Planning to visit the beautiful island of Koh Lanta in Thailand? Our guide’s got your covered for uncovering all the best things to, finding the best beaches, and much more!

Size matters.

When a curly-haired Danish man in the cabin next door told us that Koh Lanta had a big highway running along its western side, we started to fear we’d made a mistake with our itinerary.

The intention was to bypass the southern Thai islands that were overly developed or had an overly salubrious or sleazy reputation for us to find enjoyable. We’d struck gold further north in Koh Phayam, and dozens of our Instagram followers had put over Koh Lanta as a firm favourite in Thailand.

Still, Hamletic doubt began to creep in: perhaps their glowing write-ups were based on trips long past, the island's time had since come and gone, or we had picked the wrong side to stay on.

Thankfully, none of this came to be.

Over a near-perfect six days, we realised that the highway was of little concern, and actually helped us to easily thread together the stunning tropical beaches of Koh Lanta and travel easily from north to south on our scooter. Running to four lanes in total, it struggles to have enough enough traffic to justify it, let alone fill it, with the colourful combination of Hello Kitty and SpongeBob side-car tuk tuks, rented and owned mopeds, the odd truck and even rarer car, meaning it wasn’t the noisy, polluted blight we’d expected.

It is however an important factor when choosing where to stay on the island.

One of the larger islands in southern Thailand, but still just 30 km long and 6km wide, Koh Lanta is a long-standing winter sun favourite of Scandinavian & German tourists, but now appeals to backpackers and holiday-makers alike. This ongoing popularity, the fact that it’s connected to the mainland by a bridge, and its proximity to Krabi and Phuket means it's pretty much a surefire entry on everyone's list and always going to be busy in peak season.

However, whilst little Koh Lipe suffers at times from the impacts of dense tourism, Koh Lanta's greater size allows tourists and travellers to spread out and, remarkably, often feel like they're on holiday in an unhurried, lesser-visited paradise.

We aren’t exaggerating here: at times, we simply couldn't believe that we were sharing stretches of soft golden sand with only a handful of other travellers, palm trees, and a few cows.

Of course, a brief moment at Saladan pier will remind you just how many other visitors there are on the island, and there's clearly a lot of tourism here. But, importantly, one can still breathe and roam to find a place or pace that suits with or without everyone else, and that means Koh Lanta has achieved a remarkable balance in being able to appeal as much to honeymooners and divers as backpackers and two-week holidaying families.

We're not trying to paint an overly idyllic picture of this island but, save for a few brief moments and negative observations, we really did enjoy our time there - and we want you to have the same feeling.

In this travel guide to Koh Lanta (also spelled Ko Lanta), we'll share everything you need to know to plan the perfect trip. As well as all the information and inspiration you'll need on the best things to do - from the diverse array of beaches, diving and boat trips to viewpoints, sunsets, and cooking classes - we've also shared insider travel tips and advice on how to get around, mistakes to avoid, and the best accommodation bases to choose on the island for your travel style.

This is our guide on the best things to do in Koh Lanta, Thailand.

koh lanta essentials

Learn/ To cook Thai food. We went super local but if you’d prefer something more formal, take a look at this cooking class
Beaches / More than 10 along west coast, but don’t miss Long Beach, Ao-Nuy Bay and Diamond Cliff Beach
Hire / A scooter to get around and explore
Wander / Lanta Old Town for coffee and views
Go / Scuba diving or snorkelling in pristine waters
Visit / The dogs and cats of Lanta Animal Welfare
Views / Hike the nature trail and take in the exceptional views from Mu Ko Lanta Marine National Park
Eat / Don’t miss Pangea, Coco Tango & Baja Tacos
Explore / The 4 Islands on a popular tour like this one
Stay / We stayed at Raven Blue, but backpackers will love Blanco Hostel. If you’re visiting for a special trip, consider the stunning Nirvana Beach Resort.

The Best Things To Do In Koh Lanta

Do A Thai Cooking Class

Here at Along Dusty Roads, we're huge believers that a cooking class is one of the best ways to get that little bit closer to people and place wherever you travel.

And, in Thailand, why on earth wouldn't you want to take some knowledge of how to cook their delicious food back home with you?

We decided Koh Lanta would be the ideal place to do one during our month in southern Thailand, but we were craving a cooking class that was local-led in their home kitchen rather than one in a more modern class-kitchen setting.

We found that at Sunee's busy little family restaurant.

After spotting a hand-written sign for cooking classes on our wanderings in the Old Town, we joined her a couple of days later to slice, chop, boil, stir, and prepare a four-hour feast of the dishes which had become new Thai favourites on this trip : papaya salad, tom kha with prawns, tofu massaman curry, and mango sticky rice for pudding.

Everything was delicious, and we learned a lot about the ingredients and methods from Sunee, who was a really sweet host. However, as her classes takes place at dedicated table and stove balanced on a plastic stool in her restaurant, they have a natural limit on capacity; we wouldn't recommend them for any more than a couple or small family looking to have a private class. Also, as the restaurant is popular, this does affect the atmosphere and Sunee did duck into the kitchen to help out a few times, so it isn't the dedicated, personalised cooking class experience you'll find elsewhere on the island.

So, we highly recommend doing a cooking class in Koh Lanta, but it's important to know that there are better and more popular options than Sunee’s if you'd prefer to join a group experience, enjoy a bigger private space without great-granny in the hammock, and have a more formal cooking class setting (i.e. individual cooking and chopping stations, a classroom kitchen set-up, and branded aprons). All of them will provide recipes for your dishes to take home as well.

As a lot of Thai food is so veggie-friendly, every class caters well for vegetarians and vegans, but you need to let them know in advance.

· Lanta Thai Cookery School | Join a professional chef in a teak wood house amid an organic garden for a four-course lunch or dinner. Includes round-trip transfers from your accommodation.

Book it on Viator or GetYourGuide.

· Time for Lime | The first cooking class on Koh Lanta, all profits directly support Lanta Animal Welfare (more on them later). They have fixed daily cooking menus, so try to align your class with the dishes you'd really like to learn. Find out more here.

· Sukho Cuisine Thai Cooking School | Another highly-rated option, certain days include a market visit before the class. Hotel pickup and drop-off included as standard.

Available to book on GetYourGuide or Viator.

· Sunee’s | You can find here restaurant here in Koh Lanta Old Town, or send a WhatsApp to +66850786876 to enquire. We do also need to add that we paid 1,500 baht each, which is a little less than the other Koh Lanta cooking classes featured here, but was quite a bit more than we thought should be charged for this class at the back of a restaurant. The others, relatively speaking, offer a lot more value and usually include round-trip transfers, cocktails, and more of a 'visitor experience' and materials.

We loved the informal, local feel at Sunee’s but it wouldn’t be for everyone.

Chill Out On Long Beach

There are a dozen or so postcard-perfect beaches on Koh Lanta, and they're all located along its west coast.

The only difficult thing you have to decide is which to visit first.

The good news is that the 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 'fancier one', and they all have space for every budget and travel style.

For us, Long Beach (also known as Phra Ae Beach) is the one which will hit the mark for everyone, and is a great choice for base for both enjoying beach time and exploring the island - indeed, it’s where we chose to stay for this six night / seven day stay in Koh Lanta.

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 comers.

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.

The water’s 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, it’s popular with runners and walkers getting some exercise in before the sun gets too hot, and the atmosphere most evenings is chilled.

Plan | We could easily pad out our guide to the best things to do in Koh Lanta by just listing lots of beaches, but that wouldn't really help you plan the perfect trip. However, we both appreciate how important a good beach day is when you're on holiday or backpacking, so we strongly recommend reading our dedicated post later: The 11 Best Beaches in Koh Lanta (it also has lots of accommodation recommendations for the best places to stay, all over the island).

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 right 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.

Explore The Island On A Scooter or Tuk-Tuk

The majority of visitors will base themselves on the west coast in one of several well-established beach accommodation 'hubs'.

A rough rule of thumb is that the north and middle has relatively busy and built-up 'hubs' on the highway (Khlong Dao, Long Beach, and Klong Khong), whilst the southern half offers quieter and more isolated hubs away from the highway, as well as more exclusive boutique accommodations in nature.

There are pros and cons to each but, due to the layout and type of transport in Koh Lanta, it's important to appreciate that whichever base you choose, you'll naturally spend most of your mornings and evenings eating and drink near your accommodation. Travel times and distances add up, even on a small island, and some nights you simply won't be arsed to go further than a five-minute walk away.

For the rest of your time, you'll need to commandeer a scooter or a tuk-tuk to get out and explore beyond your base. You'll find loads of places to rent from, and with prices around just 200-300 baht per day for a 110-125CC scooter, it’s a super affordable way to get across the island. Some are pretty old or beaten up, and newer bikes are priced at the upper-end of the range, but discounts are available for rental periods longer than a week (and sometimes less).

Rather wonderfully, especially for families with young kids, Koh Lanta is the only place we've seen tuk-tuks for rent. Here it's a motorbike with a sidecar welded on, often with a seat in the shape of a comic book / cartoon character, and it was a common sight to see a holiday family with dad driving (always), and then mum and kids in the sidecar.

Driving around in the sunshine to see more local life in the villages on the 'other side' of the island, groups of monkeys playing at the side or in the middle of the road, beautiful scenery and experience beyond the beach was a real highlight for us, and the road/driving conditions on Koh Lanta are much better than you'll find on some other Thai islands.

Alternatively, if you do not wish to drive or prefer to be a passenger, you can get a ride for day trips with tuk-tuk drivers; you'll always find one waiting or passing by on the highway, outside the ubiquitous 7-11s, or on a corner somewhere. Accommodation can also ring one up for you.

As we rented a scooter for most of our time in Koh Lanta, I'm afraid we don't know typical costs for tuk-tuks, but it will end up more per day than renting your own wheels. You will also have to negotiate prices for most journeys, so it's a good idea to check with your accommodation to get an idea on price before heading out, especially for longer day trips south or north, and conduct negotiations civilly and with a smile before landing on a number everyone's happy with.

There are also bicycles to rent, but this would be quite a taxing endeavour for certain journeys and hills.

Travel Better // Now, renting a scooter in Thailand is really common, but not without its risks (we’ve all seen the crowd-funding for those that have had accidents and need to be flown home - unfortunately what many travellers do not realise is that most travel insurance companies do not cover you unless you've got your CBT). So, it is imperative that you exercise caution and common sense, know your limitations, don't drive drunk or like an idiot, and always always always wear a helmet.

We’re writing a guide to everything you really need to know before renting a scooter in Thailand, and negotiating the country’s roads, so be sure to have a read when it’s published.

A Secluded Southern Beach Day

And, if you get your own wheels in Koh Lanta for just one day, then you need to make sure you use it to go visit its pristine, nature-drenched southern beaches.

They are sublime.

Indeed, as we mentioned in our guide to the best beaches in Koh Lanta, we had to pinch ourselves that several of the lesser-visited ones we hung out on could still exist like this in peak season on one of Thailand's most visited islands.

Whilst those further north are all still easy on the eye and offer convenient accommodation bases, if you're looking for a day in nature away from everyone and everything, it's to the south you must venture!

Our favourites for a secluded southern beach day are Ao-Nuy Bay and Diamond Cliff Beach, and that's where we recommend you go if you wish to disconnect from the 7-11s and the highway and the hotels. Ao-Nuy, found at the end of a short dusty trail, only has a single simple restaurant and massage shack on it, whilst Diamond Cliff has nothing except a restaurant overlooking the water.

Either deserves at least a morning or afternoon.

Where | Head to these on a rental scooter or with a tuk-tuk taxi. You can find Ao-Nuy Bay here on Google Maps, and Diamond Cliff Beach here.

Know | If you'd like to stay close to these beaches, then it's best to base yourself in and around Kan Tiang Bay (a 25-minute walk away) or perhaps at the gorgeous beachfront Anda Lanta Resort, located a short walk south on Khlong Chak beach.

Plan | The 11 Best Beaches in Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta Old Town

When you're ready to drag yourself away from the west coast's beaches, then a wander over to Koh Lanta Old Town on the island's east coast is the best idea.

Though smaller and much more geared around tourism than we expected, it offers a welcome change in aesthetic and architecture. Composed of a single pedestrian-friendly street flanked by wooden homes on stilts - once wooden, now concrete - the Chinese influence on this former trading hub are clear in the lanterns, the signs, and the facades.

It doesn't enjoy the same azure waters as the west coast, but does offer lovely views on a clear day onto island clusters, and all the restaurants / cafes on the right side of the street have long platform decks from which you can enjoy it all with a drink or lunch.

We came here twice during our week - once to check it out and then again for the cooking class - and though you could walk from one end to the street to the other in less than five minutes, we suggest setting aside a couple of hours for browsing, eating, and drinking.

To fully appreciate the town, walk beyond the blue Lobster monument to the end of the Old Town Pier (maps) for view backs on it.

Reccos // There are several standard souvenir shop offerings, but also a few cool gems here as well for original pieces, good coffee, and great views. Our favourites were:

· Mayuri's Secret Bar | In his grandparent's old house, it's the most beautiful space we visited in Thailand with old photos and so many curios. Outside on the deck offers views, cocktails, and a nice vibe.

· Malee Malee | Somewhere to find a more considered souvenir or bespoke artisan object, whilst they also serve some of the best coffee in Koh Lanta.

· Sunee Place | The family-restaurant where we had our cooking classes, it's always popular! They also sell various pastes and spices you can take home out front, as well as a Thai pancakes from the cart.

· Pinto Restaurant | We didn't eat here but popped into see the menu and terrace, and it looked like a very good option if you're staying around for lunch. Great open-sided terrace, lots of veggie options, and various kitsch items (including mint-green Wes Anderson fans)

· Old Town Cowboy | If you're craving a proper beer after too much of the light Thai lagers, then this place at the end of the road is where to go.

· Hammock House | If you can fit a hammock in your suitcase, you'll find a good one here.

· Ko Lanta Community Museum | The only museum of note on the island, it's small, free and a worthwhile 20-minute stop on the way in or out of the Old Town. It was built one year after the terrifying 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which devastated Koh Lanta as well as many other coastal areas and islands of Thailand.

Stay // Much less touristy and away from the highway, Lanta Old Town offers a more chilled base from which to day trip over to the west coast's beaches. In fact, one traveller we spoke to had decamped here after a few days at the beach for a little peace and quiet!

A few of our recommendations include:

The Old Times B&B | Offering modest rooms that open up on to a private pier overlooking the water. Throw in the fact that it’s attached to an excellent coffee shop, and this spot would be ideal for those seeking simplicity in an excellent location.

Deep House Sea View | Located 600m outside of the town, this little over-water bungalow provides wonderful off-grid vibes, in a rustic but comfortable environment. Incredible views from the balcony, the chance to get away from it all and wonderful reviews from previous guests.

Go Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

We learned to dive in Utila, Honduras a couple of years ago, and a big factor in heading to Thailand in January (aside from escaping the bleak British winter) was to get a few more dives under our weight belts.

A liveaboard in the Similian Islands was out of our budget, so we decided to prioritise diving days in both Koh Lipe and Koh Lanta. This part of southern Thailand is a much-loved diving destination, with the uninhabited islands of the Andaman Sea offering a cornucopia of colourful sealife and coral, with most sites falling within a protected marine park. Experienced divers come to Koh Lanta primarily for two highly-regarded dive sites in the archipelago, but it's also a popular place to 'blow bubbles' for the first time* or head out on a snorkelling trip.

We picked a day of diving around the five uninhabited Koh Ha islands and, blessed with excellent visibility, it was a fantastic experience all round. As well as an abundant level of coral and sealife, we opted to do a third dive which included our first ever swim through a ‘chimney’, which was a challenging but exhilarating moment for us both.

By the way, you can go snorkelling there too with this highly-rated tour.

You'll find PADI and SSI dive shops in the majority of the the island’s coastal accommodation hubs, with all offering the same range of dives at a broadly similar price point. All departures are from Saladan pier in the north and, in thankful contrast to Ko Lipe, the excursions are usually on larger, bespoke dive boats rather than the tumultuous, cramped longboats.

However, it’s important to note that various Koh Lanta dive schools share the large and well-equipped Lanta Divers boat, rather than each having their own exclusive one. We actually opted to dive with Andaman Dive Adventures as they are one of the few to offer a private, very Wes Anderson looking boat, but that was unexpectedly out for repairs on the day of our dive, meaning we ended up on the other boat with about 25 other divers and snorkellers anyway (thankfully though, it was just ourselves and our excellent instructor when out in the water together).

The only drawback to diving in Koh Lanta is that it takes a full day to do any one of the four most popular sites. We would have loved to have also done the much recommended Hin Daeng - Hin Muang (Red Rock - Purple Rock ) site as well as a Ko Ha, but simply couldn't justify another day out on the boat over exploring more on dry land.

So, if you're an experienced diver, be sure to factor that in to your route and date planning, as well as your budget.

Costs | We paid 3500 baht for the Koh Ha dive day, which included two dives as standard. We then decided to pay an extra 1000 baht each to do the very worthwhile third dive (honestly, that ended up being the highlight of the day).

If you plan to enjoy diving days, then make sure to avail yourself of the package discounts, where you can get money off for three, five and seven dive day bundles. Note that most of the Koh Lanta dive sites you’ll want to do are in the marine park, and each diver has to pay 600 baht per day on top of dive shop costs.

Know | The dive shops have weekly schedules for the sites and islands, so if your heart is set on one dive site in particular but you’re not going to be in Koh Lanta for a long time, it makes sense to get in touch in advance of your arrival to align dates and availability.

Find out more about diving in Koh Lanta here.

* We both love scuba diving now, and sincerely regret not learning a decade ago. Emily was petrified at the prospect, but is now probably the most eager to get under the water, so don't let fear hold you back. Whether it's in Koh Lipe, Koh Lanta, or somewhere else on your travels, we really encourage you to give it a shot at least once. Many dive shops offer a 'Discover Scuba Diving experience', which allows you to safely give diving a try without any experience or qualifications. Prices in Koh Lipe range from 2,500 baht for one guided dive, or 4,000 for two dives in a day - find out more or book here

Alternatively, this is a highly-rated snorkelling day trip to Koh Ha.

Visit Lanta Animal Welfare

We try to visit and support animal sanctuaries wherever we find them on our travels.

Often started and sustained by passionate, generous, and determined people, they play a vital role to care for, rehabilitate, and rehome animals which have been rescued, mistreated, and abandoned (or a tragic combination of all three).

A short dive inland from Long Beach, Lanta Animal Welfare is responsible for doing an incredible amount of work to improve the lives of dogs and cats here, as well as on other southern Thai islands. Started by a Norwegian woman with a big heart and a big dream in 2005, the non-profit has sterilised and treated over 15,000 animals and helped many find their forever home in Thailand and overseas.

It is the most impressive and professional sanctuary we’ve visited and, whilst it’s long-established as one of the most popular things to do in Koh Lanta, we think a stop here remains an essential addition to every traveller and animal lover’s itinerary. As well as offering educational and honest insights of the realities and reasons why so many dogs are mistreated - and some of the ghastly diseases they’ve treated in their on-site doggy hospital - its daily tours directly support their significant operating costs.

By the way, we currently sponsor Gladys, the oldest dog in the sanctuary with one of the most heartbreaking stories, so do give her some extra fuss from us if you see her on your tour :)

The Details | Lanta Animal Welfare offers guided tours every day except Sunday. They start at 10:30am and 1.30pm and last about an hour, costing 250 baht for adults and 150 for children.

You can find Lanta Animal Welfare here on Google Maps.

You can turn up before those start times to join, but it’s best to book and pay for your place in advance via their official website.

Prior to the pandemic, there was the opportunity to help by taking some of the dogs on walks but this is no longer offered. However, those on longer trips or a passion for animals may wish to finding out more about their volunteer placements (minimum stay of one month and age of 25).

And, if you are one of the amazing people who end up adopting a dog or cat from here, please let us know!

Travel Better // Whilst we’re here, we should also note that elephant tourism activities are still heavily advertised in Thailand. We noticed them in abundance in Krabi, but there are also a couple here, and most in this part of the country are not ethical or legitimate sanctuaries (and many of them don’t even pretend to be). As a general rule, we advise against engaging in any elephant-related experience, and please do research before going to any animal-based activity in Thailand. World Animal Protection have a good article to learn more on elephant tourism do’s and don’ts.

Walk The Natural Trail in Mu Ko Lanta National Park

"It's for the monkeys"

When handed a long, thin metal pole before going on a trail, one can reasonably assume it's to help you navigate uneven terrain; in Mu Ko Lanta Marine National Park, it's a monkey defence stick.

At the southern tip of the island, found after a glorious undulating drive along the coast, Mu Koh is as far as one can go in Koh Lanta before slipping off land and into the sea. We primarily came for its 2km nature trail, which offers a pleasant work off a little of the pad thai weight, and to cast an eye over its pristine crescent beach beneath a lighthouse on the hill.

Aside from the family of macaques crossing the road (you constantly have to keep an eye out for this when driving in Koh Lanta), we didn't spot any monkeys on the trail but, given the sticks and stern warnings from the attendant to every visitors, perhaps that's for the best.

The Hike Details | From the car park, the first 400 metres of the horseshoe-shaped Leam Tanod Nature Trail is all up, dusty, steep, and challenging on the old thighs.

After that, it's a mixture of dusty trail and man-made cement stairs until you emerge out at the best viewpoint of Hin Ngam beach and lighthouse. We walked it in 40 minutes, but you could stretch it out to an hour or so if going at a slower pace, or immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of the tropical forest. Trainers or good sandals are fine, but flip-flops/sliders etc not ideal. Along the way, there are a few educational boards about the ecosystem, flora, and fauna.

You'll inevitably work up a sweat on the walk, and dipping off in the celestial blue waters is the most refreshing panacea.

Alternatively, if the trail isn't suitable for you or your group, you can simply walk five minutes from the car park along the flat to the beach entrance. From there, you can go up to the lighthouse, hang out on the beach, and walk up for five minutes to the same beach/lighthouse viewpoint at the end of the nature trail.

Tickets | Entry to the Mu Ko Lanta Marine National Park is 200 baht for foreign adults and 100 baht for foreign children (aged 3-14 years); it's free entry for children under three.

Buy your tickets at the small cabin at the park entrance (cash only), after which it's a there's a 400-metre descent that you really do need to go down at suitably slow speeds (the echoes of a French woman screaming at her boyfriend can likely still be heard…); note that there are also lots of blind bends and summits on the drive down to the car park, so please don't drive like a dickhead.

The sign said there's a 20 baht fee for parking scooters, but we weren't asked for this.

Where + When | You can find Mu Koh Lanta National Park here on Google Maps, and it's open 8.30am-5.30pm every day.

Travel Tip // If you'd like to enjoy Hin Ngam beach, we'd personally 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. Alternatively, come here after lunch. There are a myriad of free beaches which are just as good, but the entrance fee and location of this one means most people don't go to it (or stay around for long), so you might have a gem all to yourself.

Eat. All. The. Food

Wherever you find a road, a collection of accommodations, a slither of sand - or sometimes very little at all - you’ll find places to eat in Koh Lanta. Bouiji restauarnts, authentic ma & pa shops, street stalls and everything in between, there is something to suit every want, whim, budget and eating schedule - the difficulty would be in trying them all.

A lot of the time, where you eat will depend upon where you’re staying or where you go to hang out for the day, and you may just find the best Tom Yum or Thai curry in the most non-descript palapa-roofed, roadside restaurant; the joy about Thai cuisine, is that it’s the ingredients and flavours rather than the technical skill of the cook that can make a great meal.

However, with that said, there are a few that we particularly enjoyed (or were highly rated & recommended to us) during our time in Lanta that we just wanted to share here, just in case you’re looking for some inspiration.

Pangea | This popular beach bar was super close to our guest house, but rather than simply being the easy choice that we returned to, it served up some seriously excellent plates - including the best Tom Ka soup that we had on the whole trip! Their curries were also pretty darn yummy.

They also do late night beach parties with electronic music on Tuesdays (until 4am) and Sundays (until midnight).

Where Else Garden | Super cool locally-owned place that gives hippy treehouse vibes, but also serves up a pretty fantastic menu for vegans and vegetarians (whilst still keeping the meat-eaters happy). Smoothie bowls are a good shout for breakfast, or just pop in for an iced coffee and a time with the friendly cat and dog army that calls this place home!

Tamarind Cuisine | After passing this popular restaurant a few times during our time in Koh Lanta, we decided to take a punt - it was a good decision! The morning glory was particularly tasty, as was Andrew’s penang curry. It’s also very reasonably priced and the staff are lovely.

Coco Tango | If there’s one meal from our time on Lanta that we’ve thought about repeatedly since, it was the insanely good tofu massaman curry and pad thai from here. Yes, it helped that we were hungover, but man it was so. damn. good. The restaurant is perched on a hill overlooking a hidden beach, making it a particularly lovely place to have a meal or drink during the day.

Shanti, a few metres away also looked especially lovely (and was always busy) but we ran out of time to visit.

El Greco | We didn’t have time to head here (actually, we were too busy eating Thai food), but it came so highly recommended by a couple of our followers - one even said it was the best Greek food they’ve ever had! Might be a good option if you’d been travelling for a while, and need a break from Asian food.

Heama Indian Restaurant | We had a few incredible Indian restaurant meals during our month in Thailand, and whilst we didn’t make it to Heama, it’s another that was persanally recommended to us - specifically their thalis - and the reviews definitely seem to agree!

SweetSoul Lanta | We stumbled across this plant-based restaurant by chance after a few hours and a lovely sunset on Klong Nin Beach. Every single thing we ate was exceptional, and the satay tofu kebabs bloody delicious! Nice team work there too.

Tuesday Morning Small Talk Cafe | We only popped in for a juice and a iced coffee, but this cool little cafe is a good shout if you’re craving something a little more westernised, with a healthy twist. The smoothie bowls and brunch options sounded particularly yummy.

Maharaja Indian | This was supposed to be just a quick lunch stop before hopping on the speedboat to Koh Lipe, but it ended up being some of the best Indian food we’ve had outside of India.

Thai Pancake Lady | Fairly certain that every single visitor to Thailand finds their own personal, favourite pancake lady, and ours was located here. We have discovered since that she charges a little more than standard, but they were damn delicious and she always threw in a free drink. Plus, she’s just genuinely lovely.

Do A Four Islands Boat Tour

Heading out on a full-day boat trip to four surrounding islands is definitely one of the most popular things to do in Koh Lanta, but the truth is that we chose not to do it because we'd put our time and money toward the full-day boat trip to go scuba diving by surrounding islands!

And, we've learned over the years, that sometimes you have to draw a line on how many islands you'll venture toward from another island in order to prevent some sort of Matryoshka doll itinerary.

The 'Four Islands' are Koh Mah, Koh Chuak, Koh Ngai, and Koh Mook, with all the tours seemingly offering a similar itinerary and experience: transfers, snorkelling and swimming stops, lunch, and time at a few beaches. A guided swim through the 80-metre long Emerald Cave (Morakot Cave) is also standard, and that’s the thing we're really gutted to have missed out on.

From reviews we've read, the white sand beaches understandably become crowded with other day-tripper tours, so manage expectations and Instagram vs. reality.

Aside from group size and cost, the main factor to consider is in which type type of vessel you're going to go island-hopping: longtail boats are cheaper but a rougher ride, whilst speedboats will be a bit more comfortable and require less travel time between stops.

We've shared a few highly-rated long and speedboat options that you can book online, and include a full refund for cancellations made 24 hours in advance:

· 4-Island Adventure Tour to Emerald Cave by Speedboat - available on GetYourGuide and Viator.

· 4 Islands Snorkeling Tour by Long Tail Boat - find out more here.

· Lanta 4 Islands tour (Longtail boat) - find out more here.

If you do this and have some thoughts (positive and negative), then do let us know in the comments to help out travellers like you!

Travel Tip // You will also see day trips from Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi and Maya Bay, but we'd strongly recommend not bothering with these which are too oversubscribed and overdone to be enjoyable.

More enjoyable and less-crowded alternatives for some travellers will be the full-day Koh Ha snorkelling adventure, whilst some may prefer the mangrove kayaking.

Baja Tacos & The Eastern Side Of Koh Lanta

Rule of thumb: whenever you see a hand-painted sign for tacos on the roadside, you must stop.

Aside from a few Indian meals and the odd smoothie bowl for breakfast, an indulgent lunch at Baja Tacos was the only non-Thai meal we had in the whole month*.

As soon as we bit into our first prawn taco, we knew it deserved that distinction.

Found in a scenic spot by half-submerged trees on the quieter east side of Koh Lanta, it's reason enough to venture over to the island's 'other side'. We have spent many, many happy months travelling in Mexico, and have high standards when it comes to anywhere outside the country serving it up, but Baja's homemade fare surpassed our expectations.

As we were by the sea, we opted for fish and prawn tacos with a side of guacamole and various salsas, but there's a mushroom option for veggies. You'll also find burritos the size of your head, a few other main plates, and excellent fruit juices and smoothies.

Judging by the number of diners when we had lunch, plus subsequent reading of so many rave reviews, it's a really popular place so you may have to wait for a table on the swing with a beer or juice.

Oh, and say hi to the cutest shaggy dog ever.

Speaking of the other side of Koh Lanta, in addition to the Old Town and tacos, this is also where you'll find more glimpses of villages and life away from tourism on the predominantly Islamic island. You can travel south along the coast from Saladan, or cut a cross from various points on the west, and it's really scenic, enjoyable ride. This side obviously sees far less spend from tourism as well, so absolutely take the opportunity to stop off for lunch or drinks at anywhere that takes your fancy.

Continuing south from Baja Tacos, you'll find a trio of charming viewpoint restaurants / cafes to choose from: Panorama, Sunshine, and Sang Ga Ou.

Plan // The north of the ‘other side’ is also the spot to head out on a kayak through the mangroves, the Talabeng sea cave and to a few other islands. We didn’t have time to do this activity, but wanted to share it with you here. Lanta Kayaking is one of the main companies, whilst you can also book a full-day kayaking trip online here and here.

* That's probably the reason why we both lost 5 kilos on the trip (this was very much welcomed, and all came without a dose of the shits too - hurrah!). As we mention in our Krabi guide, this part of Thailand gets quite a bit of tourism from India, hence the number of excellent Indian restaurants in Krabi and some islands. They legit have the best menus we've seen outside the country - especially for several vegetarian dishes they never serve in the UK - and each place we ate at was a winner. So, if you're looking for some different flavours or just missing really decent Indian food, they should be your go-to alternative.

Savour Those Koh Lanta Sunsets

Given that all of Koh Lanta’s beaches face west, wherever you choose to base yourself along this gorgeous stretch of coast (and really, we do recommend staying by the beach), you’ll be able to catch the most incredible sunset every single day.

On trips, we’re often too busy exploring for these guides and arrive at sunset spots long after sun has dipped below the horizon, but one of the many wonderful things about this slow month in Thailand was that we got to enjoy this magical time moment almost every damn day.

With a happy hour beer or cocktail in hand, naturally.

Wherever you are on the west, you’ll get a decent sunset and soft, honey light. Sometimes low cloud coverage can make it a bit more dramatic, whilst at other times you’ll feel you should almost be able to reach out and touch the sun as it dips below the horizon.

Our favourites were:

Lanta Klong Nin | A busier beach, but nice for a social sundowner. Blue Moon Beach bar has a good seating area on the sand.

Long Beach | San Sunset Bar is a popular sunset spot at the northern end of Long Beach but you really pick anywhere on the stretch or just DIY it and bring your own sunset beers. Afterward, head to the southern end for cocktails and slackening at Sanctuary Bar (maps), but the atmosphere sometimes be a bit hit-and-miss depending on the night.

Cliff Sunset Restaurant & Phu Pha View Restaurant | We only stopped for a quick drink in the former, which offers excellent views over Kantiang Bay, whilst the other one is just slightly further up the hill. We can’t comment on the food, but you’re mainly coming here for the views.

Alternatively, go on the beach to Why Not Bar.

In terms of nightlife, we weren’t on Koh Lanta to party but had a couple of decent late nights. You’ll find parties and events advertised all over the roadside and on flyers, and it seemed that it sort of rotates around the island, rather than one place/base being known for nightlife in particular.

Aside from Pangea’s beach parties, make a note of Ozone, Free Descent, and keep an eye out for Job To Do’s reggae concerts.

There are also several Muay Thai gyms on Koh Lanta, with regular fight nights advertised.