Koh Lanta, Thailand Weather and Climate

General and geography

Koh Lanta (often also spelled Ko Lanta) refers to a district in the south of Krabi Province. The island of Koh Lanta, which, strictly speaking, consists of the two parts Lanta Yai and the smaller sister island Lanta Noi, is of particular tourist importance. Koh Lanta is located on a well-known strait, the so-called Strait of Malacca.

Koh Lanta Yai was mainly inhabited in the Si Raya settlement, today’s old town Lanta Old Town. Buildings that are over 100 years old and traditional shops can still be found in the peaceful village community today. The economic heart of Koh Lanta is Ban Saladan on the northern tip of the island, this is where most of the visitors from Krabi arrive.

The island world of Ko Lanta is famous for its beautiful nature and its very own charm. Almost 70 percent of the area is covered by protected forests. On the coast there are kilometers of dream beaches, especially along the west side. It is therefore no wonder that Koh Lanta appears again and again in the lists of the most beautiful islands in Thailand and the best beaches in the world. Our favorites include Ba Kantiang Bay, Haad Phra Ae (Long Beach), Bamboo Beach and the fantastic Klong Khong Beach.

You can get to Koh Lanta by public ferry, for example the car ferry from Krabi, or by speedboat. The transfer time from Krabi Airport by taxi and car ferry is around two hours.

Climate on Koh Lanta

The tropical climate on Koh Lanta is significantly influenced by the monsoon winds that bring about the rainy season in the region from around mid- April to November. Heavy rain and inconsistent weather conditions occur particularly during the months of change when the wind changes.

Basically, the dry season is from December to April. January and February are warm and largely dry, from March it will be increasingly hotter on Koh Lanta. The highest temperatures are in April and Mayto be found, especially May is often uncomfortably muggy and oppressive. Due to the tropical climate, there are only very small temperature differences over the course of the year.

The nighttime values ​​are between 22 and 26 ° C, the average daytime temperatures in the shade are between 31 and 34 ° C. The 40 degree mark can also be cracked on hot days. The strong midday sun should be avoided if possible. During the rainy season the sea is often churned and on some days not suitable for bathing. The rains are abundant, but often short-lived.

When is the best time to visit Koh Lanta?

The best time to travel to Koh Lanta in Thailand is between December and April. Although the rainy season from May to November has its charm on the island, you should at least prepare for some restrictions. As described, it rarely rains all day even during the rainy season and after heavy showers the sun often shows up again.

Nevertheless, stronger winds and correspondingly churned seas can occur. During these months, the red flag is hoisted an average of 20 times (of around 180 days) on Koh Lanta. On the other days, bathing is possible without any problems due to the protected location of the west coast of Koh Lanta. Many hotels have special offers and discounts for the so-called green season.

In contrast to some regions in northern Thailand, malaria is not a problem on Koh Lanta. However, as in all tropical regions, especially during the rainy season, normal mosquito bites by mosquitoes can occur. However, all large hotel complexes spray in the evening hours, so that the number of mosquitoes is tolerable even in the wetter months.

Temperatures, precipitation, sunshine

Temperatures

The annual average temperature is 27.9 ° C. For comparison: Munich reaches an average of 8.6 ° C, in Berlin it is 9.6 ° C. The warmest month is April (30 ° C), coldest month of January with mean values of 27 ° C. The maximum water temperature is 29 ° C. Comfortable bathing is possible at these temperatures. All months have a water temperature of at least 21 ° C and are therefore suitable for a beach holiday.

Precipitation

The annual precipitation is 2032 mm on 166 days with precipitation. For comparison: In Munich, 967 mm, in Berlin 570 mm, precipitation is measured annually. The months of May, June, July, August, September, October and November are considered the rainy season, as more than 175 mm of precipitation can be expected per month. In total, about 1700 mm of precipitation can be expected in the rainy season. Snowfall is generally not expected in any month.

Sunshine

As our climate table shows, February is the sunniest month with an average of 10 hours of sunshine per day. In the annual mean, the sun shines an average of 7.1 hours per day. For comparison: In Munich and Berlin, the sun shines an average of 4.7 hours per day throughout the year.

Koh Lanta weather in March, April and May

Daily temperatures averaging 33 to 35 ° C can be expected over the next three months. The temperatures hardly fluctuate during this time.

Do you want to go on a beach holiday? The water temperatures are in March, April and May 28-29 ° C. This is great weather for a great time on the beach and in the water.

The expected rainfall is around 5 days in March, around 14 days in April and around 19 days in May.

In the period from March to May, the sun shines an average of 6 to 9 hours a day. The sunniest weather is in March in Koh Lanta, with less sun you will have to get by in May.