Sandy shores and clear water make Pattaya Beach, Thailand, one of the most popular beach spots in the country. Located in Pattaya City, this touristy Thai coastal destination is a haven for beachcombers.
Its proximity to Bangkok makes it a great beach day trip, but there’s plenty to do to make you stick around for a few extra days.
It’s no secret that the nightlife is famous or infamous. And what’s the best way to recover from a night of partying?
Chilling out on any of the stunning beaches nearby will soothe your soul and your brain fog.
Keep reading for the best guide to the beaches around Pattaya.
Table of contents
Top Pattaya Beach Locations You Must Visit
Pattaya Beach
The most popular beach.
Tourists flock to the sunny shores of the main beach, located in a busy area with hotels, shops, dining, and more. Thankfully, it stretches nearly two miles, so you’ll easily find a place to relax!
You’ll find beach lounger rentals and vendors selling everything from coconuts to souvenirs.
Enjoy a day of sunbathing or cool off with water activities, including parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking, and banana boat rides.
Be sure to stick around for the sunset!
North Pattaya Beach
The best alternative to the main beach.
North Pattaya Beach occupies the northern part of the coastline.
Go here if the main beach gets too crowded. The good news is it’s still within walking distance to the city center and across the street from attractions like a mall and night market.
Sunbathe on the beach loungers available for rent at the beach. And if you get antsy, there are plenty of watersports options—from swimming to stand-up paddle boarding.
The beach includes showers and changing rooms.
Jomtien Beach
Best beach near Pattaya.
Getting to Jomtien Beach takes less than a 10-minute drive and brings you to one of the upcoming areas growing with hotels and dining nearby.
Spend a leisurely afternoon, or stroll on the palm-tree-lined walkway extending more than 3.5 miles along the coast.
Later, cool off in the clear waters with water sports and boat rentals.
Dong Tan Beach
Best hidden gem beach.
Located adjacent to Jomtien Beach, Dong Tan Beach is one of its lesser-known neighbors.
Swim in the kid-friendly waters or get a relaxing Thai foot massage right on the beach. The beach stays active in the evening with beach aerobics and evening walks on the walking path.
Wong Amat Beach
Best beach for families.
Wong Amat Beach shows a different side of this city, typically known for its beach party atmosphere. You’ll see more families enjoying time in the sun at this beach. And far fewer crowds than other popular beaches.
Follow the sea wall lining part of the crescent-shaped beach. Lounge around in beach chairs or go for a splash in the turquoise waters of the gulf.
Expert tip: Swim in the designated areas to avoid fishing boats docking near the shore.
Bang Saray Beach
Best beach for relaxation and leisure.
Trade in the urban beaches for the nearly two miles of golden sand outlining the natural setting at Bang Saray Beach.
Bang Saray Beach attracts beachgoers seeking leisure. It’s popular for fishing—reminiscent of Pattaya’s fishing village origins. And the narrow beach means lots of tree shade on a hot day.
Stop by the Bang Saray Beach Club for a refreshing bottle of Chang beer to enjoy with your feet in the warm sand.
Krating Lai Beach
Best beach for group outings.
Need a beach with something for everybody?
Krating Lai Beach is just what you need! So, head north for a quiet alternative beach where everyone will have a blast.
Bring snacks for a picnic or retreat into the tree shade. The water is shallow for swimming near the shore and keep an eye out for sea shells during low tide.
A paved walking promenade features a skate park, exercise area, and kid’s play area.
Bang Saen Beach
Best beach for a day trip from Bangkok.
People living in the capital turn to Bang Saen Beach. It’s one of the best beaches in Thailand near Bangkok. At only 1.5 hours from the Thai capital, it’s an easy day trip for the beach-dreaming masses.
Palm trees and colorful umbrellas line the narrow beach. Rent a chair and grab some shade with a breeze. Or jump in the water for swimming, jet skiing, and wild banana boat rides.
There are lots of seafood and fruit vendors walking around when you get hungry.
Yinyom Beach
Quietest beach in Pattaya.
Not everything about this beach party hub is about rowdy fun!
The tranquility at Yinyom Beach feels like a world away from the walking street buzz. But this gem is closer than you think, near many trendy local restaurants, bars, and hotels.
Wake up early to see locals on a morning beach jog.
Rent sunbeds during the day and swim in the notably clear waters.
You’ll be a stone’s throw from the 55-floor Pattaya Park Tower, known for its observation deck and rotating restaurant that offers an excellent panorama of Yinyom beach.
Bamboo Beach
Best beach for all-day fun.
Bamboo Beach can mean different locations in Thailand. For example, there’s one in Pattaya and one on the distant island of Koh Lanta. So, make sure your tuk-tuk driver knows since he’ll gladly take you to the latter!
This Bamboo Beach is on the northern side of town, connected to Wongamat Beach.
It was named after its beachfront restaurant. The golden sand and palm trees offer excellent views while beachfront dining.
Naklua Beach
Best beach for swimming
Naklua Beach is a half-mile-long beach sitting between Pattaya Beach and Wongamat Beach.
Walk the shaded footpath alongside the beach to find the ideal spot.
The northern side is best for swimming since the waters are calmer and offer scenic views of modern high rises hugging the coast.
Island Getaway to Koh Larn for Even More Beaches
Nual Beach
Best beach for an island getaway
Give yourself a break from the hustle and bustle and head to Nual Beach on Koh Larn. Just a 30-minute ferry or speedboat ride from Bali Hai Pier will bring you to these beachcomber-friendly shores on the island.
This tropical island getaway lets you relax hard and play harder.
The shallow, transparent water makes it an excellent place to see the colorful marine life swimming near your feet.
Later, hike the nearby hillsides to encounter the island’s resident monkey colony.
Samae Beach
Most beautiful beach
Alternatively, hire your own private speedboat and skip the busy eastern shore and navigate to the western coast. It’s home to Samae Beach—one of the most scenic Pattaya Thailand beaches.
White sand sweeps from under the leafy island interior as it stretches to the coast. Relax on sunbeds with a bowl of papaya salad prepared on the beach.
Gaze north to see the uniquely shaped Sting Ray Building—one of the best places to watch the sunset on Koh Larn.
Tien Beach
Favorite tourist beach on Koh Larn
A modest 30 baht ferry ride to Koh Larn is worth the price when you can experience the island’s top beaches like Tien Beach. Hire a motorbike once you dock to expedite the short ride to this scenic strip of the coast.
The souvenir shops near the beach let you know it’s a hotspot for tourists.
Enjoy views of the sparkling turquoise waters with your feet in the soft white sand or lounging on rented beach chairs. Or, use the shade of the mangrove trees to shelter you from the midday sun.
Since it’s a well-trodden spot, expect brief breaks in paradise by beach vendors hawking stones and handmade jewelry.
Tawaen Beach
Most popular beach on Koh Larn.
Plan your beach destination wisely.
During the peak season, Tawaen Beach can get more than 3,000 visitors daily! So catch one of the early ferries to Koh Larn to beat the crowds.
Tourists have everything from water sports rentals and even a 7-11 nearby in case you forgot snacks for the beach.
Hop on a banana boat with your group and cruise the Gulf of Thailand.
Additionally, the beachfront restaurants are happening at night—you may even see fire spinners performing their pyro tricks to mesmerized audiences.
Ta-Yai Beach
Beach off-the-beaten-path.
Don’t follow the crowds when arriving at Koh Larn via ferry.
Instead, take a motorbike from Baan pier to Ta-Yai Beach for your own slice of paradise at the smallest beach on the island.
You won’t find much noise at Ta-Yai Beach. It’s away from motorboats and has untouched scenery.
It’s a great place to go snorkeling.
In addition, you can find beach chair rentals and a tasty spot to eat nearby.
Don’t Miss Exciting Pattaya Beach Nightlife
Pattaya, famous for its nightlife, has lots to do when the sun goes down.
From modern nightclubs to dive bars to dancing at a beach club, this city has it all!
As the sun sets, the city’s famous neon lights will illuminate the night! So, whether you like to party or simply people-watching, the nightlife is something you have to experience after a day at the beach.
Local nightlife centers around the Pattaya Beach Thailand Walking Street.
During the day, it’s busy with motorbike traffic and street-side souvenir vendors. But this less than half-mile stretch truly comes alive at night when it closes to vehicle traffic and becomes a pedestrian strip attracting party-goers and people-gawkers.
At night, it’s lined with venues for everybody’s taste. Check out the many live music venues, go-go bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. There’s even a red-light district for those inclined to see why it’s called Thailand’s Sin City.
For a more low-key place to hang out, try bar-hopping along Beach Road Soi 7.
There are also plenty of other nightlife options if you’re not in a party mood. Check out one of the Muay Thai kickboxing matches, attend a local cabaret show, or hang out at the Thepprasit Night Market for shopping and street food.
Where to Stay in Pattaya
Pattaya is a hopping tourist destination in Thailand with nearly 10 million visitors annually and has tons of accommodation options.
The best places to stay depend on what you want to experience. The good news is that you’ll never be too far away from enjoying one of the many local beaches.
For first-time visitors, staying near the main beach means having a central location to see both sides of this coastal town. It has lots of beachfront resorts, restaurants, shops, and more. Not to mention walking distance to the main beach!
Stay in South Pattaya for easy access to nightlife and water sports rentals at the beach. This area also has more budget-friendly accommodations, including hostels. Walking street has hotels, but avoid rent-by-the-hour hotels, which are not uncommon in this area.
North Pattaya provides a quieter atmosphere more ideal for visiting families. It has a range of hotels, and its beaches are less party and more chill.
Where to Eat in Pattaya
Come with your appetite!
There are lots of great places to eat around town. You’ll find local Thai cuisine, international options, fine dining, and endless stores to pick up beach snacks around town.
Seafood is the main highlight of this former fishing town.
You’ll see many fishing boats off the coast while at the beach. So later, stop by one of the popular seafood restaurants to see what the local fisherman reeled in for the day’s catch! For the best restaurants, try beachfront dining with water views to accompany your meal.
Thailand is also known for its street food.
In Pattaya, you don’t even have to leave the beach to taste the best. Vendors make soups and salads right in front of you. Or get some fresh fruit to cool you down on a hot day.
Other street food options are found in local night markets.
Weather in Pattaya
Bring your shorts and flip-flops because the weather is always lovely!
Thailand’s coast boasts a beautiful tropical climate with temperatures averaging in the high 80s to low 90s (31-33°C) all year. The most significant climate difference is the dry vs. rainy seasons.
The dry season lasts from December to February and is the best time of year to visit Pattaya.
The rainy season lasts from May to November. This season typically has short but heavy showers every day. But don’t worry. The beautiful tropical weather always returns, so you can still enjoy the outdoors if you visit during the rainy season.
Packing List Essentials for Pattaya
Look forward to hot and sunny days, regardless of what season you visit Pattaya Beach.
From the sandy shores to bustling streets, here’s what you should pack for your trip.
- Bathing suit/swimming trunks
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Beach towel
- Flip flops
- Walking shoes
- Cash (Baht) – for street vendors on the beach
- Hat/visor
- Shorts
- Beach gear and toys
- Mosquito repellent
- Waterproof bag
- Casual clothing – for nightlife and dining
- Scarf or long skirt – temples have a dress code to enter
- Travel power adaptor
Map of Pattaya, Thailand
Thailand has nearly 2,000 miles of coastline! So, pinpointing this beach paradise will save lots of time. Check out the map below to find Pattaya Beach so you can add it to your Thailand itinerary.
How to Get to Pattaya
Pattaya is a well-trodden destination, so the good news is there are many ways to reach this tropical destination.
There is a local airport—U-Tapao International Airport—which services Thai Airways, flydubai, and Bangkok Airways. It’s ideal when coming from further Thai cities like Phuket, Chiang Mai, and Koh Samui.
However, most people will arrive at the largest airport—Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, about 75 miles (115 km) away.
Bus, minivan shuttle, or train are the best ways to get from Bangkok to Pattaya—the trip takes approximately two hours.
The Takeaway
Ready to go on an exciting holiday in Pattaya Beach, Thailand?
You’ll have tons of fun around the clock. Sunny days are perfect for beach-hopping and water sports, while the nighttime lets you explore what makes Walking Street one of the country’s best nightlife spots.
Interested in planning a trip to these fabulous beaches? Check out our popular routes to and from Pattaya and all throughout Thailand.
FAQ
The U-Tapao Pattaya International Airport is located right in Pattaya.
Pattaya Beach is in Pattaya City.
Yes! It’s a very tourist-friendly destination. Use general safety practices like avoiding flashy jewelry and expensive items. And, of course, use caution while enjoying the nightlife. Scams are common, especially for tourists.
Yes! It’s an excellent place to swim. In addition to swimming, it’s popular for other water sports like jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boat rides.
