Ko Lanta Guide First Beach Area

Ban Saladan

Ban Saladan, the tourist center of Ko Lanta, is approximately 3 kms from Klong Dao Beach. Facilities include inexpensive and easy to find transport, diving trips, banking and shopping. Klong Dao Beach is the first beach from Ban Saladan heading south. It's an ideal location to start from, if you plan to explore the island.

Local Services

In Saladan there are two major banks with currency exchanges, Western Union and Moneygram services.

Saladan also has a medical center and larger shopping markets for food and souvenirs. 7-11 is there for 24 hour shopping, and the not-to-miss weekly market operates on Sundays in a vacant lot about a km south of the 7-11.

Most dive centers are located in the town, close to where the dive boats tie up. For the best, most professional Dive Center on Ko Lanta visit Lanta Diver across from Parkway Restaurant.

Restaurant + Hangouts

In Ban Saladan, your choices for food and great coffee are many. Starting on the road that runs parallel along the water you'll find the island's best seafood restaurant, Lanta Seafood, and other popular spots including Seaview Restaurant and Ruan Mai Restaurant. Or you can watch the boats pass by from the seaside Cat Fish Restaurant and sample the street's best coffee and baked goods.

On your way down the main road heading out of town, stop in at the local divers' favorite restaurant Parkview Restaurant. The town's coolest hangout for beers, coffee and mom's home-made food is at The Corner Bar across from the 7-11. A little further down the road and across from the school is one of the island's best bakeries and coffee shops called Santos.

On the roadway heading south is some of the island best western and Thai restaurants. On the left-hand, side, just past the gas stations, is perhaps Thailand's best Thai traditional breakfast spots called Tee Yai Restaurant. They're open only until 8:00 am but early risers can try amazing Kaaw Toam (Rice Soup) and Paa Tong Goh (deep-fried breakfast donuts with yummy green sauce).

A few hundred meters further down the road on the right is without a doubt the best English breakfast (and excellent dinners too) at Mr. Beans. Further, down the road don't forget to try the great northeast Thai food of Saapaan Hin and the authentic Thai tastes of Perm Larp Restaurant.

Catch the game and have pint at The Pub in the new Plaza complex or across the street. Treat yourself to Italian-style pizza and have a green beer at The Laughing Leprechaun.

Klong Dao Beach

Klong Dao Beach is Ko Lanta's most popular white sand beach with the island's highest concentration of resorts and hotels. It's located at the northern most end of island so it's the closest beach to Ban Saladan, the main tourist center.

This spectacular 3 km stretch of white powder sand was the first beach on the island to welcome tourists. Its calm waters make it especially safe and enjoyable for children. The beach is famous across Thailand for technicolor sunsets that light the sky every night. Even in high season (November to April), this huge beach never gets crowded, and a short walk will find you a patch without neighbors. Here you will find the best choice of restaurants and bars, and service closest to western or international standards.

All resorts and hotels are located directly on the beach. Many of Ko Lanta's large up-market resorts are situated here with air-conditioned bungalows, most with swimming pools, satellite TV and hot water showers. There are still many cheap and clean bungalows available nestled between the major hotels making the beach perfect for all budgets. At the southern end of Klong Dao Beach, a picturesque fleet of local longtail fishing boats use the natural rock harbor as a base.

The beach attracts many returning families but everyone feels comfortable and finds their niche -it's perfect for joggers and walkers alike.

Local Services

The road off Klong Dao beach on the way to Ban Saladan has a many small super markets, pharmacies, internet cafes and ATMs so often there's no need to go into the town (which is only 3 kms away) for daily needs.

Restaurants + Hangouts

The Klong Dao area has the island's widest assortment of restaurants, cafes and pubs all along the 3 km stretch of sand, beside the main road that passes through Klong Dao, and in Ban Saladan.

At the north end of the beach, you'll find many upscale resorts as well as some simple Thai beach restaurants and bars. Twin Bay Resort and Twin Lotus Resort and Spa offer fine dining and great seaside BBQs. Check out the hipsters at Loh Bara Bar at Twin Lotus and the ultra cool Costa Lanta Beach Bar.

Mid-beach has not-to-miss Thai and western food dining at DR Lanta Resort's beachside restaurant. Next door is Royal Lanta Resort and Spa's Sala Thai restaurant, one of the island's favorite eateries and bakeries. Nearby Nok's Bar is party central with great drink specials and lively entertainment.

Sexy Bar is the island's oldest seaside bar with… well sexy women serving great cocktails and German cuisine. Next door, Chaba's Pub has warm staff, music and a relaxed beach atmosphere.

On the southern end of Klong Dao Beach is the great Paa Naan Restaurant of Andaman Lanta Resort with the island's most complete and delicious Thai and western cuisine menu. At the far end is fine poolside dining at Holiday Villa Resort.