Ko Lanta's west coast is one long run of beaches, strung north to south down the island and facing the Andaman sunset. They are not all the same: the north is the developed, busy end, and it grows quieter and greener the further south you go. Here's what each of the main beaches is known for, and who each one suits, so you can pick the stretch of sand that fits your trip.
Ko Lanta's most popular family beach, and the one with the highest concentration of resorts and hotels on the island. The water is shallow and calm, which makes it safe for children, and it's a common pickup point for the four-island snorkelling tour. If it's your first trip and you want everything close at hand, this is the easy choice.
The island's longest beach — over four kilometres of golden sand, with water you can swim in and a reputation for its sunsets. It's a developed stretch but still keeps a good sense of peace, and it carries a wide range of hotels and restaurants across every budget. Family-friendly without feeling built up.
Powdery sand, calm water and hardly any rocks, so the swimming is good. It's quieter than Long Beach but still has enough going on — restaurants and a little nightlife — to stay comfortable, which makes it a middle ground between developed and remote. Good for families and anyone who wants a slower pace.
A crescent-shaped bay backed by green hills, with white sand and clear blue water. Its southern position on the island keeps the crowds thinner than up north. It sits near Nui Bay, which is known for snorkelling around rocky outcrops full of coral and fish.
The beaches run roughly north to south down Ko Lanta's west coast, and they change character as you go. The north — Klong Dao and Long Beach — is the developed, convenient end: the most resorts, the most restaurants, and shallow, calm water that suits families. Head south and it gets quieter and greener, through Klong Nin's slower middle ground down to Kantiang Bay and beyond, where there are fewer people and more scenery.
Planning the rest of the trip? Line the beaches up with when to come and how to get here — the three together cover most of the pre-trip research.