For a convenient overview of why Koh Lanta is one of the best places to go diving in Thailand, check out AmazingLanta's quick guide to the best diving and where to stay on the island
Koh Lanta is my favourite island in Thailand - I've been going there for the last five years and while the island has been getting increasingly popular over that time, it still remains largely untouched with fantastic, largely empty beaches and a great, laid-back feel to it. (Mind you, it does get pretty busy over the Christmas / New Year period). Besides the island itself, Lanta is positioned to get to some of Thailand's best diving - and this is the reason I keep going back.
The dive sites of Koh Haa and Hin Daeng / Hin Muang are spectacular in their diversity and what might turn up - everything from manta rays to whale sharks to tiny, beautiful creatures like harlequin shrimp. You can do daytrips to these sites or go on a liveaboard. My mate Rob, who lives on Koh Lanta, has recently written up a very handy overview of Koh Lanta Diving on his site AmazingLanta.com which is well worth checking out if you're looking for somewhere less crowded than Phi Phi or Phuket as your base for diving Thailand's southern dive sites.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi I am just wondering if you have local knowledge and could perhaps tell me why it would appear that Dive Lanta based at Pimalai Resort “SEEM” to be 25% more expensive than other PADI centres. As we will be staying there it seems a pity not to use the centre nearest but seems a big difference! Thanks if you can enlighten me! Kind regards from Oonagh in UK
Hi Oonagh
I’ve spent a lot of time on Lanta (it’s my favourite island in Thailand) but I don’t have any first hand experience of Pimalai’s dive resort. I would imagine it’s more expensive simply because they are a luxury hotel and charge a premium for their other services as standard.
However, it might also be because they have their own dedicated dive boat that runs direct from Pimalai resort (I think – please check with them direct), rather than taking divers to Sala Dan port at the top of the island which is around 20-30 minutes drive. For the convenience factor, it might be easier to go with them rather than another operator.
Hope you have a great time on Lanta.
Cheers
Chris