Krabi & Koh Lanta: Island adventures for the restless traveller

Fun fact: Oleg and I started dating when he was living in Thailand for work back in 2017. I happened to be in between jobs at the time and we made the most of it exploring Thailand together. Looking back, we have so many wonderful memories from that period.

Neither of us had visited Krabi or Koh Lanta before, but both destinations came highly recommended by friends. They’re also incredibly popular with tourists because of the beautiful landscape, gorgeous waters and beaches. It’s also a hub for day trips to Maya Bay, made famous by the movie The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Koh Lanta was highly recommended as a diving destination. Unfortunately, just before our planned dive trip, we both came down with a fever and had to cancel the diving. Not exactly the adventure we had in mind! Rest assured though, we discovered plenty of other ways to enjoy the island. So if you’re not a diver or simply prefer to stay above water, we’ll share all the best things to do in Koh Lanta!

Good to know:

• Official language: Thai, however English is widely spoken in tourist areas and hospitality.

• Currency: Thai baht (THB).

• We had no issues paying with our credit cards but it’s always useful to have cash on you in Thailand especially if you plan to dine at simpler establishments, or have street food and if you plan to shop at the night markets. There are plenty of ATMs around, also on Koh Lanta.

• Thailand has a population of 65.8 million people and Bangkok is the capital.

• Citizens from over 90 countries are eligible for the visa exempt scheme which allows you to enter the country for up to 60 days. For those requiring a visa, they do offer visa on arrival. Make sure to check the entry requirements for your nationality.

• Grab and Bolt are the most popular taxi apps in Bangkok.

• Transfer: Krabi airport to Koh Lanta we would recommend pre-booking transportation as there are less taxi’s available there. The shared minivan option is one of the more affordable options but they only run until a certain time in the afternoon. If your flight arrives around 17:00 you’ll likely only be able to arrange a private transfer. Some resorts offer this service but they tend to be expensive. We booked ours through 12Go and it worked really well. We paid about 2200 THB (60 EUR). Keep in mind that the travel time can be 2-3 hours depending on where on the island you’re located. You will need to take a ferry between Krabi Pier and Koh Lanta.

• Transfer: Koh Lanta to Ao Nang (Krabi) we recommend booking a taxi on the island. Hotels and resorts will typically charge more. Approach any travel agent shop or taxi service kiosk and ask them to quote you a price or in our case we used the same company as before and paid about 2500 THB (68 EUR).

• Transfer: South Koh Lanta to Saladan (main town in the North of Koh Lanta Yai) was about 600 baht (16 EUR). You can approach a travel agent shop or taxi service kiosk to arrange this, hotels will typically put a mark up on the price. Whether you book it through your hotel or a travel agent, they’ll arrange a songthaew which is an adapted pick up truck. It has two bench seats in the back, no doors and open sides.

• Transfer: Ao Nang to Krabi airport you can arrange through your hotel and there’s a really cheap shared transfer option but the only thing is it will stop at many other places and take more time. We pre-booked a taxi through Grab/Bolt and it was 14 EUR.

• Motorbike rental: arranging motorbike rental in Koh Lanta was easy. Most hotels and resorts will work together with a motorbike rental company and the good thing is it means you don’t need to leave an ID or deposit. Prices vary, most of the scooters will cost you at least 200THB (5 EUR) per day.

Top sites to visit:

Koh Lanta

• Nui Bay

• Khlong Chak Beach

• Mu Koh Lanta National Park

• Ghost Island Cave

• Khlong Dao Beach

• Lanta Old Town

Krabi

• Railay Beach

• Phra Nang Beach

• Hong Island

• Maya Bay

• Khlong Muang Beach

• Khaothong Hill

• Sa Kaeo

Day 1-2: Southern beaches and Mu Koh Lanta National Park

The island of Koh Lanta is split into Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi. Most visitors will find themselves staying on Koh Lanta Yai, where the majority of the island’s beaches, restaurants and attractions are located. It’s roughly 30 km long and 6 km wide and offers two very different sides. The west coast is famous for its long stretches of golden sand beaches, while the east coast is known for its mangrove forests and the charming Lanta Old Town.

During our stay, we split our time between two locations along the west coast, which we would highly recommend if your itinerary allows. The first spot was Anda Lanta Resort, which turned out to be the perfect place for exploring the island’s southern beaches.

Our favourite beach by far was Nui Bay. Tucked away in a small cove, it felt more secluded than the others, with crystal-clear water and soft, pristine sand. Nearby, you’ll also find Khlong Chak Beach and Bamboo Beach, both of which are equally beautiful and worth a visit. Don’t leave any of your belongings unattended because this area is known for having monkeys and they are incredibly curious.

Another highlight was the beach at Mu Koh Lanta National Park. Arrive early in the morning and you’ll likely have much of the area to yourself. The park has a wide sandy beach, tree swings and several walking trails, including a hike that we didn’t get around to doing this time. There are even camping facilities available if you’re looking for a more adventurous stay!

Two days is enough time to explore the southern part of the island at a relaxed pace. Since most resorts and tourist infrastructure are concentrated further north, the south feels quieter. The trade-off is that restaurant options are more limited, so you’ll likely find yourself driving north for more food choices or eating at your resort.

Day 3-5: Kayaking and cave climbing, Old Town Lanta & some well-deserved relaxation

Ghost Island

If you enjoy staying active on holiday, a kayaking trip to Ghost Island is an adventure you shouldn’t miss. This was originally supposed to be our diving day but since we were feeling under the weather, we opted for something a little less strenuous. It ended up being one of the most memorable experiences of our trip!

Head to Sea View Restaurant on Koh Lanta Noi, where you’ll find a charming waterfront restaurant nestled among the mangroves. You’ll know you’re on the right track when you need to go off-road. Just make sure you’re reasonably confident on a motorbike, as it can be a bit challenging.

Kayak rental costs 500 baht (13 EUR), and there’s no time limit. We recommend heading to Ghost Island but you can also opt to kayak around the area instead. Be prepared to get wet. Depending on the tide, you may need to walk through muddy mangrove areas or sink slightly into the soft sand before reaching the water. Wearing swimwear or sportswear is a good idea.

On the day we went, the water was so calm it looked like glass. Paddle straight towards the island and you’ll eventually spot a place where you can pull your kayak ashore. The paddle itself takes around 15–20 minutes, making it accessible even for beginners. To reach the viewpoint, you’ll climb a steep section where a series of old tires form a ladder. We made the climb in flip-flops, but we’d recommend trainers or sturdier footwear as it gets quite slippery and the rocks are sharp.

The first viewpoint is already worth the effort, offering stunning views over the surrounding area and coastline. If you’re feeling adventurous, continue upwards. Using ropes and scrambling up a steep rock face, you can reach the upper caves, which were even more impressive! Proceed with caution though as we would rate this as an advanced section and best suited for active people.

We absolutely loved this experience. About 15 minutes after we arrived, a boat tour dropped off a group of visitors, but most of them stayed near the lower viewpoint and never made it up to the upper caves. This was one of the most unexpected highlights of our entire Thailand trip.

Lanta Old Town

Lanta Old Town is worth a visit if you’re looking for a change of scenery from the beaches and want to experience a more traditional side of the island. Once a thriving commercial hub, it served as a safe harbour for Arabic and Chinese trading ships travelling between Phuket, Penang, and Singapore.

Today, you can still see that heritage reflected everywhere. Chinese influence runs along the main street, with traditional wooden stilt houses, colourful facades, and lanterns adding charm to the sleepy village atmosphere. It feels slow, peaceful and full of character.

One of our favourite stops here was Grandma’s House, now a family-run restaurant in the house that has been passed down through four generations. The story alone makes it worth a visit but the food is what really stands out. They’re known for their mango crumble served with coconut ice cream, homemade sourdough bread and a mystery-menu dinner experience you can book in advance. This spot alone made the trip to Old Town worthwhile. It’s the kind of place you come for a short stroll and end up staying much longer than planned.

Sunset at Khlong Dao Beach & Spa therapy

Our second location in Koh Lanta was Avani Koh Lanta Krabi Resort which was worth splurging on! We booked it through one of those travel websites at a non-refundable rate to get a better deal and we highly recommend it. The resort is large and quite hilly so if you’re not in one of the villa’s right by the beach you’ll probably make use of their shuttle service. They have phones located throughout the resort so you can always call reception when you need a ride. The breakfast, sunset bar, pool bar are all amazing. We ended up spending more time at the resort than planned, partly because we weren’t feeling 100%, but honestly, it was the perfect place to slow down and recover. The pools and beachfront areas are stunning and there’s even a path that connects directly to Khlong Dao Beach. Service throughout our stay was excellent, and we also found the on-site motorbike rental super convenient.

For one of the best Thai massages on the island, head to Faikham Lanta. We’d recommend booking a day or so in advance, as appointments tend to fill up quickly. You can either stop by in person or make a reservation via WhatsApp. The team is incredibly kind and attentive, and the whole experience feels calm and welcoming. We came back twice during our stay!

Krabi is a province on the coast of the Andaman Sea and covers a large mainland area as well as 150 islands including the famous Phi Phi islands. If you plan to go island hopping it’s best to base yourself in Ao Nang or Railay Beach area. Ao Nang has a bit more options when it comes to restaurants and is a little less secluded. Railay Beach is accessible via Ao Nang Beach and then taking a longtail boat. This can be quite tricky when travelling with young kids and lots of luggage. Depending on the tide you may need to get in waist deep which is not ideal. If you’re travelling light it’s not a problem.

We stayed in Ao Nang because there’s much more hotel and restaurant options and better connected to the activities on the mainland.

Day 6-9: Phra Nang Beach, Hong Island and Krabi’s most iconic viewpoint

Railay Beach and Phra Nang Beach

Phra Nang Beach is best known for its white sand and emerald green water, framed by dramatic limestone cliffs. The best way to get there is by taking a longtail boat from Ao Nang to Railay Beach, followed by a short 1.1 km walk to Phra Nang Beach.

Tickets for the longtail boats can be purchased at the Ao Nang Longtail Boat Service Club, a small kiosk with a blue sign located at the end of the main road leading to the beach. Return tickets cost around 200 THB (5 EUR) per person. From there, staff will point you toward the boarding area where the longtail boats depart. It can feel a little chaotic, but for the price and experience, it’s all part of the charm. The boat ride itself takes about 15–20 minutes and is quite noisy but incredibly scenic as you pass limestone cliffs rising out of the sea. Once you arrive at Railay Beach, the walk to Phra Nang is just as beautiful. The path winds past towering rock formations and caves. It’s a popular spot, and it can get very busy during the day. It’s said to have even inspired or featured in scenes of Jurassic World. Along the way, keep an eye out for dusky leaf monkeys in the trees and the occasional monitor lizard.

If you’re hoping to experience the beach at its quietest, staying in the Railay area is your best option, as longtail boats only run between roughly 08:00 and 18:00. Outside of those hours you won’t have the crowds of day trippers.

Hong Island Tour

When deciding which island-hopping tour to do, we ultimately settled on a half-day trip to Hong Island. You can’t really go wrong with any of the popular routes, it mostly comes down to what you want to see and managing your own expectations.

Koh Phi Phi is the most famous option thanks to Maya Bay but that also means it’s extremely busy. A huge number of tour operators run daily trips there, so don’t be fooled by marketing claims like “first boat of the day”.

We also recommend spending a bit more on a private or semi-private tour if your budget allows. The standard/economy boats looked very overcrowded and uncomfortable. While the cheaper options can be tempting, it’s definitely a case of you get what you pay for. We opted for a premium longtail boat experience, which was a bit of a splurge but it made the entire day feel far more relaxed and enjoyable.

We chose Hong Island over Phi Phi mainly because it’s closer to Ao Nang, meaning less time spent travelling and more time actually enjoying the islands. It still offers everything you’d want: turquoise water, soft white sand and even a viewpoint hike if you’re up for it.

One of the highlights was that our boat crew made an effort to find a quieter stretch of beach where larger tour boats couldn’t reach, allowing us to enjoy a private lunch in peace. We did also see the main lunch area used by larger groups, which felt almost like a chaotic buffet station. People were being called in groups by tour operators to collect their food. It resembled a busy school cafeteria. We understand that these tours need to cater to a wide range of budgets and travellers. Choosing a smaller, more premium boat made all the difference for us!

Sa Kaeo and Krabi’s most stunning viewpoint restaurant

We decided to skip the famous Emerald Pool. While it looks beautiful, we suspected it would be quite crowded and were in the mood for something a little more off the beaten path.

After some research, we came across Sa Kaeo which is an area with natural emerald and blue pools. Upon arrival, you pay 100 THB (2.65 EUR) entrance fee and receive a flashlight. The light is used to explore one of the caves surrounding the pools.

What we loved most was how quiet it was, it felt like a true hidden gem. There were hardly any other visitors, and the atmosphere felt peaceful and untouched. The pools are connected to an underwater cave system, making the area popular with cave divers as well. Bring swimwear if you like as you’re allowed to swim in one of the pools.

After that, we headed to what was the highlight of our day: Khaotong Hill. Located high above the coastline, this restaurant offers breathtaking views over the Andaman Sea, limestone cliffs, and the surrounding islands. We stopped for drinks and a few sweet treats, but it would be just as easy to spend an afternoon here enjoying a meal and staying for sunset.

Since the road leading to the restaurant is privately owned, visitors need to park at the bottom and purchase a shuttle ticket to reach the top. The ticket costs around 60 THB (1.5 EUR) and part of that amount can be redeemed as food or drink credit at the restaurant. Don’t skip the toilets, they may genuinely offer one of the most spectacular restroom views we’ve ever encountered during our travels.

On the way back, we made one final stop at Khlong Muang Beach for golden hour. It had a laid back atmosphere, beachfront restaurants and surprisingly few people around, it was the perfect place to end the day and watch the sun begin to set.

Where to stay:

Anda Lanta Resort (120 EUR/night) - A beachfront resort located on the southwest coast of Koh Lanta. The resort has a swimming pool, a small outdoor gym, and several relaxing areas where you can take in the beautiful surroundings.

The beach views are stunning, and the rooms are clean and comfortable. One thing to keep in mind is that monkeys are common in the area, so it’s important to keep an eye on your belongings, both around the resort and on the beach.

Avani+ Koh Lanta Krabi Resort (160 EUR/night) - Officially a 4-star resort but it offers amenities and service that feel closer to a 5-star experience. The rooms located near the reception have access to a quieter pool area, while a larger main pool with pool bar is situated closer to the beachfront. The resort provides a shuttle service to help guests get around the property. One of the highlights is the beautiful sunset bar, where you can enjoy drinks and meals while taking in spectacular views.

The breakfast buffet is excellent, with a wide selection of food options. They also have dishes that are made to order. Nature lovers may be lucky enough to spot the resort’s resident hornbill pair, Gok and Gek, flying among the trees during breakfast.

Aonang Hill Krabi (107 EUR/night) - A lovely hotel with beautiful and peaceful surroundings. The property has bungalows and a swimming pool. Located approximately 1.5 km from the beach, we would recommend arranging a motorbike rental if you choose to stay here, as it makes exploring the area more convenient. The hotel also offers a complimentary hourly shuttle service to the beach.

We chose to stay slightly farther from the centre because Ao Nang is known for its lively nightlife. This location provides a quieter environment while still offering easy access to the beach and town.

For the foodies:

Breakfast/coffee

• The Old School Speciality Coffee & Roastery - Bangkok (this place has an indoor waterfall which drew us in. It felt like a little oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. If you're nearby, it's well worth stopping for a coffee and a bagel. We visited on our way to Icon Siam for some souvenir shopping.)

• Zenith Cafe - Koh Lanta (Are smoothie bowls still a thing? We certainly hope so. This place filled our millennial hearts with picture-perfect smoothie bowls, unapologetically cheesy pop music, and a beautiful beach view.)

Lunch/snacks

• Khaothong Hill - Mueang Krabi District (if you're after one of the best views over the Andaman Sea, don't skip this spot. You'll need to pay a small fee for the shuttle ride up the hill but the panoramic scenery makes it well worth it. Even the locals told us it was a place we shouldn't miss)

• Grandma's House - Koh Lanta, Old Town (the mango crumble with coconut ice cream alone is worth the stop. If you're staying nearby, it's even better: they bake their own sourdough and also offer a “mystery menu” for dinner. A cosy little spot that feels like it’s hiding more than it shows at first glance)

• SunMa - Koh Lanta, South (one of the few independent spots in the south of Koh Lanta not attached to a resort. Open for both lunch and dinner, it’s a relaxed place with solid food. The mango sticky rice was a highlight!)

  

  

  

  

Dinner / drinks

• Baik Baik - Bangkok (we stayed near Don Mueang Airport to catch an early flight to Krabi the next day and stumbled upon this little gem for Thai food. Set in a relaxed outdoor garden, it served generous portions of classic dishes that really hit the spot after a travel day. The fried snapper and tom yum were amazing! Bonus: if you like karaoke they have booths so you can sing your heart out without an audience of strangers.)

• Ăn Cơm Ăn Cá – Bangkok – (a Vietnamese restaurant run by a well-known Bangkok restaurateur and a delicious stop inside Emsphere shopping mall. We met up with an old university friend, which made it even more memorable. The best approach here is to try a bit of everything, especially the build-your-own summer rolls.)

• Lost in Thaislation - Bangkok (a cocktail bar with a menu inspired by Thai street food, their drinks feel like a creative twist on familiar flavours. Don’t hesitate to ask the bartenders for recommendations, they’re genuinely passionate and happy to guide you through the menu. It's hidden in an alleyway near to a Japanese restaurant called Shinya Shokudo, looking for it is half the fun!)

• Kha - Num 289 - Koh Lanta (a lovely spot for Japanese food. We loved the rice bowls and sushi and they also serve udon! Seating is limited indoors but there’s also a terrace outside if you prefer to sit in the open air.)

• The Kitchen - Koh Lanta (a garden-style restaurant where we especially enjoyed the outdoor setting. Alongside the usual Thai classics, they also serve a standout crispy pork belly.)

• Chef Chalong Restaurant - Koh Lanta (a convenient option if you’re staying in the north of the island in Sala Dan. We especially enjoyed the fried snapper!)

• Rajchaprug Bar & Restaurant - Ao Nang Krabi (a great option a bit further away from the main beach area. The setting is especially cute, with a pleasant outdoor seating area. A solid choice for Thai food if you’re looking to escape the main tourist stretch.)

• Ton Ma Yom - Ao Nang Krabi (it’s located opposite a Muay Thai gym, so you might catch a bit of training action while waiting for your food, which adds to the atmosphere. From the outside it looks quite small and cosy, but it opens up to plenty of seating inside.)