Ko Lanta, one of Thailand's most beautiful Islands is located just off the coast of Krabi Island. It's gorgeous and when you spend a Christmas there, you're spoilt, in fact, walking along white sandy beaches with a sea breeze you won't want to share it with anyone. It's Christmas and you've got to pinch yourself to remind how fortunate the cold has been left back home.
In our experience it's best to find your summer somewhere else and come to Ko Lanta for your winter. Ideal break times are December, January and February, making Christmas and New Year perfect for you.
Perfect for you but also perfect for everyone else, making those three months the busiest on Ko Lanta. Nonetheless the beaches aren't crowded like you've most likely experienced elsewhere on holiday in southeast Asia. In the center of Ko Lanta is a majestic mountainous range which acts as a barrier between east and west. This ruggedness is very pleasing for jungle treks, contributing incredible drama and excitement when touring in the national parks. More on this later.
Between the mainland and Ko Lanta is another Island: this sister Island is smaller and accessible via a small ferry. A larger ferry on the other side of Ko Lanta Noi takes you to the mainland proper. It's a bottleneck that manages to slow down the flow of tourists to Ko Lanta at peak season but also acts as a diversion if you tire (but you won't, trust us) of the largest of the two sisters.
Ko Lanta's National Marine Park lies to the south which means the ferry stays within the northern waters, obviously.
The best beaches are Klong Dao and Klong Khong, Phra Ae (Long Beach) and Kantiang Bay to the south. All the beaches are gorgeous, clean and have calm waters, you will be delighted with them all.
Being within close proximity of the port where the ferry docks, Klong Dao beach is the busiest of them all. It's where the local supermarkets are for grocery shopping, and ATM cash machines are here too. Facilities are plentiful and accommodation is a mixture of middle to high range in terms of price and quality.
To the south of Klong Dao you come across Phra Ae Beach targeted towards backpackers and budget tourists. Mostly, life here is a lot quieter. Swimming is better here as the shoreline slopes gently into the deeper water and as the name suggests it's the longest stretch of beach on the Island.
There are resorts and hotels on and near to the beaches you won't have any distance to walk to get to a beach. It's going to be the resort or hotel that ticks most of your boxes that'll determine the beach you frequent the most.
Moving around the Island you hire a motorbike or pay for a taxi, both are relatively cheap but there are parts of the Island (in the national parks, for example) a taxi can't reach whereas a motorbike can.
You can't go on a holiday to paradise without Island hopping at some point. It's unheard of to stay rooted to one Island and holidaying on Ko Lanta the hop isn't to Krabi Island or Ko Phi Phi Island but much closer. Hire a private boat for the day and go tour four very unique, beautiful Islands. The Islands are, in turn:
The odds are you will have these Islands pretty much all to yourself to enjoy swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. Ko Lanta isn't as crowded as other Thailand tropical Islands. That being the case, even fewer tourists make it to these less noticeable Islands. Each has gorgeous beaches and clear turquoise water of course, that's guaranteed.
Imagine strolling alone for hours, how romantic is that?
If that weren't enough for you on your Christmas and New Year winter break there is the opportunity to explore a cave. Ko Mook Island has a secret lagoon for you to discover but to get to it you must negotiate an 80m narrow long cave. Dare yourself to enter. The beach at the other end of the cave is backed by high cliffs, leaving you stunned.
The cave system is partially submerged under water so you must swim and wade your way through it in some places. Be sure to dress appropriately before setting off: wear suitable swimwear and cover up with light summer type clothing. The average temperature in December on Ko Lanta is 87° Fahrenheit.
If you aim to go snorkeling on these four Islands, and you really should, then be sure to hire snorkeling gear too before you set off. On the other hand, you can book a four Islands tour on a traditional Thia long tail boat and experience everything whilst enjoying a prepared lunch with all equipment provided to you.
For international tourists arriving in Bangkok, the best option is to get a connecting flight to Krabi Airport. The typical flight time is no more than 90 minutes and there are plenty of flights most days. Expect to pay anything upwards of US$30 return. After arriving in Krabi Airport you go south by private taxi (or self-drive) to take a ferry. Give yourself at least 90 minutes for the drive down, and another hour on the ferry, departing from Chao Fah Pier.
Just as nice for your winter break in December would be Ko Samui Island in the Gulf of Thailand. Apparently, it's the peak season for the Island, in December through to February (but not early, in November). Because the summer months are too hot with temperatures rising to over 90°F. Not so for your Christmas with the mercury hanging around 83°F to 85°F.
With Ko Samui Island a top destination for Europeans you must book your flight and accommodation several months in advance, for any chance of securing a hotel with the best facilities. The sooner you book the more likely you are to pick up savings as well, before the stampede.
Between November through to April is the period for foreigners coming to Ko Lanta for their holiday vacation. It can be crowded and a little chaotic even, which is why we are suggesting to you to plan for your Christmas and New year. The mainstream tourist arrives after January, so you've had your fun and off back home before then.
In our opinion Ko Lanta would be "just another paradise Island" were it not for Mu Ko Lanta National Park. It's the park that adds so much sparkle and delight to your stay on the Island.
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Hello, we are George and Elle Mae Melyre.
Over the years, amidst work and family life, we have traveled extensively throughout Asia. Any chance to briefly escape or properly holiday in our beloved Asian destinations is eagerly seized, motivated by the enduring dream of leaving behind the UK's dreary cold for tropical climes.