54 miles from Ao Chalong
Koh Po, off the eastern coast of Koh Lanta, offers moderate protection during the southwest monsoon season. The best overnight stop is the large area between Koh Klang and Koh Po, with better holding in mud in about 5 metres.
500 metres north of the village on Koh Po is a very dangerous and hard-to-spot rocky patch which is submerged most of the time. The safest approach to this anchorage is from the south, leaving Koh Po to starboard. The holding off the jetty is in fine mud and not as reliable as around Koh Po.
Ashore on the main island are the main town of Talat Lanta with the Post Office, government hospital and a 300-metre jetty south of the stilted village, where ferries depart for the mainland at Bor Muang. This was the original settlement on the sheltered east coast before tourism made Hat Khlong Dao the most densely populated area.
Approach the badly maintained public jetty by dinghy only from mid-tide upwards and take plenty of care not to get ‘stuck’ by a rusty nail.
Diesel and gasoline are available in small quantities. There are many food stalls and a supermarket near the jetty, with a few very good and cheap seafood restaurants. Lanta old town is a nice visit, but the awful holding in the bay means someone has to stay aboard on anchor watch. Lanta Marine services is based here and they have proper laid moorings available for rent, and can help you with most mechanical issues.
