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KOH LANTA NATIONAL PARK comprises
of many different-sized is lands, some of which are surround by beautiful coral reefs such
as Ko Ha, Ko Rok and Ko Hai. |
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The main island in
the park isKo Lanta Yai, where both the District Headquarters and National Park Office are
located. The island itself is generally rugged and mountainous. There are beaches both
gravelly and sandy toward the south. The suitable time to visit Ko Lanta is from November
to April.
Ko Lanta Yai is also home to "Chao Le" or sea gypsies. They still maintain their
old way of life and have peculiar traditions, such as setting a boat a drift to drive out
evil and bring good luck. This is done during the full moon in June and in November. |
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Travel to Ko Lanta
Boat depart from
downtown Krabi to Ko Lanta Yai daily. The journey takes 2 and a half hours. Boat tickets
are available at Chaofa Pier.
Tourist may a minibus from Krabi Town to Bo Muang Pier in Amphoe Khlong Thom, 80
kilometres away. Few boats depart from Bo Muang Pier to Ko Phi Phi daily. The trip take
about 45 minutes.
Since Koh Lanta
possesses both marine and terrestrial endowment, there are many interesting attractions
and activities waiting for your discovery, be it beaches, dense rain forests, or cultural
experience in sea gypsies' village. Visitors can start traveling on Koh Lanta at Ban Sala
Dan Village, a typical Thai fishing village where most of boats from Krabi and Phi Phi
terminate. Motorbikes rentals are available here; you can hire a boat for snorkeling or
diving from here as well.
The highlighted spots
of Koh Lanta are absolutely its wonderful beaches and crystal clear water. Most of the
best beaches of Koh Lanta lie along the western shore of Lanta Yai Island, each of which
has its characteristic beauty and provides the excellent sunsets.
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Klong Jark
This is the
southernmost beach on Lanta. Despite its average beauty by most standards, the beach
offers its solitude and tranquility, making it a good place to stay. The nearby deserted
beach like Mai Pai and the National Park are also the good secluded places. You can go to
waterfall in the surrounding area by elephant trekking or self trekking.
Since Koh Lanta embraces more than 50 islands, there are several interesting islands to
visit for its excellent snorkeling and diving sites.
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Koh Ha
Consisting of five
uninhabited islets, Koh Ha is under responsibility of the Koh Lanta National Marine Park.
These five islets are visited for their flourishing corals, reef fish, caves and
swim-through caverns which cerate a good dive. The large pelagic sharks and whale sharks
are often seen here.
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Koh Rok Nok
With its crescent
shaped bay featuring cliffs, white powdery sandy beach and a stand of
banyan trees inland, Koh Rok is extraordinarily magnificent. Camping is
permitted on the island. The offshore coral bed is good for snorkeling. |
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Koh Rok Nai
The sub-division of
the Koh Lanta National Marine Park office is located on this island. The island is
featured by the sheer towering limestone cliffs facing the white fine beaches on the east
side.
Its waters are
clear aquamarine, so clear that the colorful fish and abundant corals underwater can be
seen. The virgin nature of Koh Rok Nai is still intact, and this is one of the most
wonderful dive sites of Lanta.
The inland area is covered
with a dense tropical rain forest which offers a natural walk to appreciate its floras and
faunas. There are also the camping sites on the island.
Transportation to Koh
Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai can be made from the Pakmeng Pier in Trang, taking about 3-4
hours. Or, you can take a speed boat from Kho Lanta; the boat service is available at tour
agencies, hotels and resorts on the island.
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How to get there
Koh Lanta is actually 2
islands, very close to each other: Koh Lanta Noi and Koh Lanta Yai. For tourist purpose
the only interesting one is Koh Lanta Yai, the one facing the open sea.
There are basically three ways to go there:
- by boat from Krabi (2
hr., 200 baht)
- by minibus from Krabi
(2 to 3 hr., 180 baht)
- by boat from Koh Phi
Phi (1 hr. 20, 200 baht)
The boats now look
more "serious" that the long tail which used to run 10 years ago and leave you
at the Pier in Saladan instead that on the beach.
I tried (for the first time) the minibus service running three times a day from Krabi
(last trip 16.00). It took about one hour to get from Krabi to the first ferry, and there
we had to wait more than 40 minutes to be able to get to Koh Lanta Noi (15 minutes) the
second ferry (to Koh Lanta Yai) was faster.
Altogether it was a
nice trip, even if the minibus was carrying at least 4 people more than the normal load
and we had to wait long for the ferry. The ferry rides reminded me of the crossing of
African rivers, but with less rust on the ferry. |
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