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Exotic Ko Lanta
Ko Lanta Overview |
Destination Resorts and Spas |
Scuba and Snorkeling
A peaceful retreat on Ko Lanta
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Ko Lanta Yai is one of 15 islands in the Ko Lanta National Marine Park, and is largely undeveloped, boasting fruit plantations in the interior, and magnificent beaches.
Here, you can stay in well-appointed resorts, or in out-of-the-way bungalows (ours cost 500 baht per night, and sat 50 meters from the beach).
You can reach Ko Lanta Yai by ferry from Krabi, Ko Phi Phi, or Ban Hua Hin on the mainland, just across from Ko Lanta Noi.
What to do [Back to top]
Relax in your private bungalow
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Ko Lanta is terrific for lying on the beach reading books, snorkeling, and scuba.
The dive season runs between November and April, with visibility generally 5-10 meters, at depths of 20-40 meters.
Your hotel or bungalow can arrange snorkeling and scuba trips to uninhabited islands such as Ko Rok Yai, Ko Rok Nai, and Ko Ha, all off Ko Lanta’s southern coast, where magnificent coral shelves host thousands of varieties of sea life.
The Tham Khoa Mai Kaew complex of caves has large rooms, pools, stalagmites and stalactites, and can be reached by following a road near the junction of the western and west-east island roads.
A friendly family will offer to take you on tour, and we recommend it, as otherwise, it’s difficult for the uninitiated to navigate the caves.
Although you may hike in, riding a motorbike or arranging transportation from your hotel will allow you to begin your descent in a fresher condition.
Destination Resorts and Spas [Back to top]
Costa Lanta Resort, 212 Moo 1, Tamboon Saladan, Klong Dao Beach, Ko Lanta Yai. Tel: (075) 618-092.
www.costalanta.com
Laguna Beach Resort, Laguna Beach Club, 165 Moo 3, Tamboon Saladan, Klong Dao Beach, Koh Lanta. Tel: (075) 684-172.
Has Dutch and German-speaking scuba instructors.
www.laguna-beach-club.com
Pimalai Resort and Spa, 99 Moo 5, Ba Kan Tiang Beach, Ko Lanta Yai. Tel: 66 (075) 607-999.
www.pimalai.com
Sri Lanta Resort, 111 Mu 6 Klongnin Beach, Ko Lanta Yai. Tel: (075) 697-288.
www.srilanta.com
Scuba & Snorkeling [Back to top]
Ko Lanta-based dive shops operate from the town of Ban Sala Dan, at the northern end of the island. Best diving is from November to April.
Among the more reputable scuba establishments are:
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Blue Planet Divers, 3, Moo 1, Ban Saladan, Ko Lanta Yai. Tel: (075) 684-165.
Diving instruction in English, French, German, Swedish, Danish, Spanish, and Dutch, PADI.
www.blueplanetdivers.net
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Laguna Beach Resort & Dive Center, Laguna Beach Club, 165 Moo 3, Tamboon Saladan, Klong Dao Beach, Ko Lanta Yai. Tel: (075) 684-172.
Has Dutch, German, and English-speaking scuba instructors, PADI.
www.laguna-beach-club.com
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Lanta Diver, 197/3 Moo 1, Saladan, Ko Lanta Yai. Tel: (094) 740-543.
Operates September through May. English and Swedish-speaking instruction, PADI.
www.kolanta.net/Dive/Lanta-Diver-Welcome.htm
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Pimalai Resort, Spa, and Dive Center, 99 Moo 5, Ba Kan Tiang Beach, Ko Lanta Yai. Tel: 66 (075) 607-999.
PADI.
www.pimalai.com
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