Koh Larn (Coral Island) — Pattaya's Island Escape

Just 45 minutes by ferry from Pattaya, Koh Larn is the turquoise water and white sand beach escape the mainland can't quite provide. Here's everything you need to know.

Koh Larn: Pattaya’s Island Escape

The moment the ferry rounds the headland and Koh Larn comes into view — its hills green, its beaches impossibly white, the water genuinely turquoise — you understand why this island has been Pattaya residents’ weekend escape for generations. It’s everything the mainland beach isn’t: clear, clean, and properly beautiful.

The Thai name translates to “Coral Island,” which used to be more accurate than it is today (boat traffic and tourist pressure have reduced the coral), but as an island beach destination, Koh Larn still delivers substantially.

Getting There

Ferry from Bali Hai Pier: The cheapest and most convenient option. Ferries run throughout the day, with more frequent service in the morning. Journey time approximately 45 minutes. Cost: ฿30 one-way.

Speedboat: Various operators run faster transfers (15-20 minutes) from Bali Hai Pier and Walking Street. Prices are negotiable and around ฿1,000-2,000 for private charters.

Pre-booked tours: Various operators offer all-inclusive day trips with transfers, snorkeling gear, and lunch included — typically ฿500-1,500 per person.

Return ferries: Check the schedule carefully. The last ferry back leaves around 6pm (times vary seasonally). Missing it means staying overnight — not necessarily a disaster.

The Beaches

Koh Larn has six main beaches, and they vary considerably in character:

Tawaen Beach (Main Beach): The largest, most developed, and most visited. Sun loungers, restaurants, water sports of every description. Fun, festive, and absolutely packed on weekends. Good for those who want beach with activity.

Tien Beach: A bit quieter than Tawaen, with cleaner water and a less hectic atmosphere. Easier to reach from the ferry pier by motorbike taxi.

Nual Beach: The cleanest beach on the island by most accounts, and significantly quieter. Good snorkeling off the rocks at either end.

Samae Beach: Long, beautiful, and less developed. Worth the effort to reach.

Sangwan Beach: Small and quiet, accessible primarily by boat. For those who want to feel properly away from it all.

Leng Beach: More private, favored by scuba divers for the reef access nearby.

Snorkeling

The coral around Koh Larn isn’t as pristine as it once was, but there’s still plenty to see — especially at the quieter beaches. Nual Beach has the best snorkeling directly from the beach. Rental gear is available from vendors at every beach (฿100-200/day).

For dedicated snorkeling, the half-day boat trips that take you to Koh Larn’s outer reef points are far better than snorkeling from the main beach.

Water Sports

Tawaen Beach in particular has every water sport you’d want: parasailing (฿300-500), jet skis (฿700/30min), banana boats, paddle boards, and glass-bottom boat rides. The pricing is more expensive than mainland Pattaya and less negotiable (island logistics).

Where to Eat

Koh Larn’s restaurants are clustered near Tawaen Beach and along the small village road. The seafood is fresh and the grilled fish dishes particularly good. Prices are higher than mainland Thailand but fair for an island. The view restaurants overlooking Tawaen Beach charge a premium that’s worth paying once.

Staying Overnight

Staying on Koh Larn overnight is transformative — the day-trippers leave on the late afternoon ferry, and you have the beach largely to yourself until the next morning’s boats arrive. Several bungalow resorts operate on or near Tawaen Beach.

Prices range from ฿600-2,500/night for basic to mid-range bungalows. Book ahead for weekends and Thai public holidays when demand is high.

Recommended: Even if you’re just doing a day trip, book the first ferry over and the last ferry back. That gives you the best chance of some morning peace and a full beach day.

Practical Info

  • Ferry operator: Bali Hai Pier has multiple operators; stick to the official large ferries for reliability
  • Motorbike taxis on the island: Essential for getting between beaches — ฿40-80 per trip depending on distance
  • ATMs: One ATM on the island near the pier. Bring cash.
  • 7-Eleven: Yes, there is one. Thailand is nothing if not consistent.
  • Mobile coverage: Good signal across most of the island
  • Best day to visit: Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends. Avoid Thai public holidays if you want breathing room.

Koh Larn vs Koh Samet vs Hua Hin

Travelers sometimes debate which island or beach destination makes the best Bangkok-area escape. Honest assessment: Koh Larn beats Pattaya’s main beach handily for water quality. Koh Samet (4-5 hours from Bangkok) is more beautiful overall. For a day trip specifically from Pattaya, nothing beats Koh Larn’s convenience.

If you’re in Pattaya, Koh Larn is essentially mandatory. The ฿30 ferry ticket might be the best value in the Gulf of Thailand.