Ko Lanta, Thailand

A few weeks ago my mom visited me in Thailand! After visiting Sanpatong and a few market, waterfall, and elephant-filled days in Chiang Mai, we headed South for the laid back islands and beaches of Thailand. Before this trip I had only been to southern Thailand once, when I spent a weekend in Krabi, so I was excited to explore more of the islands. I decided on Ko Lanta after a friend recommended it as a less touristy island alternative to Phuket or Ko Phi Phi, and I was definitely not disappointed.

Ko Lanta is actually two islands separated by a bridge, the larger of which (Ko Lanta Yai) is where most of the beaches and tourist accommodations are. It is a part of Krabi province and is separated from the mainland, requiring a ferry to reach. The western coast of Ko Lanta Yai is lined with beaches. My mom and I stayed at a resort on Klong Dao, the northernmost beach on the island. Although Klong Dao is the most popular beach on the island, it is still blissfully uncrowded, with wide, sandy beaches and a few small bars and restaurants where you can sip a cocktail and watch the sunset with sand between your toes.

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The other beaches on the island (from North to South) are Phra Ae (Long Beach), Klong Khong, Klong Nin, and Kantiang Beach. The island becomes less and less inhabited as you venture South, so you can find hippie/backpacker shacks sitting on the edge of cliffs overlooking beautiful, empty beaches. My mom and I rented motorbikes and drove the entire length of the island one day, stopping for smoothies in one of the shacks near the island’s viewpoint, shopping in Lanta Old Town, the eclectic town on the Southeast end of the island, and stopping at the rocky and secluded Bamboo beach.

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When we weren’t relaxing at the beach or by the infinity pool at Twin Lotus Resort, we were taking advantage of the boat tours that pick you up right on the beach. The first trip we took was a tour to Ko Phi Phi, including Pileh Lagoon, Maya Bay, and Monkey Beach, and to the beautiful, secluded Bamboo Island for lunch. 

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On another, very different type of trip we took a long tail boat to Ko Phee, also known as ghost island, and climbed into the caves. The island looks like a giant skull, and when I say we climbed, I really mean CLIMBED up makeshift tire ladders and rocks, slid through tiny holes in the cave wall, and repelled down the side of a rock with a rope. It was definitely a rush of adrenaline and made the view out of the eyes of the skull that much better knowing we really earned it. After exploring Ko Phee, we had lunch at a secret cove on the lesser known island of Ko Talabeng. Then we kayaked around the emerald waters of Ko Talabeng, under rock shelves, and into caves only accessible by kayak.

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The trip was absolutely amazing, and my mom and I made memories that will last a lifetime. Ko Lanta will always hold a special place in my heart.