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Things to Do in Koh Lanta

Kayaking is one of the best Things to Do in Koh Lanta. A kayaking experience on this island will awaken the adrenaline in you and let you explore the island in a more offbeat and unique manner. On your trip to the island, indulge in a kayaking tour from Koh Lanta to Koh Phee or the Ghost Island.

In addition to enjoying the views of the serene waters and surrounding natural landscapes, you will also get a chance to explore numerous caves around Koh Lanta. To add to the experience, you can also head over to the beaches in the region, hike around the area, or spot some monkeys. You can also visit the Talabeng Islands on your kayak. 

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One of the best Koh Lanta activities is to become a Trash Hero for a day and give back to the island. The Koh Lanta Trash Heroes are a community who aim to leave a positive impact on the island. The community brings together many people who clean and reduce the waste on the island. The Trash Hero community meets on a regular basis at the Long Beach Park, and upon reaching here, you get cleaning materials, gloves as well as refreshments to do your work.

Another way you can become a Trash Hero is by helping their cause and getting your hands on one of their refillable metal water bottles, which thereby helps to reduce the plastic waste on the island.

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If you are looking for unique activities to do in Koh Lanta, then stop by the Lanta Animal Welfare Centre and help your little four-legged friends here. Lanta Animal Welfare Centre is a non-profit organisation that helps stray, homeless, abused and injured animals, mostly cats and dogs, and provides them with sterilisation, vaccination and other medical facilities.

Founded in 2005, the organisation has till date helped over 15,000 stray animals. Upon your visit here, you can play and cuddle with these animals, go for a walk with them, or even adopt them or help them with cash donations for their welfare. You can also spend some time and help the members look after the animals here.

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Another one of the popular Things to Do in Koh Lanta is to explore the Khao Mai Kaew Caves. Located in the Koh Lanta district, the cave is quite unique and narrow in size. After a trek that leads to the cave, you can find a dark, muddy and slippery path inside. The exhilarating trek to the Khao Mai Kaew Cave is complete with ladders, small openings that you must push and crawl through and even thrilling bamboo bridges.

Once you reach the cave, be prepared for bats, frogs and even huge cave spiders, among other things. As opposed to the hot and humid walk to the opening of the cave, when you are inside the cave, you can find a refreshing cool pool, along with formations of stalactite and stalagmite.

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When looking for relaxing Things to Do in Koh Lanta, head to the western coast of the island, to the streets of Old Town Koh Lanta. Also known as Lanta Old Town, it is here where you can experience a unique blend of cultures and traditions, among other things. Once an important stop on the merchant route between Penang and Phuket, Lanta Old Town is home to the Thai-Chinese population, evidence of which you can see in the many temples, shrines and red lanterns here.

When wandering around the streets here, you can see numerous teak houses built on stilts over the ocean. There are many shops and restaurants here as well, where you can shop for local handicrafts, batik art, souvenirs, and local produce.

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Visit the Mu Koh Lanta National Park when you are looking for relaxing activities to do in Koh Lanta. Dating back to 1990, this national park doubles up as a marine park in the province and translates to a group of islands, which it is situated upon. Boasting of rugged and hilly terrain, the park consists of 20 square kilometres of rainforest and a forested beach. The Park is also home to numerous other islands, such as the Mai Ngam, South Mai Ngam and Ngu islands, in addition to a mangrove forest.

From relaxing on the beach, walking on nature trails and diving, to exploring the attractions within the national park, there is a lot you can do here. You can also pay a visit to the Khlong Chak Cave, Khlong Chak Waterfall, Tham Khao Mai Kaew Cave and other attractions here.

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Another one of the relaxing Koh Lanta activities that you can do during your visit to the island is to take a stroll along Bamboo Bay. Also known as Kantiang Bay, Bamboo Bay is the furthest beach away from Saladan. Boasting fine white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, the Bamboo Bay is quite unspoilt and unexplored and has only a few resorts along with it. The rainforests and mountains around the bay also act as a great backdrop to it.

Located along the southern tip of Koh Lanta, the secluded but beautiful Bamboo Bay is great for those who are looking for a relaxing getaway from the bustling streets of the town. The bay area also offers you a glimpse into what Thailand looked like a couple of decades ago.

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Looking for adventurous Things to Do in Koh Lanta? Take a hike through the jungle to the Klong Jark Waterfall. This waterfall is small and seasonal and is tucked within a verdant tropical rainforest, with a moderate hiking path leading to it. If you are someone who is into adventure, then this hike is sure to be worth your time and energy.

The hike will take you through the jungle, which is complete with age-old banyan trees, exotic flowers, plants and also give you views of many wildlife species, such as macaques swinging up in the trees, elephants and more. You can also pay a visit to the Khlong Chak Cave during your hike to the waterfall.

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Prepare yourself for the ultimate adventure by taking a hike to the Bat Cave, said to be one of the most exhilarating activities to do in Koh Lanta. Get your headlamps and torches ready, phones all powered up and walking shoes tied up securely, as you take a thrilling hike through bamboo bridges, climbing ladders and rugged terrains, all the way to the dark and slippery opening of the Bat Cave.

Wear old clothes since you will be pushing and crawling through rather small openings inside the cave and be prepared to witness bats (Bat Cave indeed), cave spiders, frogs and many other critters. However, your strenuous hike will be rewarded as you get to see cave pools where you can take a dip in, or witness stalactite and stalagmite formations, among other natural wonders.

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Snorkelling is definitely one of the best activities to do in Koh Lanta. Home to several prominent snorkelling spots, it is here where you can spot and explore the vibrant marine life. From solo snorkelling trips to one where large groups of tourists are taken together to snorkel, you can choose a tour as per your liking.

Some of the best places to snorkel in Koh Lanta include the twin islands of Koh Rok, Koh Haa Yai Island and Phi Phi, among other spots. During your snorkelling session, you can also spot numerous coral reefs, fish species, jellyfish and other marine animals like manta rays and black tip sharks. You can also relax on the spectacular white sand beaches after snorkelling.

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In addition to snorkelling, scuba diving is another one of the popular Things to Do in Koh Lanta. Home to the popular diving sites of Koh Haa Yai Island, Koh Bida, Phi Phi, Koh Rok Islands, Hin Daeng, Shark Point and Hin Muang, Koh Lanta has several sightseeing companies that offer tourists a chance to indulge in the activity.

In addition to getting brief training for professionals, you can also see over 200 hard corals and 100 different types of reef fish and other marine species during your scuba diving session. The 50-metre dive deep into the ocean is one of the deepest drops off in Thailand, where you can experience currents of different grades. You can also see manta rays, turtles, barracudas, and even whale sharks during your dive.

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Taking a cooking class from the locals is one of the more unique Things to Do in Koh Lanta. The island offers tourists a wide range of cooking classes where they can learn and take back home the traditional and authentic recipes of some of the most famous Thai dishes. Some of the popular cooking classes in Koh Lanta include Cooking With Mon, Time for Lime, Lanta Thai Cookery School and Sai Thai Cooking School, among others.

From the traditional red, green and massaman curries, to pad Thai, spicy mango and papaya salad, to pineapple fried rice, grilled fish, barbecued prawns and seafood and more, you can learn a lot in these cooking classes. What is even better is that once the class is finished, you also get to take some of the lip-smacking food back with you!

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When in this island paradise, why not enjoy a relaxing yoga session? Said to be one of the best Koh Lanta activities to do to rejuvenate yourself, a yoga session on one of the beaches of Koh Lanta will calm your body, soul and mind and relax you as a whole. You can choose to practise the art alone or attend a session in one of the yoga centres on the island, like Oasis Yoga, Lanta Yoga, Sanctuary Yoga and others.

These yoga schools and centres not only teach you yoga from scratch but also offer a variety of different classes for this form of mediation, including Ashtanga Yoga, Flow Yoga, Yin Yoga and more. You can also enjoy yoga either during the sunrise or sunset, as per your choice and feel yourself getting lighter and rid of any stress.

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When in Thailand or one of its surrounding islands, indulging in a relaxing massage is a must. And what better than having a massage on the beach. The beaches here, such as Long Beach, are great to pamper yourself during your trip with their many body massage services.

From ayurvedic massages to traditional Thai massage and more, there is a lot for you to choose from. For example, a traditional Thai massage on Long Beach consists of stretches similar to those in yoga, which helps to stimulate the senses, followed by hour-long sessions of full-body stretching, rhythmic pressing and focusing on pressure points to give you relief from stress and pain

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Looking for thrilling Koh Lanta activities? Enjoy a spectacular and vibrant fire show right on the beaches of Koh Lanta, which is said to be one of the most visibly exhilarating things that you will see on this island. Hosted by many restaurants along the beaches of Koh Lanta, such as Indian Bar, Freedom Bar and the Richley Bar and Restaurant, you can watch the daring locals of Koh Lanta play with fire as you sip on cocktails and tuck into delicious food.

Your trip to Koh Lanta will be incomplete without enjoying one of these breath-taking fire shows. The setting sun, waves of the ocean crashing and illuminated city lights only add to the experience of this unique show.

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Located on the south-eastern side of the island, visiting the Old Town is amongst the top Koh Lanta activities. Said to be the original capital of the island, the Old Town is home to traditional homes of the Chinese, Muslim and Sea Gypsy communities. The Old Town also serves as a major fishing port where tourists can avail of long-tail boats for exploration.

The Old Town is also home to the stunning Kantiang Bay, which is said to be the most beautiful beach on the island, and a great spot for snorkelling. From wooden houses built on stilts, to traditional markets selling fresh produce and handicrafts, as well as restaurants offering delicious local delicacies, the Old Town has a lot to offer. 

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One of the top Things to Do in Koh Lanta is exploring the night markets on the island. As busy as the island is during the day, it turns even busier after sunset. Many locals on the island begin to set their food and souvenir shops in different areas. From clothes and apparel to footwear, houseware, souvenirs as well as food, there is a lot to do in the night markets in Koh Lanta.

It is in these night markets where you can find a wide range of skewered and barbecued food, from chicken and prawns to rice cakes and more. You can also find sushi rolls, milkshakes, cotton candy, fresh fruits and other things to eat here. However, one of the main attractions of these markets is the carnival attraction. Be it BINGO or other carnival games like darts, trampolines and more, you can find it all here.

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For another one of the great Things to Do in Koh Lanta, you can take a stroll around the serene Saladan Pier. Located towards the north of Koh Lanta Island, the Saladan Pier is a small harbour where you can find ferries departing to the neighbouring islands, such as Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lipe, Phuket and others. Located right on the water, Saladan Pier has numerous shops and restaurants built on wooden stilts.

From shopping for souvenirs, local spices, apparel and accessories, to gorging on delicious seafood, Thai dishes and more, Saladan Pier has a lot to offer to visitors. Once the sun sets down, you can take a relaxing stroll around the pier, and enjoy listening to the flow of water under your feet.

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Trying the local food of the island is one of the best Things to Do in Koh Lanta. The island is full of simple and luxury restaurants, dining facilities and street food stalls where you can try a wide range of local food, from fresh seafood to traditional Thai dishes and snacks. Most of the local food in Koh Lanta consists of seafood, including crabs, fish, lobster, oyster, squid and more.

The island is one of the best places in Thailand where you can get a taste of authentic Thai food. From the huge Thai buffets to dishes like pork noodle soup, Isaan food like some tam or papaya salad and larb, Nam Tok and barbecue chicken, you can find everything here.

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One of the most exciting Koh Lanta activities is a tour of Four Island and Emerald Cave. The four-island tour consists of a visit to the four popular islands of Koh Chuck, Koh Mook, Koh Ngai and Koh Kradan, all of which surround the island of Koh Lanta and boast pristine white sands and turquoise waters. The islands are also perfect for indulging in water sports and activities like snorkelling and swimming, in addition to hiking, nature trails and other activities.

Upon reaching Koh Mook Island, you can also find the stunning Emerald Cave, where you get to swim through a dark 80-metre-long passage all the way to a secret lagoon. The lagoon, which is surrounded by majestic limestone cliffs, stalactites and stalagmites and is famous for its emerald green cool waters. The tour in itself is an experience of a lifetime.

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