ACTIVITIES + TOURS

Ko Lanta's rich waters offer sandy coves, coral reefs, limestone rock outcrops, rock reefs, seamounts and pinnacles, undersea caverns and tunnels and sunken ships. Water temperature ranges from 27 to 31 degrees - ideal for divers, coral and tropical fish. More than 200 hard corals and 108 reef fish have been catalogued in a study already underway, but thousands more organisms abound.

Ko Lanta's dive centers offer daytrips on well-fitted boats and take you to at least two dive sites every day, including meals on board. All provide rental equipment at reasonable prices.

Dive trips leave Ko Lanta around 8am and return between 4 and 6pm depending on sites visited. Many dive sites offer good snorkeling, with friends and family welcome to join trips and snorkel at reduced rates.

All centers operate to PADI dive standards and the island has an excellent safety record. It has never been easier or safer to become a scuba diver. New technology has made scuba equipment extremely safe, and modern teaching methods make learning to dive safe and fun.

If you've ever dreamed of exploring the underwater depths why not do it now? Ko Lanta's waters offer you one of the world's largest varieties of underwater sights and experiences.

A four-day open water dive course includes two days of real diving with instructors and you get an internationally accepted dive certificate.
There are a maximum of four people per course. Courses are available in ten languages.

Ko Lanta has several world-class snorkeling sites serviced by tour companies located mostly in Ban Saladan. Many dive sites also have good snorkeling and friends and family are welcome to join dive trips and snorkel at reduced rates.

Speedboat snorkeling tours are recommended as the sites are spread out. Trips leave Ko Lanta around 8am and return between 2 and 4pm and should include equipment, food and pick up and drop off service.

The most famous site is the amazing coral reef of Ko Rok with its famous square kilometer of colored coral. Other packaged trips include a 3-island tour taking in Ko Muk, Ko Cheuk and Ko Ngai. Sites at Ko Kradan and those near Phi Phi are also popular.

Ko Lanta is a long thin island running north to south. The west coast (or Sunset Coast) faces the Andaman Sea with a string of beautiful white-sand beaches perfect for exploring on rented motor bikes.

Halfway down the island, the paved road turns from the west and crosses the mountains towards the east coast. This beautiful drive takes you through rice paddies, rubber tree plantations and jungle and through a number of small Muslim villages.

Just before dropping to the eastern plateau, the road sweeps round a bend to the View Point hill with its panoramic ocean view of Ko Lanta and the mainland, and a scattering of tiny tropical islands in between.

The east coast is less developed and offers glimpses of life before tourism. It has a few yellow sand beaches but it largely consists of mangroves.

Follow the road south towards beautiful old Lanta Village. You'll see rice paddies and prawn farms along the way. Turn left when you see the main Police Station (on the right). If you pass the turnoff to Lanta Village, you'll get to the Buddhist Temple and the Hospital before coming to the Sea Gypsy Village. For an alternate route back, where the paved road swings left to go up the View Point hill, continue straight ahead on the unpaved road that follows the coast. You can turn left over the mountains after 8 km (and arrive at Long Beach) or continue on the road to Ban Saladan. This scenic route offers views of rural island life with small villages, farms and prawn farms nestled in the rainforest.

Enjoy a walk through the jungle to the waterfall near Klong Jark beach in the south. It's a level 45-minute walk along a small stream.

The waterfall reduces to a small shower in the dry season, but the fresh water pool is great for a cool dip. Continue your walk back past the road and follow the stream to Klong Jark beach --- one of Ko Lanta's prettiest small beaches. Klong Jark Safari, located roadside, can show you the way.

For something out of the sun, take a hike to the popular Mai Kaeo Caves located on the main road 1 km past the turn off for Klong Nin Beach. The caves consist of a series of spectacular chambers with rock stalagmites, stalactites and rock formations. It involves some climbing up and down of rope ladders but is not too strenuous. Another choice for underground adventure is the recently discovered Tiger Cave. Find it off the national park road to the left.

The Ko Lanta National Marine Park is at the southern tip of the island at the end of a spectacular coastal drive. The park offers picnic areas with toilets and showers, a nice beach, and an interesting one-hour walk through unspoiled jungle (starting at the park headquarters). A small lighthouse on the southern point is a popular photo-spot. Traditional Markets

Get a taste of island life at one of the traditional weekly markets. Held every week by merchants that travel every day to a new venue, it provides shopping opportunities to remote communities.

These are not tourist markets, but the patient and inquisitive will discover local food treats, inexpensive local sarongs and some of the most authentic kitsch plastic purses and hair accessories made since the 1960's!

The red-colored barbecued chicken is very good, and the local pancakes, available in thick folded version and in crepe-like form, are made-to-order with bananas and other fillings.

The main market is held morning to mid day on Sunday, 2 kms from Ban Saladan on the main road and more rural versions occur Saturday in Kong Nin and Mondays in Lanta Old Town.

The Sea Gypsy Village (Sang Ga U) at the southern end of the east coast offers a glimpse of these ancient people, many who continue too live a nomadic existence on the sea. The village consists of small houses where these people live private lives. Please respect their privacy and be sensitive about where you point your camera. These people will welcome you into their village but are very gentle, shy and leery of outsiders.

Sea Gypsy House, about 2 kms before the village, is wonderful place to stop and learn about their culture, have a coffee and purchase unique arts and crafts. Try your hand (and feet) ay Muay Thai kickboxing, mid island across from Relax Bay Resort at Lanta Gym -- a great way to get in shape.

The gentle elephant has long been a symbol of Thailand and is considered lucky by Thai people. See the jungle and forest from a different perspective at one of two elephant tours available on the island. Sumeth Elephant Yai Trekking is mid island, after Phra Ae Village turn left before Relax Bay onto the dirt road and follow it for three kms. Tiger Cave Elephant Trekking is between Klong Nin and Klong Hin on the left side of the road.

There are a number of different day trip packages offered to nearby islands that often include snorkeling, but these are just as wonderful for passengers. Trips by speedboat reduce traveling times by more than half and offer a greater level of comfort but cost more. Long tail boat trips offer the experience to get to know these traditional craft that have been in use for centuries. Ko Rok, a two-island group around 45 km from Ko Lanta is not to be missed. The area between the islands boosts a vast coral reef with brightly colored fish and sea life. Kids of ages will be amazed at the harmless, wandering 2m long Monitor lizards living on the island.

Another popular trip is commonly known as the three island tour which takes in the islands of Ko Ngai (pronounced Ko Hai), Ko Muk and Ko Cheuk. This includes a visit to the famous Emerald Cave, undoubtedly the inspiration for the tunnel cave and secret lagoon of the movie 'The Beach'. After a swim of just 50 meters, you emerge into a beautiful lagoon in the middle of the rock mountain of Emerald Cave. Half the 60m diameter shaft is crystal clear water and half is a perfect white sand beach.

Another fun day is taking a longtail boat from Lanta Old Town to Ko Bubu. This small tropical island is just a 30-minute ride by longtail. It's also possible to rent a longtail boat with captain (and English-speaking guide) for a day to visit islands of your choice. There are many nice islands including Ko Talabeng, Ko Kam, Ko Paw, Ko Kluang and Ko Lek to explore. Lek Adventures provide the best (and safest) longtail guided service on the island. Great for families with kids and party groups.

Explore caves, mangroves and small islands on one of the guided kayak trips offered by various tour companies in Ban Saladan.
Trips include everything necessary for a full day of fun on the water including shuttle service, lunch, life jackets, instruction, guides and a two-person kayak. Trips leave at 8am and return at 5pm.

It is also possible to explore the mangrove forests on the east coast alone in a rental kayak from Fresh Restaurant in Lanta Old Town. Launching times depend on tide conditions.

Spend a leisurely day sailing around the untouched beauty of the Andaman Sea. Unwind and relax as the wind takes you from island to island, where you can drop anchor to snorkel, swim, explore uninhabited islands and enjoy food and cocktails.

Lanta Sailing, the only sailing company on the island, offers guided day and sunset cruises, as well as specialty diving and over-night charter sails on its 31-foot Beneteau Oceanis 320. They also rent windsurfers.

Otto Bar on Klong Nin Beach has the island's only, professional Catamaran for rent by the hour, half-day and full day. The gentle waters and frequent strong winds make it a perfect place to learn to cruise.

Deep-sea fishing is excellent in the seas that surround Lanta. Catch mackerel, barracuda, tuna and sailfish.

You can charter a boat or join in on a day or night trip with the island is leading fishing company SK Fishing Tours.

For traditional fishing, simply ask a local fisherman if you can join them on their nightly longtail-fishing trip. Be prepared for a full night of fishing for squid, crab, fish and prawns depending on the season.