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The Lanta islands are only minimal developed but unfortunately the good beaches are
completely blocked by hotels.
All good beaches on
Koh Lanta yai are located on
the west side some are somehow also accessible by a unpaved road along
the waterside.
Some Koh Lanta beaches are dotted with granite boulders. If you want to have it very
calm, Koh Lanta southern Thailand is probably the right place
A drop in the Andaman Sea
Since the airport at nearby Krabi
southern Thailand opened, Koh Lanta, one of southern Thailand's
best kept secrets, is rapidly gaining popularity. But this laid-back
island is still reasonably underdeveloped, making it a charming
place to drift off into soporific holiday bliss. One of a collection
of pretty isles in the southern Thailand Andaman Sea, Koh Lanta is
filled with dozens of downmarket bungalows aimed at backpackers.
However, newer up market resorts are now being built. Chao Lay -
nomadic sea gypsies - still make up a large percentage of the
population and you'll find some of their villages on the south-
eastern tip of the island. The interior is a national park - entry
400 baht - with virgin rain forest. If you come during high season
(November to March), the sandy beaches that stretch the entire
length of Koh Lanta's western coast can get busy. At other times of
year the island is largely deserted as the seas swell with monsoon
weather.
How to get there: There are regular overnight departures to
Krabi departing early evening from Bangkok's southern bus station.
The journey takes 12 hours, and tickets cost from pounds 8. Thai
International (0870 606 0911; www. thaiair.com) flies direct from
Bangkok to Krabi for 5,200 baht (pounds 80). From Krabi bus station,
jump on a Koh Lanta-bound mini-bus - the pier head is then a 60-
minute drive. On the island, various mini-buses, taxis and so on
will take you to the beach/resort. Transfers
can be arranged with Pimalai if you choose to stay there.
Where to stay: The new Pimalai resort (00 66 2 320 5500; www.
pimalai.com) aspires to five-star pleasure, but falls a little
short. Still, it is the best accommodation on the island and its
attached spa is now fully functioning. Standard rooms are well
designed and the beach-side suites are to die for - the beach here
is an enormous swathe of shimmering sands.
Pimalai claims to be environmentally friendly, though it does
encroach on the public beach which would seem to upset those
aspirations. It also has two restaurants serving up a barbecue menu
and spicy southern Thai food. Rooms from 6,000 baht (pounds 95)
What to do: Laze on the gorgeous beaches and swim in the
cooling southern Thailand Andaman Sea, head into the rainforest and
the beautiful waterfalls an hour's walk up a path, opposite the Mai
Pai beach just south of Pimalai. Hire a motor bike and explore the
island, visiting the cave complex at Mai Kaeo or the orchid farm at
the northern end.
Author Andrew Spooner
Lanta Island
Ko Lanta lied on the west coast of
Andaman Sea in between Krabi and Phi Phi Island . Large Size
Island with 6 km wide and over 30 kms long, 9 beaches lie from north
to south along the sunset coast. Stunning scenery, fantastic white
sandy beaches, coastlines have more than 70 small islands and plenty
with forest, coral reefs and under water life. Exposed to the
Tsunami hit southern Thailand , Koh Lanta got very little physical
affected. She has been quietly recovering with most hotels operating
normally. Koh Lanta was very fortunate in that no damage occurred to
the natural scenic beauty. All the beaches remain as beautiful as
ever. All dive sites did not suffer in the disaster, rather the
water is cleaner and clearer than ever.
How to get Ko Lanta
Ko Lanta is easy and not expensive to be reach from Phuket and
Bangkok. The island is serviced by passenger and car ferries
from Krabi & Phi Phi car ferries from Krabi only.
Krabi is the most convenient gateway to Ko Lanta if coming
from Bangkok, and if arriving from Phuket passage is via either Phi
Phi or Krabi. Trang also serves as a regional transit point for
those coming in from the south. Please bear in mind that if your
arrival time is late in the day, the local minibus or public
passenger ferries scheduled for Ko Lanta may not always be
available.
Location of Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta yai ( big ) & Koh Lanta noi ( small ) are located in the
Andaman Sea of South-West-Thailand ( north of the Malayan
Peninsula ), about 45 km south of Krabi-town in the Krabi province.
~ 7' 28" north latitude, ~ 99' 4" east longitude.
The islands are only one km away from the mainland and accessible
by ferry / car-ferry all year round.
The Koh Lanta district contains 53 islands which mainly are part of
the Koh Lanta marine national park.
Tourism in Koh Lanta
The development for tourism is ongoing for the last 20 years.
The real ignition spark came about 6 years ago, when basic
infrastructures arrived on the island. Every year since then, tens
of new resorts, restaurants, shop etc. start their services along
the west coast, right on the beach as well as at nearby main streets
and hill sites.
Typical tourism "high season" is from November until May,
with "peak season" from of December 20th until January 10th. Many
businesses are opened all year round with very low prices during
"low season", June until October. This time of the year is
wonderful, too.
Tourist services of any style & for any budget are offered to
the distinguished guest from around the world.
Here we would like to give you a brief overview of the
"Tourist destination Ko Lanta".
The tourist center of Ko Lanta is " Ban Saladan " at the
northern tip of Koh Lanta yai. Many shops, supermarkets, travel
agents, dive-shops, restaurants and other facilities make it worth
to spend some good time there. For most tourist guests on the
island, this cosy village is the first and the last place to see,
whilst being on the island.
Ferries to/from Krabi, Pee Pee and Phuket are departing and arriving
at Ban Saladan pier, only.
All beaches on the west coast, in order from north to south :
( mentioned prices are estimated, average "high/low season" prices )
The first beach, "Klong Dow Beach", next to Ban Saladan, which is
known to be the most beautiful beach, about 2 kilometer long, flat
and white sanded. There are about 20 resorts on this beach. Prices
from 400 - 4500 THB per night.
The second beach, " Phra Ae Beach or Long Beach ", about 5
kilometers long, nice and sandy. There are about 17 resorts on this
beach. Prices from 250 - 4500 THB per night.
The third beach, " Klong Khong Beach ", 3 km long with sand and
rocks. Great sunsets. There are about 22 resorts on this beach.
Prices from 200 - 900 THB per night.
The forth beach, " Klong Tob Beach ", a short strip with sand and
rocks. A very quiet beach with only a few bungalows around. Prices
from 250 - 1000 THB per night.
The fifth beach, " Klong Nin Beach ", a beautiful 1,5 km long beach
with about 10 bungalow resort. The famous "Otto Bar" just moved to
there, formerly located at Klong Dow Beach. Prices from 250 - 4800
THB per night.
The sixth beach, " Klong Hin Beach ", with sandy and rocky parts -
good for snorkeling. Klong Hin Beach is about 1 km long and has 3
resorts so far. Prices from 250 - 2600 THB per night.
The seventh beach, " Kan Thiang Beach or Bay ", a beautiful, curved
sandy beach, 800 meter long. The only 4+ star Resort and Spa "Pimalai"
and 3 other resorts are located there. Prices from 250 - 21000 (!)
THB per night.
The eighth beach, " Klong Jark Beach, a small and quiet beach,
surrounded by tropical jungle. There are 3 resorts on this beach.
Prices from 300 - 900 THB per night.
The ninth beach, " Aow Mai Bai or Bamboo Bay " is the last beach
outside the national marine park which is next to it. A quiet and
private beach with only 2 bungalow resorts. Prices from 250 - 800
THB per night.
And last but not least the tenth and most southern beach, " Ta Noad
Beach ", next to the old light-house, the landmark of Ko Lanta. The
Lanta marine national park head-quarter is located right at this
beach. No resorts or other commercial facilities there.
Ko Lanta is a
diver's paradise for beginners and
the experienced. There are very few places on the planet where
divers can enjoy an underwater world so rich and diverse. And
imagine learning to dive in water that's the same temperature as
your bath water at home.
Nature in Koh Lanta Ko Lanta island offers tropical nature at
it's best..
This small tropical paradise off the south-west coast of
Thailand has 25 km of beautiful beaches backed by verdant jungle &
rain forest.
Here you still find real big trees, many animal species,
including rare birds, mammals and reptiles. More then 80% of the
island are covered with tropical rain forest, which is mostly
protected national-park area.
The mangrove coast in south Thailand, covers sinking
limestone ranges, millions of years old. On Koh lanta there are many
mangroves, which you can admire while going on a canoe-trip.
Mangroves and intertidal mudflats are of great conservation value in
Thailand, helping sustain valuable inshore fisheries and protecting
the coast from erosion.
If you arrive by car ferry, than watch out for monkeys, which
are living here in the mangroves. They are crab-eating macaques and
one of the numerous mammal species living in this environment.
Nature for a living, rubber tree and palm tree plantations:
On Lanta are hundreds of rubber tree plantations, which are tapped
every day before sunrise. The rubber then has to be dried, cleaned,
and pressed, before being sold as 1,2 kg mats. Coconut palms and oil
palms are common on Koh Lanta as in the whole south of Thailand and
they provide a modest income for the local farmers.
Ko Lanta's rich waters offer sandy coves, coral reefs, limestone
rock outcrops, rock reefs, seamounts and pinnacles, undersea
caverns and tunnels and sunken ships. Water temperature ranges from
27 to 31 degrees - ideal for scuba-diving, corals and tropical
fishes. More than 200 hard corals and 108 reef fish species have
been catalogues in a study under way, but thousands more organisms
around, too. The twin peaks of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are rated in
the worlds top 10 list of dive sites.
While tourism has grown quickly in the last few years, Ko
Lanta has retained its traditional charm and great natural beauty.
References http://www.lanta-thailand.com http://www.lantainfo.com
Author darksingha
thailand
http://www.tourthaithai.blogspot.com/2007/06/lanta-island-krabi-thailand-so-nice.html
http://www.tourthaithai.blogspot.com/2007/06/lanta-island-krabi-thailand-so-nice.html
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