Located just 150 km from the capital of Thailand, Pattaya is a popular destination with fun activities and nice beaches by the Gulf of Thailand. In addition to Pattaya Beach, there are several beaches in the surroundings that are worth visiting and you can find them in the list of 7 most popular beaches in Pattaya.
Discover Pattaya beaches that should be visited to explore the beach life of this resort city.
1. Pattaya Beach
There is no better place to start than at the most popular and liveliest beach in town, Pattaya Beach. This is the main beach in Pattaya and is usually crowded because it is located close to the city center. Pattaya Beach is a four-kilometer long narrow beach shaped like half-moon.
Pattaya Beach is actually divided into three areas. North Pattaya is the quietest area and the best place to stay if you want to be a little further away from the madness and nightlife of this city. Central Pattaya and South Pattaya are the center of Pattaya’s vibrant nightlife with discos, bars and the famous Walking Street.
The waters here are quite dirty but still, it is possible to swim. Local authorities have tried to make it more attractive by building a promenade with palm trees and are looking to improve the quality and cleanliness of the water.
Pattaya Beach is full of chairs and sun loungers under umbrellas where one can sit and enjoy the sun. There are also all kinds of water activities including parasailing, windsurfing, jet skiing and the classic banana boat. Along the entire beach, there are hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, shops, shopping malls and bars. The beach road is very lively at night, with a number of go-go bars found on the street. There are also many sex workers on the coastal road at night.
Some of the best rated hotels on Pattaya Beach:
Hotel Baraquda Pattaya - MGallery
2. Jomtien Beach
Just two kilometers south from Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach is located. This beach is becoming increasingly popular, as it is quieter and with much less people than its neighbor so it’s more suitable for those who want to relax. The highlight of Jomtien Beach is the clean water along with golden sand beach stretching for more than 6 km, so you can comfortably take a dip.
Jomtien Beach is considered to be one of the best places in Thailand for windsurfing and kite-surfing. The beach is also offering a wide variety of fun activities such as beach volleyball, parachutes, rock climbing, parasailing, jet ski, Thai massage, or simply relaxing on a deckchair.
Along the beach, there are bustling cafes, restaurants, seafood restaurants with all kinds of Thai food. There is also a good selection of accommodation in the area with many recently opened famous hotels, resorts and luxury residences offering professional services.
Jomtien Beach is actually better than Pattaya Beach and is a much more appreciated destination by families with children. It is an extremely suitable place for couples to watch the romantic sunset. If you want to enjoy the wildness of Pattaya, the city center is only 10 minutes away by public transport.
Some of the best rated accommodations on Jomtien Beach:
3. Wong Amat Beach
Wong Amat Beach is located next to the northern part of Pattaya, and is one of the most beautiful beaches in Pattaya. Despite its proximity to Pattaya Beach, the beach is much quieter and much more isolated, which means there is a good chance that it will be cleaner as well.
Wong Amat Beach is another option to spend your day of rest relaxed on the beach with your family, away from parties and noisy water activities.
The area around this beach has many luxury hotels for you to stay and enjoy the tranquility you are looking for.
Some of the best rated resorts on Wong Amat Beach:
Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya
Golden Tulip Pattaya Beach Resort
4. Naklua Beach
Naklua in the local language means "salt beach". Naklua is a residential area with many luxury villas located north of Pattaya Beach. The area is a popular place for fishing, surfing and swimming. It is a fantastic place to enjoy a quiet beach day just 15 minutes from Pattaya.
Naklua Beach is shared with local fishermen. You will see their trade all day in the water or on the pier. There is a nice sandy beach to enjoy and less water activities, so you can simply relax in the sun on the beach.
On Naklua Beach, there are fewer accommodations than on the neighboring beach, and most of them are five-star chain hotels and high-end resorts, offering a pleasant atmosphere.
Some of the best rated hotels on Naklua Beach:
5. Dong Tan Beach
Dong Tan Beach, located north of Jomtien Beach, is only 1.5 km long. It is considered to be one of the most peaceful beaches in Pattaya with plenty of space for visitors to relax and sunbathe.
Activities such as fishing, sailing, and sunbathing are among the most popular things to do here. Dong Tan Beach is also famous for water sports such as windsurfing and banana rowing, while there are many massage and manicure spots on the shore.
A special feature of the beach is a section of the beach dedicated to LGBTQ+ members.
Dong Tan Beach is usually quiet from Monday to Friday and becomes more bustling on weekends.
Some of the best rate accommodations on Dong Tan Beach:
6. Bang Saray Beach
Bang Saray Beach is located in a fairly small town south of Pattaya. This sandy beach has a local feel with nearby fishing piers and the lack of the lively aspects you can find on the other beaches in Pattaya. Therefore, the beach is perfect for feeling comfortable and relaxed. You can be immersed in the green nature and enjoy fresh seafood dishes while visiting Bang Saray Beach.
Bang Saray Beach is ideal for divers as the whale sharks often visit the area. There are the remains of a sunken cargo ship from World War II resting under the waves waiting to be explored by divers.
Some of the best rated hotels on Bang Saray Beach:
7. Koh Larn Beaches
Koh Larn, also known as the “Coral Island”, is a small paradise island with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters located in front of Pattaya. The island is about 7 km south of the resort city, making it a very popular day trip destination for tourists staying in Pattaya. In fact, Koh Larn is a must-visit place if you want to see a paradisiacal beach and get different experience from what Pattaya offers. The vast majority of visitors book a tour to Koh Larn but it is also possible to get there on a 45 minutes’ journey by ferry from the pier in South Pattaya or a 15-minute trip by speedboat.
Being just 4 km long and 2 km wide, Koh Larn is a mountainous island with dense green trees and several nice beaches with some good services including restaurants, beach bars, and deck chairs. The rest of them are small beaches with almost nobody on them. However, when coming here, you will be able to enjoy white sand beaches and immerse in the cool water. There are many corals with different extremely beautiful colors, making it a nice place for snorkeling or taking a glass-bottom boat. For more detailed information about the beaches on the Coral Island, explore our guide to Koh Larn Beaches.
The island also has several good quality resorts and small guesthouses offering accommodation at reasonable prices.
Some of the best rated resorts on Koh Larn Island: