The southern climb — Klong Nin to Kantiang Bay

This is where Koh Lanta stops being flat. The road climbs steeply out of Klong Nin and winds through switchbacks toward Ba Kantiang Bay, the showpiece beach of the south. The payoff is real — a jungle-backed crescent of white sand that is rarely crowded — but this stretch is the one that catches people out.

Along the way

1. Ba Kantiang (Kantiang Bay)

   white sand, turquoise water, the widest range of places to stay in the south; the southern end is rocky at low tide

2. Motorbike parking at 7.492336, 99.076475

   Motorbike parking at 7.492336, 99.076475

3. Phu Pha View Restaurant on the hill above the bay, and Diamo

   Phu Pha View Restaurant on the hill above the bay, and Diamond Cliff above Nui Beach, for sunset

4. Nui Bay, south of Kantiang

   park at the top and walk down a steep stepped path — soft sand, monkeys, no swimming at low tide, and not suitable if you have limited mobility

Road notes

Sealed but steep, with tight curves and blind switchbacks, and gravel washes onto the corner apexes. No street lighting, so do not plan to ride back after dark. A 110 or 125 automatic carrying two people will labour here; take a 155–160cc if there are two of you. Not a route for a nervous beginner, and not a first ride: do the northern loop first. Less-confident riders should do this in daylight only, or take a taxi south and skip it entirely — there is no shame in that and we will drive you.