1 Samae Beach
West coast
The best all-round swim on the island — clear water, real snorkeling, and a calmer crowd than Tawaen.
Quiet Busy
clear watersnorkeling
Verdict ★ Issue I · June 2026 We visit. We don't sell placement. Ranked, not rated
Koh Larn, the island off Pattaya.
The independent guide to the best beaches on Koh Larn — how to get to Koh Larn on the 40฿ public ferry, what to do in the water and on the hills, and how to plan a Koh Larn day trip or an overnight. Coral Island, 7 km offshore. We visit. We don't sell placement.
- Beaches
- 8 Beaches
- Things to do
- 13 Things to do
- From, ferry
- 40฿ From, ferry
- Paid placements
- 0 Paid placements
The daily pick
Today on the island
★ Beach of the day 16 June 2026
Tien Beach
The quiet beauty — scenic, low-key, and the one regulars name when no one's listening.
South-west coast · Today's verdict
01. The Beaches
All 8 beaches Every beach, ranked
Ranked, not rated. Our order rewards the quality of the swim, the clarity of the water, and the day you actually have there — not the size of the car park. Amenities help, crowds hurt. We re-rank every issue.
2 Tien Beach
South-west coast
The quiet beauty — scenic, low-key, and the one regulars name when no one's listening.
Quiet Busy
scenicquiet
Verdict 3 Tawaen Beach
North-east coast
The headline beach — biggest, busiest, and the easiest place to do everything in one day.
Quiet Busy
most popularwater sports
Verdict 4 Nual Beach (Monkey Beach)
South coast
A small, pretty white-sand cove on the south — keep an eye on your snacks, the monkeys are nearby.
Quiet Busy
white sandmonkeys nearby
Verdict 02. Getting There
Full guide Ferry or speedboat
Almost everyone leaves from Bali Hai Pier at the foot of Walking Street. Two ways across the 7 km.
The cheap classic
The public ferry
~30–45 min to Na Baan (the village) or, in season, direct to Tawaen. Pay on boarding, in cash. Raised from 30฿ in April 2026.
Times & piersFast & flexible
The speedboat
~15–20 min and it can land you at any beach — Samae, Tien, the lot. ~200–300฿ a seat, or ~1,500–2,000฿ to charter. Touted on Beach Road.
How to charterPier tip: at the end of Bali Hai Pier, Na Baan boats generally board on the right, Tawaen boats on the left. Times vary seasonally — confirm the last return when you land.
03. Things To Do
All activities In the water, on the hills
Snorkel the rocky points, fly under a parachute, or ride up to the Big Buddha. Thirteen ways to spend the day.
Snorkeling
In the water Parasailing
Above the water Jet Ski
On the water Banana Boat
On the water Sea Walking
Under the water Viewpoints
On land Hilltop Big Buddha & Viewpoint
On land The KOH LARN Sign Viewpoint
On land Cycling
On land Swimming
In the water Scuba Diving (Koh Sak)
Under the water Kayak & Paddleboard (SUP)
On the water Glass-Bottom Boat
On the water
In the water Parasailing
Above the water Jet Ski
On the water Banana Boat
On the water Sea Walking
Under the water Viewpoints
On land Hilltop Big Buddha & Viewpoint
On land The KOH LARN Sign Viewpoint
On land Cycling
On land Swimming
In the water Scuba Diving (Koh Sak)
Under the water Kayak & Paddleboard (SUP)
On the water Glass-Bottom Boat
On the water
04. Best For
All collections Pick your kind of day
Families, couples, snorkelers, sunset-chasers, the quiet-seekers and the budget-minded — the island sorts differently for each.
Families
Best for
Families
Easy water, shade, food within reach, and enough to keep everyone busy. These are the beaches and activities that make a Koh Larn day work with kids.
kidseasyfacilities
See the picks
Couples
Best for
Couples
Clear water, fewer crowds, and somewhere to watch the light go. The quieter, prettier side of the island.
quietscenicsunset
See the picks
Snorkeling
Best for
Snorkeling
Manage expectations — this isn't the Andaman — but the rocky points hold clear-ish water and fish. Here's where to look.
snorkelfishclear water
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Quiet & Secluded
Best for
Quiet & Secluded
Trade facilities for space. These are the beaches where you can hear the sea over the speakers — bring what you need.
secludedpeacefulspace
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Water Sports
Best for
Water Sports
Where the speedboats, parachutes and jet skis are — and how to do it without the classic Pattaya-area headaches.
thrillstawaenspeedboat
See the picks
Sunset
Best for
Sunset
The west-facing beaches and hilltops take the evening light. Time it right and the day ends well.
sunsetwestgolden hour
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Budget
Best for
Budget
The island can be a 40-baht ferry and a free swim, or a money pit of add-ons. Here's how to do Koh Larn cheaply.
cheapferryfree
See the picks
05. Getting Around
Transport guide Moving around the island
Koh Larn is small (about 4.6 km long) but properly hilly, rising to ~180 m. Here's how people move between the village and the beaches — and the honest safety picture.
Songthaew (shared taxi)
~30–50฿ pp, set routes
~30–50฿ pp, set routes
Motorbike taxi
Negotiated, short hops
Negotiated, short hops
Scooter rental
Approx from a few hundred baht/day
Approx from a few hundred baht/day
ATV / quad rental
Approx by the hour
Approx by the hour
Walking
Free
Free
Boat taxi
Negotiated
Negotiated
Ride only if you're confident: Koh Larn's hills are steep and narrow, and scooter crashes are common. Songthaews are the easy, cheap default.
06. Eat & Stay
Seafood, and whether to stay
Where to Eat
Koh Larn's food is straightforward and good: fresh seafood at beachfront tables, Thai standards, and fruit shakes from village stalls. You're paying island prices for the view — that's the deal. We don't take placements, so we point you at the types of places and how to order well, not a paid list of names.
Eat well, pay island pricesWhere to Stay
Most people don't stay — and the island is built around that. But spend one night and Koh Larn becomes a different, quieter place once the last day ferry leaves. Rooms are limited and concentrated, so book ahead in high season. We rank experiences, not paid listings, so here's the honest shape of it.
Day trip vs overnight 07. Itineraries
All itineraries Plan the day
From a tight half-day to a quiet overnight and a full beach-hopping loop — plug-and-play plans, not just lists.
The Half-Day
~4–5 hours
The Half-Day
A tight morning or afternoon hit: one ferry, one good beach, one swim, one lunch. The most popular way to see Koh Larn.
quickpopularday trip
View the plan
The Full Day
~7–8 hours
The Full Day
The classic. First ferry over, two beaches, a watersport or a viewpoint, a proper seafood lunch, and the late ferry home.
classiccompleteday trip
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The Overnight
2 days / 1 night
The Overnight
Stay after the day-trippers leave and the island changes character — quiet beaches, sunset, and a calm morning swim before the first ferries arrive.
overnightquietsunset
View the plan
The Beach-Hopping Route
Full day, on wheels
The Beach-Hopping Route
A geographic loop, not a list — ride the island clockwise from the village and string the beaches together in a sensible order.
scooterloopsee it all
View the plan
08. Practical
Full practical guide Before you go
Go early. Go midweek if you can.
When to go
Koh Larn is a day-trip island, and it fills up by late morning — especially at weekends, on Thai public holidays and in peak season. The first ferries are the best ferries. Across the year, the cool, dry season (roughly November to February) brings the calmest, clearest water and the most pleasant temperatures, and is the best time to visit; the hot season (March to June) stays bright with usually-calm seas early on; the rainy/monsoon season (roughly July to October, wettest in September–October) can mean rougher seas, cloudier water and reduced boat services, though plenty of good days still land in between.
Cool / dry season: Nov – FebHot season: Mar – JunRainy / green season: Jul – Oct
What to bring
- Cash (small notes) — Ferry, songthaews, loungers and most food are cash-only; ATMs are few.
- Reef-safe sunscreen — Strong tropical sun; kinder to the water and marine life you came to see.
- Water & a hat — Shade and shops are thin on the quieter beaches; it's hot.
- Your own snorkel mask — Better fit and hygiene than rentals; lets you snorkel for free.
- Water shoes — Several beaches have rocky entries and hot sand.
09. For Operators
Get on the guide
Every way in
The whole island, one grid
Start Here
5-step orientation The Beaches
All 8, ranked Getting There
Ferry & speedboat Getting Around
Songthaew, scooter Things To Do
13 ways in Best For
Pick your day Where to Eat
Seafood by the sea Where to Stay
Day trip vs night Itineraries
Half-day to overnight Practical
Conditions & fees Map
Every beach pinned Today's Beach
The daily pick FAQ
Quick answers Sun & Sunset
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour Beach Finder
Match your perfect beach Budget
What a day costs Nearby Islands
Koh Sak, Koh Krok & more Coral Island
What the name means Koh Larn Tours
Tour vs doing it yourself Islands Compared
Koh Larn vs Ko Samet Which Airport
Fly into Pattaya From Bangkok
How to reach the island vs Phuket
Which island for your trip vs Koh Samui
Day trip or beach week Journal
Longer reads from the island Surprise Me
Random beach
5-step orientation The Beaches
All 8, ranked Getting There
Ferry & speedboat Getting Around
Songthaew, scooter Things To Do
13 ways in Best For
Pick your day Where to Eat
Seafood by the sea Where to Stay
Day trip vs night Itineraries
Half-day to overnight Practical
Conditions & fees Map
Every beach pinned Today's Beach
The daily pick FAQ
Quick answers Sun & Sunset
Sunrise, sunset & golden hour Beach Finder
Match your perfect beach Budget
What a day costs Nearby Islands
Koh Sak, Koh Krok & more Coral Island
What the name means Koh Larn Tours
Tour vs doing it yourself Islands Compared
Koh Larn vs Ko Samet Which Airport
Fly into Pattaya From Bangkok
How to reach the island vs Phuket
Which island for your trip vs Koh Samui
Day trip or beach week Journal
Longer reads from the island Surprise Me
Random beach
10. FAQ
All FAQs Quick answers
The questions everyone asks before they go.
How do I get to Koh Larn?
From Bali Hai Pier at the southern end of Pattaya's Walking Street. Take the public passenger ferry (about 40฿ one-way) to Na Baan Pier — and, in season, direct boats to Tawaen Beach Pier — or charter a speedboat that can land at any beach in 15–20 minutes.
How much is the ferry to Koh Larn?
The public passenger ferry is approximately 40฿ one-way as of 2026 (raised from 30฿ in April 2026); you pay in cash on boarding. A speedboat seat runs roughly 200–300฿ per person, or about 1,500–2,000฿ to charter the whole boat. Prices change — verify on the day.
How long is the crossing?
The public ferry takes roughly 30–45 minutes depending on the boat and conditions (some newer boats are quicker). A speedboat does it in about 15–20 minutes.
Which is the best beach on Koh Larn?
We rank Samae first for the best all-round swim and snorkel with a calmer crowd, with Tien close behind for quiet beauty. Tawaen is the busiest and best-equipped — ideal for first-timers and families. See our full ranked guide to all eight beaches.
Can you swim and snorkel at Koh Larn?
Yes. The west and south beaches — Samae, Tien and Nual — have the clearest, calmest water. Snorkeling is modest compared with the Andaman, but the rocky points hold clear-ish water and tropical fish. Always stay inside the marked swimming zones, clear of boat lanes.
Is Koh Larn a day trip or should I stay overnight?
Most people visit as a half- or full-day trip, and that works well. But the island transforms once the last day ferry leaves: quiet beaches, sunset, and a calm morning swim. If you can, stay one night — book ahead, as rooms are limited.
When is the best time to visit?
Go early in the day and, if you can, midweek — the island fills up by late morning, especially at weekends and on holidays. Across the year, the cool, dry season (roughly November–February) gives the calmest, clearest sea; the monsoon months (around July–October) can bring rougher water and reduced services.
How do I get around the island?
Shared songthaew taxis run set routes between the village and the main beaches for about 30–50฿ per person; motorbike taxis cover shorter hops. Confident riders can rent a scooter or ATV — but the hills are steep and narrow, so ride only if you're experienced. Some beaches are walkable from the village; others are not.
The Journal
All articles Longer reads from the island
Honest deep-dives that don't fit on the guide pages — is it worth it, Koh Larn vs Koh Samet, beating the crowds, and more.
Tips
Tips 6 min
Koh Larn mistakes first-timers make (and how to avoid them)
The island rewards a little planning and punishes almost none of it. Here are the avoidable mistakes we watch day-trippers make on Koh Larn — and the one-line fix for each.
first visitmistakestips
Read
Plan
Plan 5 min
Getting to Koh Larn from U-Tapao (Pattaya) Airport
Flying into Pattaya’s own airport, U-Tapao, or arriving on a charter? Here is how to get from U-Tapao to Bali Hai Pier and across to Koh Larn — and whether you can do it the same day.
airportu-tapaogetting there
Read
Families
Families 6 min
Koh Larn with a toddler: an honest survival guide
Clear water and a short ferry make Koh Larn a tempting day out with a little one — but heat, prams and boats need planning. Here's how to do it without a meltdown (theirs or yours).
toddlerbabyfamilies
Read
The promise
We visit.
We don't sell placement.
One island. Eight beaches. A 40-baht ferry and an honest ranking. No sponsors, no kickbacks, no operator paying to sit at the top — just what we found when we went. Now go to the island.