The Best Beaches in Koh Lanta (and the Rocky Ones to Avoid)
Mu Ko Lanta National Park
Let’s be clear about this: Koh Lanta has some spectacular beaches, but not all of them look like an Instagram paradise around the clock. If you come to the north of the island expecting “the Maldives,” you’re going to be disappointed.
Up north, the sand is golden and the beaches are convenient. The real turquoise is down south, or on the islands the boat trips take you to. And there’s one thing nobody warns you about: the tides. When the tide goes out, some beaches turn into a minefield of rocks.
I’ll tell you where I’d go to spend the whole day, where the snorkeling is good, which beaches give you an amazing sunset and which ones you should avoid.
1 The “Easy” Ones (Swimming Without a Worry)
A. Klong Dao: the infinity pool
Great for Families Total Relaxation
Best for: families and anyone who just wants to fully unwind.
The truth: it’s the flattest beach on the island. You couldn’t “drown” here if you tried, which makes it perfect if you’re traveling with kids.
The vibe: there are restaurants right on the sand where you can watch the sunset with a beer in hand.
B. Long Beach (Phra Ae): the all-rounder
Best for: proper swimming, long walks and sunsets.
The truth: the water gets deep sooner than at Klong Dao, so it’s better for an actual swim. The sand is a bit whiter and the water clearer.
The vibe: beach bars with floor cushions, volleyball nets and a good atmosphere, and it’s so long (4 km) that it never feels crowded.
C. Klong Nin: the free and easy one
Rock-Free Swimming Hippie Vibe
Best for: a swim with no rocks and a hippie vibe.
The truth: for me, it’s one of the best for swimming. There are no rocks to dodge and the water is usually calm.
The vibe: the best part is that the bars are literally built on the sand, or on wooden decks hanging over the waves.
2 The “Wild” Ones (South and Exotic)
D. Kantiang Bay: tucked between mountains
Instagram Photos Jungle Feel
Best for: Instagram photos and that jungle feeling.
The truth: it’s an enclosed bay ringed by green mountains. This is where the water starts to look truly crystal clear, and the sand is whiter than up north.
Heads up: there’s less natural shade on the sand, so bring sunscreen.
E. Bamboo Beach: the hidden gem
Best for: snorkeling and totally unplugging.
The truth: it’s the last beach before the National Park. The path down is steep (you’ll spot the makeshift motorbike parking by the road).
Heads up: it gets pretty crowded, so I’d get there early if you want really good photos.
Mu Ko Lanta National Park
The best day trip on the island. It’s a bit far, but it’s worth coming down for the whole day. There’s hardly anyone on the beach, and a trail of roughly an hour to an hour and a half takes you through the forest, where you’ll spot wildlife (monkeys, mostly), and ends at a beach straight out of a movie.
3 The “Traps” (Not for Swimming)
This is where I save you some grief. These spots are lovely for other things, but NOT for swimming.
F. Klong Khong: the rocky beach
Party / Backpacker Watch Out for Rocks
The problem: it’s the cheap backpacker area, with plenty going on at night. But the beach has a catch.
High tide: it looks fine.
Low tide: the sea pulls back and exposes a seabed covered in rocks. You need to be careful getting in.
Verdict: come for the parties and the cheap bungalows. The left-hand end is very rocky.
G. Old Town: this is NOT a beach
No Sand Dinner with a View
The mistake: plenty of people see “waterfront” on Booking and book here.
The reality: the village is gorgeous, with houses on stilts, but there’s no sandy beach. When the tide goes out, what’s left is a mudflat full of rocks, puddles and crabs scuttling all over the place.
Verdict: come to see the village, pick up some souvenirs and have dinner with a view, but leave your towel at home, because you won’t need it.
4 Bonus: The Most Stunning Turquoise Water
If you’re after that impossible movie-blue water (and I mean that literally: there’s a famous one), you’ll have to get on a boat. Those beaches aren’t on Lanta’s main island but on its neighbors.
Maya Bay
The one from the Leonardo DiCaprio film. Packed, yes, but the color of the water and the karst cliffs around it are out of this world.
Bamboo Island
Not to be confused with Bamboo Beach. This one is an island of powder-white sand and crystal-clear water where the tours stop, and where we saw a baby shark while snorkeling.
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Where to sleep in Koh Lanta
The island is long and each beach is good for something different. If it’s your first time, go for Long Beach.
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