Phra Ae Beach, more commonly known as Long Beach, is exactly what its name suggests – long! It stretches nearly 2 miles (around 3 km) and holds the title of the longest beach on Koh Lanta, often considered the best one on the island. After exploring several beaches here, I can confidently say that Long Beach and Klong Dao are indeed the top choices on Lanta.
For seasoned travelers, though, Long Beach might seem like just another typical tropical beach. But its length and peaceful vibe make it special in its own way. It’s the second beach you’ll encounter if you’re coming from the bridge that connects Lanta Yai and Lanta Noi.
During my stay on Koh Lanta, I made Long Beach my base, staying at the Lanta Manda Resort. This beach became my go-to spot for soaking up the sun and enjoying the laid-back island atmosphere.
Beach Overview
To give you a clearer picture, most beaches and areas on Koh Lanta are lined with a road running parallel to the coast, with small villages located across from the larger beaches. The space between the road and the sea is filled with various buildings—hotels, shops, resorts, and more.
In short, to reach the beach, you’ll often have to walk down a small alley or through a hotel that allows access.I explored quite a few spots and didn’t see as many “private” signs or restrictions as I’ve encountered on other islands, like Samui. On Koh Lanta, you can walk through most places freely.
As for Long Beach, I found a great access point roughly in the middle of the beach. There’s a nice paved road that ends with a large parking lot.Surrounding the parking area is a small park with casuarina trees, benches, and restrooms, giving it a bit of a national park feel, which looks really upscale.
In my opinion, this is the best access point to the sea and the most convenient spot on Long Beach. I’ve seen Thai families arrive here for picnics under the big casuarina trees, which provide plenty of shade.Another thing I noticed was that the central part of the beach tends to be less crowded.
That said, Koh Lanta’s beaches, in general, are still pleasantly uncrowded compared to Phuket’s busier shores. After visiting all the beaches on Koh Lanta, I can confidently say that Long Beach is the best one on the island.
Swimming
If you’re facing the sea, the left side of Long Beach is rocky. It’s okay for swimming, but in my opinion, it’s better suited for snorkeling. I saw a lot of people here snorkeling with masks.
As for the water depth, it’s quite shallow—about 30-50 feet (10-15 meters) out and it still won’t be deep enough to cover your shoulders. By contrast, Klong Dao Beach has a more gradual slope, but Long Beach remains good for swimming even at low tide when the water retreats by about 30 feet (10 meters). Overall, I’d say Long Beach is a bit better than Klong Dao.
Moving towards the center and right side of the beach, it gets deeper. After about 30 feet (10 meters), the water is deep enough to reach your shoulders, with a gradual drop-off. So, the right side of Long Beach is generally a bit deeper than the left.
It’s worth noting that on the left side of Long Beach, there’s a fairly large river flowing into the sea. While it looks clean, knowing how rivers are often used in Thailand, I personally wouldn’t swim too close to it. I recommend moving further left or towards the central part of the beach.
Even at low tide, Long Beach remains swimmable, and you’ll notice it’s deeper than Klong Dao, with a steeper drop-off into the water.
Sunbeds and Shade
Long Beach is lined with trees—mostly tall, sturdy casuarinas and palms. These provide ample shade, especially in the morning, as the sun rises from the east. You won’t have any trouble finding a shady spot at least until midday.
After that, the usual west coast heat kicks in, with the sun beaming directly in your face. To escape the afternoon heat, you can either retreat to the forested areas behind the beach or head to one of the many beachfront cafes, some of which are private or connected to resorts. For the price of a few drinks from the local bar, you’ll get access to their private loungers and shaded areas.
Beach Photos
Left Side
Central Part
Right Side
Amenities
Most of the infrastructure on Long Beach is concentrated along the main road. Here, you’ll find plenty of cafés, massage parlors, laundromats, hotels, bars, and more. The closer you are to Klong Dao Beach, the more densely packed these establishments are, while further from Klong Dao, things spread out a bit.
If you’re planning to stay at Long Beach and all you want is a beach-focused vacation, there’s no need to bother renting a motorbike—everything you need is within walking distance. Hotels are fully equipped, you can grab meals at local cafés, and tuk-tuks (motorbikes with sidecars) can take you around.
But if you’re feeling adventurous and want to explore more, renting a scooter is the way to go. Just keep in mind, though, the roads here aren’t exactly the best.
Accommodation
The area behind Long Beach is prime real estate, and as a result, you’ll find all kinds of accommodation here—from budget guesthouses to high-end hotels. There are plenty of beachfront hotels where you can stay in anything from a luxury bungalow with a sea view to a simple straw hut, also with a sea view.
There are also hotels across the road, and while they may be a bit cheaper, the distance between the road and the beach is so short that wherever you stay on Long Beach, the sea is always just a short walk away. Below are some hotel options I noted while planning my trip:
Right side of the beach
- Lanta Manda Resort
- Sayang Beach Resort Koh Lanta
- Lanta Sand Resort & Spa
- Rasa Sayang Resort
Central part of the beach
- Pana Long Beach Resort
- Eco Lanta Hideaway Beach Resort
Left side of the beach
- Thai House Beach Resort
- Mook Lanta Resort
Hotels on Long Beach Koh Lanta →
How to Find the Beach
Long Beach is located just after Klong Dao Beach if you’re coming down the same road from the bridge. A good landmark for the start of Long Beach is the grand gate of Lanta Resort, which you’ll spot about 2 miles (3 km) past the T-junction.
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