here. The sand is the finest out of all the beaches in Ko Lanta, and due to its remote location right by the southern tip of the island, the place has a tranquil vibe you can't get anywhere else.

The beach is also spacious, with a wide area for sunbathing and swimming, as well as plenty of shaded areas under coconut trees for you to rest.

The beach is also quite accessible and doesn't pass through any private property, unlike Nui Beach. You can simply rent a scooter, drive down towards Mu Ko Lanta National Park, and veer right when you see a sign labeled Bamboo Beach.

From the main road, you will be traveling on a gravel road for about 2 minutes before you arrive at the beach. The gravel road is not terrible, and you should be able to travel down it with a scooter or a regular car.

At the beach, you will only find one resort, and that is why it is not as busy as other beaches. Additionally, part of the beach has a wall of stones which creates a natural shallow pool you can swim in.

If you are looking for the best beach in Ko Lanta, Bamboo Beach is the one I highly recommend you to check out first.

Want to see more of Southern Thailand? Check out:10 Best Places to Visit in Southern Thailand

Where to Stay in Ko Lanta?

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Hub of Joys Hostel

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Sayang Beach Resort Koh Lanta

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Layana Resort & Spa - SHA Extra Plus

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2. Enjoy a Drink Overlooking Bakantiang Beach

Bakantiang Beach is another picturesque beach in Ko Lanta that is backed by rainforest and cliffs on both ends, allowing for a nice vantage point over the beach and the ocean.

The beach itself is also quite nice. It's not as quiet or has as fine sands as Bamboo beach but due to the concentration of restaurants and bars over the cliff area, the beach offers a great place for you to sit back, relax, enjoy a cocktail or two, and absorb the beautiful scenery of the Andaman Sea.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants above the cliff on the southern side of the beach where you can indulge yourself. Cliff Sunset Restaurant is a popular place to enjoy a quiet dinner and drinks during sunset, so be sure to check that place out.

3. Have an Entire Beach for Yourself At Khlong Chak Beach 💎 Hidden Gem

Khlong Chak Beach is another great beach to spend time at if you are looking for a quiet beach with a slightly more lively vibe than Bamboo beach. The beach is also pretty good, with lots of sandy areas for you to enjoy, as well as nice and clear seawater in which you can swim.

There is one big restaurant, and several beachside bars you can indulge yourself in at Klong Chak Beach as well, which may be more appealing to some than the wilderness of Bamboo Beach.

Getting to the beach is also pretty straightforward, as there will be a directional sign right on the main road to take you off on a flat gravel road to the beach. It is quite accessible, and you should have no trouble getting here with a scooter.

4. Visit the Ko Lanta Lighthouse

Ko Lanta Lighthouse is a popular landmark in Ko Lanta, located within the Mu Ko Lanta National Park. It offers a great view of the southern cape, making it an ideal spot for capturing stunning sunrise and sunset photos.

There are several nature trails, as well as a strip of beach, where you can relax without having to deal with the tourist crowd. Not many people visit the national park since you need to pay the national park's entrance fee to get in.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park's entrance fee is 200 THB per person, and the place opens from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM every day. The park is connected to the main winding road, which you should be able to easily ride with a scooter.

5. Explore Ko Lanta Old Town

Ko Lanta Old Town is an old local community where the first port was founded on the island. It used to be a commercial hub after being settled by the sea gypsies and attracted foreign trades from China and Malayu (modern-day Malaysia).

Nowadays, it has become more of a tourist attraction than a trading port, with the main street all lined up with souvenir shops and cafes under these beautifully well-preserved wooden houses.

There are plenty of seaside restaurants that sell authentic Thai seafood cuisine like Pinto and Shine Talay that you can indulge yourself in, as well as a nice and small local museum that gives you a bit of information about how this community came to be.

The local museum is free to enter, and it opens every day from 9 AM to 4 PM. The museum consists of 2 floors, with the first floor dedicated to displaying the way of life of the local community here, and the second floor storing all kinds of old artifacts that were donated to the museum by the locals.

While you are at Ko Lanta Old Town, be sure to take a photo with the iconic giant lobster statue, as it is considered to be the landmark of the island.

I also found the souvenirs sold here to be reasonably priced and cheaper than in places like Phuket or Ao Nang. So, if you are looking to buy something back home, be sure to browse through some of the stores here.

6. Watch the Sunset at Pra-Ae Beach

Ko Lanta is also known for its incredible sunset, and after spending every evening by Pra-Ae Beach watching as the sun goes down and the sky turns blue, I have to agree. The sunset in Ko Lanta just hits differently.

One of the easiest places to go watch the sunset in Ko Lanta is in Pra-Ae public park where you will find a spacious boardwalk where you can sit and enjoy without having to pay a single dime.

You will see Koh Phi Phi just on the horizon as the sun sets behind it. It is quite a sight to behold. The great thing is that it is not too far from the main tourist area where all the hotels and resorts are, so you should be able to visit this place without a scooter.

7. Take Thai Cooking Class

Lanta Cookery School offers a great 4-hour-long class for those who are looking to learn how to cook Thai food and bring with them valuable knowledge of Thai cuisine mastery that they can adapt to their cooking routine when they are finally back home.

The school is set in a tropical garden in a spacious teakwood house, and you will be able to access exotic herbs and spices that make Thai cuisine so unique in the world of culinary delights.

They conduct 2 classes per day, taking about 4 hours each, and you will be picked up by a songtaew and transferred to the school and back. If you are interested in learning how to cook Thai food, be sure to book the cooking class in advance here.

8. Go On A 4-Island Snorkeling Trip ☀️ Great Day Trip

"The 4-island Snorkeling Trip from Ko Lanta" is another popular activity, and the trip will take you to some of the best snorkeling spots in Thailand.

One of the first islands you will stop at is Koh Mook, where you will be guided to the Emerald Cave, which is one of my favorite places in Southern Thailand. Within the cave, you will find a giant hole on the ceiling, letting the light in to illuminate the little sandy beach. It really feels like paradise the moment you see it in person.

You will also visit Ko Kradan and Koh Chuak for a 2-hour snorkeling session and then visit Ko Ngai for a nice relaxing stop at the beach before ending your island-hopping trip.

It is one of the best things to do in Ko Lanta, and if you have a day to spare, I highly recommend you go on this boat trip. The Emerald Cave is worth a visit in and of itself, and it would be a shame if you didn't see it while you are here.

What to Eat and Drink in Ko Lanta?

1. Try Spicy Traditional Southern Food at Krua Dan Thai Restaurant

Krua Dan Thai Restaurant serves some of the most authentic southern Thai cuisines in Ko Lanta. And by authentic, I mean really, REALLY authentic. They won't even make it less spicy for you to maintain its authenticity.

I am Thai, and even I had trouble with some of the dishes I had here, so be warned. They also serve non-spicy seafood dishes as well, so always ask the waiter to tell you which one is spicy and which one is not if you don't want to be breathing fire, as I did.

The dishes are more on the pricey side of things, but you are guaranteed to get a good quality and quantity meal from here. So, if you are looking for real authentic Southern Thai cuisine, this is the place to be. The restaurant opens from 11 AM to 10 PM every day, except Monday.

2. Have Delicious Street Food Breakfast at Kanokkwan Tea House

I was tipped by a local about Kanokkwan Tea House, a local coffee place where locals like to hang out in the morning. They sell delicious and cheap local street breakfast food, such as kaya coconut jam on sticky rice and Khao Tom Mat (steamed sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves), which cost 5 THB each.

They also serve roti (crispy pancakes) that go really well with their Thai-style iced coffees, among other things, all at a local price. Since this is a really local place, you might not see any reviews on Google Maps, but do not worry. I frequented the place for breakfast every morning, and I can vouch for their food and coffee.

3. Eat Affordable Delicious Southern Thai Cuisine at Thai Malaysia Restaurant

If you are looking for a popular local roadside restaurant that serves delicious local dishes at a local price, you can't go wrong with the Thai Malaysia Restaurant located just off the main road in the tourist area of Sala Dan.

They serve all kinds of dishes, from local delicacies like seafood and Southern Thai-style curry to classics like Pad Krapow (minced pork with basil) on rice, as well as snacks and desserts like Rotis (crispy pancakes), all for less than 100 THB.

The place opens from 2 PM to 2 AM every day, and you will find many locals gathering on the roadside every evening. This is always a great sign that the place is good.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: 12go is a great place to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets online in Southeast Asia that would otherwise not have been available in English online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Southern Thailand

Looking for more information for your trip to Southern Thailand? Here are a collection of articles about Southern Thailand that you might find useful:

• Looking for a complete travel guide to Southeast Asia? You should check out our 3-Month Backpacking Itinerary for Southeast Asia.
• Looking for an itinerary for Thailand? Check out 10 Days Itinerary for Thailand.
• One of the best places to go snorkeling in Thailand is Koh Lipe, an island in the far south of Thailand. Here is The Ultimate Snorkeling Guide to Koh Lipe.
• Looking to change things up a little? How about heading down to the south of Thailand and exploring one of my favorite places in Thailand? Here is How to Travel to Khao Sok National Park, Backpacking-style.
• The pearl of the Andaman Sea, Phuket, is an island filled with history, cultures, and stunning beaches waiting for you to explore. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Phuket.
• There are over 30+ beaches in Phuket, and it can get quite overwhelming to find the perfect beach to stay at. Don't worry, I've got you covered. Here are the 8 Most Beautiful Beaches in Phuket.
• Visiting Phuket Old Town is the highlight of your Phuket Trip. You can easily spend a day exploring the Old Town. Here are the 9 Best Things to Do in Phuket Old Town.
• Phang Nga is probably what Phuket was like before mass tourism ruined it. From quiet, empty beaches to wild, untouched waterfalls, here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Phang Nga.
• If you are in Phang Nga, you should also drop by Takua Pa and its charming little old town. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Takua Pa.
• Khao Lak is the main tourist hub in Phang Nga, and it is a great place to be if you like adventure, island-hopping, and snorkeling. Here are the 8 Best Things to Do in Khao Lak.
• For a complete Krabi backpacking itinerary, check out: 3 to 5 Days Backpacking Krabi Itinerary.
• Whether you are an adventurer or a beach-goer, Krabi has it all. From island-hopping to rock climbing, here are the 13 Best Things to do in Krabi.
• Krabi is not just about beaches and islands. Krabi town offers a great alternative place to stay away from the tourist crowds. Here are the 8 Best Things to do in Krabi Town.
• Nakhon Si Thammarat is the land of countless waterfalls that no one knows about. It is an off-the-beaten path place to visit in Southern Thailand that may surprise you. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Nakhon Si Thammarat.
• You've heard about Hua Hin, but have you heard about Lemon Bay? There's so much more to Prachuap Khiri Khan province than Hua Hin. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
• There is more to Chumphon than just Koh Tao. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Chumphon.
• Surat Thani is not just Ko Samui and Ko Phangan. There is so much more to do in this province than you might think. Here are the 11 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani.
• Have to spend a night in Surat Thani's Old Town and not sure what to do there? Check out: 8 Best Things to Do in Surat Thani's Old Town
• For the best things to do in Koh Samui, check out: 13 Best Things to Do in Koh Samui.
• If you are traveling to Thailand, it is important for you to know what you should and should not do. Here are 10 Tips for Traveling in Thailand.
• Thai Street Foods are among the best in the world, and to help guide you through the street food cuisine of Thailand, be sure to check out the 15 Best Street Foods in Thailand to Try.
• Learning a bit of Thai phrases will go a long way for you when you visit Thailand. Here are 15 Thai Phrases You Should Know.
• Photos are worth a thousand words, but what is worth more than photos? A video. Here are travel videos I made for Thailand: Timeless Thailand, a journey into the North of Thailand, Long Tail Thailand, exploring the beautiful south of Thailand, and taking it slow with Slowed Down Bangkok travel video.
• Wondering where to go after Thailand? How about continuing on to Malaysia, Myanmar, or Indonesia?
• Want to explore other parts of Thailand? How about exploring Northern Thailand or Central Thailand?
• For all articles about Thailand, visit the Thailand Travel Guide page.
• Looking to travel to Southeast Asia? Check out all my articles about Southeast Asia here: Southeast Asia Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.