Local Experts Reveal Surprising Island As Thailand’s Top Destination To Beat The Crowds

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Today’s mission: Don’t mention The White Lotus.

Whoops. Too late.

Instead, we’ll talk about something more current, as HBO’s hit show is allegedly filming in France, giving Thailand’s island tourism rush a well-deserved breather.

Well, that would be true except we’re honing in on the “high season”. This time of year sees floods of crowds pour into numerous islands across Thailand, some more popular than others.

Phuket, of course, has long been a staple on tourists’ itineraries, with Koh Samui most recently taking a seat at the table, but there’s far more to discover beyond the household names.

Local experts Thaiger recently revealed their pick for the ultimate hideaway from the high-season blitz.

Best of all, you won’t sacrifice quality of beaches, culture, or laid-back vibes in the unsung dreamscape of Koh Lanta.

Koh Lanta: Welcome To Your New Paradisal Playground

Thaiger hypes up Koh Lanta as one of Thailand’s best destinations to hit the open road by scooter.

You might envision kicking back seaside by day and perusing night markets after dark, but wondrous rainforests and winding roads are practically begging to be explored.

With virtually no crowds for such a sprawling island, you won’t find gridlocked traffic jams like you may in Bali, for example.

This off-path paradise isn’t solely a beach hideaway — it’s brimming with history, natural wonders, and cultural delights just as you’d expect in one of Asia’s most popular countries.

Koh Lanta Bike Rentals is the top-rated company to rent two wheels, even offering free delivery to your hotel.

Here are Travel Off Path’s top 5 must-see sites in Koh Lanta:

1. Mu Ko Lanta National Park ($6 entry): the island’s crown jewel for nature, hidden beaches, & wildlife
2. Kantiang Bay: your own slice of paradise with crowd-free beaches and open barstools at Why Not Bar
3. Old Town: Koh Lanta’s storied time capsule boasting family-run eateries and rows of craft shops
4. Khao Mai Kaew Cave: discover lush jungle treks and narrow limestone underground caverns
5. Lanta Animal Welfare: a heart-warming stop where you can walk rescued dogs, visit cats, and learn about local animal care efforts

No Shortage Of Crowd-Free Beaches

There are a pair of offshore islands from Koh Lanata within the aforementioned Mu Ko National Park that are pristine, untouched blips on the map, perfect for snorkeling and swimming in warm, crystal-clear waters — Koh Rok and Koh Haa.

Thaiger also hypes Long Beach for a great swimming spot and Kantiang Bay for epic sunsets. We at Travel Off Path like to form our own opinions, too, so we dug a little deeper and struck gold for you.

We recommend the following 3 beaches that we fell in love with even more:

1. Klong Nin: a stone’s throw from posh resorts yet far enough to feel secluded
2. Khlong Chak: footprint-free shores with jungle hikes leading to a hidden waterfall and a small bat cave
3. Bakantiang: quaint stretch of rainforest coastline with seaside bars, eateries, and dive schools

If you were going to run into any hint of a crowd, it’s likely previously mentioned Kantiang Bay, as it’s #1 on TripAdvisor.

Everywhere else flies under the radar as the island of Koh Lanta has long been one of Thailand’s tight-lipped secrets in the shadow of such places as Phuket.

Ironically, departing Phuket by boat is one of the most popular ways to get here, besides the much closer Krabi as a gateway.

One Of Thailand’s Most Underrated Resort Destinations

This 18-mile-long island is wrapped with unsuspecting resorts on all sides.

While you may not recognize those names and be able to cash in Bonvoy or Hilton Honors points, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Best of all, Koh Lanta’s resorts largely won’t break the bank.

According to TripAdvisor, these are the top 3 resorts in Koh Lanta (sorted by traveler ranking):

1. Lanta Palace Beach Resort & Spa
2. Pimalai Resort and Spa
3. Layana Resort & Spa

Not to one-up one of the most reliable sources in travel, but we have another amazing resort in mind for you.

Verona Resort is located steps away from Old Town, one of the most unique areas of the whole island, as it’s steeped in history and walkable to endless waterfront restaurants and one of the main ports.

The cozy resort is as low as $31 throughout winter and comes equipped with free wifi, satellite tv, a spacious pool and stunning mountain views.