Island hopping from Koh Lanta.

Koh Lanta's signature day trip runs to four islands in the Trang archipelago just south of Koh Lanta: Koh Ngai (Koh Hai), a calm, coconut-lined beach where many tours stop for lunch; Koh Mook, home of the Emerald Cave; Koh Kradan, rated among the region's best for powder-white sand and clear-water snorkeling right off the beach; and Koh Chuek (Koh Chuak), a small rocky islet with no beach, purely for snorkeling over reef in the anchorage. Runs by speedboat (about 3-4hrs round trip) or a slower, more traditional longtail or big-boat day tour from Koh Lanta, generally available November through April.

The highlight stop on almost every 4 Islands tour: an unlit sea cave you enter by swimming or being towed roughly 80 metres through a dark limestone tunnel (life jacket and a guide's light provided) that opens onto Sa Morakot, a hidden circular beach ringed by sheer cliffs, accessible only by water. Best attempted around low-to-mid tide, when the passage isn't fully submerged; tour operators time the visit accordingly and it's rarely offered as a standalone trip outside the 4 Islands itinerary.

A full-day trip south of Koh Lanta into Mu Koh Lanta National Park's outer islands, rated among the clearest water and healthiest reef in the area: Koh Rok's twin islands and white sand beaches, and Koh Haa's swim-throughs, sea caves and dive sites. Reached in roughly 1-1.5 hours by speedboat from Koh Lanta's piers. The marine park is officially open only from around 15 October to 15 May each year, closing over the southwest monsoon for safety and reef recovery, so always confirm current dates before booking.

Koh Lanta works as an alternative base to Phuket or Krabi for a Phi Phi day trip: Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Monkey Beach and Viking Cave on Koh Phi Phi Leh, plus Bamboo Island and the busier Koh Phi Phi Don. About 1-1.5 hours each way by speedboat. Maya Bay enforces visitor-number and time-slot controls introduced after its 2018 closure for ecological recovery, so an early tour departure means thinner crowds.

The default for most shared-group tours to the 4 Islands, Koh Rok/Koh Haa or Phi Phi - cuts travel time significantly versus a longtail or big boat, but a rougher, wetter ride in open swell with smaller groups and less shade.

A slower, closer-to-the-water alternative for the 4 Islands Tour, commonly run November through April - the classic budget option and a calmer ride for anyone prone to seasickness on shorter island-hopping legs.

Larger, slower and more stable than a speedboat, with more deck space and shade - offered by some operators for the 4 Islands Tour and popular with families or larger groups who want extra room over raw speed.

Speedboats and longtails available for private full- or half-day charter, letting you set your own route and pace across the 4 Islands or Koh Rok/Koh Haa without a fixed group schedule - priced per boat, so cost-effective for groups of 6-10+ splitting the cost.

Group longtail tours typically run in the range of roughly 900-1,100 THB per person for a full day covering Koh Ngai, Koh Mook (Emerald Cave), Koh Kradan and Koh Chuek - Koh Lanta's cheapest full-day island-hopping option, usually including lunch and snorkel gear.

Shared speedboat tours to the same four islands typically run roughly 1,800-2,200 THB per person, reflecting the faster boat and shorter travel time versus longtail. Hotel pickup, lunch and snorkeling equipment are usually included; confirm what's bundled when comparing operators.

A full-day speedboat trip typically runs roughly 1,600-2,000 THB per person, only bookable within the roughly 15 October-15 May open season - pricier than the 4 Islands given the longer distance and marine-park fees.

Full-day speedboat tours from Koh Lanta to Phi Phi and Maya Bay are generally priced in a similar band to Krabi and Phuket departures; confirm the current quote with your operator, as it varies by season, boat standard and group size.

Reported foreign-adult entrance fees for Mu Koh Lanta National Park (Koh Rok/Koh Haa) vary noticeably by source - anywhere from about 200 THB up to 400 THB - and the Trang island group (Koh Ngai, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Chuek, part of Hat Chao Mai National Park) has its own separate fee. These are usually collected in cash on arrival and are not always bundled into the advertised tour price, so confirm the current fee and what's included when booking.

November to April (Andaman dry season) brings the calmest seas, clearest visibility and the lowest chance of a tour being rerouted or cancelled. May to October is the southwest monsoon: seas get choppier and some routes run smaller boats or adjusted itineraries. Koh Rok and Koh Haa's national park closes entirely outside its roughly 15 October-15 May open season.

Saladan Pier, at the northern tip of Koh Lanta Yai, is the main hub for speedboat pickups and ferry connections; Old Town Pier on the east coast is a common departure point for longtail 4 Islands tours. Most operators include hotel pickup and transfer to the correct pier, so confirm your pickup point and time when booking.

Book through your hotel's tour desk, a local agent near Saladan or Old Town, or online platforms (Viator, GetYourGuide, Klook and similar) that let you compare operators, boat type and reviews before paying. Online booking usually locks in a fixed price with hotel pickup included.

Reef-safe sunscreen (some marine parks restrict standard sunscreen to protect coral), a rash guard or light cover-up, a dry bag for phones and cameras, cash in small denominations for park fees and extras, and motion-sickness tablets if you're prone to seasickness - speedboats can be a rough ride in swell, especially on the longer Koh Rok/Koh Haa and Phi Phi runs.

The 4 Islands Tour (Koh Ngai, Koh Mook's Emerald Cave, Koh Kradan and Koh Chuek) is the classic first-timer choice and the cheaper option, especially by longtail boat. Koh Rok & Koh Haa is rated for clearer water and better reef, runs only within its roughly 15 October-15 May season, and costs more given the longer distance - a strong pick for a second trip or serious snorkelers.

Shared group tours typically run from about 900-1,100 THB per person for the 4 Islands Tour by longtail boat up to roughly 1,600-2,200 THB per person for the same route by speedboat or for Koh Rok & Koh Haa. National park entrance fees are usually charged separately in cash and vary by source, so confirm the current fee and what's included when booking.

Tham Morakot is an unlit sea cave you swim or are towed through - roughly 80 metres of dark tunnel - emerging at a hidden circular beach ringed by cliffs and only reachable by water. It's the signature stop on nearly every 4 Islands Tour from Koh Lanta and is best visited around low-to-mid tide, which operators time into the itinerary.

No. Mu Koh Lanta National Park's outer islands are open to visitors only from around 15 October to 15 May each year, closing over the southwest monsoon for safety and coral recovery. Always confirm the current season's exact dates with an operator before booking, since they can shift slightly year to year.

Most speedboat tours depart from or transfer through Saladan Pier at the island's northern tip, while longtail 4 Islands tours commonly leave from Old Town Pier on the east coast. Almost all operators include hotel pickup and transfer to the correct pier as part of the tour price.

Speedboats are faster and standard for Koh Rok/Koh Haa and Phi Phi given the longer distances, but give a rougher, wetter ride in open swell. Longtail boats are slower, cheaper and closer to the water - a traditional, budget-friendly way to do the shorter 4 Islands Tour, generally run November through April.