Koh Lanta sights
Mangrove Kayaking (Tung Yee Peng)
Paddling the calm tidal channels of the mangrove forest on Koh Lanta's east coast, around the village of Tung Yee Peng. A gentle, shaded half-day in the company of crabs, mudskippers, and birds, often run by community ecotourism guides.
About
Away from the beaches of the west coast, the east side of Koh Lanta is fringed by extensive mangrove forest, and kayaking its calm tidal channels is one of the island's most relaxing nature experiences. The best-known starting point is the village of Tung Yee Peng, a community-based ecotourism project where local guides take visitors by kayak or longtail boat through a maze of waterways shaded by tangled mangrove roots. Gliding quietly along, you can spot mudskippers, fiddler and mangrove crabs, monitor lizards, kingfishers and other birds, and learn how the mangroves protect the coast and support local fishing livelihoods. Some tours include a tunnel of mangroves you paddle through at the right tide, and a meal in the village. It's a gentle, shaded half-day suitable for all ages, a welcome change of pace from the sand, and a way to support the island's fishing communities directly.
Good to know
Opening hours and entry fees vary by season — check before you visit.