Koh Larn Guide: Beaches, Ferry From Pattaya and Island Day Trip
This Koh Larn guide covers five island beaches, the boat from Pattaya and a simple day trip plan. Each part has plain tips on timing, prices and what to bring.
Koh Larn is the main island day trip from Pattaya. A day of sun, sea and boat rides is fun, and it is tiring too. The last part shows an easy way to rest at your hotel, condo or villa when you get back. Prices below are estimates, so check them on the day.
Top 5 Koh Larn Beaches
These five beaches are the ones most visitors choose. Tap a name to jump to its write up.
| Place | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Tawaen Beach | Main beach | Busiest, easy and close to the main pier |
| Samae Beach | Main beach | A popular pick with more space |
| Tien Beach | Small beach | Small and close to Tawaen |
| Nual Beach | Quiet beach | A quieter, calmer stop |
| Ta Yai Beach | Quiet beach | Small and peaceful, with fewer services |
Pattaya Boat Trip: Ferry or Speedboat
You have two simple ways to reach the island. Both leave from Bali Hai pier in central Pattaya, near the south end of the main bay.
Ferry from Bali Hai Pier
The public ferry is the cheap and easy choice. It takes about 45 minutes and costs about 30 THB per person each way. It lands at the main pier on the island, and boats usually run from early morning to late afternoon, so check the last boat time at the pier. Go early, because the first boats are cooler and less full. Look at the time of the last boat back before you leave the pier, and take a photo of it. The drawback is the wait. Boats leave when they fill up on busy days, so allow some spare time.
Speedboat
A speedboat is faster, often about 15 to 20 minutes, and it can take you straight to the beach you want. It costs much more than the ferry. A private boat is often priced per boat, about 1,000 to 3,000 THB, and the price depends on the boat, the time and the number of people. Agree the price, the stops and the return time before you board. Ask for life jackets, and say no to a boat that looks overfull. A speedboat suits small groups who want a fixed plan and a shorter ride.
Back in the city, a rest in your room feels good. See outcall massage in Central Pattaya.
Koh Larn Beaches
Koh Larn is a small island, and its beaches sit close together. Check your map for the pier and the beach name, as signs are not always clear.
Tawaen Beach
Tawaen Beach is the main beach and the busiest. It sits close to the pier, so it is the easiest start for a first trip. You find chairs, food stalls and water sports here. Go early in the morning for more space, as day trippers fill the sand by late morning. It suits families and first timers. Rent a chair and an umbrella, and agree the price first. The drawback is the crowd, and the noise from boats near the shore.
Samae Beach
Samae Beach is a popular pick on the island. It is longer than Tawaen and has more room, with cafes and seafood places along the sand. The water is often clear, so it suits a swim and a slow lunch. Go in the morning or after midday, once the first boats have left. Take a motorbike taxi or a songthaew from the pier, and agree the price before you go. The drawback is the travel time, so plan your ride back early.
Tien Beach
Tien Beach is a small beach close to Tawaen. It is calm and quick to reach, and it suits a short stop. Go in the morning when the sand is clean and the light is soft. It suits couples and families with young children. Bring water and snacks, as services are limited. The drawback is the size. It is small, so it fills up fast, and boats can come close to the shore.
Nual Beach
Nual Beach is a quieter stop for people who want to avoid the crowds. It is small and calm, with fewer vendors than Tawaen. Go in the morning or late afternoon. It suits readers, swimmers and couples. Check on the island how to get there, as the way in can be short on signs. Bring your own water. The drawback is that food and shade are limited, so plan lunch somewhere else.
Ta Yai Beach
Ta Yai Beach is small and peaceful, and it feels far from the busy pier. The beach is simple, with fewer services and a slower pace. Go in the morning. It suits people who want a quiet swim and a calm spot to sit. Take a motorbike taxi or a songthaew, and agree the price first. The drawback is that it has few facilities, so bring water, snacks and sun cream, and check the last boat before you settle in.
Other Pattaya Islands: Koh Sak and Koh Phai
Koh Larn is not the only island near Pattaya. Koh Sak is a small island close to Koh Larn, and visitors often see it on a boat tour for its clear water. Koh Phai sits further out and is a small island with a quiet beach. Both are often reached on a speedboat or a tour, and trips can depend on the sea and the season. There is little on the islands, so bring water and snacks. Ask the boat crew which stops are on the plan before you pay.
Koh Larn Day Trip Plan
Here is an easy plan for one day. Change it to fit your boat and the weather.
- Morning. Leave your hotel early and reach Bali Hai pier. Buy your ticket, check the last boat back, and take the early ferry.
- Late morning. Land at the pier, then go to Tawaen or Samae. Rent a chair, swim and keep out of the midday sun.
- Lunch. Eat seafood or a simple meal by the beach. Drink water, and agree the price before you order if there is no menu.
- Afternoon. Try a second beach such as Tien or Nual, or go back early if the sun is strong.
- Return. Be at the pier before the last boat. Plan a buffer, as the pier is busy near the end of the day.
- Evening. Take a Grab or Bolt to your hotel, shower and rest.
- Staying safe. Keep your bag in front of you, and do not leave a phone on a towel while you swim. Agree the price of every ride before you start.
Massage After the Island
A day of sun, walking on sand and boat rides is a lot. A therapist can come to your hotel, condo or villa after the trip. It is a calm way to rest and relax. See hotel room massage in Pattaya, or home massage in Pattaya if you stay in a villa or condo. Back after dark? Late night massage in Pattaya covers late arrivals. We are open 24 hours. Pay cash or PromptPay on arrival. The full area list is on outcall massage in Pattaya. If you stay in the south, see outcall massage in Jomtien.
Plan Your Island Day
- Best time. Go early. Mornings are cooler, and the boats are less full. Midday sun is strong, so rest in the shade.
- Boat safety. Look for life jackets. Skip a boat that looks overfull, and check the weather before you go. The sea can be rough in rainy weather, and boats may run less often.
- More beaches. For the mainland, see the Pattaya beaches guide.