🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Nual Beach — which travelers often call Monkey Beach — sits at the southern tip of Koh Larn. It's a small bay flanked by rocky outcrops on both sides, so the water stays calmer and clearer than the bigger beaches on the north side. The draw is the sense of privacy: a short stretch of fine white sand with fewer visitors than Tawaen, so you can settle in without fighting anyone for a sunbed. On a clear day you can even make out the Pattaya coastline faintly in the distance.
How to Get to Nual Beach
Start by taking the ferry across from Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya to Na Baan Pier on Koh Larn. The regular passenger ferry is 30 THB per person and takes about 30–45 minutes. A speedboat is faster (10–20 minutes) but runs around 150 THB per person. The first ferry leaves around 07:00. If you want the beach at its quietest, go genuinely early.
- Songthaew (shared pickup truck) — from Na Baan Pier to Nual Beach, around 30–50 THB per person. The easiest option if you don't drive.
- Rent a motorbike — 200–300 THB per day, more freedom, but the final stretch down to Nual Beach is a steep, curving descent, so ride it only if you're confident and take it slow.
- Motorbike taxi — about 100 THB per trip. Good if there are just a few of you and you'd rather not rent.
Good to Know
Nual Beach is at the far end of the island, and the final approach drops down a slope to the sand. If you've rented a motorbike and aren't used to slopes, take it slow — and always test the brakes before you leave the rental shop.
Want more out of Koh Larn? Book tours & activities
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
The Beach and the Water
The charm of Nual Beach is that it's "small but calm" — the strip isn't long, just a few minutes' walk from one end to the other. The sand is fine and white, the shallow water is clear enough to see the bottom, and it's perfect for a family swim or just floating around. On the left side of the beach there's a rocky stretch where wild monkeys sometimes come down looking for food — which is exactly how it earned the name Monkey Beach.
Let's be honest here — the water around Koh Larn is very clear on a good day, but on "some days" it turns murky depending on wind, waves, and rain, especially right after a downpour or during the monsoon. If you're coming specifically to snorkel, a quick check of the forecast beforehand will pay off.
- Sunbed + umbrella — around 100 THB, yours for the whole day.
- Snorkel gear rental — about 100 THB. There's coral and rock close to shore to explore.
- Toilets and showers — available for a small fee each time.
Be Careful
Out past the rocky areas away from shore there are sea urchins — step on one and it hurts. Wear water shoes or watch where you walk. As for the wild monkeys, don't feed them and don't get too close: they can bite and may carry disease. Watching from a distance is the safest bet.
Beachfront Food and Spots Near the Entrance
Nual Beach has only a few restaurants and food stalls, focused on fresh made-to-order seafood and cold drinks you can enjoy while looking out at the sea. There aren't as many options as on Tawaen Beach, but it's enough to fill you up without having to pack your own food.
Pa Soi Restaurant
A well-known made-to-order spot on the island, on the way to Nual Beach (not right on the sand). The standout dish is stir-fried squid in black soy sauce; seafood tom yum runs around 150 THB. Open 09:00–22:00, closed Tuesdays. Worth a stop before or after the beach.
Beachfront Seafood Stall
A small spot right on Nual Beach selling made-to-order food, snacks, and drinks. Sit under an umbrella with a sea view. Prices are typical for the island — check before you order to be on the safe side.
Tip
Prices on the island run higher than on the Pattaya side — that's normal, since everything has to be shipped over by boat. To save a little, bring your own water and snacks. But for main dishes, support the island eateries; it's easier and fresher.
Activities and Water Sports
Nual Beach leans more toward quiet than thrill. The main draws are snorkeling to see coral and fish near the shore, and lounging on the sand. If you want water sports like banana boats or jet skis, Tawaen Beach on the north side has far more on offer.
- Snorkeling — rocks and coral near the shore; gear rental available on the beach.
- Swimming / floating — calm shallow water, great for families and kids.
- Walking and photos — the rocky points on both sides of the beach and the clear sea views make for good photo spots.
On Safety
If you're going to do water sports (over on the island's other beaches), confirm the price clearly and agree on it before you start every time. Check the condition of the life jackets and ask about insurance. Don't go out in strong wind or waves — safety always comes first.
When to Go
Koh Larn gets very crowded on long weekends and on Saturdays and Sundays — the ferries are packed and you'll have to queue. If you can avoid it, weekdays are far more comfortable. And no matter the day, going early is the answer: the first ferry is around 07:00, which gets you a quiet beach before the bigger crowds trickle in through late morning and afternoon.
- Weekday morning — quietest, clearest water, fewest people; great for photos and snorkeling.
- Avoid long weekends — packed ferries, long queues, crowded sand, and the private feel disappears.
- Rainy season — water may turn murky and waves pick up; check the forecast before you set out.
Help Keep the Beach Clean
Nual Beach stays pretty and quiet because the crowds haven't found it the way they have other beaches. Keeping it that way is simple: take your trash back with you instead of leaving it on the sand, don't feed the monkeys, and don't step on or break the coral while you snorkel. Do that, and this little beach will still be here for the next generation to come and chill, just like us.
Plan a full day on Koh Larn — beaches, food, and places to stay
See the Koh Larn travel guide →