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Everything You Need to Know about Koh Lanta National Park
- Where is Koh Lanta National Park?
- Things to Know
- How to Get to Koh Lanta National Park
- What to See and Do in Koh Lanta National Park
- Admire the lighthouse in Ta Nod Beach
- Enter the dark chambers of Tham Khao Mai Khew
- Hike to Khlong Chak Bat Cave and Khlong Chak Waterfall
- Enjoy a pleasant stroll at the Laem Ta Nod Nature Trail
- Ride a boat to Koh Rok
- Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Koh Lanta National Park
- Koh Lanta National Park Headquarters
- Laanta Seafood
- Sole Mare Italian Pizzeria & Restaurant
- Where to Shop in and Near Koh Lanta National Park
- Lanta Plaza
- Lotus’s Go Fresh Koh Lanta
- Eleven
- Where to Stay in and Near Koh Lanta National Park
- Koh Lanta National Park Headquarters
- La Laanta Hideaway Resort
- OYO 1085 Ma Lanta House
- FAQs about Koh Lanta National Park
Koh Lanta National Park is a caving and snorkeling paradise in Krabi Province. This nature and marine reserve is filled with numerous unspoiled fauna-rich caves and islands with coral-rich waters ideal for snorkeling and diving trips.
Given its diverse wildlife, Koh Lanta National Park is also a great animal-spotting destination in Krabi. And it’s only a boat away from most piers in the province, so it’s pretty accessible.
Yes, it’s a must-visit for nature enthusiasts traveling in this part of southern Thailand. Even better, Koh Lanta National Park isn’t as touristy as you might think, reason enough why it’s called a “secret paradise island”.
Where is Koh Lanta National Park?
Koh Lanta National Park is at the south end of Koh Lanta. It’s off the coast of mainland Krabi in the Andaman Sea.
Things to Know
Location: Moo 5, Koh Lanta Yai Subdistrict
Phone: +66 75 656 576
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Admission Costs:
- 400 baht (Adults)
- 200 baht (Kids)
How to Get to Koh Lanta National Park
Ferry/speedboat: Koh Lanta National Park is only accessible by boarding a ferry or speedboat bound for Sala Din Pier. These water vessels are widely available at the piers in Ao Nang, Krabi, and the Phi Phi Islands so you must travel to these locations.
The trip should take between 20 minutes and 1 hour based on your starting location and mode of transportation. Once you arrive at Sala Din Pier, you can find rental motorbikes that you can use to reach the park’s headquarters.
Just drive south via Highway 4245 and switch to Horizon Road when you see the road sign pointing to Koh Lanta National Park. Otherwise, hire a tuk-tuk service from the pier if you can’t operate a motorbike.
What to See and Do in Koh Lanta National Park
Admire the lighthouse in Ta Nod Beach
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The lighthouse in Ta Nod Beach is arguably the most recognizable landmark in Koh Lanta National Park. It’s also on top of a rocky hill, so going there gives you a breathtaking panoramic view of the Andaman Sea and Ta Nod’s fine white sands.
Moreover, the beach isn’t touristy which makes it ideal for tourists who prefer a more relaxed beach experience. Its rocky coastlines are also great for snorkeling because they’re home to numerous tropical fish.
Enter the dark chambers of Tham Khao Mai Khew
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Tham Khao Mai Khew is a popular unspoiled cave in Koh Lanta National Park. It’s a challenging cave to explore because some portions are slippery and tight so you might need to crawl on your knees, especially near the end of the cave trekking tour.
This cave is also known for its unique rock formations and diverse wildlife, so expect to see numerous bats, spiders, and frogs. It’s also worth noting that some of these creatures are venomous so it’s best to only observe them from a safe distance.
Don’t worry, headlamps are provided during the tour to help you see inside the cave.
Hike to Khlong Chak Bat Cave and Khlong Chak Waterfall
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Khlong Chak Bat Cave and Khlong Chak Waterfall are well-known among hikers who frequent Koh Lanta National Park. After all, these stunning natural attractions are along the same jungle trail, so you can check them out one after the other.
For the best experience, we recommend visiting the cave to observe the numerous bats before heading for the waterfall. This way, you can cool yourself down at the cascade’s natural pond after the exhausting cave exploration.
Enjoy a pleasant stroll at the Laem Ta Nod Nature Trail
Laem Ta Nod Nature Trail is a casual loop trail in the park’s headquarters. It features a concrete pathway through a tranquil and dense rainforest filled with tall trees and numerous other tropical plants.
Hiking here also allows you to spot various wild animals, such as monkeys, birds, geckos, and monitor lizards.
Ride a boat to Koh Rok
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Koh Rok is the best attraction in Koh Lanta National Park for snorkeling and island-hopping activities. It’s also worth mentioning that this island group is known for its two islands: Koh Rok Yai and Koh Rok Noi.
Koh Rok Yai is the main island because it has a ranger station with a designated camping area and an on-site restaurant. But its biggest draws are its long white-sand beach and nature trail which leads to a forested viewpoint overlooking Koh Rok Noi.
Meanwhile, Koh Rok Noi is less crowded so it’s ideal for snorkeling. It also has a unique 130-meter waterfall on its northwest end which only appears occasionally and can be spotted by sailing around.
Where to Eat and Drink in and Near Koh Lanta National Park
Koh Lanta National Park Headquarters
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Address: Moo 5, Koh Lanta Yai Subdistrict
Phone: +66 75 656 576
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Thai food
The headquarters of Koh Lanta National Park has an eatery that serves basic Thai dishes, so you’re covered for meals while camping there. Their menu includes omelets, deep-fried fish, papaya salads, fried rice, and more.
There’s also a small shop near the visitor’s center with numerous foodstuffs, from chips to instant noodles and bottled drinks. However, you won’t find alcoholic beverages because there’s an effective alcohol ban on all national parks in Thailand.
Laanta Seafood
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Address: 73 Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District
Phone: +66 75 668 411
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for seafood
Laanta Seafood is a popular restaurant near Koh Lanta National Park. It’s an accessible restaurant near Sala Dan Pier that specializes in Thai seafood dishes like squid pad Thai, fried fish with garlic and pepper, spicy fried shrimp, gaeng jeud, etc.
However, the restaurant’s best-sellers are grilled seafood like lobster, fish, and squid. Their nice selection of European dishes is also a big plus.
Sole Mare Italian Pizzeria & Restaurant
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Address: 495 Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District
Phone: +66 92 741 3218
Pricing: ฿฿฿
Operating Hours: 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for Italian food
Sole Mare Italian Pizzeria & Restaurant is arguably the best Italian food spot near Koh Lanta National Park. This pizzeria is known for its diverse selection of authentic Italian pizzas with over 30 types to choose from.
Their calzone del golosone and gnocchi are TDF, so don’t miss out!
Where to Shop in and Near Koh Lanta National Park
Lanta Plaza
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Address: Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 9 a.m. – 9:45 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for budget shoppers
Lanta Mart is a local shopping center near Sala Dan Pier, so it’s a convenient place to buy everything you’ll need on your Koh Lanta National Park trip. Plus, the vendors here sell a wide range of souvenir items, so you can also stop by after your trip.
Lotus’s Go Fresh Koh Lanta
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Address: 456, Sala Dan, Ko Lanta District
Phone: +66 62 605 6841
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 6 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for groceries
This Lotus’s Go Fresh branch, with its wide range of items, is arguably the best place for grocery shopping near Koh Lanta National Park. There’s also an ATM outside the store which is convenient if you need to withdraw more cash.
7-Eleven
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Address: Moo 5, Ko Lanta Yai
Phone: +66 2 826 7744
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 24 Hours (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for travel essentials, snacks
The nearest 7-Eleven store is only a 15-minute drive from Koh Lanta National Park so it’s ideal for quick resupplies. There’s also a dedicated section for travel essentials which is certainly convenient. It also operates 24/7 which is a plus.
Where to Stay in and Near Koh Lanta National Park
Koh Lanta National Park Headquarters
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Address: Moo 5, Koh Lanta Yai Subdistrict
Phone: +66 75 656 576
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (Monday – Sunday)
Good to know: Good for backpackers
Koh Lanta National Park has a camping area in its headquarters where visitors can pitch tents available for rent at the visitor’s center. Their rental tents also include sleeping accessories like blankets, pillows, and camping mattresses.
They also have comfy 2-bedroom wooden cabins that can accommodate up to 4 guests. But, you must book and pay for these cabins at least 3 days before your planned trip.
La Laanta Hideaway Resort
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Address: 188 Bamboo Beach, Ko Lanta Yai
Phone: +66 87 883 9966
Pricing: ฿฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 11 a.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for couples
La Laanta Hideaway Resort is the closest hotel to Koh Lanta National Park, so it’s a solid option if you dislike long drives. It’s also a gorgeous property surrounded by a lush tropical forest for a more private setting.
There’s also a massive beachfront where you can enjoy activities like swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. They also have an all-day beachfront restaurant serving traditional Thai food and a beach bar offering cocktails and lively music.
Here, you can stay at beach-view villas with relaxed interiors and modern amenities.
OYO 1085 Ma Lanta House
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Address: 332, Moo 5, Koh Lanta Yai District
Phone: +66 2 430 4464
Pricing: ฿
Operating Hours: 2 p.m. (Check-in) & 12 p.m. (Check-out)
Good to know: Good for budget travelers, beach lovers
OYO 1085 Ma Lanta House is the best budget hotel near Koh Lanta National Park. This budget-friendly accommodation is between Bamboo Beach and Khlong Chak Beach so staying here gives you plenty of opportunities for beach activities.
This hotel has vibrant and airy rooms with stunning ocean and garden views. Their rooms also have flat-screen TVs, air conditioners, en-suite bathrooms, etc.
There’s also a tour desk at the reception in case you want to book a sightseeing tour around the island.
