The Mangrove Forest

A Living Forest at the Water's Edge

Stretching along the eastern shoreline of Koh Lanta, a dense belt of ancient mangrove forest grows where the freshwater streams from the island's interior meet the salt water of the Strait of Koh Lanta. This is one of the most ecologically rich environments in the region — a tangle of aerial roots, shadowy channels, and extraordinary wildlife that thrives in the brackish water.

The mangroves begin just north of Old Town and extend up the east coast, passing directly alongside our properties at Che Li. On a quiet morning, you can hear the trees rustling with macaques and the splash of a monitor lizard dropping into the water — all without leaving the footpath.

Wildlife of the Mangroves

The mangrove ecosystem supports a remarkable variety of wildlife that you are unlikely to find anywhere else on the island:

• Crab-eating macaques — large troops of monkeys live throughout the mangroves and regularly venture onto the banks and even the kayaks of passing visitors.
• Kingfishers and egrets — the vivid blue flash of a common kingfisher darting between the roots is a regular sight. White egrets and grey herons stalk the shallows at low tide.
• Monitor lizards — Koh Lanta's water monitors can reach two metres in length. They are harmless, remarkably good swimmers, and often seen basking on the roots at low tide.
• Mudskippers — these extraordinary fish breathe air and move across the mud on their fins. Seeing them up close is one of the more surreal wildlife encounters on the island.

Exploring by Kayak

The finest way to experience the mangroves is by kayak. Paddling silently through the narrow channels, the canopy closes overhead and the sounds of the open sea fade away. It is extraordinarily peaceful — and the wildlife, undisturbed by engine noise, is far more visible than from a motorised boat.

Guided half-day kayaking tours depart from Old Town Pier most mornings during high season (November–April). Our concierge team can arrange tours for all fitness levels, including stable sit-on-top kayaks suitable for complete beginners. Children aged 6 and up can join on a shared kayak with an adult.

Longtail Boat Tours

For those who prefer not to paddle, traditional longtail boat tours navigate the wider mangrove channels and offer excellent wildlife watching from a comfortable seated position. Tours typically last 1.5–2 hours and often include a stop at a small mangrove boardwalk for a short walk into the forest. The boat captains are local fishermen with encyclopaedic knowledge of the ecosystem.

Best Time to Visit

The mangroves can be explored year-round, but the experience is quite different depending on the season. During high season (November–April), the water is calm and clear, wildlife activity is at its peak, and the early mornings are comfortably cool. The low season brings fewer visitors and lush, vivid greenery — but some tours may be limited during the wettest months (September–October).

For wildlife, early morning (before 9:00 am) is by far the best time. The macaques are most active, the light is beautiful for photography, and the channels are quiet before the tour boats start their engines.