A great day trip exploring 4 of the 52 small islands surrounding Koh Lanta. You will get to visit, Koh Cherk, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Ngai. A fun filled day of swimming, snorkeling, eating, and just enjoying the beauty around you.

One of the highlights of this trip is the swim through an underwater tunnel that opens out into Emerald Bay. It is truly stunning. With a small beach and lush green surrounds, not to mention the soaring limestone cliffs engulfing you. Make sure you take a waterproof bag with you so you can take your camera in.

There are two ways you can explore these islands, one is on a larger boat with lots of other people or you can opt for a more personal trip on a longtail boat, whatever your choice, you can book this trip at any local travel agent or through your accommodation.

While your in Koh Lanta why not try your hand at making some of your favourite Thai dishes, so that when you go home you can share with your friends and family some of your Thai experiences.

There are about four cooking schools on Koh Lanta, all offering to cook pretty much the same dishes. Except for “Time for Lime” which offer a little “fusion” in their classes.

All courses begin with an introduction to Thai herbs and spices, without which, would make it very hard to understand the flavours you are trying to achieve. There are four main flavour components that make up most thai dishes, spicy, sour, salty and sweet. By taking part in a cooking course you will learn how to combine these flavours and replicate some of your favourite Thai dishes

Located not far from LILS, Time for Lime is one of the most popular cooking courses on the island. Largely due to the fact that all proceeds fund the Lanta animal welfare centre, set up by the owner of Time for Lime, Juni. One of the best things about the course offered here is that it doesn't start until 16.00 hrs, which means that you can take the course after you have finished studying for the day.

Some of the other cooking schools on Koh Lanta are: Lanta Thai Cookery School – Khlong Khong, Roy Thai Cooking School- Khlong Nin and Spices and Herbs – Kantiang Bay.

Most courses offer a daily menu online that you can check out and see which dishes you would like to learn to cook. Prices vary depending on how many days you want to do, the more you do the cheaper it becomes, and the more yummy dishes you learn to create.

Hello Massaaaaaage? I am sure you have all heard this as you try to find your spot on the beach. Everywhere you go in fact, you will probably hear this yelled out to you as you walk past. So, the choice is endless. The problem is that anyone can set up a massage place, and often do, regardless of their expertise.

If a beach massage is what you are after, then you have your choice of many. Just don’t expect too much as the places on the beach are often not as good as visiting one of the Spa’s on the island. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing quite like having a massage on the beach with the sound of the ocean filling your ears, but the spas usually have more experienced staff that have been practicing for years. You might pay a little more, but then so do they.

You can find quite a few massage/spa’s in Saladan, one worth mentioning is Serenity, the ladies there are very nice, it’s peaceful despite its location, and you have a few more choices of types of massage/facials etc. to have. If you are studying at LILS then you are fortunate as you have one of the best Spa’s on the island located right next door. Dreamy Spa offers a whole load of packages to choose from, including waxing for the ladies, and guys if you need it.

One thing to note when going for a massage is that if you don’t like hard massages, then perhaps Thai massage is not for you. Oil massage is softer, but they still use some of the Thai massage techniques. And if it’s too hard, just ask them nicely to be softer

Scuba diving is one of the most popular attractions to Koh Lanta, and it’s not surprising. The Andaman
Sea is loaded with beautiful dive spots easily accessed from Koh Lanta. The diving here is some of the
best in Thailand with great visibility (most days in high season) and very slight currents, which makes
diving here very easy and relaxing.

You can be lucky enough to see Manta Rays, whale sharks, leopard sharks, along with most other
species of sea life including beautiful corals and numerous tropical fish.

Walking around Saladan you will see more dive centres than restaurants, well almost. It can be a bit
daunting trying to decide which one go with, but at the end of the day, its best to go with whoever you
feel the most comfortable. They all go to the same spots, just on different boats. Lanta Diver and Kontiki
are specially set up to accommodate Scandinavian divers and snorkelers. Ask them if they can offer a
student discount, you never know.

If you have never dived before and want to know what all the fuss is about, you can do a DSD – Discover
Scuba Diving. You will have a dive instructor by your side as you descend to a maximum of 12 metres,
who will stay with you throughout the entire dive. Once you surface, it’s highly likely that you will want
to sign up for an open water course so that you can really experience the wonderful sensations of
visiting the underwater world.

These are the PADI 5 star IDC dive companies on Lanta:

Blue Planet Divers, main shop in Saladan
Kon-Tiki Lanta, main shop in Saladan
Lanta Diver, main shop in Saladan
Palm Beach Divers, main shop on Pra Ae Beach
Scubafish, main shop in Kantiang Bay

There are many more dive companies on Lanta island and one of them, Raya Divers has made this video of a trip to Koh Haa, one of the dive spots.

A trip to Thailand would not be complete without having experienced the ancient art of Muay Thai. Whether you just want to spectate or take part in a training programme, it really is a must. Well, maybe for men anyway... Of course women are encouraged to learn the martial art also, and these days more and more are taking part. It’s a great form of exercise and discipline and Koh Lanta has an excellent facility to accommodate those keen to practise, located not far from LILS. Its run by William, a former world champion Muay Thai Boxer. For more information visit www.lantagym.com

If spectating is more your sport, there are Muay Thai fights every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday during high season at the three stadiums on Koh Lanta, one at Khlong Dao and two on Phra Ae. But you can usually know when they are on as you will hear it blasting out of the speakers of a pick-up cruising at 10km p/hr down the main road. Watch some photos of the fight night when our students Oskar and Sharon fought at William's Stadium on Phra Ae Beach.

A great way to clear your mind before or after studying is to partake in the practise of Yoga. Here on
Koh Lanta there are quite a few places offering yoga classes for all levels in beautiful settings. One of the
most beautiful spots is with Mona at Relax bay. Mona has been here for years teaching her yoga classes
and offers good discount rates for long termers. So if you are here for a few weeks or a few months, you
can pre arrange a package to suit you. Or if you just want to walk in for a class its 400 Baht.

Sanctuary, at the southern end of Phra Ae beach also has a lovely yoga platform right on the beach.
Another worth mentioning is Oasis Yoga on Klong Dao.

It is recommended to try a class first to see if it’s the one for you. Yoga is a personal thing and it is
important to make sure you have the right teacher and you feel comfortable at your level.