The ferry sags as the huge truck lumbers onto it. I follow in my small truk, edging over to the side of the boat. Soon the ferry is full andif chugs off from the mainland across the inland passageway between it and Koh Lanta Noi (the smaller of the two Lanta islands). There are no facilities on Lanta Noi ( small Lanta island ), only the government offices recently moved there from Old Lanta Town on the southern end of Lanta yai (or the big Lanta island), and a small fishing village on the southern end.                                                              
Disembarking onto a concrete ramp I trundle off, following the rest of the pack on the short, five-minute drive across the northern tip of Lanta Noi which lies between the mainland and Lanta Yai. Onec again arriving at a ferry landing, the whole loading procedure is repeated. This time the distance is shorter with the journey taking but a few minutes. Once off-loaded I driver into Ban Sa La Dan, the main tourist town, or village, on the northern end of the island. The passenger ferries from Koh Phi Phi and Krabi Town arrive here as well as the car ferries from the mainland From this point connections can be made to anywhere in Thailand.    

The selection of places to stay on Koh Lanta ranges from woven bamboo huts on stilts for 100 Baht/day to the medium range concrete-type bungalows. For more information about the accommodations please visit on http://www.krabirailay.com/kohlanta.html On the western side, where almost all accommodations are located, there are long stretches of white sand. Even during the busiest time, the peak of the season, there is still the feeling of space and elbow-room on the beaches. How long this will last is anyone’sguess as is attested to by the truckloads of concrete blocks, bricks and other assorted building materials making their numerous journeys over and back on the ferry everday.

The sea is the main attraction of Koh Lanta. From the western side an unrelenting expanse of water, the Indian Ocean, extends out until it blurs at the horizon, blending with the sky. In actuality, off the western coast of Lanta as well as along the whole southern coastline from Phang Nga Bay to Tarutao island, are a number of small islands that are home to an amazing array of marine life. There are nine dive shops currently on Lanta, the oldest being the Ko Lanta Diving Centre run by German Christian for more information looking on www.kolantadrivingcenter.com The usual Professional Association of Dive Instructors (PADI) three-day and instructor courses are offered. Divers are taken out to Koh Mo, Koh Ha, as well as the hin Muang and Hin Daeng island groups (which are rated among the top 10 dive sites in the world) and other sites for an incredible underwater experience. For those who choose not to venture so far underwater, the numerous coral reefs, limestone rock formation, undersea caverns, and sandy coves of the neighbouring islands, each with its own unique ecosystem, offer numerous delights to the snorkeller. It has been estimated there are more than 200 hard corals and over 108 reef fish in the area (and these are just the ones that have been catalogued).

Koh Lanta may be the most southern island in Krabi province, but that doesn’t mean it’ sthe only one. As far as the eye can see to the north and south, islands dot the surface, primarily in habited by small Muslim fishing villages. On Lanta itself is a village of Sea Gypsies. These people still speak their own language, have their own songs and live to their own rhythm of life, a way of life that becomes increasingly threatened as the waves of tourism spread ever a stable community.

At the north end of the island is located Ban Sa La Dan, a recent outgrowth of the rapid development of Krabi province in general and Koh Lanta specifically as a popular tourist destination. Backpackers, squeezed out of places like Phuket, Phuket, Phi Phi and Railay due to accelerating prices, comprise the main body of tourists here. Travel on Koh Lanta is mainly by motorbike or rented car, motorbikes costing 250B per day and jeeps 1200B per day. Take warning-the road is a dirt track complete with potholes that could swallow a car (or so it seems at the time). The road from Ban Pha-Ae to Ban Klong Nin are being re-surfaced, making it much safer to get to Ko Lanta National Park from Ban Klong Nin. The way to the national park from Ban Klong Nin is escpecially a nice route, as great views can be afforded of surrounding forest and neighbouring islands.

The majority of bungalow and travel agencies on Ko Lanta will provide transport services including hire of motorbikes and jeeps.

Travelling south from Ban Sa La Dan you pass bungalow and resort entrances one after another for the first third of the island. In between the entrances are bars ( reggae, Karaoke etc) and restaurants. There are plenty of place to stay to suit any budet or comfort level. Once you leave the road and head down one of the narrow trails to the bungalows, you appear suddenly to have arrived at the beach. The white sand stretches out on both sides, on and on. There are eight beaches on Lanta, so even during the busiest season there is apt to be plenty of elbowroom.

Krabi Lanta is connected by ferry to the mainland of Thailand with Ban Sa La Dan as the arrival and departure point. Passenger ferries run twice daily from Krabi Town to Ban Sa La Dan during the peak season ( November – May). Passenger feries also connect to the Phi Phi Islands, Phuket Island and Krabi with fares ranging from about 200 Baht one-way tickets for the ferry can be bought from a number of travel agencies located in Krabi Town.    

To drive: from Krabi head south on Highway 4 and turn right on Highway 4206 at Ban Huay Nam khao. Follow this to the landing at Ban Hua Hin where car ferries will transport you to Koh Lanta. Mini-vans run between Krabi and Lanta twic daily. Upon arrival at Ban Hua-Hin Pier a ferry will take you across to Ko Lanta Noi, this journey takes about 20 minutes. Then a second ferry will deliver you to Ban Saladan Pier on Ko Lanta Yai. For a fully updated schedule concerning this journey please consult the travel section listed on the title page of my website. http://www.krabirailay.com/transport/transport.html

• Mu Ko Lanta Marine National Park (about 25KM from Ban Saladan Pier)
• Cave Khao Mai Kaeo (located at Ban Klong Nin)
• Lanta old town (on the eastern side of Lanta, about 22KM from Ban Saladan Pier)   Here you can stroll around traditional wooden houses belonging to local fisherman. Locally made handicrafts can also be bought here.

All bungalows/resorts generally provide restaurants, cafes and bars. But if you would prefer to get away from your resort we can recommend several good restuarants, the first being Baan Pimalai restaurant located at Ban Kan Tiang bay. Baan Pimalai provides both air conditioned and outside dining areas, here you can choose from an extensive menu of Thai and western dishes. Coral Kitchen also serves great European, chinese and authentic Thai cuisine. Some great tasting food can also be had from Fresh restaurant, situated in a nice old house on the beach.

Surya Chandra, the name of this restaurant are taken from the Hindu gods of the sun and moon. At daytime and night time, this is the place for nourishment to remain fresh and alive.

To find fresh and tasty seafood make sure you pay a visit to Lanta Seafood. A selection of seafood cooked in  real Thai style can be bought at a reasonable price.  Sandles is a beach front restaurant that also serves seafood fresh from the sea from 5pm until midnight everyday.
To find fresh and tasty seafood make sure you pay a visit to Lanta Seafood. A selection of seafood cooked in real Thai style can be bought at a reasonable price.

Sandles is a beach front restaurant that also serves seafood fresh from the sea from 5pm until midnight everyday.