Pattaya has plenty to offer visitors who come to the city but perhaps Pattaya beach is not one of the best in the area. However, luckily there are plenty of excellent beaches close by that you can visit for the day with a few islands a little further away that are great weekend getaways. Obviously, different things appeal to different people so we have tried to cover various aspects in this short article.
Bang Saray & Sattahip
Bang Saray is located to the south of Jomtien and used to be a small fishing village. However, in recent years the area has grown significantly in popularity although the beach area has remained largely unspoilt. The sandy beach is lined with palm trees providing excellent natural shaded areas. The crystal clear waters are very clean and close by you will find a selection of good quality restaurants at very reasonable prices.
The Thai Navy Beach, known as Hat Sai Kaew, is between Bang Saray and Sattahip and the fabulous beach at Sattahip is known as Hat Nang Ram. Both are great places to relax for the day.
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Rayong
There are a number of unspoilt, quiet beaches in Rayong Province, all of which can be reached in less than 1.5 hours. The most notable are Laem Mae Phim, Sai Kaew and Mae Ramphueng. These beaches are an option if you wish to have a day out although accommodation is available close by. Restaurant are available although the choice is a little limited and doesn’t really target the tourist market.
Na Jomtien
Na Jomtien and Ban Amphur are again located to the south of Jomtien. The area is very similar to Bang Saray in that the beach is lined with trees and the sea is clean. Here you will find several more upmarket beachfront restaurants which are great places to watch the stunning sunset across the bay. This is a popular weekend retreat for Bangkokians.
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Koh Larn
Koh Larn is the large island that you can see when you look across Pattaya Bay. The island can be reached in around 40 minutes by ferries which depart from Bali Hai Pier. The two most popular beaches are Samae Beach and Ta Waen Beach. Both beaches have small restaurants and shops close by. The island does tend to get very busy, especially in the high season so this is worth taking into consideration.
Koh Samet
Koh Samet is an excellent weekend retreat as it is over an hour’s drive from Pattaya. Ferries to the island depart Ban Phe Pier in Rayong Province and the crossing takes around 45 minutes. The island has beautiful sandy beaches and clear waters. Accommodation on the island varies a great deal and caters for all budgets.
Koh Si Chang
Koh Si Chang is a large island that is located around 12km off the coast of Sriracha. The island is popular with Thai nationals and as a result, maintains a very Thai feel. There are several beaches on the island with the most popular being Haad Tham Phang which literally means collapsed cave. You will find umbrellas and chairs available on the beach along with a small selection of restaurants and shops. There are a few attractions worth seeing on the island such as the Summer Palace, the various temples and Asdang Pier.
