Best Koh Lanta Beaches: Klong Khong Beach

Dangling in the Andaman Sea off the southern tip of the Krabi, Thailand is Koh Lanta (or Lanta Island). Along the western coastline there are both craggy cliffs and sandy shores creating inviting Koh Lanta Beaches.

When we decided to travel to Koh Lanta, we scoured the internet for information about Koh Lanta Beaches. We knew exactly what we were looking for: relaxed vibe, a few beach bars, tasty Thai restaurants and affordable accommodations. We found our island perfection on Klong Khong Beach – which we believe is the “Best Beach Koh Lanta”.

 

Koh Lanta Beaches: Klong Khong

Klong Khong Beach is a 2 mile stretch of sand just south of Phra Ae Beach (aka Long Beach) – and is often referred to as the Koh Lanta Hippie Beach. The shore is lined with beachfront bars, restaurants, resorts and Koh Lanta bungalows. Workers are never shy about calling out to beach walkers, inviting them in to enjoy a meal, massage or fresh-made cocktail (just a few of the top Koh Lanta activities!). Happy hours are as abundant as the bamboo loungers and are an ideal perch for blazing sunsets.

While this Koh Lanta beach scene is idyllic and where most travelers’ interests will lie, our curiosity extended to what’s happening elsewhere. The stretch of road that runs parallel to Klong Khong Beach is packed with convenience stores, restaurants, tour offices and the Thai Island version of gas stations (re-used glass bottles filled with petrol).

Most Klong Khong establishments are family run. In fact, the only chain in town is 7-11, which still hasn’t cornered the market as several family run convenience stores offer more variety and better prices. The Koh Lanta resorts take up the space between the road and the beach, but most don’t offer beachfront rooms. Instead, the associated resort restaurant and bar face the ocean.

One notable difference from mainland Thailand is that Muslims outnumber Buddhists on this island as Malays long ago settled on Koh Lanta. Instead of seeing monks in orange robes, we see women with head coverings. Instead of hearing Buddhist chanting, we hear the Muslim call to prayer. We learned that people living in Koh Lanta co-exist in harmony with respect, rather than dividing over different beliefs.

 

Klong Khong Beach, Koh Lanta Things To Do

We weren’t looking for a long list of things to do in Koh Lanta – and comfortably eased into our little slice of sandy heaven on Klong Khong Beach. Our rhythm of quiet mornings, afternoon swims and beach sunsets was as soothing as the ocean itself. During our stay, we were never short on simple entertainment and complete relaxation.

 

Swimming at Klong Khong Beach

If you are wondering what to do in Koh Lanta, swimming in the sea should be at the top of your list! It just wouldn’t be right to go to a beach in Thailand and not wade into the waves. We let the relatively cool water erase the heavy humidity and often marinated in the buoyant ocean until our fingers started to wrinkle. We spent countless hours bobbing in the salty sea and enjoying the sunshine on our faces.

Top Tip: Although most of the beach is sandy at Klong Khong, beneath the water is a reef (like most of the beaches in Koh Lanta). We didn’t think it was necessary to wear water shoes, but some travelers might prefer them and definitely watch your step in any case. 

 

Tracking Koh Lanta Tides

There’s a drastic 8-foot swing from high to low tide. During our visit to Koh Lanta, the water started receding in the early afternoon, completely exposing the shoreline reef in a matter of a few hours. At low tide, local kids and tourists go out to explore the uncovered rocks.

The width of Klong Khong beach doubles in size and leaves behind pieces of coral and colorful shells. As we walked along the shoreline, speedy ghost crabs scatter and hermit crabs quickly hide in their shells. Watching the tide may sound like the island equivalent of watching grass grow, but what can we say? We are easily entertained!

 

Klong Khong, Koh Lanta Bars for Happy Hour

Some of the best bars in Koh Lanta are on Klong Khong Beach! All along the long strip of sand are open-air structures made of wood and bamboo. Tables, beach chairs and bamboo mats offer oceanfront seating – often extending onto the sand. Chalkboards announce happy hour specials and music wafts from the beach bars in Koh Lanta all day long (Bob Marley is often on repeat).

 

Klong Khong Sunsets

Sunsets in Klong Khong, Koh Lanta are some of the best we have seen around the world! As the sky turned from blue to pink, we would watch lonesome fishing boats pass by. The few small, rocky Thai islands in the distance were the only other thing that broke up the endless views to the horizon.

In the two weeks we spent on the west coast of Koh Lanta, we watched the sun set over the sea every single day. Sometimes we reclined in beach loungers to sip on happy hour cocktails made with fresh juice, other times we would grab beers from the corner market and plop down in the sand. It doesn’t matter where we watched the sunset on Koh Lanta, the marvelous display of colors was a spectacular sight.

 

Klong Khong Restaurants

One thing we were most excited about staying on Klong Khong was eating Koh Lanta food – as there are numerous places to eat right on the beach. For lunch, we gorged on plates of Pad Thai and cashew chicken fried rice while watching the ocean waves. However, we found some of the best restaurants in Koh Lanta up on the main road that runs parallel to Klong Khong Beach. 

The friendly owners were always on hand, often the one taking our order, and their pride and dedication was evident. They served incredible authentic Thai cuisine and it was some of the most flavorful food we ate on our Thailand trip!

Our suggestions for some of the best places to eat in Koh Lanta are The Angels and Lucky Tree. We also advise asking fellow travelers or hotel staff for current tips and new entrants.

 

Koh Lanta Nightlife

After the Koh Lanta sunset, the colorful lanterns dangling from bamboo rods in front of bars come to life, hoping to attract the crowds. If that doesn’t do the trick, the fire show just might! It seems every spot has at least one employee who can spin and dance with flaming fire balls, which can be seen from anywhere on the beach.

The Koh Lanta bar scene is quite a bit more relaxed than some of the Thai Islands (especially when compared to the Full Moon Parties on Ko Pha-ngan). As our visit was in the Koh Lanta low season, there wasn’t much of a club scene. Travelers looking to party in Koh Lanta should be able to find at least one bar on Klong Khong Beach each night that will stay open late.

 

Best Bars Koh Lanta, Klong Khong Beach

Although we never stayed out late enough for the nightly party, these were our favorite Klong Khong bars for happy hours and after-dinner drinks in Koh Lanta: LightHouse Beach Bar, Lanta Meeting Point, Freeway 420 and Mushroom Bar Koh Lanta. There’s also some fresh spots we have yet to check in on, so ask around and we’re sure you’ll find a place that suits your mood.

Top Tip: The laid-back island vibe is evident in the bar signage that is graced with graphics of iconic herbs. In addition to the happy hours, most bars offer “happy shakes” called Bang Lassi for a hash-infused high. We passed on the experience, but just wanted you to know what you’re ordering!

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Tips For Your Trip to Koh Lanta, Thailand

It’s easy to let days – and even weeks – slip away while enjoying the relaxed vibe on Klong Khong Beach. However, there are a few Koh Lanta activities that can break up the lazy day routine, or at the very least offer a change of venue!

 

Phra Ae Beach, Koh Lanta

After being on Koh Lanta for more than a week and only leaving Klong Khong Beach to go on a snorkeling tour (more on that next), we wanted to see another stretch of sand. With so many nearby Koh Lanta beaches, all we had to do was hop on a tuk-tuk to Phra Ae (Long Beach).

The lengthy beach has white, powder-soft sand and is capped by rocky hills at each end. Most of the Long Beach Koh Lanta restaurants and shops are clustered at the ends, with sprawling resorts occupying much of the middle section.

As one of the top places to visit in Koh Lanta, we planned to spend an afternoon at Phra Ae Beach. We walked the entire stretch of shoreline from north to south – and waded into the turquoise sea to float on the waves and drift with the current when we got too hot.

We noticed that evergreen trees, rather than palm trees, grow in the forests at the top of the sand and large birds (similar to a bald eagle) soared along the tree tops. When we looked for where to eat in Koh Lanta Long Beach, we didn’t find as many inviting beachfront restaurants as in Klong Khong Beach. Phra Ae was noticeably different from Klong Khong; perhaps more high-end than a chilled out beach scene – but we are glad we spent a day checking it out!

 

Day Trips From Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta day trips for snorkeling and visiting other nearby islands are popular choices. If you have the time and budget in your itinerary, here are a few more things to do from Koh Lanta, Thailand.

 

Koh Lanta Snorkeling Tour

Of course, snorkeling on the beach at Klong Khong is possible – but it’s not the best snorkeling in Koh Lanta. Small islands nearby are a much better option – and there are several Koh Lanta trips to choose from. We joined a Four Island Tour and had a wonderful day snorkeling, swimming and meeting other travelers!

 

Other Koh Lanta Boat Trips

Excursions from Koh Lanta are most often boat trips to nearby islands for a day of fun at sea. 

Koh Lanta to Koh Phi Phi – Explore the Phi Phi Archipelago by speedboat from Koh Lanta. Find out more!

Haa and Koh Rok Island – Koh Rok is a hot destination now and can be visited on a speedboat tour from Koh Lanta Old Town. More information! 

Koh Lanta Diving – There are opportunities for scuba diving Koh Lanta. Check online in advance for the best tour options – like this one!

 

Klong Khong, Koh Lanta Accommodations

When choosing where to stay in Koh Lanta, Thailand there are many factors to consider, like budget, location and amenities. For many travelers, the best place to stay in Koh Lanta would be right on the beach – but it simply wasn’t in our budget. We opted to book a Koh Lanta bungalow that was a short walk from Klong Khong beach.

Our Koh Lanta low season visit meant we had a choice of accommodations at the lowest prices – and found a deal at Phutara Lanta Resort . Located on the northern edge of Klong Khong Beach, the stand-alone bungalows sit on a hill across the street from the shore. The location gave us space and privacy that is non-existent on the beachfront properties.

Note: We have read that Phutara Lanta has expanded significantly and perhaps changed ownership more than once since our stay.

Start your search for the Koh Lanta best places to stay on Booking.com.

 

Getting around Koh Lanta, Klong Khong Beach

Once we were settled in our bungalow, we mostly used our own two feet to get around. However, some of the things to see in Koh Lanta require a ride! Just like everywhere else in Southeast Asia, motorbikes and tuk-tuks are the most common vehicles on the road. There are many Koh Lanta motorbike rentals, but we didn’t want to complicate things with the worry of operating a scooter.

Tuk-tuks were an ideal option for us when venturing beyond Klong Khong and visiting other Koh Lanta beaches. Had we been so inclined we could have even hired a tuk-tuk driver for the day to create our own Koh Lanta Island Tour. 

 

Getting To Koh Lanta: Krabi To Koh Lanta

Getting from the Krabi Airport to Koh Lanta isn’t necessarily difficult, but maybe just taxing enough to keep throngs of tourists at bay. During our visit in the low season, the Krabi-Koh Lanta trip was a two-hour drive from the Krabi Airport and included two Koh Lanta Ferry crossings. In high season, there is a fast boat from Krabi to Koh Lanta.

How to get to Koh Lanta the easy way is to hire a private driver, but that option comes with a hefty fee. Getting to Koh Lanta from Krabi, however, was a cinch – as we rode in the comfortable air-conditioned car without a single worry. If you will be using a driver for getting from Krabi to Koh Lanta, we recommend booking in advance.

There is a much cheaper option to get from Krabi to Koh Lanta: shared shuttle bus. We used this economical route when traveling from Koh Lanta back to Krabi Airport, and it was probably worth the cost savings.

 

Koh Lanta Low Season

Even the best beaches in Koh Lanta, Thailand have a low season – but we thought it was a great time to visit. Our arrival was actually just prior to the beginning of the high season and the then sleepy island was just waking from the off-season slumber.

Employees were busy prepping for the upcoming tourist season. Additional beach chairs were set up, new mats for the bamboo loungers were rolled out, a few places were getting a fresh coat of paint and new signage was being hung. It was actually a fascinating time to visit Koh Lanta – few crowds and the opportunity to chat more with the locals! 

 

Koh Lanta Beaches Essentials

• • Don’t forget to pack a pair of flip flops for your trip. Reef Flips are my fav for the beach, Kris prefers wearing these shoes by Sanuk.
  • You can buy almost anything you will need in Koh Lanta. However, these two items – Sunscreen and Insect Repellent – are essential and very expensive in Thailand!
  • We’re certain you’ll be snapping tons of photos during your Thailand trip. Rather than relying on your phone to capture the sights, upgrade to an actual camera for high quality photos. We travel with a Canon Rebel (which takes amazing photos) and a Canon PowerShot ELPH (which takes beautiful pictures and is a slim and lightweight budget camera).
  • A GoPro (or other less-expensive waterproof action camera) is great for capturing moments spent in the sea.
  • If you haven’t already obtained insurance for your trip, consider traveling protected with World Nomads.

 

Start planning your trip to Thailand! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing!  Want more travel advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page for tips on traveling – and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

 

Travel Guides for Thailand

We have been fortunate to travel to Thailand many times over the years. We’ve covered the country from north to south and visited an array of different destinations. Check out our free and honest articles to plan your amazing vacation to Thailand!

• 2 Week Thailand Itinerary
• Best of Bangkok in 4 Days (including our favorite neighborhood)
• Our Favorite Thailand Beaches
• Chiang Mai Things To Do (and our recommended temples)
• A Guide To Kamala Beach, Phuket
• Top Things To Do in Chiang Rai (and how to take the Mekong Slow Boat)
• Visiting Koh Chang Island
• Tips For Getting a Thai Massage

 

 

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