Keep reading to discover the best Koh Lanta beaches, whether you’re deciding where to base yourself, or where to spend a few hours on the sand!

There are a dozen or so beaches on Koh Lanta Yai - the full name of the Thai island which most people just call Koh Lanta - and they're nearly all located along its west coast.

During our stay there to escape the bleak British winter, we set out to enjoy them all and report back on its best and most beautiful options for bases and lazy sunbathing days.

The good news is that you're going to spoiled for choice, but that choice becomes easier when you know the distinct vibe and setting you'll find on the island's surprisingly diverse selection of beaches: some are rustic, wild, and remote with only a single shack bar, whilst others have lots of resorts and restaurants; some are firmly established as the 'family one' or the 'luxury one', whilst others have space for every budget and travel style.

In this post, we've shared our favourite beaches in Koh Lanta to help you plan ahead and pick the right one to stay by or head to on a day trip. We've laid them out north to south - from the pier to the national park - so that you can easily plot out your choices and route, especially if you plan on visiting two or three in one day with a scooter.

The majority of you - whether it's a Thailand holiday or part of a longer backpacking trip - will want to be based on or near the Koh Lanta beaches we've featured (spoiler alert: not all have accommodation on or near them!), so we've also included a selection of highly-rated accommodation on or near each to give you some inspiration.

This is our guide to the 11 best beaches in Koh Lanta.

best beaches in koh lanta

· Khlong Dao Beach
· Long Beach
· Beautiful Beach & Secret Beach
· lanta Klong Nin
· Nui Beach
· Kantiang Beach
· Ao-Nuy Bay
· Khlong Chak Beach
· Bamboo Beach
· Mu Ko Lanta National Park Beach
· Find more inspiration in our Koh Lanta guide

Koh Lanta Beaches | What You Need To Know

We'll cover any specific advice where it's relevant for a particular beach, but there are a few general things to know about the nature and type of beaches in Koh Lanta, as well as accessibility.

· As a rule of thumb, those in the south of the island are rustic and secluded; the others all have some or a lot of tourist development on them.

· Several of the best beaches run parallel to the north-south highway, and this is something we were worried about. Thankfully, you can't see or hear the highway or traffic, and it's nothing to be concerned about! We explain the highway and getting around the island more in our travel guide to Koh Lanta.

· Renting a scooter/motorbike is best in order to reach most Koh Lanta beaches, but you will also be able to access those which are a drive away from your accommodation with a tuk-tuk taxi.

· When driving to the southern beaches, you need to be super cautious due to the number of bends and blind corners, potholes, random beach parking and tourist crossing areas, and families of monkeys crossing. It is a really lovely drive - a highlight of the island - but you should be sensible and avoid going too fast.

· To access those southern beaches, you need to take the right turning off the highway onto Horizon Road after the Lanta Klong Nin 7/11. It's easy to miss, but just look out for the 'National Park 13km' sign; you can also find the turn-off here on Google Maps

· Several beaches are really long (2km+), and it can sometimes be unclear which access road you take to get to the sand: some may lead to a restaurant which is very chilled with parking and walk-throughs, but others will have a private property sign or be more closed off.

We've included Google Maps links on access points where we know them for certain!

· The length of certain beaches is a positive, as it spreads out the peak season crowds and keeps the vibe chilled, but it obviously can make a wee bit of a difference to how close you are to the action and amenities if you are staying at one side or other.

· A couple of our favourite beaches involve a short walk down, up, or along a dusty road, but it shouldn't be an issue for most travellers.

· Unlike Koh Lipe, most of the beaches in Koh Lanta are totally boat free, which is a big positive for enjoyment and noise levels.

· As they're all west-facing, all the beaches offer fantastic sunsets but we have a couple of favourites.

· The majority of accommodation hubs in Koh Lanta are on the west coast and largely linked to the beaches. All but the most secluded beaches in this list therefore have a variety of restaurants, bars, and amenities on or near them - with more a short walk away on the highway. Some have more, some have less, some have an abundance, but each will have enough to have your needs covered.

· Make sure to also read 13 Wonderful Things To Do in Koh Lanta for more advice and travel inspiration.

THE BEST BEACHES IN KOH LANTA

Khlong Dao Beach

With soft, golden sand and gentle shallow waters perfect for swimming, it's no surprise that Koh Lanta's northernmost beach is firmly established as the island's most family-friendly option.

It's one of the most developed beaches in Koh Lanta, with an abundance businesses backing on to and creeping onto the sand, and lots of accommodation options facing the waves. However, as it's 2.5km long, you can always find a spot away from it all, with the northern section being most secluded.

The vibe in sections feels quite package holiday, with the some of the cheapest happy hours we saw on the island and lots of affordable hotels and resorts close by, and its proximity to Saladan pier means it's very conveniently located for diving and island-hopping boat trips.

Best For | Families and older holidaymakers. Personally, for our travel style, we wouldn't base ourselves on this beach due to the set-up and number of families, but that may make it the absolutely perfect pick for others as a holiday base!

Parking & Accessibility | You can find Khlong Dao Beach here on Google Maps, and it’s easy to access on foot from any entry point.

If arriving for the day, we suggest turning off the highway and parking your scooter down this side street (maps), which is just a short walk to the central section of beach.

Facilities | Loads of restaurants, bars, massage places on the beach, and many more found a short walk away on the highway. This beach is also closest to Saladan Pier area which has various night markets and tourist stuff, but we wouldn't go out of our way for any of that unless staying next to it.

Stay | Lemonade Boutique Inn is a great option if looking for a dorm (although they also do really decent privates), i-Style Lanta Boutique House is a really fantastic affordable hotel and Oasis Yoga Bungalows and Southern Lanta Resort are great mid-range options.

Royal Lanta Resort is relatively new which is why we’re assuming it’s currently so well priced - definitely one to check out if you want your money to go further (before they inevitably start charging more!).

Klongdao Sunset Villa is a great family-friendly resort but if you’re looking for real luxury - in a child-free environment - be sure to check out Twin Lotus Resort and Costa Lanta.

Long Beach / Phra Ae Beach

Long Beach, also known as Phra Ae Beach, is where we based ourselves for six nights and it was a great choice for both enjoying beach time and exploring the island.

Running three kilometres from start to finish, as the name suggests, it's pretty long and this means it never feels crowded and caters to all travel styles and budgets.

The middle section was our favourite, and where you'll find the best bar and a couple of great accommodation options (including Raven Blue, where we stayed). To the northern side, there are more resorts catering to holidaymakers, and the less pretty southern section has a smattering of bars, restaurants, accommodation, and is closest to the 'tourist strip' section of the highway.

Its waters are fantastic, offering those clear Thai blues you've been dreaming of, and with much of its development behind the treeline, Long Beach feels close to nature whilst having everything nearby. In the early morning, the beach is popular with runners and walkers getting some exercise in before the sun gets too hot, and the atmosphere most evenings is chilled.

Best For | Every travel style will enjoy Long Beach for a day or as a base, but it's the ideal pick for backpackers and digital nomads.

Parking & Accessibility | You can find Long Beach here on Google Maps

There are multitude of access points from the highway, but a reliable pick for day trippers on their scooter is to take the dusty road toward Pangea Bar and park up there (maps)

Facilities | On the beach itself, there aren't actually that many restaurants or bars, and those that are here are quite spread out. The pick of the bunch for us is Pangea, which does good cocktails, excellent food (have the Tom Kha soup), and has a really nice ambience - it's also great for sunset.

Further north, Jam Bar and San Sunset Bar are decent, but heading south to Sanctuary Bar is a good pick in the evenings (it can hit and miss on whether there’s something on or not though).

There aren't any shops or massage places across Long Beach, so you're best to walk to the highway if you need any snacks or sunset beers and bring them back to the sand.

Stay | We can highly recommend Raven Blue for couples and digital nomads (say hello to Pad Thai and Yoda for us), whilst nearby Blanco Hostel is a good shout for younger, social travellers (although Ozone towards the northern part is probably the best hostel on Long Beach).

In terms of budget-friendly options if you don’t fancy a hostel, Leaf House Bungalows looks really cool and a follower recommended Andaman Sunflower Bungalows, in the southern section.

Our top mid-range option is the modern, green and new bungalows at Treeya Lanta, although Long Beach Chalet is a really great pick for those that want a touch of luxury (the pool area is amazing, and it’s on the beach) but at a more mid-range price point - although you can upgrade to a sea view villa.

If you’re looking for a luxurious retreat along Long Beach, the best pick is the gorgeous, adults-only Layana Resort & Spa.

Things to Know // YOGA in Koh Lanta does yoga every day for all levels. Pangea also does beach parties on Wednesdays (until 4am) and Sundays (until midnight).

Beautiful Beach (Tricky-Trocky Beach) & Secret Beach

These two Koh Lanta beaches should be viewed as a pair, and offer something closer to the rustic set-up you'll find in the south. Although not enjoying the beautiful surroundings of those, we can understand how these two small beaches would appeal to someone based in the north or middle who fancies a quieter beach day but doesn't feel like driving too far.

The palm tree fringed 'Beautiful Beach' is found at the end of an easy-to-miss dusty road and lives up to its name. There’s only a small massage shack, Thai pancake stall, a single place for food/drink, and the sound of the call to prayer carried across the breeze from the nearby mosque.

It is postcard-pretty but, ironically, can feel busier than more popular options due to its compact size.

'Secret Beach' is best accessed at low tide via the rocks on the right-side of 'Beautiful Beach', or by taking the dusty trail behind the massage shack. This small, secluded cove has no facilities on it and has open ground behind, so lacks the intimacy/attractiveness we expected, and we actually wouldn't go out of our way to spend time there.

Best For | A more intimate beach for when you just want a couple of hours somewhere quieter, or don't feel like going south for the day.

Parking & Accessibility | You can find Beautiful Beach here on Google Maps and Secret Beach is here.

It's easy to miss the turn off if you aren’t paying attention to your phone directions. Note that it's a dusty, uneven road with a small descent down to the large, free parking area; please be cautious if you are not experienced driving a scooter on this.

Facilities | Just the pancake stall and the small shack for food & drink.

Stay | There's accommodation on or near these two beaches, but Lanta Sitara Villas and Baan Suan Rim Klong Resort are a short walk away.

There are also a number of resorts and bungalows on neighbouring Relax Bay (including Lanta Casa Blanca and Lazy Days Bungalows)

Things To Know // Nearby Klong Khong Beach is another accommodation hub and, though not having anything massively wrong with it and enjoying some beautifully clear waters, it doesn’t make our list of best beaches in Koh Lanta. The sand isn’t as nice, the setting is not as sheltered or pleasing on the eye, there’s more rocks and coral than elsewhere, and it narrows quite a lot when the tide is in - in short, we’d recommend choosing others for a day trip beach.

There are however several highly rated accommodations on or near it including stunning and contemporary Lazy Lodge, Mellow Mango (an excellent mid-range option) and Lanta Fa Rung Beach Resort which is a great option for those on a bit of a budget.

lanta Klong Nin beach

We expected to dislike Lanta Klong Nin after the first few times we drove through it, but left with a more positive opinion after spending an afternoon and evening there following a visit to the Koh Lanta Animal Sanctuary.

This is the first beach after you turn off the highway, and its credentials as a holiday base are definitely burnished from having the two-lane road.

We'd say that this is the most developed beach in Koh Lanta, with a plethora of beachfront bars, live music, and fire shows. That still leaves plenty of space for sunbathing and enjoying the beach, but it means the vibe is younger, funner, and much less family-oriented than Khlong Dao Beach in the north. In comparison to Long Beach, it is more crowded and has many more options for eating out.

Fantastic, unmissable sunsets too.

Best For | For couples in holiday mode, this is a great shout. If, in comparison to other beaches further north, you don't want to have to go to the highway in the evenings to find more action and eating out options, but would rather have a a different beachfront bar or restaurant each night, then this is the one to go for as a base.

Being roughly in the mid-way point of the island also has its advantages for several day trips out with the scooter.

For some travellers, Lanta Klong Nin may be more of a place to go for a day of hungover sunbathing and eating, a lazy day-drinking beach day, or a more social evening, rather than a base.

Parking & Accessibility | You can find Lanta Klong Nin here on Google Maps

There are a bunch of places to park on the side of Horizon Road, and then you're just a 30-second walk onto the beach (but that walk will usually have to be through a restaurant or bar, who never seem to mind).

Facilities | On Horizon Road you'll find a bunch of cafes, restaurants, and everything else you'll need. A short walk from the beach, back to the highway, you'll find the commercial cluster on the main road which has a local's market, a 7-11, and various little restaurants and agencies. There's also a Muay Thai Gym here.

There are lots of bars and restaurants lining the beach, all serving standard Thai fare. One place we do have to recommend however is the excellent Sweet Soul Lanta Vegan. We’re still dreaming of their tofu satay kebabs!

Stay | Those looking to make their money go further should check out Lanta Dareen Garden Home and Nature Beach Resort but if you’ve got a little more budget take a look at Serene Lanta Resort, SriLanta Resort and Spa, Lanta Miami Resort or Baan Rabieng Resort.

Walden Tiny Houses are small but perfectly formed, and ideally located on the beach.

One of the most luxurious accommodations, not just on Klong Nin Beach, but in Koh Lanta more generally is Nirvana Beach Resort at the far south of the beach (and therefore a little hidden away).

Nui Beach / Diamond Cliff Beach

A total dream of a beach, especially if you're looking to get away from everyone and everything.

There's nothing on this hidden away spot, which would be easy to pass by if you didn't know if was there, save for a few simple bamboo and palm sun shelters.

The water is calm, the atmosphere peaceful, and you could be forgiven at times for thinking you're not on one of southern Thailand's most popular islands.

Best For | Anyone looking to disconnect.

Parking & Accessibility | You can find Nui Beach here on Google Maps - note that this shouldn't be confused with another beach (featured later in the post) which is also sometimes called Nui.

There are two options to reach it: parking up on the road and going through an overgrown trail through the trees, or entering via the Diamond Cliff Resort and going down its steep wooden stairs.

If opting for the three-minute trail, you should park up on the roadside where you see a couple of billboard signs (maps). The trail will be fine in trainers, sandals, or flip-flops.

Alternatively, there's more formal parking places up the hill outside Diamond Cliff (maps), and they are more than happy for people to enter through it and go down to the beach.

If driving here from the north, you'll pass the hotel/restaurant first, with the trail entrance on your right not long after.

Facilities | There's nothing on the beach, so you need to bring drinks and snacks with you. Alternatively, go up the wooden stairs by rocks at the far side of the beach and grab lunch in the Diamond restaurant, which offers lovely views.

Stay | Apart from the Diamond Hotel tucked away on the hilltop, there are no accommodations on or across the road from the beach.

Kantiang Beach / Kan Tiang Bay

The further south you travel, the more exclusive, undeveloped, and greener Koh Lanta becomes.

With only a few high-end resorts, luxury bungalows in the hills, and restaurants much more spread out, it's quite different to what you'll encounter a short walk from all the northern beaches.

Kan Tiang Bay offers a happy halfway-house between the north and the south of the island and is ideal for those seeking a beach base that offers a more peaceful, less touristic environment, but has enough on your doorstep in terms of amenities and eating out options.

Its long, sheltered stretch of sandy bay has a handful of beach restaurants, bars, and hotels - principally at its northern end - but also got plenty of pristine areas so that it's always easy to find a quiet spot for a day of sunbathing and swimming (look out for rocks though).

If you're only passing by en route to the beaches further south, make sure to stop at the viewpoint (maps), where you can also find a trio of casual cafes for a drink or lunch in a fantastic setting.

Best For | The length of this beach, and that the accommodation is clustered around its northern end makes this a peaceful place to spend the day whatever the time of year. For this reason, it’s particularly well-suited to couples looking to escape.

Parking & Accessibility | You can find Kantiang Bay here on Google Maps.

For a beach day, you need to drive toward the 7-Eleven (maps), which is in the small village area with various businesses and accommodations. You can park up around here and walk the 100 metres to the beach, or continue driving toward the popular Why Not Bar (maps) and park up there.

You can also enter via the south side of the beach - this is the spot to pull in and park / enter.

Facilities | The northern side is the hub of development has everything you'll need, with Drunken Sailors (maps) a popular option for coffee, brunch, and non-Thai food. Himalaya is a highly-rated Indian restaurant and, if you continue up the hill toward Phad Thai Rock n Roll, you'll find a few more options as well.

Choose from Cliff Sunset Restaurant (maps) or Phu Pha View Restaurant (maps) at the south side if you want the best view over Kan Tiang Bay.

Stay | This is an ideal base for those seeking somewhere a little quieter and less developed. However do note that for aspects of island / nightlife you will be more limited and require transport.

It’s important to note that the accommodation here - with the exception of Cashewnut Tree Resort, Kantiang Bay View Resort and Bakantiang Resort - are at the pricier end of the scale, with many more upscale resorts and hotels.

The most incredible option by far is the stunning 5*Pimalai Resort, but more affordable luxury can be found at Alama Sea Village Resort, The Houben (adults only), Villa Siam Lanna and Boutique Jungle Villa.

Tiki Bar-KanTiang Guesthouse is the most budget-friendly option but backpackers will be pleased to know that this is also where you’ll find the highly-rated Aha Lanta Cozy Hostel.

Ao-Nuy Bay

A short ride south of Kan Tiang Bay is a beach we fell for straight away.

Also called Nui Bay on Google Maps - though not to be confused with the similarly rustic one slightly further north - it is blissfully undeveloped and in the most gorgeous setting.

Accessed via a short, uneven trail and a couple of dozen crooked, rough steps, the bay is sheltered on both side by cliffs, has soft fine sand, and calm lapping waters that’s just perfect for swimming.

Throw in the fact that it's got zero accommodation on or near it, with only an open-sided Thai massage shack and a single very simple restaurant, and some may even call this the best beach in Koh Lanta…

Best For | A day trip beach where you just want to chill in the quiet and be surrounded by nature.

Parking & Accessibility | You can find Ao-Nuy Bay here on Google Maps, whilst the spot to park your scooter on the roadside is here on Google Maps.

It would be easy to miss the parking and entrance if you're going too fast but, if you miss the hand-painted sign, you'll easily spot it by the cluster of bikes on both sides of the road.

The trail is down from the parking, through trees, and will only take you a couple of minutes. The stairs are steep and slippy in parts, but should be fine for most travellers to navigate.

A word of warning though: this is a busy part of the road with blind corners on both sides, so pay extra attention when stopping, parking, crossing, and exiting.

Facilities | Nothing except that massage shack and the little restaurant for simple meals and drinks. You should bring your own towels to lay down on.

Stay | If you'd like to be close to this beach, then it's best to base yourself in and around Kan Tiang Bay (a 25-minute walk away) or perhaps Anda Lanta Resort, located a short walk south.

Khlong Chak Beach

If Ao Nay appeals to you, but you'd like a bit more of a vibe, then nearby Khlong Chak is a great shout for your Koh Lanta beach day.

In a cove sheltered on the left by hills and craggy rock, the 500 metre beach of fine sand is blessed with really calm waters and a peaceful setting amongst nature. On our morning visit, there were just a handful of other travellers in the wild open space, plus a couples of cows mooching around.

On the left hand side, Kung Fu is a very chill reggae bar, and there are couple of other rustic restaurants / bars on the beach, but nothing else except some accommodation options grouped on the north side of the beach.

Best For | For travellers and couples rather than families.

Parking & Accessibility | You can find Khlong Chak Beach here on Google Maps.

There are three separate entrances down dusty roads, so don't worry if you miss one. We took the sign-posted turn off to Kung Fu bar, which is a minute or two's drive on an uneven trail, with ample space for parking your scooter up at the end.

Facilities | Kung Fu was our pick, whilst there's also U-Bay Restaurant and Anda Pearl.

In front of U-Bay, you'll also find a collection of free, simple palm-topped bamboo stilts sunshades.

Stay | There are only two accommodations on this beach - Anda Lanta Resort is very highly-rated for a more indulgent experience, whereas Klong Jark Bungalows offer simple cabins right on the beach and a more back-to-basics experience.

Bamboo Beach / Had Mai Phai

Some people really love Bamboo beach, but it doesn't make our top five beaches in Koh Lanta.

It's the final beach on the southern tip of Koh Lanta that you can enter for free, and another undeveloped one where you feel close to nature. Long with plenty of space to spread out, there's two simple restaurants, lots of trees, an abandoned fishing boat and some cows milling about.

It enjoys soft, fine golden sand and calm waters with gentle lapping waves, but we just felt the setting and atmosphere was better at those we've mentioned above. Perhaps it was simply the day we were there, or perhaps it's because Bamboo Beach is really long and wild, so lacked a little of the intimacy of Nui, Ao-Nay, and Khlong Chak.

Best For | This beach was particularly popular with families, likely due to the shallow, calm waters - and calm vibe.

Parking & Accessibility | You can find Bamboo Beach here on Google Maps.

Travelling south on your scooter, you'll first come across a couple of restaurants that cheekily try to get you to stop in food or a drink with a view of Bamboo beach, and we assumed this also doubled up as the way in: it isn't. By all means stop there and enjoy the view - and we think there may also be a road down to the right of the restaurants - but the better access point is found by continuing along the main road and turning right at the wooden signs (here on Google Maps).

Do note that it’s a dusty, unpaved road to reach the beach, so go careful on the scooter.

Facilities | There's the small, simple restaurant by the parking and also one attached to the only accommodation on Bamboo Bay.

Stay | LaLaanta Hideaway Resort is the only accommodation on this beach, but there's also an area for camping.

Mu Ko Lanta National Park Beach

No guide to the best beaches in Koh Lanta could miss out on the pristine, postcard pretty one you'll find within Mu Ko Lanta National Park.

However, not all of you will want to visit it.

As part of the National Park at the southern tip of the island, visiting it requires an entry fee of 200 baht per foreign adult, and 100 per child. Realistically, you wouldn't arrive here just for Hin Ngam beach, as there's a very manageable 2km nature trail and a short walk up to a scenic lighthouse. We primarily came for the trail which was a nice way to stretch our legs in the morning but, frankly, missable if you're really pushed for time or have used up your hiking energy on the Dragon Crest Mountain trail or your calves are still aching from the 1,260 steps of the Tiger Cave Temple Krabi.

If you do come here, you'll likely be one of few enjoying the white sand crescent beneath the lighthouse on the hill, which has the most irresistible water you'll find in Koh Lanta. We should note that there will be people passing by quite often as the beach is at the end of the nature trail and leads to the path up to the lighthouse, but it's still going to feel very quiet in comparison to others in this guide.

You can go into the water and swim, but several signs warn not to go out too far.

Personally, if you'd like to enjoy Hin Ngam beach, we'd suggest arriving early (the park opens at 8.30am), doing the nature trail, and then having a blissful few hours on the beach before heading to another one for lunch and the afternoon.

Best For | Making your friends at home jealous, and nature lovers

Parking & Accessibility | You can find the Mu Ko Lanta Beach here on Google Maps.

The drive to the national park is beautiful, but involves various downhills and bends along the way, and it feels like a bit of a longer drive than you may expect if coming from the north.

After the ticket office, it’s a steep downhill to the car park - drive cautiously - and note that there are often groups of monkeys crossings.

From the car park, it's a short, flat walk for a couple of minutes to the beach if you're unable to take on the nature trail - we share more details on the trail in our main guide to Koh Lanta.

Facilities | There is only a a small kiosk behind the beach serving drinks and snacks, and it didn't appear like there was any restaurant on-site.

Stay | There is no accommodation in the national park.