Koh Lanta -- Long Beach, Sanctuary Bungalows and Diving

by Backpacking Tips Asia
(Oslo, Norway)

Koh Lanta may not be as densely "populated" by tourists like Koh Phi Phi, but it's a gem nonetheless. Escape the crowds in Phi Phi and Phuket and head for Koh Lanta instead.

I visited Koh Lanta in December 2007, and it's about time I wrote something about it :-) Long Beach was the place in Koh Lanta where I spent my two nights.

How to get to Koh Lanta:
I've already covered it in this article about Phi Phi. The ferries to Lanta and Phi Phi leave from the same pier, so you can use these tips here - ferry from Klong Jirad Pier in Krabi

In the high season, there are ferries traveling directly from Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi and vice versa. I left Koh Lanta and hopped on a ferry at 13.00 and arrived in Phi Phi at 14.30 hours.

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Accommodation in Koh Lanta:
Long Beach is the most popular beach on Koh Lanta with restaurants, bars and shops within your reach. You'll find plenty of bungalows along Long beach and to get the best bungalows in the high season, be sure to book room in advance.

Some accommodations in Koh Lanta close when the low season starts, normally from May to October. Otherwise, guesthouses and bungalows drop their rates considerably in the low season.

During my visit in Koh Lanta, I stayed at the Sanctuary located at the Southern end of Long Beach.

Price per night in the high season: 250 B (huts), 500-700 B (small bungalows), 600-1200 B (large bungalows)

The bamboo bungalows were nice and simple. My bathroom was out "in the wild" with no roof above it, double bed with mosquito net, fan cooled and a hammock hanging ready on the balcony. There wasn't much privacy though since my bungalow was located right by the restaurant.

But this didn't mind me since Sanctuary's location was excellent - right on the beach.

At their restaurant I tried Pad Thai and fish with green curry - don't remember the prices but the food was good!

I didn't book any room in advance because I couldn't find any contact information at that time. From the pier Saladan I took a tuk-tuk and asked them to take me to the Sanctuary on Long Beach.

But now, you can actually contact them! Wihiii!

Facebook page: Sanctuary Facebook

Other suggestions for Koh Lanta accommodation:

Chill Out House: 150 B (dorm), 300 B (room) per night
Read reviews of Chill Out House at TripAdvisor

Lanta Tip House (Klong Khong beach): 500 B per night
Read reviews of Lanta Tip House at TripAdvisor

Lanta Mermaid Boutique House: from 2,850 B per night (high season)
Read reviews of Lanta Mermaid Boutique Resort at TripAdvisor

Long Beach Chalet: from 2,200 B per night (high season)
Read review of Long Beach Chalet at TripAdvisor

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Things to do in Koh Lanta:
The most raved thing about Lanta is its diving and snorkeling. I didn't experience this myself, but I talked to many travelers staying at Sanctuary who had seen rich underwater life, such as plenty of manta rays. The underwater cave called "Cathedral", one of Koh Haa dive sites, can be accessed from Koh Lanta by speed boat (30 minutes). Hin Muang and Hin Daeng are two popular underwater pinnacles, reachable by speedboat for 45 minutes.

Open water diving courses: start from 14,200 B

Otherwise you can watch muay thai fights in Koh Lanta, take a Thai cooking class, longtail boat tours around the islands, sailing, windsurfing and elephant trekking.


Amanda

Posted: Jan 07, 2011
Last updated: Feb 18, 2013

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