Ko Lanta's Beaches

Lined with kilometres of white powder sand beaches lapped by calm clear waters, Ko Lanta's west coast is up there with the best of Thailands beaches. Unlike the buzz of the tourist crowds felt on nearby Ko Phi Phi, the beaches here have a decidedly laidback feel without the masses. Each offers something a little bit different, from extended happy hour reggae beach bars to a secluded paradise bay. So to decide which is your paradise, here's our quick summary of each of Ko Lanta's top beaches, starting in the north and working our way down the west coast. Baan Saladan The small main village and tourism hot spot of Ko Lanta doesn't have a beach. However, it does have low-cost accommodation, tasty cheap food and drinks with backpacker places to hang out, meaning if you’re on a tight budget, it can be an excellent option to use as a base to explore the island by a rented motorbike. Hat Khlong Dao This wide white sand 3km stretch of beach has nice calm shallow waters. Combined with restaurants, shops and other conveniences on the strip just a bit back from the beach, make this a favourite spot for families and older folks. It’s proximity to the Baan Saladan pier makes here popular for divers seeking easy access to the nearby dive sites. It still never feels too busy here, and you can usually find your own little spot, although if you want secluded, head for some of the southern beaches. It has the most spectacular sunsets along the western coast. There are some relaxed beach bars at the southern end, where you might find a game of volleyball as the sun sets. It’s predominantly mid-range and up accommodation here, with a bit of a package holiday vibe, but there are some flashpacker places. Ao Phra Ae At 4km Ao Phra Ae is Lanta’s longest beach and referred to as “Long Beach”. It’s backed by coconut and pine trees which can provide a nice bit of shade. Plenty of space can be found on its powdery white sand, and the sea-bed deepens at a steady rate, suitable for young children and swimmers. Like it’s location, it feels a halfway atmosphere of the slightly touristy Khong Dao to the north and the hippy-traveller vibes of Khlong Khong to the south. The northern end can be a bit rocky and offers the cheapest budget places on Ao Phra Ae, with some reasonable digs in the south also. The main road isn’t the prettiest but does have plenty restaurants, lively bars and facilities. Hat Khlong Khong Funky beach bars with live reggae, DJs and fire-shows, spring into life on an evening, offering BBQs, pool tables, long happy hours and late-night parties – but think more laid-back vibes than wild hedonism. Cheap beer and buckets meet spliffs and happy shakes. The beach is over 2km, with sand more course than other beaches on the island. The seabed is quite rocky, which makes swimming tricky at low tide but also one of the best places for snorkelling. It’s the least developed of the main four beaches, with plenty of budget bungalows in the central area. Back from the beach is the not particularly attractive main road, with restaurants, shops, bars, yoga places and guesthouses. If you crave some beautiful white sand beaches, Hat Phra Ae and Hat Klong Nin are just a short bicycle or motorbike ride away. Hat Klong Nin Hat Klong Nin is like Hat Khlong Khong's more sophisticated but still fun sister, sipping cocktails at the reggae-inspired bamboo beach bars instead of drinking buckets. It has a relaxed small village feel, without being as remote as some of the beaches further south. The beach is a beautiful 2km of powdery white sand, with calm waters perfect for swimming. A great all-rounder choice! It's mainly mid-range accommodation here, but there are a few cheap hut options. The southern end of the beach merges into Hat Klong Hin, separated by trees. It's a quieter but rockier beach, with just one decent bungalow joint. Ao Kantiang A secluded picturesque bay, surrounded by jungle-covered hills with a pristine stretch of clean white sand, is undoubtedly one of Thailands best. Even if not staying here, it's worth a visit. There's one massive but tastefully designed resort, blended into the greenery. For cheaper places, there's a small selection of budget accommodation available near the village, along with the bulk of eating and drinking options in the area. Despite its seclusion, all places have 24-hour electricity and the fully paved road is drawing more high-end development. Nothing to spoil the area yet, but this is Thailand, so get here before it changes! Ao Khlong Chak All the beauty of Ao Kantiang but with even fewer people and a rustic reggae beach shacks scene; the aptly named 'Take It Easy Bar' says it all. It's just 400m long and one of the least developed beaches on the island. There's also a year-round waterfall 1.5km inland to visit. Ao Mai Phai (Bamboo Bay) A short steep drive south through the jungle and past the macaques brings you to the secluded bay of Ao Mai Phai. Surrounded by lush green covered mountains, this beautiful 500m of white powdery sand exudes tranquillity. There are just a few small resorts and a restaurant here. The inviting water is excellent for swimming, and the northern end has shallow rocks great for snorkelling. A place to truly unwind. So there you have it, some stunners to choose from! Enjoy your bit of paradise!