Top Dive Resorts in Ko Lanta, Thailand

A laid-back beachfront stay on Relax Beach, Koh Lanta, where the sea is the main facility. Each bungalow has a large terrace with a sea or garden view, a flat-screen TV, a kettle and a private bathroom with a shower. The restaurant and bar overlook the water, so a family can eat dinner watching the waves. Free Wi-Fi is available, and vehicle rental makes it easy to see more of the island. Expect simple bungalows, not a polished resort.

The Lazy Lodge is a strong choice for families on Ko Lanta because it has direct beachfront access, an outdoor pool open all year, family rooms and ground-floor units, which help with young children. The modern restaurant covers Thai, Asian and European dishes, so mealtimes are flexible. I would book it for slow beach days rather than nightlife, and a 9.3 score from 517 reviews shows guests rate it very highly.

This is an adults-only property, so children are not welcome and families should choose elsewhere on Koh Lanta. For couples and friends, the draw is the setting: simple bungalows directly on Klong Nin Beach with a private balcony, air-conditioning, a refrigerator and a safe, plus free Wi-Fi. A spa and wellness centre, a dive resort and a tour desk cover the activities, and Saladan Pier is a short drive away. Some areas have mountain views.

Tree Space Lanta suits a family that wants Klong Nin Beach a few steps from the door, in the Ban Mo Nae area of Koh Lanta. The air-conditioned rooms have private bathrooms and a tea and coffee maker for early starts. The outdoor pool is seasonal, so I would check it is open for your dates, but the beach is right there either way. Parents can also book the spa and wellness facilities.

Matcha Lanta Resort is a calm family option on Ko Lanta, with Klong Khong Beach a short walk away and an outdoor pool open all year for days when the sea is rough. Rooms have air conditioning, a private balcony and garden views. I like that the tour desk arranges snorkelling and walking tours, which keeps older children busy without extra planning. The spa is there for parents, and 9.0 from 490 reviews is a very good score.

Lanta Casa Blanca is a family-friendly 4-star resort on Ko Lanta with a private beach area, an infinity pool and a spa. Air-conditioned rooms have sea-view balconies, family rooms are available, and there is a Thai restaurant, a fitness centre, lush gardens and live music. I would choose it for a family beach stay on Ko Lanta with an evening atmosphere on site, rather than a quiet hideaway.

Hatzanda Lanta Resort offers families simple bungalow-style holiday homes a short walk from Klong Khong Beach. Each one has air conditioning, cable TV and a patio with outdoor seating, which gives parents a place to sit while children sleep. The garden adds space to play, and the on-site spa and wellness centre is there for adults. With a dive resort on the property, families with older children curious about diving have an easy first contact. Guests rate it 8.9, and I would book it for an easygoing beach stay.

Lanta Miami Resort sits on the beach on Ko Lanta, with Thai-style bungalows and private balconies, some looking at the sea. For a family, the draw is simple: the sand is right there and the beach bar is close by when everyone needs a drink. The resort is a certified dive resort, so older children and parents can arrange diving without leaving. Motorbike rental helps you reach the rest of the island. I would choose it for a relaxed, low-key beach stay.

Twin Lotus Resort and Spa is an adults-only resort on Klong Dao beach, so I would not send families with children here. It is designed for couples and honeymooners, with rooms and villas set in a quiet beachfront garden, direct access to the white sand and a spa. Krabi International Airport is about a 1.5-hour drive away. With 8.6 from 458 reviews it is well rated, but families should pick a Ko Lanta resort with family rooms.

Coconut Lanta Resort puts families right on Klong Dao Beach, with a private beach area and direct access to the sand, so beach time needs no planning. Rooms have balconies, air conditioning and a kitchenette, which helps with snacks and simple meals for children. The restaurant serves Thai, local and European dishes with outdoor tables. Parents can book the spa, and the on-site dive resort suits older children curious about the sea. Guests rate it 8.4, and I would book it for a beach-first family holiday on Ko Lanta.

A modest two-star resort on Koh Lanta, across the street from Klongnin Beach rather than on the sand. An outdoor pool gives children a safe place to swim when the sea is rough, and a spa suits the adults. The on-site restaurant and free Wi-Fi keep the basics covered, while snorkelling and diving can be arranged, with bike and car hire for exploring. It is a simple, practical base for beach-minded families.

The Wings Boutique Hotels Krabi Ko Lanta suits families who want a calm base with useful basics. Family rooms are air-conditioned with private bathrooms and views of the garden or the mountains. The on-site minimarket covers snacks and sun cream, and the Asian restaurant includes halal breakfast options, which helps some families. A sun terrace and yoga classes give parents a little time for themselves. Wi-Fi is free in public areas. I would book it for a quiet family stay on Ko Lanta.

Lanta Sport Resort suits families who like a self-contained base on Koh Lanta. The outdoor pool and the fitness centre keep everyone busy, and Phra-Ae Beach is a 10-minute walk away for beach days. Some units have a kitchen and a private balcony, which helps with young children and longer stays, and rooms have air conditioning and free Wi-Fi. Evenings here are calm, so I would not choose it for nightlife. Rated 7.0 from 24 reviews, a small sample, I would book it for the facilities and the location.