Destination Guide to Saladan & Kaw Kwang Beach, Koh Lanta

Saladan is the bustling entry point to Koh Lanta Yai. It’s the most developed part of the island so you’ll find all the amenities you’ll need for your travels here.

Being close to the pier, there’s a range of stilted restaurants serving up fresh seafood and dive centres that depart daily to the world class diving destinations in the region.

Saladan town isn’t really the place you stay for your postcard holiday, rather the place you stay for easy transit between locations or dive trips. However, neighbouring Kaw Kwang Beach is much more convenient if you’d like to stay near both the seaside and the main town of Saladan instead of travelling further South.

Saladan & Kaw Kwang Beach Guide

• There’s no swimming beach in Saladan
• Kaw Kwang beach is a nice scenic tidal area (in other words, very flat) that’s great to watch the sunset and clusters of crabs darting around
• Kaw Kwang beach is walking distance (or a short scoot) to Khlong Dao if you want to swim in the sea

Clouds reflecting on the low tide at Kaw Kwang beach

Where to eat & drink in Saladan & Kaw Kwang Beach

• Not A Toy: This quaint cafe has the best coffee in Saladan. While it still has it’s relaxed island vibe, I can see it fitting in the hipsters back home in Melbourne or Wellington
• Unnamed Street Stalls: For a cheap and filling meal there’s a stand right next to the Lanta Mart where you can get a plate of buffet food for ฿50. If you’re really hungry (or just after a snack) their chicken satay skewers are a must try!
• Saladan Seafood: You don’t need to go all the way to Old Town to enjoy fresh seafood at a stilted restaurant. While there are plenty to choose from along the strip to the Pier, Saladan Seafood continues to be most popular and reasonably priced

Check out ‘Not A Toy’ if you’re in need of a caffeine fix

Street food vendor in the heard of Saladan, Koh Lanta

Accomodation in Saladan & Kaw Kwang Beach

• Peacock Hostel ($): Literally a minute walk from the Saladan Pier. This 20-bed hostel has the ultimate hangout area over the water
• Lanta Chill House ($): If you would like private accomodation on a budget, check out Lanta Chill House
  • tip: when we booked here through Booking.com we waited till last minute as they discounted it heavily. We managed to get a triple room for ฿360! It was cheaper than a double room and a fraction of the standard rate of ฿1600!
• Costa Lanta ($$$$$): An elegant and stylish resort with concrete cabana rooms that give it an industrial-chic vibe

Eclectic budget hostel ‘Peacock Hostel’ in Saladan, Koh Lanta

What to do in Saladan & Kaw Kwang Beach

• Massage: When in Thailand, you must get as many massages as you can! There are many massage parlours amongst the stilted restaurants and souvenir shops around Saladan. We did find it was standard practise to be charged ฿100 extra for a hard/strong massage here, but its worth it!
• Sea Gypsy Village: Near the pier where you get the passenger ferry, you’ll find a walkway that goes through the mangroves to the Baan Toh Balew Sea Gypsy Village. Keep an eye out for the monitor lizards and fish in the water. When walking past, please remember to be respectful of the local’s privacy when walking past

Bridge to Baan Toh Balew Sea Gypsy Village