🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
First, let's be straight: Pattaya Beach in the city itself isn't postcard-clear water, because it sits right against town with boats coming and going all day. If you really want clear water you'll need to take a boat out to Koh Larn. But if you want a sea where you can walk to restaurants, your hotel, and the nightlife in a few steps, this in-town beach is incredibly convenient. Here's how each beach differs.
Which beach suits whom
Pattaya Beach (city)
A long beach running alongside Beach Road — the easiest spot to walk to restaurants, Central mall, and watersports. The water isn't very clear because it's right by town, so it suits people who want convenience over clear water.
Jomtien Beach
To the south, separated by Pratumnak Hill. The beach is wider and quieter, with plenty of beachfront restaurants — good for families and anyone who wants to sit and chill for hours.
Wong Amat Beach (north beach)
At the northern tip of Pattaya Beach, less crowded than mid-town and with slightly better water. Good if you want to dodge the crowds but still stay in the city.
Koh Larn
A roughly 45-minute boat ride from Bali Hai Pier (about 7 km offshore). This is where the genuinely clear water of the Pattaya area is — perfect for a day trip or an overnight stay.
How to pick your beach
If it's your first visit and you want to walk to everything, stay around the middle of Pattaya Beach. If you're with kids or want to settle in for the long haul without the chaos, go for Jomtien. And if you're set on clear water and nothing else, plan a full day out to Koh Larn — it's far more worth it that way.
Want more out of Chonburi? 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.
Watersports + rough prices
Watersports cluster around the middle stretch of Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach, and the Bali Hai Pier area. Prices are negotiable and there are no fixed price boards, so we've added the ranges you'll commonly see to help you budget — but always agree on the price and the number of rounds clearly, in baht, before you get in the water.
Parasailing
You float up into the sky under a parachute towed by a speedboat, getting a view over Pattaya Bay from above. Each round is short, and it's the most popular activity here.
Jet Ski
You drive it yourself out into the bay — fun, but watch out for damage claims. Before renting, walk around the craft and photograph every existing scratch from all angles so you can't be accused of damage afterwards.
Banana Boat
You ride in a group on an inflatable towed by a speedboat — great for larger groups or friends, and you'll definitely get soaked.
Speedboat to Koh Larn
Charter a speedboat from Bali Hai and hit several spots around Koh Larn in a single day. Faster than the regular passenger ferry but pricier — good for groups who want to control their own schedule.
Passenger ferry to Koh Larn
The cheapest way — take the ferry from Bali Hai Pier, roughly 45 minutes to the island, departing on a schedule. Good for tighter budgets and anyone not in a rush.
Diving/snorkeling around Koh Larn
The water is clear enough to see coral at some spots around Koh Larn. Usually sold as a package that includes the boat — good for people who want to get into clear water rather than the in-town beach.
The real things to watch out for
The problem tourists run into most with Pattaya watersports is pricing and jet-ski damage claims. Always do three things — agree the price clearly in baht, photograph the condition of the equipment before use, and don't pay in full before you've finished.
Walking Street + after dark
Once evening hits, Pattaya switches modes. Walking Street is the pedestrian strip at the far southern end of the beach, near Bali Hai Pier — at night the road closes to traffic and it fills with bars, restaurants, live-music stages and neon. It's the liveliest part of the city, loud and buzzing, better suited to people who like the chaos than the quiet.
- When it gets busy — it really comes alive after 8 pm and runs late; before that it's still quiet.
- Free to walk — the street itself is free to walk, but most bars charge for drinks and some have a show cover. Ask the price before you sit down.
- Street food — there are carts and seafood spots all the way along. Tourist prices run a bit higher than normal, so check the price before you order.
- Bringing kids? — early evening it's fine to walk through, but later the vibe turns adult. With kids, walk it early and head back.
- Valuables — it's crowded, so watch your bag and anything in your back pockets, especially when it's packed.
If you want an easygoing night without the intensity, the Jomtien beachfront and Pattaya's Beach Road have seaside bars and chill spots that are much quieter — better for people who'd rather sit, listen to music and sip a drink with a sea view than dive into Walking Street.
Parking — where to park without the headache
Parking is something a lot of people get wrong, because Beach Road in Pattaya is one-way and street parking is hard to find in the evening. If you're heading to Walking Street or taking the boat to Koh Larn, the surest place to park is the Bali Hai Pier area.
- Bali Hai car park — roughly ฿30/hour, or about ฿250 for a flat 24 hours, with attendants. Good for anyone going to Koh Larn or walking Walking Street.
- Beachfront malls — Central Pattaya Beach and Terminal 21 Pattaya have covered, secure parking; park and walk down to the beach or grab a meal.
- Street parking on Beach Road — some exists but it's hard to find in the evening, and you have to watch for no-parking zones and wheel clamps. Never park at a no-parking sign.
- Coming by tour bus/taxi — if you'd rather skip the parking hassle, the songthaews (red trucks) around town are convenient and cheap, and you can charter a whole one if there are several of you.
How to plan a one-day trip
The formula that works: take the morning boat from Bali Hai to swim at Koh Larn, come back in the afternoon for watersports at Pattaya Beach, eat seafood by the beach in the evening, then carry on to Walking Street at night. Park once at the Bali Hai lot and you're set.
Plan a full Chonburi–Pattaya trip — see all the places to stay and things to do
See the Chonburi travel guide →