Mu Ko Lanta National Park

Established in 1990 as 62th national park of Thailand, Mu Ko Lanta National Park covers a total area of 152 square kilometres in southern part of Krabi Province. The national park consists mainly of rugged hills covered with 20 square kilometres rain and beach forests along the coast lines at Koh Lanta Yai. The park also includes many small islands like Koh Ngai, Koh Mai Ngam Tai, Koh Taleng Beng, Koh Tu Kon Lima, Koh Rok Nok, Koh Rok Nai, Koh Hin Dang and nearby islands of Koh Klang district. In Koh Lanta Yai the main geographical feature is the complexity of mountains and rather deep slope in. The plain area would be found only in a beach area in the southern part of island. Most of area on Koh Lanta Yai is more than 35 percent slope, except only the middle part of island where a slope is more than 50 percent. The height of this are is range from 100 meters above sea level to a heigth of 488 meters at the peak of mountain. Mangrove Forest could be found in Mai Ngam Island, South Mai Ngam Island and Ngu Island. These islands are not big and most of area is covered with the mangrove forest. The parks main attraction and activities are many white beaches, trails, viewpoints and some very impressive caves. The smaller islands are popular diving sites for both snorkellers and scuba divers with possibility to see some of exciting tropical marine life found in the Andaman Sea. Most rainfalls in the area are in September which is about 391.4 milimeters and the lowest in January which is about 6.5 milimeters. Accommodation are available only in Koh Lanta Ya and Koh Ngai. Camping in the Mu Ko Lanta National Park is allowed but must notify the park in advance. For visitor safety and marine life recovery, most of smaller islands are closed for visitors in rainy season from 16th May until 31st October every year.
Wildlife: Mammal animals on this park consists of 20 families 30 genuses and 38 species of which 2 species had gone from Koh Lanta. They are wild deers and tigers, and the other species is the sea cow which is the conserved animal. The other two species that being gone are the common barking deer and fishing cat. The rarely finding animal on this island is the the marshall big ear crow bat. Birds on these islands are totally 58 families, 130 genuses and 185 species. Most easy to find in this national park are Brahminy Kite, Birdled Tern, Emerald Dove, while the most difficult find are Orange-Breasted Trogon, Siberian Thrush, and Little Spiderhunter. Most of Reptiles are Water Monitor, Reticulated Python and Cobra. Could be found two species of Amphibians, the first one living in canal is Giant Mountain Frog, while Ornate Froglet lives in building and ponds. Others amphibians in forest are Polypedates leucomystax (Gravenhorst)-1829 and Small Toads and the difficult find species is the Dorria frog. Fresh water fishes that you can find in fresh water ponds of the islands include Blue Danio, while the sea fishes would be found along the coral reef, rock beach and fresh water canals include Lizard fish and Porcupine fish. Animals in the coral reef are Staghorn coral, Fungia fungites, Anemone coral, Starflower coral, etc.
Admission fee: 400 THB for adults and 200 THB for children
Koh Lanta Yai is the park's main tourist destination. It is famous for its uncontaminated beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters. Six kilometers in width and 30 km in length, the island is characterized by limestone hills covered by rainforest vegetation. Located on the north western tip of Koh Lanta Yai, Ban Saladan is the administrative center, the main village and home of the only ferry pier on the island. Lanta Old Town is the other small village on the eastern side of island. This town is a mixture of races and different cultures, with Chinese traders, Thai fishing families and the ancient Sea Gypsy community. The most beautiful beaches of Koh Lanta are on the west coast. Separated by rocky headlands and inlets, they offer a wide choice of hotels and resorts. The island does not have roads connecting it directly to the mainland, but is served by regular car ferries throughout the year. The crossing is made in two stages, first from Baan Hua Hin on mainland to the Krabi Pier in Koh Lanta Noi, the island nearest the coast, and then from a second pier on Koh Lanta Yai, 5 km southwest, to Saladan Pier in Koh Lanta Yai. Since 2016, Koh Lanta Yai and Koh Lanta Noi are connected with a bridge, which avoids the second crossing by boat.
Koh Ngai, also referred as Koh Hai, is the most well-known island near Koh Lanta Yai. Located approximately 44 kilometres from the pier in Baan Saladan and about 12 km south of Lanta's southernmost tip, it is administratively part of Krabi province and under protection of Mu Koh Lanta National Park. Despite this, the island is more easily accessible from the coast of Trang province, for accuracy from Pak Meng Pier located only 15 km away on the mainland opposite, around 20-minute trip by speedboat. The charming Koh Ngai is quite large, 4 km in length and 2 km in width, characterized by a triangular shape with a mountainous interior mostly covered by tropical rain forest, in the centre, and coconut plantations in the south. Like any other seaside destinations and islands of southern Thailand, the tiny Koh Ngai is rich of stunning white sand beaches and crystal clear waters surrounded by pristine coral reefs. The main beach is 2.2 kilometres long and has an amazing coral reef that lies just off the shore. It covers more than two-thirds of the east coast and it is home to most of the accommodation and facilities on the island. Koh Ngai is relatively developed to tourists. It has about a dozen of accommodation choices, some are new while some a little older. Most are located along the main beach on the east coast, a few on southern beaches. Some of them feature a swimming pool and allow outside guests the use of it; all have restaurants serving fresh seafood, Thai, and semi-Western cuisine, and bars where to spend your evenings. Mini Markets, first aid centers and Wi-Fi are available inside the facilities.
Koh Haa, meaning five islands in Thai, is a group of small uninhabited islands located 18 kilometres west of Lanta's southernmost tip, approximately 27 km southeast of Baan Saladan Pier. The archipelago name is slightly misleading, in fact, the group consists of three main islands and three other smaller limestone outcrops. With a shape that resembles a bean, Koh Haa Yai is the southernmost and largest island of group. It is home to a small bay surrounded by cliffs overlooking a stunning white sand beach. Formerly known as Tuk Narima, a name of Malaysian origin, the island was a sheltered harbour for Sea Gypsies and local fishermen by the big storms that hit the Andaman Sea. Few hundred meters north of main insland lies Koh Haa Sam, the middle size of group and the archipelago's main attraction. Together with two other small limestone islets placed in front, the island encircles a shallow bay of breathtaking beauty. Known as the "Secret Lagoon", it has shallow crystal waters of an incredible turquoise colour, ideal for snorkelling, beginner divers and fanatics of underwater photography. To get to small archipelago individually you can hire a speedboat, or split the cost with other tourists, from the Baan Salad Pier on Koh Lanta, the one-way trip will last about 35 minutes. The cost will not be less than 10,000-12,000 THB for the whole day, for a boat that can carry up to 10-12 people. Alternatively, to get the islands you can buy a tour package all-inclusive organized by the various agencies in Koh Lanta or Ao Nang, Krabi.
Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai are two tiny islands located in the middle of Andaman Sea approximately 36 kilometres from mainland of Trang province, of which are part administratively. Pak Meng Pier, located along Trang's coast about 40 kilometres away and 45 km from the city centre, is the most easy and closest access to the islands, a trip that takes 80 minutes with a speedboat. Twin islands are under protection of Mu Koh Lanta Marine National Park, in fact they lie only 27 km from Lanta's southernmost tip, and so they are also considered an attraction of Koh Lanta and Krabi. The charming islands have similar characteristics and dimensions, roughly two kilometres in length and one in width, and are separated by just a couple of hundred metres. The hilly interior is covered by lush vegetation. The western coast is indented with rocky headlands, while the eastern side is home of stunning white sand beaches surrounded by unbelievable turquoise waters. Among these Ao Man Sai Beach, on Koh Rok Nok, is the most charming. The shallow reef lies just off the beach shores. Teeming with marine life and with beautiful colourful corals, it offers great snorkelling and diving opportunities. On Koh Rok Nok, often reported as Koh Rok Noi, there is a small National Park Ranger station and the few facilities available of both islands. These are limited at a small camping area with a few toilets, a small shop selling foodstuffs, snack, drink and essential items, and a shady dining area to share, however, there is no restaurant and food must be prepared by yourself. For camping on the island, or to book the few bungalows and tents available, you must contact the National Park authority. Pak Meng Pier, located along Trang's coast about 40 kilometres away, is the nearest access to Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai. The only way to reach the islands from there is to rent a speedboat individually, or split the cost with other tourists, at a cost that will not be less than 10,000-12,000 THB for the whole day, for a boat that can carry up to 12 people. The one-way trip will last 80 minutes. Because the islands are part of Mu Koh Lanta National Park and therefore considered an attraction in Krabi province, Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai are usually proposed by tour operators as day trips from Koh Lanta, a 90-minute trip by speedboat from Baan Saladan Pier, located 40 km away. Due to the considerable distance is better to avoid the cheap trips involving travel by long-tail boat.Read More