Spending a Solo Week on Koh Lanta, Krabi

Nui Bay, Koh Lanta, January 2025

I spent many hours researching which of the dozens of islands in the Krabi region would be best for my 2-week stay. Since I was working and solo travelling, I wasn’t looking for too much of a party scene, and I wanted to pick an island that was more laid back.

I eventually landed on spending 1 week on Koh Lanta, and I loved every minute of it. If you are looking to party, Lanta wouldn’t be my top recommendation. However, if you are looking to relax and enjoy beautiful beaches that aren’t too crowded and serene nature, read on.

What To Expect

Koh Lanta island is stunning and has incredibly beautiful beaches, amazing sunsets, and unforgettable day trips to nearby islands. I would choose Koh Lanta if you want a more laid-back experience on a Thai island, with fewer parties around, as well as affordable accommodation and food.

Getting There: Mistakes To Avoid

I flew into Krabi Airport, and I made the mistake of booking a night in Ao Nang, thinking that I would be taking a boat from there to Koh Lanta, as it seemed like the nearest point on the map. It was only after arriving that I realized it would have been better to stay either in Krabi Town or just to take a bus directly to Koh Lanta from the airport, because if you go all the way to Ao Nang, you end up coming back around and passing the airport again to get to Koh Lanta.

The cost of the trip was 150 Baht from the airport to Ao Nang and another 450 Baht from Ao Nang to Koh Lanta, but it will probably cost you less if you avoid the above mistake!

Where to Stay

While on Koh Lanta, I stayed in a private room at Beach House 24. The staff there were so friendly, the rooms were lovely, the breakfast that was included was full of fresh fruit, and Long Beach beach was a 5-minute walk away.

If you want to stay somewhere more immersed in nature, the general rule is that the further south you go on the island, the more nature there is. Beach House 24 is off the main road; however, it wasn’t too loud and was convenient for getting to nearby restaurants and of course, the beach.

Activities: The Highlights

1. Rent a Motorbike and Explore the Beaches

This is definitely the best thing to do on Koh Lanta. You can rent a motorbike from one of the many shops or directly from your accommodations. It’ll cost you around 250 to 300 baht per day for the bike, or around $7 to $9 USD. Gas costs 40 baht or $1.20 USD per liter and 1 or 2 is usually enough for the day depending on how much driving you do.

My Favourite Beaches on Koh Lanta (in order) Were:

1. Nui Bay

2. Khlong Chak Beach

3. Bakantiang Bay

4. Long Beach/Prae-Ae Beach

5. Bamboo Beach

Long Beach, Koh Lanta

Nui Bay, Koh Lanta

2. Take a Day Trip to Visit Koh Haa & Koh Rok

This was one of the highlights of my entire month in Thailand. Again, you can book this tour from one of the many tour agencies on the island or directly through your hotel; the cost is around 1000 baht or $30 USD. The tuktuk will pick you up in the morning at a designated time from your hotel and take you to the pier where you will board a speed boat with your tour group. If you get easily nauseous like me, I highly recommend taking some medication before this boat ride, as the water can be very choppy, and I definitely felt sick.

Arriving at Koh Haa [Five Islands], you have 30-40 minutes to snorkel,l and it’s absolutely amazing. You can see clown fish in, sea cucumbers, and everything from the Finding Nemo movie.

Afterwards, the tour will take you to Koh Rok for lunch and relaxing on one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever been on. You can sunbathe on the powder white sand and swim in the turquoise blue sea. Koh Haa is a tiny island that is essentially just one beach and the jungle.

The final stop is another snorkelling area near Koh Rok, where you will have 30-40 minutes before heading back to Koh Lanta.

View from the main beach on Koh Rok

3. Enjoy A Fresh Fruit Smoothie, Pad See Ew, or Fried Rice

Thailand is known for its food culture, and the southern islands in the Krabi region are no exception. I had many wonderful meals on Koh Lanta. So much so that I will be writing an entire article about my favourite eats and drinks on the island.. One special place I will shout out in this article, though, is a small smoothie stand on one of the roads leading to Long Beach. It is not on Google Maps, so I can only identify it by saying it is on the same road as the Lanta Pearl Beach Resort. At this stand, you will find a cute family making the most delicious fresh smoothies that they top with fresh fruit as well. You can make these vegan by asking for no milk (I also always ask for no sugar as they are sweet enough and adding sugar is often a default in Thailand). Enjoy!

4. Watch the Sunset from the Beach

Because most of the beaches on Koh Lanta are situated on the Western side of the island, you will get to see a magnificent sunset over the water every night. Just choose your favorite beach and set yourself up!

Sunset on Long Beach, Koh Lanta, January 2025

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