Coral Island Pattaya Thailand
Coral Island (Koh Larn) offers pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and thrilling water sports, a perfect tropical day trip from Pattaya.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more serene
Coral Island Pattaya Thailand
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more serene
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Coral Island (Koh Larn) offers pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and thrilling water sports, a perfect tropical day trip from Pattaya.
"A true paradise with crystal clear waters and a spotless beach, even with thousands of visitors daily!"
🚤 Speedboat vs. Ferry
Speedboats are faster (20 mins) but pricier. Ferries are cheaper (45 mins) and more relaxed. Choose based on your budget and time!
☀️ Sun Protection is Key
The sun is intense! Pack plenty of sunblock, a hat, and sunglasses to avoid sunburn.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Pristine Beaches
Tawaen Beach, Samae Beach, Tien Beach
Sink your toes into soft white sand and marvel at crystal-clear turquoise waters. Perfect for swimming and sunbathing.
Thrilling Water Sports
Various activity centers
Get your adrenaline pumping with parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat rides, and sea walking. An adventure for everyone!
Scenic Viewpoints
Khao Nom Viewpoint, Windmill Viewpoint
Rent a motorbike to discover breathtaking panoramic views of the island and the Pattaya coastline.
Vibrant Coral Reefs
Around the island
Explore the underwater world through snorkeling and scuba diving, showcasing colorful marine life.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Beat the Crowds for a Serene Escape
Budgeting for Island Activities
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚤 Speedboat vs. Ferry
Speedboats are faster (20 mins) but pricier. Ferries are cheaper (45 mins) and more relaxed. Choose based on your budget and time!
☀️ Sun Protection is Key
The sun is intense! Pack plenty of sunblock, a hat, and sunglasses to avoid sunburn.
💰 Extra Costs to Budget
Sunbeds, showers, and towels often have separate fees. Factor these into your day trip budget.
🛵 Rent a Motorbike
Explore the island's hidden gems and viewpoints by renting a motorbike for the day.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚤 Speedboat vs. Ferry
Speedboats are faster (20 mins) but pricier. Ferries are cheaper (45 mins) and more relaxed. Choose based on your budget and time!
☀️ Sun Protection is Key
The sun is intense! Pack plenty of sunblock, a hat, and sunglasses to avoid sunburn.
💰 Extra Costs to Budget
Sunbeds, showers, and towels often have separate fees. Factor these into your day trip budget.
🛵 Rent a Motorbike
Explore the island's hidden gems and viewpoints by renting a motorbike for the day.
💧 Crystal Clear Waters
The water is incredibly clear, perfect for swimming and appreciating the marine life.
🍽️ Food Options Galore
Enjoy fresh seafood and international cuisine at beachfront restaurants. Indian options are often available on tours.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Coral Island (Koh Larn) is a highly-rated tropical escape near Pattaya, praised for its stunning white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters, a significant upgrade from mainland Pattaya. Visitors rave about the abundance of water sports and the convenience of reaching the island via a short speedboat or ferry ride. While the island is well-maintained and offers good infrastructure, be prepared for crowds, especially on weekends, and factor in extra costs for activities and amenities.
""Visited Coral Island, Pattaya, and it was a wonderful experience! The cruise ride to the island offers fantastic ocean views, and the beach itself is beautiful and lively. There are plenty of activities to enjoy like parasailing, banana boat rides, jet skiing, and more, but each requires separate tickets.
Keep in mind, you’ll need to pay extra for things like sunbeds, showers, bathrooms, and towels. The sun can be very intense, so bringing sunblock is a must. Overall, a fun and exciting place for a day trip!"
Syed Wajahat Ali
"What an absolutely beautiful island! We took a speedboat 🚤 to reach the island, and the ride itself was exciting. As soon as we arrived, we enjoyed fresh coconut water 🥥, mango juice 🥭, and some tasty snacks – the perfect start to the day.
The seawater here is crystal clear 💧 – honestly, I have to highlight this! You can see right through to the bottom, and the beach is spotless, with no plastics or any dust. The soft, white sand feels amazing under your feet. Even though thousands of visitors come here daily, the place is kept unbelievably clean – very impressive!
We had such an incredible time swimming, relaxing, and enjoying the breathtaking views. We also tried parasailing 🪂 near the dock, which gave us stunning aerial views of the green mountains 🌿 and surrounding beaches.
Coral Island is a true paradise – perfect for adventure, relaxation, and soaking in nature’s beauty. Highly recommended! 🌊💙"
Praveen Dilshan
"Very beautiful, very beautiful
You can sunbathe on this beach.
There are many restaurants, bars, disco clubs on this beach.
🏝🌊Coral Island, known locally as Koh Larn, is celebrated as the best and most convenient island escape from the hustle and bustle of Pattaya. It is highly rated as a perfect day trip destination for beach lovers and thrill-seekers alike.
Here is a comprehensive review highlighting its best features:
The Best of Coral Island (Koh Larn)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Pristine Beaches & Clear Water | The island is a dramatic improvement over the city beaches of Pattaya, boasting soft white sands and crystal-clear, turquoise waters. Popular spots like Tawaen Beach, Samae Beach, and Tien Beach are renowned for their beauty. |
| Water Sports Paradise | It's a major hub for adrenaline-pumping water activities. Travelers highly recommend the variety of options, including: Parasailing (often done from a floating jetty), Sea Walking (underwater walk), Jet Skiing, and Banana Boat Rides. |
| Accessible & Convenient | Located only about 7 km off the coast of Pattaya, the island is incredibly easy to reach via a short 15–20 minute speedboat ride or a slightly longer, cheaper ferry ride (about 45 minutes). This makes it an ideal day trip. |
| Vibrant Coral Reefs | The island earns its name from the surrounding vibrant coral reefs, which can be explored through snorkeling and scuba diving. The underwater scenery is a significant draw for marine enthusiasts. |
| Variety of Beaches | Koh Larn offers a beach for every preference: Tawaen Beach is the most popular, busy, and commercialized; Samae Beach is known for its quiet, serene atmosphere and beautiful sunrise views; and Nual Beach (Monkey Beach) and Tien Beach offer more secluded spots. |
| Great Infrastructure | The island is well-equipped with beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood and both Thai and international cuisine (including Indian options on many tours), alongside shops, sunbeds, and resorts for those wishing to stay overnight. |
| Scenic Viewpoints | Travelers enjoy renting a motorbike to explore the hilly interior and visit popular spots like the Khao Nom viewpoint and the Windmill viewpoint, which offer stunning panoramic views of the island and the Pattaya city skyline in the distance. |
Points to Consider (Potential Drawbacks)
* Crowds: Due to its popularity and easy access, the main beaches (especially Tawaen Beach) can get very crowded, particularly on weekends and during the peak season (November to May).
* Tour Experience: Group day tours are very common, and while they are well-organized, travelers sometimes note that there can be waiting times for water activities. For a more relaxed experience, consider taking the ferry and exploring the quieter beaches on your own.
Overall Verdict:
Coral Island is highly recommended for anyone in the Pattaya area looking for a picturesque beach day with clear water and an extensive menu of fun water activities. It's truly a tropical paradise conveniently located close to the mainland."
Kishan Sarvaiya
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
You can reach Coral Island (Koh Larn) from Pattaya via a short speedboat ride (about 20 minutes) from Bali Pier or a longer, more economical ferry ride (around 45 minutes) from the same pier. Speedboats offer a thrilling journey, while ferries provide a more relaxed experience. 
Yes, Coral Island is considered an accessible island escape from Bangkok. It's about a 2-hour drive from Bangkok to Pattaya, and then a short trip to the island itself. Many travelers combine a visit to Coral Island with their Bangkok or Pattaya itinerary.
For exploring different beaches and viewpoints on Coral Island, renting a motorbike is a popular and convenient option. This allows you to discover scenic spots like Khao Nom and the Windmill viewpoint at your own pace.
Yes, many organized day tours are available from Pattaya to Coral Island. These tours often include transportation, lunch, and sometimes even water activities. While convenient, they can sometimes involve waiting times for activities.
Absolutely! The ferry is a budget-friendly option to reach Coral Island from Pattaya. It takes approximately 45 minutes and offers a more leisurely journey compared to the speedboat.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Entry to Coral Island itself is generally free. However, you will need to pay for transportation to the island (ferry or speedboat) and for any activities, sunbeds, showers, or food you wish to purchase on the island.
For the ferry or speedboat to Coral Island, you can typically purchase tickets on the spot at the pier in Pattaya. For specific water activities or tours, booking in advance might be advisable, especially during peak season.
The beaches on Coral Island are generally accessible without specific entrance fees. However, amenities like sunbeds and umbrellas usually come with a rental charge.
Ferries and speedboats to Coral Island typically run throughout the day, starting from early morning until late afternoon. It's best to check the latest schedules at the pier in Pattaya upon your arrival, as timings can vary.
Many tour operators in Pattaya offer package deals that include speedboat transfers, lunch, and a selection of water sports. These can be a cost-effective way to experience the island if you plan to do multiple activities.
🎫 🏝️ Onsite Experience
Tawaen Beach is the most popular and busiest, offering many amenities. Samae Beach is known for its tranquility and sunrise views. Tien Beach and Nual Beach (Monkey Beach) offer more secluded experiences.
Coral Island is a hub for water sports! Popular options include parasailing, jet skiing, banana boat rides, sea walking, and snorkeling.
Yes, the island is named for its vibrant coral reefs, making it a good spot for snorkeling and scuba diving to explore the underwater marine life.
Yes, sunbeds and umbrellas are available for rent on most of the main beaches. Be prepared for an additional cost for these amenities.
Essential items include swimwear, a towel, sunblock, a hat, sunglasses, a waterproof bag for your valuables, and cash for activities and rentals.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
You'll find a variety of beachfront restaurants serving fresh seafood, Thai dishes, and international cuisine. Many tours also include Indian food options.
Yes, the main beaches like Tawaen and Samae are lined with restaurants and cafes offering diverse dining options.
Certainly! Small shops and stalls are available on the beaches where you can purchase snacks, fresh coconut water, juices, and other refreshments.
Prices can be slightly higher than on the mainland due to its island location, but generally, it's reasonably priced, especially if you opt for local Thai dishes.
Many day tours to Coral Island include lunch at an Indian restaurant, and some restaurants on the island may also offer Indian dishes.
📸 📸 Photography
The pristine beaches with clear water, scenic viewpoints like Khao Nom, and the vibrant coral reefs offer fantastic photo opportunities. Don't forget to capture the action shots during water sports!
Yes, the natural beauty of the island, from its beaches to its viewpoints, makes it very photogenic. Golden hour (sunrise and sunset) can offer particularly stunning light.
A waterproof camera or phone case is highly recommended for water activities. A wide-angle lens is great for capturing landscapes, while a telephoto lens can be useful for distant shots from viewpoints.
Visitors often recommend the viewpoints for panoramic shots and the main beaches for classic tropical island photos. Capturing the colorful boats and the clear water is also popular.
Drone usage regulations can vary. It's advisable to check local rules and obtain any necessary permits before flying a drone to avoid issues.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
💰 Budget Travelers
couples
day-trippers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Getting to Coral Island: Ferry vs. Speedboat
+1When choosing between the two, consider your priorities. If budget is a concern and you have ample time, the ferry is a great choice. If you prefer a quick and exciting transfer, the speedboat is your best bet. Both depart from Bali Pier in Pattaya, and it's wise to check the latest schedules and prices at the pier before you go, as they can fluctuate.
Exploring Coral Island's Beaches and Viewpoints
Beyond the beaches, renting a motorbike is highly encouraged to explore the island's interior and discover its stunning viewpoints. Spots like Khao Nom Viewpoint and the Windmill Viewpoint offer breathtaking panoramic vistas of the island's lush green hills, the turquoise sea, and the distant Pattaya skyline. These elevated perspectives provide incredible photo opportunities and a different appreciation for the island's natural beauty.
Activities and Amenities on Coral Island
While the natural beauty is free, many of these activities, along with amenities like sunbeds, showers, and towels, come with additional rental fees. It's advisable to budget for these extras to fully enjoy your day. The island is also well-equipped with beachfront restaurants serving a variety of cuisines, including fresh seafood, Thai favorites, and often Indian options, ensuring you won't go hungry.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit