Pattaya Beaches: A Local’s Guide (Updated 2026)
Pattaya isn’t one beach — it’s a dozen very different ones, and picking the wrong one is the easiest way to leave disappointed. We live here and keep the map updated weekly, so this isn’t another recycled top-10 list: it’s the real beaches of the city, Koh Larn island, and the areas just outside town, with live status for each on the interactive Capymapa map.
Quick answer: which beach should you pick
Clear water to swim in
Koh Larn or Wong Amat
Middle of everything
Pattaya Beach (central)
Family day, no traffic
Jomtien, Dongtan
Quiet sunset
Yin-Yom, Ban Amphur
Calm and tidy up north
North Pattaya, Wong Amat
Clearest water around
Sai Kaew, Nang Ram
Beaches inside the city
Pattaya Beach (Central)
The main city beach: sunbeds in rows, jet skis, bars and nightlife a short walk away. Swimming here is more of a formality than a pleasure — the water gets murky from city runoff and boat traffic, especially May through October.
See this beach →
Wong Amat Beach
North Pattaya, in the Naklua area. Noticeably quieter and cleaner than the center — it’s the only beach in our database with a confirmed guest rating (4.0). Condos and hotels line the shore, many with private beach access.
See this beach →
Jomtien Beach
The southern side of the city — long, and calmer than the center. Restaurants, massage shops and a night market are nearby, but without the Beach Road traffic.
See this beach →
Dongtan Beach
Next to Jomtien, but quieter and greener — palm trees for shade, no road running along the shore. Part of it is a well-known LGBTQ+ gathering spot (marked by flags), but overall it’s relaxed and family-friendly too.
See this beach →
North Pattaya Beach
The more developed, calmer stretch of the main city beach, further north. Same city convenience, without the central crowd.
See this beach →
Yin-Yom Beach
Small and quiet, near Pratumnak Hill. Worth visiting for the sunset more than the swim.
See this beach →
Ban Amphur Beach
South of the city, away from the tourist density. Quiet, clean, shaded — but there’s less infrastructure around it, so you’re going there on purpose.
See this beach →Koh Larn — if you actually want clear water
Every beach inside Pattaya sits on the same bay that absorbs runoff from the entire city. If swimming is the actual point of the trip, the ferry to Koh Larn is almost always worth it. Ferries and speedboats leave from Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya — 30–250 ฿ depending on boat type, 40–60 minutes. Buy tickets at the pier itself, no advance booking needed.
Tawaen Beach
The island’s most popular and crowded beach, with proper infrastructure. The obvious first stop for a one-day visit.
⛴ Landing pier: Tawaen Beach Pier, right by the beach
See this beach →
Hat Sangwan
A small, lesser-known cove on the island — for anyone who’s already done Tawaen and wants something quieter.
⛴ Landing pier: Tawaen Beach Pier, a 4-minute walk
See this beach →
Ta Yai Beach
Another small, scenic cove on the island’s northern tip.
⛴ Landing pier: Tawaen Beach Pier, then a short tuk-tuk ride
See this beach →
Tong Lang Beach
A quiet cove right next to the busy Tawaen — same island, none of the crowd.
⛴ Landing pier: Tawaen Beach Pier, then a short tuk-tuk ride
See this beach →
Samae Beach
A wide stretch on the island’s west coast, where the water is usually clearest.
⛴ Landing pier: Na Baan Pier, then a short tuk-tuk ride
See this beach →
Tien Beach
A scenic bay with turquoise water — one of the most photogenic spots on the island.
⛴ Landing pier: Na Baan Pier, then a short tuk-tuk ride
See this beach →
Nual Beach
A quiet cove on the south of the island, with white sand, clear water, and wild monkeys along the rocks.
⛴ Landing pier: Na Baan Pier, then a longer tuk-tuk ride south (the farthest point on the island)
See this beach →
Monkey Beach
A small beach on the south of the island, known (in theory, at least) for wild monkeys along the rocks.
⛴ Landing pier: Na Baan Pier, then a longer tuk-tuk ride south (the farthest point on the island)
See this beach →Beaches worth a separate trip
These aren’t technically inside Pattaya, but people searching for Pattaya beaches ask about them constantly. We don’t have our own photos or map pins for these yet — they’re outside our current coverage area, added here as text only.
Sai Kaew Beach (Military Beach / Blue Lagoon)
About 20 km south, on a Royal Thai Navy base — entry is paid, which keeps the crowds away and the water noticeably clearer. No public transport; you’ll need a taxi or your own transport.
Nang Ram Beach (Dancing Girl Beach)
Further south, near U-Tapao airport. A rocky headland splits it into two bays, tall trees give shade, gentle entry into the water. Rarely crowded.
Cosy Beach / Pratumnak
Technically the same headland as Yin-Yom, more often searched by the name of the hotel next to it. Small, tucked between rocks, cleaner than the center — avoid the southern end near the drainage outlet.
If you’re chasing a beach club, not just a beach
A fair amount of what people search for around “Pattaya beach” right now is beach clubs, resort day-passes and beachfront villas rather than public beaches — that scene is real and growing, mostly around Jomtien and the Pratumnak headland. We don’t curate those the way we curate the free public beaches above (they come and go, pricing changes constantly) — worth searching separately from this list.
When the water is actually clear: seasonality
November through April, the sea is calmer and clearer — true for both city beaches and Koh Larn. May through October, expect occasional murky water after rain; that doesn’t mean you can’t swim, just that flat, clear water isn’t guaranteed every day. Koh Larn and Sai Kaew hold up best regardless of season.
Every beach, on the live map
Open-now status, distance from your hotel, amenities — updated weekly, not once a year
Open the map →FAQ
Which Pattaya beach has the cleanest water?
Inside the city, Wong Amat. Further out, Sai Kaew (Military Beach) or almost any beach on Koh Larn, especially the west coast.
Can you actually swim at the main Pattaya beach?
Technically yes, but the water is murkier from city runoff and boat traffic. Jomtien, Wong Amat, or Koh Larn are better for swimming.
Which beach is best with kids?
Jomtien or Dongtan — good infrastructure, a gentle entry into the water, no Beach Road traffic.
How do you get to Koh Larn from Pattaya?
Ferry or speedboat from Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya, about 40 minutes. Tickets are sold at the pier, no advance booking needed.
Is Pattaya worth it for beaches, compared to Phuket or Samui?
Not for the city beaches themselves. Pattaya’s real advantage is proximity to Bangkok and Koh Larn being a short ferry ride away, not a flight.
