If you have found yourself in Pattaya, you will be well aware that the beaches and water leaves a lot to be desired. It is a far cry from the idealistic photos everyone see’s when they think of Thailand.
Well there is am easy solution, which won’t break the bank or suck up huge amounts of your time getting there. Why not visit that island you can see off the coast of Pattaya called Koh Larn.
Koh Larn can be many things to many people. It can be a relaxing haven, a water sports wonderland or a opportunity to explore some wonderful temple treasures.
The island itself lies 7.5km from the nearest shore in Pattaya. “Ko Lan” is the name of the island in the Royal Thai General System of Transcription.
To get yourself onto the island you have two real options, a busy ferry boat, or a smaller speed boat.
If you get yourself to Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier which is located at the northern end of Walking Street early enough in the morning, you can get yourself whisked across to Koh Larn by speedboat in 20 minutes for about 400-500THB a person.
The public ferries set you back about 30-40THB but takes close to an hour depending on the weather.
There is no set schedule for the speedboats, but you will be welcomed on the pier by all the Thai touts trying to vye for your business.
From this port town on Koh Larn, you have to get yourself transport to one of several beaches. Options to get you around can be by “baht bus” (fare – 40THB), which seats about 12 people, or you can negotiate to get there by motorcycle taxi. A motorcycle taxi is about 40 to 80 baht one way.
We opted to hire a scooter, at a cost of 300THB for the day, which allowed us more ability to explore the island at our own pace.
This also allows you to explore there many tiny Soi’s, and also some of the inland tracks that a bus will not go.
TAWAEN Beach is the main beach, and is the biggest and busiest. Featuring loads of restaurants, small shops, all most water sports you see on the mainland. It’s a bit crowded until after lunch time for some people’s tastes. The water is beautiful, clean and features some small waves.
SAMAE Beach is by far the prettiest beach on the island with a nice selection of quality Thai restaurants. There are two places on the beach that offer bungalows.
NUAL Beach located on the far end of the island is very quiet, only a handful of people, which can sometimes be encouragement for nudists to hang their gear out.
There is a small temple located on the top of a not very high hill in Koh Larn.
Once you reach the top, there are some interesting points of views and the very modest temple which has a certain charm.
Make sure you continue past the main concrete area, up the dirt road to visit the Monks monastery.
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