Ko Lanta Archipelago

When we think about Thailand, we imagine either richly decorated temples or paradise islands and islets scattered among crystal clear waters. Both visions are correct, but today we will focus on the latter. More specifically, on the archipelago consisting of several dozen islands, which - despite the constantly growing popularity, and hence the crowds - still have quiet and peaceful places to offer. We are talking about Ko Lanta , an archipelago of 52 beautiful islands in the Andaman Sea. They tempt tourists with clean beaches and forests growing in deeper regions.

Fifteen islands are comprised of the Marine National Park covering an area of 134 km2. Among the most beautiful are the charming Ko Ngai, Ko Rok and Ko Ha - apart from the beaches, tourists delight with steep cliffs and lush undersea gardens in the form of coral reefs and hundreds of species of fish living in the local waters. They are an ideal place for families with children, as there are shallow waters many meters from the beach, where children can soak up at will.

Tourists who want to reach the islands from Bangkok can fly to the airport in Krabi, Phuket or Trang. Then they should take the bus and finally the boat that will take them from the marina to the chosen island.

Two pearls of the archipelago

It is easiest for visitors to move around the two most famous islands of the archipelago - Ko Lanta Yai and Ko Lanta Noi, the only ones where you can stop for the night. There is no shortage of good roads here, and guests from outside the island will also have no problems with finding accommodation or a restaurant serving tasty local dishes. On the island of Ko Lanta Yai you will find numerous tourist routes, including routes leading to the famous Tham Mai Kaew cave, located in the central, mountainous part of the island. The cave consists of seven chambers connected with each other by attached ropes and ladders. Those who want to use their vacation time as often as possible contact with the water will definitely visit the northern end of the island, where there are tourist resorts offering trips for divers. There are a number of underwater caves and coral reefs with stunning forms waiting to be explored. In the eastern part of Ko Lanta Yai, the coast is overgrown with mangroves, which makes it difficult to swim, but attracts canoeing fans. The island is separated from the famous resorts of Ko Phi Phi and Krabi by a 2-hour cruise, so if we want to return to the so-called civilization and throw ourselves into the whirlwind of events, we can do it at any time.

On the other hand, Ko Lanta Noi is much more intimate - many tourists do not even pay attention to it, directing their steps towards a more party sister. Or to put it another way: many people treat it as a waypoint through which they can get to "more interesting" places and islands. Wrong, because Ko Lanta Noi has a lot to offer, but you have to be able to see it. First of all, the islet is less crowded and actually only has a few fishing villages and a few mosques. Here and there, rubber trees grow out of the ground, there are several quiet beaches hidden in intimate coves, and on the horizon you can see tiny uninhabited islands - you won't see them from Ko Lanta Yai.

It is best to travel around the island by bike or motorbike. If we want to cross the water and follow the two-track to the next pearl of the archipelago, just go to Ban Saladan , the tourist center of the island, and board a special water taxi, known as "hang yao".

Beach, sun and rest under a palm tree

Long, beautiful beaches with white sand, no crowds, heavenly coves and the possibility of diving in dozens of underwater caves - it all adds up to a wonderful vacation in an exotic corner of the world. Landscapes, climate and cuisine attract dozens of tourists from different countries, which translates, among others, into the language that we will have the opportunity to hear by the pool or in a restaurant. Of course, English reigns supreme among foreigners, but Swedish is surprisingly often heard as well.

The popularity of Ko Lanta grows with each passing year, but still on the picturesque islets you can rest and find a corner where you can calmly contemplate the beauty that surrounds us.