Koh Lanta Beaches

If it’s one thing Koh Lanta delivers on, guaranteed, it’s beaches. It’s not often you can visit an island and quite literally be spoilt for choice and visit a different beach every day for a week’s holiday, if you really wanted to.

Koh Lanta offers 9 pristine beaches with picture-perfect fine white sand, lined with palm trees, and lapped by turquoise seas. It’s quite simply paradise. The further south you go, away from the port, the more beach you’ll have to yourself – but even in high season they’re never ‘overcrowded.’

The backpackers tend to prefer Khlong Khong where the exotic bars offer cocktails of exotic mixes, and the families and couples tend to pick the quieter Khlong Nin and Long Beach for their sandy patches. Honeymooners, you’ll want to venture even further south for near total seclusion and five star resorts.

Phra Ae (Long Beach)

As the name suggests, Phra Ae, known as Long Beach is in fact the longest beach in Koh Lanta, measuring an impressive 5km long.

While on the northern part of the island near the port, it has managed to retain a more sophisticated atmosphere than its neighbour Khlong Dao (which predominantly caters to package holidays and 18-35).

If you’re looking to stay near Long Beach, we recommend choosing somewhere halfway down the shore, offering mid-range options and one of the most luxury resorts on the island. What some people don’t know is that Long Beach links you to one of Koh Lanta’s hidden gems, Haad Baan Phruklom, another smaller strip of pristine white sand with super cheap bungalows for those looking for beachfront on a budget.

Khlong Khong

Hippies and backpackers make this beach what it is, attracting those mainly on the traveller trail – but saying that, it certainly doesn’t shun anyone away.

Khlong Khong’s beach itself wouldn’t be worth mentioning (it’s rather small and quite rocky) if it weren’t for the infectious laid back vibe, friendly locals and laissez fair attitudes of all who frequent it. When you see the hammocks swinging between trees, bars littered with reclining cushions looking out toward the sunset, and menus that make you think twice about ordering that milkshake… you’ll know why this beach is so popular.

Khlong Nin

Khlong Nin is one of our favourite beaches in Koh Lanta. Located halfway down the west side, not only is it in the perfect place for exploring the whole island, but its far enough away from the busy pier that it avoids any large crowds – which in low season can make you feel like you’re the only ones staying there.

It’s quieter, but developed enough to have a satisfying but not overwhelming choice of bars and restaurants catering to all price ranges and palates. The beach itself is mainly rock-free with spotless white sand, which makes it one of the best swimming beaches. You can spend hours in the warm waves, even during low tide.

Ao Kantiang

We urge you to venture further south to the beautiful bay that is Ao Kantiang. A gentle sweeping beach with mountains as your backdrop and the turquoise sea in front, it’s one of the most picturesque beaches on the island (so it’s no surprise its home to the luxury Pimalai Resort, perched on the hill).

Even if you’re not staying south, rent a scooter for the day and visit – it’s worth it. A little further on from this southern belle you’ll come to an even more pocket-sized piece of paradise, Khlong Jak beach, just as beautiful (or even more so!) and even more isolated.