Koh Lanta offers more than a relaxed island life and stunning beaches. Whether you are a diver or simply want to see what’s going on underneath the waves, you will adore it here. The island boasts some of Thailand’s most stunning dive sites, ranging from exotic coral reefs to amazing sea creatures.
Skip the tourist traps, and let’s head deep into Koh Lanta proper and discover the underwater treasures that make it a destination for every diving aficionado.
How to get to Koh Lanta?
Typically, tourists arrive in Koh Lanta from Krabi or Phuket in any one of the three modes of transport – ferry, car, or speedboat.
The fastest route from Phuket to Koh Lanta is the speedboat from Rassada Pier in Phuket to Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta. It takes approximately 1.5 hours, and it travels through Phi Phi, which usually involves a boat transfer or a stop along the way. Yet, if you want a relaxed trip, using a ferry is advisable. A ferry takes approximately 4.15 hours to travel to Koh Lanta through Phi Phi.
Please note that the ferry journey is much smoother than the speedboat journey.
You can also travel by minivan or car from Phuket to Koh Lanta, but remember that it also involves a car ferry crossing, which takes 25 minutes.
If you are traveling from Krabi, you can take a speedboat from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta. This journey takes around 1.5 hours, and the boat may stop to pick up more passengers at Koh Jum or Railay Beach. You can also get a ferry from Ao Nang or Railay Beach if you do not wish to travel by speedboat.
If you are arriving at Krabi Airport, the quickest option to get to Koh Lanta is to travel by car/minivan.
Koh Lanta’s Top Diving and Snorkeling Spots
The oceans surrounding Koh Lanta have coral reefs, vibrant fish populations, and stunning underwater scenery.
A few of Koh Lanta’s best diving and snorkeling spots include:
- Koh Haa: The Crown Jewel of the Island’s Diving Scene
Koh Haa, or “Five Islands,” is a popular dive location off Koh Lanta. It boasts crystal-clear water, high limestone walls, and an abundant array of marine life. That is why this dive location is renowned:
- The Cathedral: A magical underwater cavern with sunlight filtering through, creating an unearthly experience.
- Marine Life: Keep an eye out for turtles, barracudas, angelfish, and the occasional black-tip reef shark.
- Visibility: Up to 30 meters, which is ideal for photography and exploration.
- Hin Daeng & Hin Muang
For experienced divers, Red Rock (Hin Daeng) and Purple Rock (Hin Muang) are two of Thailand’s most thrilling dives. Here’s what to expect:
- Whale Sharks & Manta Rays: Both dives are renowned for regular sightings of majestic manta rays and massive whale sharks.
- Soft Corals: The red and purple hues of the soft corals set off an eerie but captivating seascape.
- Depth: These are deep dive locations with powerful currents, ideal for experienced divers.
- Koh Rok: Divers’ and Snorkelers’ Paradise
Situated approximately a distance of one-hour boat journey from Koh Lanta, Koh Rok boasts pristine coral gardens and a wide range of marine creatures.
You can look forward to:
- Snorkeling Paradise: The shallow reefs turn Koh Rok into an ideal snorkeling paradise for beginners and families.
- Rich Marine Life: Observe clownfish, moray eels, and giant pufferfish within these blue waters.
- White Sand Beaches: Relax on Koh Rok’s white sand beaches after your exhilarating dive.
- The Four Islands Tour
This is a popular excursion that takes passengers to various snorkeling locations in and around Koh Lanta, such as Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, and the Emerald Cave. The tour includes a varied group of marine environments, from coral gardens to secret lagoons.
Furthermore, in Koh Lanta, you can enjoy nighttime diving with specific snorkeling tours that are designed to show you the bioluminescent beauty of water. Koh Haa and Koh Rok are popular night snorkeling spots.
What to Expect While Diving
Koh Lanta diving offers a wealth of underwater experiences, from unspoiled coral gardens to sightings of big pelagics. Below is what you can expect underwater:
- Manta Rays & Whale Sharks: They occur frequently at Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, particularly during the period from November to April.
- Coral Reefs: Due to a conservation focus, most dive sites feature healthy coral reefs.
- Nudibranchs & Macro Life: The region is a macro photographer’s paradise with the presence of seahorses, nudibranchs, and pipefish.
- Wreck Diving: Adventurers will find some thrilling wreck dive opportunities at sites like Kled Kaew Wreck.
Besides these, you may encounter colorful parrot fish, sea turtles, and even triggerfish.
Best Time to Dive in Koh Lanta
The diving season in Koh Lanta is from November to April. You’ll get the most favorable conditions during this season with excellent visibility and warm seas (28-30°C).
Final Thoughts
Are you ready to experience the underwater magic in Koh Lanta? Book in advance, and do not forget to bring your underwater camera and reef-safe sunscreen!
SP
