Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Koh Lanta?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Koh Lanta?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Koh Lanta, Thailand? Most people spend two to five days in Koh Lanta during their visit. After all, the peaceful island will let you swim at the beach, admire the wonderful scenery, snorkel or scuba dive, and discover the nearby hiking trails.
Koh Lanta is an island that's off the west coast of Thailand between Koh Phi Phi and the mainland. It's a quieter island that doesn't see the huge tourist crowds of other nearby places. The beaches are long and beautiful and the towns maintain their local charm.
Do you have one or two days to visit Koh Lanta? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Koh Lanta?
One day is usually not enough time to experience the peaceful island of Koh Lanta, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as the beaches, the beautiful scenery, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the hiking, as well as Long Beach. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around two to five days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey below.
How to spend a day in Koh Lanta
The beautiful beaches await you in Koh Lanta, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. For a quiet and tranquil beach holiday, this is your spot. You can enjoy long walks along sandy beaches on the north side of the island, and on the south side you'll find dramatic beauty. The most well known beach is Long Beach, which is also the longest on the island.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Koh Ha Koh Rok Day Tour by Opal Travel Speed boat ($47)
- Full Day Sea Cave and Mangrove Kayaking Tour From Koh Lanta ($52)
- A full Day Haa & Rok islands from Koh Lanta( By Speed Boat) ($39)
Koh Lanta is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. It's among Thailand's most beautiful islands and it's not as touristy or built up as some of the more popular areas.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Koh Ha Koh Rok Day Tour by Opal Travel Speed boat ($47)
- A full Day Haa & Rok islands from Koh Lanta( By Speed Boat) ($39)
- Half day Mangrove by Kayaking or Longtail boat from Koh Lanta ($21)
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Koh Lanta?
Koh Lanta is a great place to visit if you want to avoid the tourist crowds. It has some interesting activities and attractions. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to see everything the island has to offer. You really need more time to swim at the beach, admire the wonderful scenery, snorkel or scuba dive, and discover the nearby hiking trails. Many visitors prefer to have two to five days to fully enjoy the island. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
Koh Lanta, Thailand
How to spend 2 days in Koh Lanta
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Koh Lanta will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Koh Lanta is very popular. Spend the day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. There are snorkeling and diving trips that leave from the island daily. It's also possible to snorkel off some of the beaches around the island without organizing a group trip.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Maya Bay, Monkey Bay and Phi Phi Island Snorkeling Tour from Koh Lanta ($61)
- Snorkeling Tour to Koh Rok by Speedboat from Koh Lanta ($52)
- Lanta 4 Islands + Emerald Cave Snorkeling Tour ($32)
You'll absolutely want to spend some time enjoying the food scene in this island, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine for a meal or two. There are local markets that pop up in different places each day of the week. You may even get to sample deep-fried cicadas or dried fish. If you're looking for a more mainstream flavor, there are also curries and seafood dishes that are often locally caught.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Cooking Class and Market Tour at Lanta Thai Cookery School on Koh Lanta ($54)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Koh Lanta, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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