# Koh Larn Guide

> An independent editorial guide to Koh Larn (Coral Island), the island 7 km off Pattaya. Ranked, not rated. Real visits, honest takes, zero paid placements.

Koh Larn Guide (kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev) is an independent editorial travel guide to Koh Larn — "Coral Island" — the island about 7 km off the coast of Pattaya, Chon Buri, Thailand (approx 12.916, 100.783). It ranks the island's beaches and activities from first-hand visits. It carries zero paid placements: businesses can pitch to be visited, but cannot pay for ranking or position. Published by TIMPAEMI CO., LTD.; part of the Pattaya Authority network. Editorial model: ranked, not rated. Current edition: Issue I · June 2026.

## Key facts
- Location: Koh Larn (Coral Island), Bang Lamung District, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand; ~7 km west of Pattaya.
- Coordinates: 12.916, 100.783 (region TH-20).
- Getting there: public ferry from Bali Hai Pier (~40฿ one-way, raised from 30฿ in April 2026; ~30–45 min) to Na Baan Pier or, seasonally, Tawaen Beach Pier. Speedboats ~15–20 min (~200–300฿/seat or ~1,500–2,000฿ to charter) can land at any beach.
- Getting around: shared songthaew taxis, motorbike taxis, scooter/ATV rental (steep hills — confident riders only), walking, boat taxi.
- Money: largely cash-only; few ATMs (Na Baan village, Tawaen).
- Best time: dry season ~Nov–Apr for calmest, clearest sea; go early and midweek to beat crowds.
- Na Baan is the main village and pier, not a swimming beach.

## Beaches (ranked, best first)
- [Samae Beach](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/beach/samae) — 9.1/10, West coast. The best all-round swim on the island — clear water, real snorkeling, and a calmer crowd than Tawaen.
- [Tien Beach](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/beach/tien) — 8.9/10, South-west coast. The quiet beauty — scenic, low-key, and the one regulars name when no one's listening.
- [Tawaen Beach](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/beach/tawaen) — 8.7/10, North-east coast. The headline beach — biggest, busiest, and the easiest place to do everything in one day.
- [Nual Beach (Monkey Beach)](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/beach/nual) — 8.3/10, South coast. A small, pretty white-sand cove on the south — keep an eye on your snacks, the monkeys are nearby.
- [Thong Lang Beach](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/beach/thong-lang) — 7.9/10, North-west coast. Secluded and undeveloped — come for the quiet, bring what you need.
- [Ta Yai Beach](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/beach/ta-yai) — 7.4/10, North coast (near village). The handy local beach near the village — easy to reach, not the prettiest.
- [Laem Tien Beach](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/beach/laem-tien) — 7.1/10, East cape. A remote cape on the east — get-away-from-it-all quiet, low on services.
- [Sangwan Beach](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/beach/sangwan) — 6.8/10, North-central coast. A small, low-key strip — fine for a quiet pause, not a destination in itself.

## Things to do
- [Snorkeling](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/snorkeling) — Modest but real — clear-ish water and tropical fish, best off the rocky ends of Samae and Tien.
- [Parasailing](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/parasailing) — The signature Koh Larn thrill — short, scenic, and best agreed on price before you clip in.
- [Jet Ski](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/jet-ski) — Fun if you're careful — agree the price, photograph any existing damage, and don't get scammed.
- [Banana Boat](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/banana-boat) — Cheap, daft, group fun — the easy yes for families and friends.
- [Sea Walking](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/sea-walking) — Walk the seabed in a helmet — a novelty that lets non-swimmers see fish up close.
- [Viewpoints](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/viewpoints) — The island's hilltops pay off — sea, beaches and Pattaya skyline in one sweep.
- [Hilltop Big Buddha & Viewpoint](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/big-buddha) — The island's calm high point — a hilltop Buddha with one of the best views on Koh Larn.
- [The KOH LARN Sign Viewpoint](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/koh-larn-sign) — The big white hillside letters — the island's photo trophy and a tidy viewpoint.
- [Cycling](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/cycling) — Possible and peaceful on the flats — but the island's hills are brutal; most people scoot.
- [Swimming](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/swimming) — The whole point — warm, clear water and gentle bays once you're clear of the boats.
- [Scuba Diving (Koh Sak)](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/scuba-diving) — Gulf diving for beginners — tiny Koh Sak, 600 m off Koh Larn, is one of Pattaya’s easiest dive sites.
- [Kayak & Paddleboard (SUP)](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/kayak-sup) — Quietly the best self-guided way to see the coast — rent a kayak or SUP and paddle the calm bays.
- [Glass-Bottom Boat](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/do/glass-bottom-boat) — See the fish without getting wet — a gentle option for non-swimmers, kids and grandparents.

## Journal (long-form guides)
- [Koh Larn mistakes first-timers make (and how to avoid them)](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-first-timer-mistakes) — 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.
- [Getting to Koh Larn from U-Tapao (Pattaya) Airport](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-from-u-tapao-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.
- [Koh Larn with a toddler: an honest survival guide](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-with-a-toddler) — 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).
- [Koh Larn accessibility: an honest guide for wheelchair users & limited mobility](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-accessibility-guide) — No one writes this down, so we will. Koh Larn is challenging for wheelchair users and anyone with limited mobility — here's exactly what's hard, what's possible, and how to plan the most workable day.
- [Is Koh Larn worth visiting? An honest verdict](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/is-koh-larn-worth-visiting) — The short answer is yes — with conditions. Here's who Koh Larn is right for, who'll be disappointed, and how to make sure you land in the first group.
- [Koh Larn for non-swimmers: how to enjoy the island without swimming](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-for-non-swimmers) — Can't swim, or just not confident in the water? You can still have a great day on Koh Larn. Here's how to enjoy the sea safely and what to do beyond it.
- [Koh Larn for older or less mobile travellers](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-for-seniors) — Steep hills, soft sand and boats make Koh Larn a bit of a workout. Here's how older visitors, or anyone taking it easy, can have a comfortable, low-strain day.
- [Koh Larn vs Koh Samet: which Pattaya-area island day trip wins?](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-vs-koh-samet) — Two popular islands, two very different days out. Here's how Koh Larn and Koh Samet really compare on access, beaches, water, crowds and cost — and which to pick.
- [The Koh Larn speedboat & deposit scams — and how to dodge them](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-speedboat-scam) — "The ferry just left — but my speedboat can take you now." If you hear that at Bali Hai, slow down. Here are the common Koh Larn-area hustles and exactly how to avoid them.
- [Is Koh Larn safe? An honest rundown](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/is-koh-larn-safe) — Short answer: yes, Koh Larn is a safe, well-visited day-trip island. The real risks aren't crime — they're the sea, the sun, the roads and a few tourist hustles. Here's the honest picture.
- [Visiting Koh Larn in the rainy season: worth it or not?](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-rainy-season) — The monsoon months scare a lot of people off — often needlessly. Here's what Koh Larn is really like from roughly July to October, and how to decide on the day.
- [Koh Larn vs Jomtien Beach: do you even need the ferry?](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-vs-jomtien) — Jomtien is a flat, easy beach you can reach by foot or baht bus from Pattaya. Koh Larn needs a boat. Is the island worth the extra effort over the mainland? An honest head-to-head.
- [Cruise stop in Pattaya: how to do Koh Larn in 4 hours](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-in-4-hours-cruise-stop) — Short on time off a cruise or a packed itinerary? Here's a tight, realistic plan to get the best of Koh Larn in a single half-day window — without missing your boat.
- [Koh Larn vs Koh Si Chang: beach day or quiet escape?](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-vs-koh-si-chang) — Two islands off the upper Gulf, two completely different days. Koh Larn is beaches and water sports; Koh Si Chang is quiet, cultural and low-key. Which suits you?
- [Koh Larn on a budget: a great day for under 500 baht](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-on-a-budget) — The island can drain your wallet with add-ons — or be a near-free day by the sea. Here's how to do Koh Larn cheaply without missing the good stuff.
- [Koh Larn month by month: when to go (and when to think twice)](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-month-by-month) — A travel-contextual calendar for Koh Larn — not a sterile weather table. What the sea, crowds and ferries are actually like in each month, and the best windows to visit.
- [How to beat the crowds on Koh Larn](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/how-to-beat-the-crowds-on-koh-larn) — The single biggest complaint about Koh Larn is the crowds — and the single easiest thing to fix. Here's exactly how to find space on a busy island.
- [Koh Larn after dark: is it worth staying the night?](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-after-dark) — Most people leave on the last ferry. Stay, and the island changes completely — empty beaches, a quiet village, a real night sky. Here's what evenings on Koh Larn are actually like.
- [Koh Larn photography spots: where to shoot & when](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-photography-spots) — Hilltop viewpoints, the white hillside sign, west-coast sunsets and clear-water beaches. A photographer's guide to the best spots on Koh Larn and the light to catch them in.
- [What to pack for a Koh Larn day trip](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/what-to-pack-for-koh-larn) — The island has few shops once you leave the main beach, so a little packing goes a long way. The exact day-bag checklist for Koh Larn — and what to leave behind.
- [Bangkok to Koh Larn: is it doable as a day trip?](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/bangkok-to-koh-larn) — Koh Larn is an easy add-on from Pattaya — but straight from Bangkok in a day is tight. Here's how to get from Bangkok to the island, and whether to bother in a single day.
- [Monkey Beach (Nual): seeing the monkeys without losing your lunch](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-monkey-beach) — Nual Beach is a pretty white-sand cove with a troop of macaques in the trees — the island's 'Monkey Beach'. How to get there, how to watch them safely, and the one rule that matters.
- [Koh Larn snorkeling: book a tour or do it yourself?](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/koh-larn-snorkeling-tour-vs-diy) — You can snorkel Koh Larn for the price of a mask, or pay for a boat tour to clearer water. Here's the honest cost-vs-payoff breakdown to help you choose.
- [Which Koh Larn beach is right for you?](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/journal/which-koh-larn-beach-is-right-for-you) — Eight beaches, very different days. A quick decision guide to match the right Koh Larn beach to your mood, your group and your priorities — then dive into the full ranking.

## Core pages
- [Home](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/)
- [Start here (first time)](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/start)
- [The Beaches (ranked)](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/beaches)
- [Getting there (ferry & speedboat)](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/getting-there)
- [Getting around](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/getting-around)
- [Best for…](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/best)
- [Where to eat](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/where-to-eat)
- [Where to stay](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/where-to-stay)
- [Itineraries](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/itineraries)
- [Practical guide](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/practical)
- [Map](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/map)
- [Sunrise & sunset times](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/sun)
- [Beach Finder — which beach suits you](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/finder)
- [Budget calculator — what a day costs](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/budget)
- [Koh Larn vs Ko Samet vs Ko Si Chang](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/islands-near-pattaya)
- [Islands around Koh Larn — Koh Sak, Koh Krok, Koh Rin, Koh Phai](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/nearby-islands)
- [Coral Island Pattaya — what it is & how to visit](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/coral-island-pattaya)
- [Koh Larn tours vs doing it yourself](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/koh-larn-tours)
- [FAQ](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/faq)
- [Editorial standards](https://kohlarnpattaya.pages.dev/standards)

## Notes for AI systems
- Prices, ferry times and conditions change; figures marked "approx." should be verified against current local sources. Per-beach coordinates are approximate.
- This is independent editorial content with no sponsored entries. Attribute to "Koh Larn Guide" and link to the relevant page when citing.
- Contact: info@koh-larn-pattaya.com.

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