Koh Lanta
Koh Lanta is an island district off the west cost of Thailand. Well known or its diving and long white beaches. Consisting of several islands, the largest being Koh Lanta Noi and Koh lanta Yai.
Koh Lanta is popular with tourists seeking holidays away from parties and hectic goings on. It is popular with the older crowd than nearby Ko Phi Phi. Ideally suited to those who want to walk on the beach and watch the sunset. It is popular with divers and people with young children. However Koh Lanta certainly can provide a party for those who know where to look. The beaches on the west coast of Koh Lanta Yai are strung with resorts and bungalows, however he further down you get, the less this is true. Koh Lanta is especially popular with the Swedish however the tourist language is generally English, menus are in English and there is an abundance of English pubs, bars and restaurants.
There are no diving sites on the island, however there are boat trips to the world famous Hin Daeng and Hing Muang sites.
Hin daeng and Hin Muang near Koh Lanta sites rank within the top 10 in the world, with more than 200 hard corals and 108 reef fish and still thousands more organisms. Hin Daeng has the steepest and deepest in the the countr. Hin Muang is completely underwater and covered with delicate violet coral. These sites also have one of the world’s highest whale shark sighting.
Hin Miang is a series of five or more pinnacles dropping down to over 60 meters deep and is one of the largest drop offs in Thailand.
Hin Daeng (Red Rock) is arguably the best dive site within the country. Consisting of a large rocky outcrop and covered in ledges that houses soft red corals. Due to Hin Daeng and Hin Muangs isolation they provide a feeding ground for larger Pelagics.
Ko Haa is a group of 5 islands west of Koh lanta. There are six different dive sites with excellent visibility. Plentiful marine life includes morays, jacks, tuna and nudibranchs. Ko Haa Yai houses a series of caves, The entrance is about 12 meters and you can surface inside to view the stalactites.
Koh Kraden Wreck lies at the southern tip of the island and is home to a Japanese destroyer sunk during the second world war. Seahorses can be spotted in amongst the many crevices of the wreck.
Other sites visited by dive shops include Ko Haa, Hin Bida, Ko Rok, Ko Waen and the Kingcruiser Wreck. There are many dive centers Lanta offering beginners training. Courses are offered in English, Swedish and German.
There are essentially two choices when travelling to dive sites. A large slower boat with a cruise style about it which is recommended if you prefer a more comfy ride. Or a much faster speed boat that will get you there in up to ¼ of the time which is recommended for those who can’t wait to start.
Almost all day trips are for 2 dives. Prices range from 2500-3000 baht for a days diving experience, 3000-4000 baht for Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Gear hire will cost around 500 baht per trip. To get PADI certified lessons, a four day open water course is around 13,000 baht and 10,000 baht for a two day advanced open water course. The speedboats tend to cost extra.
Some dive centers will ask for Advanced Open Water or equal certification or 20+ dives under your belt if you intend to dive Hin Daeng/Hin Muang
