ถ้ำเขาไม้แก้ว

Tham Khao Mai Khew

Useful Information

Location:	Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Lanta District, Krabi 81150. Follow road 4245 across the island, the turn-off is signposted, 400 m to the ticket office. (7.536360, 99.071574)
Open:	All year Sat-Thu 8:30-17, Fri 13:30-17. [2023]
Fee:	Adults THB 300. [2023]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:	D=2 h.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Tham Khao Mai Khew, Ko Lanta Yai, Ko Lanta District, Krabi 81150, Tel: +66-89-288-8954.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

Description

ถ้ำเขาไม้แก้ว (Tham Khao Mai Khew) is the largest cave system on Ko Lanta Island, and as far as we know the only one open to the public. Quite typical for Thailand, despite being a tourist cave with regular guided tours it is not developed in any way. This cave has an additional obstacle, at the end of the tour it is necessary to crawl for a few meters to leave the cave. The biggest obstacle at the end. Also, there are several quite slippery places, and it is necessary to climb some obstacles and handle several narrow and low parts. While there is no climbing gear needed, this is nevertheless not a show cave at all.

The cave is quite exceptional for its cave fauna. There are not only bats, but also quite huge frogs and enormous spiders, up to 10 cm in size. We recommend to avoid touching them, as many frogs are poisonous, and spiders may bite and also be poisonous.

The cave is located at the end of the road. The ticket office is located at the road in the last village before. Here you organize a guide, which will make sure you won't get lost, and actually they are required to find the cave entrance in the jungle. Its half an hour hike to the cave, about an hour inside, and another half hour walk back. As far as we know lamps are provided, we nevertheless recommend to bring clothes which may become dirty, good shoes, helmet with headlamp, and clothes to change afterwards. Physical fitness is required.