Ko Lanta roads - improved?

I will be visiting Ko Lanta at the end of April and want to stay in the far south of the island for peace and quiet.
What is the condition of the roads like now?
My wife and I want to snorkel, sea kayak, do some trekking etc. so will be moving around the island.
If the roads are still very poor in the south of Lanta we may base at Kaw kwang resort nearer to Ban Saladan in the North.

The main west coast road was upgraded in 2005 and now it's fairly easy going as far as Klong Jak. Farther south down to Ao Mai Phai and to the NAtional Park HQ at the southern tip it's still quite bumpy unsealed road. The steep hill at the very end is very difficult to navigate and requires a decent motorbike or 4wd and a skilled driver. But if you stay somewhere like Klong Nin or Kantiang Beach you'll be fine. I haven't seen much in the way of snorkeling or kayaking on Ko Lanta though. There's a nice walk to a small waterfall near Klong Jak, with a pleasant walk following a stream to the falls.

The sealed road goes all the way from Ban Saladan to Kantiang Bay.
As soon as you pass 'same same but different' restaurant the road gets very rough.
Good luck!

Thanks for the info.
Now to choose where to stay!!
Looking at Narima Bungalows or Kantiang bay view......any advice on these choices?

The swimming and beach walking are very nice at Kantiang...the area near the Pimalai Pier is especially good for swimming. I think the snorkeling might be very good just south of Kantiang Bay near the scenic overlook. From the overlook, you can hike down the hil to where the water is very clear and there are soem good size rocks.

If you stay at Narima, you can walk north along the road about 200 meters to Hat Nui...it's just a short walk through the jungle to a very nice beach with good swimming. I've stayed at Narima several times...the owners are very friendly people. Personally, I thought that in high season (if full) the design of the facility was a little crowded, especially the pool area. There was a lot of families...on holiday...you either like (sceaming) kids or you don't. The bungalows were minimalistic, cool and private.

There are a few good restaurants just south of Narima, just around the small rock outcrop...try River Restaurant for great (and cheap!) Thai food ...the beach is good for walking, and there are a few spots to swim between the rocks. One advantage of Narima is that you are a bit closer to the north end of Lanta and the main road across the island to the east.

Kantiang Bay

Thanks for the info onomataho!
We will be visiting in the quieter season (end of April) so Narima should be relatively quiet...my wife has a very low threshold for screaming children!!
Some recent reviews I found on Narima were very mixed, from people hating it to others loving it?!
We like peace and quiet in a rustic environment and are not going for the night life but to appreciate the nature and culture and fit in as many activities during the day as possible.
Your photos on the link are beautiful, unfortunately we can't afford to stay at Pimilai resort on Kantiang.

Opps...sorry, not my pictures of Kantiang....should have given credit to the photographer...

But I swim there at least three or four days a week while I am on Koh Lanta (just arrived for two months today!)

My recent pictures of Thailand:

Summer 06

Autumn 06

Sukhothai 07

Khon Kaen Kids 07

Narima would be a good place to stay in April...

I stay at a place in Phra Ae called Freedom Estate. not on the water, but great views, a nice kitchen, in-room internet, etc., and very good value: nice place