Thailand's complete scuba diving information source: dive centres, dive courses, dive equipment, dive sites

Facilities in and around Koh Lanta

How to get there
Koh Lanta Yai can be reached by scheduled boat services from Krabi Town, Koh Phi Phi Don, Phuket and... Read more...

Where to eat
Virtually all the island's resorts have their own eateries. If they don't, it's only a short stroll. Read more...

Dive facilities
There are around a dozen operators on the island. The majority are located in Saladan. Read more...

Dive trips
All trips depart from the northern fishing port of Saladan at around 08.00hrs and return during... Read more...

Dive courses
Local instruction has a choice of CMAS, PADI and SSI training programmes... Read more...

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How to get there

Koh Lanta Yai can be reached by scheduled boat services from Krabi Town, Koh Phi Phi Don, Phuket and Ban Baw Muang pier northwest of Trang Town. To reach the island via the town, transfer by minibus or taxi to the pier at Ban Baw Muang, around 40km north of town. The recommended way to access Koh Lanta Yai is to arrive at Krabi Town and transfer to the boat service or arrive at the airport and have the dive operator arrange the connecting road transfer.

By air: Koh Lanta can be reached from the nearby airports in Krabi and Trang. Whichever airport is used, a transfer will need to be arranged to the island. This takes around an hour from either airport and is best arranged in advance through one of the dive operators.

Via Trang. Daily flights depart Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International and Don Muang Airport. Flight time is 90 minutes. For more information contact Nok Air: Within Thailand, Tel. 1318; from outside Thailand,
Tel. +66 (0)2 900 9955.

Via Krabi. Daily flights depart Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International and Don Muang airports. Flight times average 80 minutes. There are also flights from Koh Samui. The three main carriers are:
Bangkok Airways: Within Thailand, Tel. 1771; from outside Thailand, Tel. +66 (0)2 265 5555.
Nok Air: Within Thailand, Tel. 1318; from outside Thailand, Tel. +66 (0)2 900 9955.
Thai Airways International: Tel. +66 (0)2 356 1111.

By bus: VIP air-conditioned buses leave Bangkok's Southern Bus Terminal twice daily. Journey time is 17hrs. For information on the bus service contact Bangkok Southern Bus Terminal: Tel. +66 (0)2 435 1199, (0)2 435 1200.

By Boat: There are daily boat transfers to and from Krabi Town, Koh Phi Phi and Phuket.

By train: Three types of service run from Bangkok to Trang and as it is a 15hr journey it is advisable to travel sleeper class. Trains can be booked up to 90 days in advance - recommended as they fill up quickly. For information regarding train service contact Hua Lumphong Railway Station, Tel. +66 (0)2 223 7010.

Where to eat

Virtually all the island's resorts have their own eateries. If they don't, it's only a short stroll along the beach to one that has! There are a few independent restaurants and bakeries around the island. The port of Saladan has a worthy selection of local fare, seafood restaurants, pizzerias and bakeries.

For more information and insight on where and what to eat, see Pocket Guide FOOD Thailand − launching first quarter of 2011 − and its online version, www.foodguidethailand.com

Dive facilities

The majority of the local operators are in Saladan on Koh Lanta Yai, although the more established also have centres at a number of the island’s resorts. There’s also one dive centre in Pak Meng on the mainland.

All the operators on the island offer dive education and daily dive trips. Some of the more established dive centres carry a retail selection.

Dive trips

All trips depart from the northern fishing port of Saladan at around 08.00hrs and return during the late afternoon. Included in the price are refreshments, fruit, drinking water, lunch and Divemaster(s) services.

The cost of day trips varies depending on the destination. Snorkellers and non-divers are welcome to join scheduled diving trips; snorkelling equipment is available. The larger dive boats will carry fresh water tanks for rinsing diving and photographic equipment.

Dive courses

Local instruction has a choice of CMAS, PADI and SSI training programs, the complete range of which is available, including the professional levels of Divemaster and Instructor. There are also a number of specialty courses, which run over two to three days. The courses' timetables are structured to suit both students and dive centres.

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For more information on Koh Lanta contact Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel. +66 (0)76 212213, +66 (0)76 211036. Go to top