Ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to Saladan Pier at the northern tip of Koh Lanta Yai. The tender ride takes around 10–15 minutes.
💡 Pro move: Koh Lanta is a conservative island with a predominantly Muslim population. Cover shoulders and knees when walking through town or visiting Old Town — keep swimwear for the beach.
All cruise ships tender to Saladan Pier; there is no deep-water cruise terminal on the island.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Windstar, Explora Journeys, expedition ships | Saladan Pier, northern Koh Lanta Yai📍 | Tendered |
| All other cruise lines | Saladan Pier, northern Koh Lanta Yai📍 | Tendered |
From powdery beaches and national park hikes to cave adventures and a world-class animal rescue centre, Koh Lanta punches well above its size.
A roughly 3 km stretch of golden sand lined with casuarina trees and casual beach bars — one of the island's longest beaches and a favourite for swimming, sunset drinks, and an easy lively scene. Around 10 minutes by tuk-tuk from the pier.
Find Koh Lanta beach tours →A beautifully preserved village of century-old Sino-Thai shophouses built on stilts over the eastern sea — once the island's main trading port. Wander the main street past Chinese shrines, boutique galleries, and overwater cafés with views of the mangrove islands.
Find Old Town walking tours →The southern tip of the island is protected parkland with a clifftop lighthouse, a secluded beach, and a short rainforest trail. Entry is 200 THB. Watch your snacks — the resident macaques are bold thieves.
Find national park tours →A genuine adventure cave requiring a local guide — squeeze through tight passages, climb bamboo ladders, and see impressive stalactites by torchlight. Not for the claustrophobic, and very much not found on tourist-brochure Koh Lanta.
Find Koh Lanta cave tours →A globally respected non-profit rescue centre for stray dogs and cats, founded in 2005. Take a guided tour, meet the cats in 'Kitty City', or sign up to walk a rescue dog on the beach. Donations welcome; small tour fee applies.
Find Koh Lanta day tours →Koh Lanta's Muslim-majority kitchen means exceptional Massaman curry, fresh-caught seafood grilled with garlic and chilli, and roti with condensed milk for dessert. The overwater restaurants right at Saladan Pier are the easiest option — but prices are fair, not inflated.
Find Koh Lanta food tours →The island rewards exploration by tuk-tuk more than on foot, but Saladan village and Lanta Old Town both have pleasant strolls.
From the tender dock, walk the main strip of Saladan village past dive shops, handicraft stalls, and street-food carts to the small fishing harbour on the east side. Short, easy, and gives you a feel for the local pace before committing to a tuk-tuk.
Stroll the single main street of Ban Si Raya (Lanta Old Town) on the east coast, passing Sino-Thai stilt houses, a Chinese shrine, and overwater cafés. The road is short but packed with character — allow time to stop for coffee with a sea view.
📍 Open in MapsClimate normals for Koh Lanta, Krabi, Thailand (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 87°F / 31°C | 73°F / 23°C | 12 | 6:42 AM | 6:24 PM |
| Feb | 91°F / 33°C | 74°F / 23°C | 8 | 6:42 AM | 6:34 PM |
| Mar | 93°F / 34°C | 75°F / 24°C | 10 | 6:31 AM | 6:35 PM |
| Apr | 90°F / 32°C | 77°F / 25°C | 24 | 6:15 AM | 6:33 PM |
| May | 88°F / 31°C | 77°F / 25°C | 27 | 6:06 AM | 6:35 PM |
| Jun | 86°F / 30°C | 77°F / 25°C | 23 | 6:07 AM | 6:42 PM |
| Jul | 85°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 24 | 6:14 AM | 6:46 PM |
| Aug | 85°F / 29°C | 77°F / 25°C | 25 | 6:17 AM | 6:40 PM |
| Sep | 85°F / 29°C | 76°F / 24°C | 25 | 6:14 AM | 6:24 PM |
| Oct | 85°F / 29°C | 75°F / 24°C | 28 | 6:11 AM | 6:08 PM |
| Nov | 85°F / 29°C | 74°F / 23°C | 26 | 6:16 AM | 6:01 PM |
| Dec | 86°F / 30°C | 74°F / 23°C | 18 | 6:29 AM | 6:09 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Upcoming cruises that call at Koh Lanta, Krabi, Thailand. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.