🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
If you're tired of the chaos of Pattaya's beachfront but still want the sea within reach of Bangkok, Sattahip is the spot a lot of people overlook. It's about two and a half hours' drive from Bangkok, and you arrive at water so clear you can see the sand on the bottom, fine white beaches, and an atmosphere built around relaxing rather than partying. The one thing to understand before you go: many of Sattahip's nicest beaches sit on Royal Thai Navy land, so there's an ID-swap system at the entrance, fixed opening and closing times, and military rules you're expected to respect.
Nang Rong Beach — the easiest to reach, plenty of shade
Nang Rong is the easiest beach to start with if you're new to the area, because it sits right next to Nang Ram (its better-known twin) and you can walk between the two along the shore. The beach runs about 700 metres, and its big draw is the row of large trees giving shade — perfect for laying out a mat for a picnic or just sitting around all day without pitching a tent. The water is shallow and the waves are gentle, so kids can splash about safely.
Nang Rong and Nang Ram together are the most convenient cluster of beaches in this area. You swap your ID at the main checkpoint, then drive on along Nang Ram until you reach Nang Rong. There are seafood restaurants and parking on hand.
- Entry fee — a small charge of a few tens of THB per person/per car (double-check on site, prices can change)
- Opening hours — roughly 07:00–18:00 daily
- Good for — families with young kids who want to sit under the trees all day
Tip
Bring an ID card or driving licence for everyone in the car, because the navy checkpoint swaps your ID for an entry pass. If someone forgets their documents, they may not be allowed in.
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Nam Sai Beach — clear water that lives up to its name, inside the naval base
Nam Sai literally means "clear water," and it earns the name — on a bright day you'll see deep blue against white sand. It's a favourite for anyone who wants a postcard sea view without taking a boat over to an island. This beach is also on navy land, which keeps it clean and far less crowded than the commercial beaches.
- Entry fee — around 15–20 THB per person (sources vary slightly, confirm on site)
- Opening hours — roughly 06:00–18:00
- Good for — anyone after clear-water photos and a calm swim
Toey Ngam Beach — Marine Corps bay, a long and peaceful stretch
Toey Ngam sits in the bay of the Royal Thai Marine Corps headquarters — a fine-sand beach that stretches several kilometres around the curve of the bay. It's quiet and shaded, better suited to a long walk along the shore than to looking for buzz. Because it's deeper inside navy territory than the other beaches, getting in means passing the ID-swap checkpoint and following the rules strictly.
The Marine Corps area also has worthwhile stops like navy museums and memorials. With a bit of planning you can pair a beach day with some Thai naval history in a single trip.
What to know about military zones
Once you're inside a military zone, keep your speed under 50 km/h, dress modestly, don't photograph buildings or military equipment, and carry your rubbish back out. Some areas may close occasionally for operations, so it's worth checking before you go.
Other Sattahip beaches worth a stop
Nang Ram Beach
Nang Rong's twin, and the more famous of the two — clear water, white sand, easy in and out. A popular starting point.
Sai Kaeo Beach
Inside the Naval Rating School. Fine white sand, with a higher entry fee than the others (around 50 THB for Thais, 100 THB for foreigners).
Samae San Beach
At the far tip of Sattahip, with both a beach and a boat point out to Samae San Island, where the water is very clear. Good for snorkelling fans.
Bang Saray Beach
A regular public beach, no ID swap needed. Lined with coconut palms and seafront seafood restaurants — great for dinner with the sunset.
Getting to Sattahip
From Bangkok, take Motorway 7 heading toward Pattaya–Rayong, drive past Pattaya and carry on south into the Sattahip area. Watch for signs to "Chuk Samet Port" or "HTMS Chakri Naruebet." It's about 180 km in total and roughly two and a half hours if traffic is light.
- Private car — the most convenient, since the beaches are spread out and you need a vehicle inside the military zones. This is the way we'd recommend.
- Van/bus — there are Bangkok–Sattahip services; get off in the town centre, then take a songthaew or motorbike taxi to the beach.
- Coming from Pattaya — drive about 30–40 minutes south. It works well as a day trip tacked onto a Pattaya stay.
Inside Sattahip there's no public transport that conveniently reaches every beach. If you didn't drive yourself, renting a car or hiring one locally is far more flexible — especially for the navy-land beaches that require passing a checkpoint.
How to enter the navy beaches, and what to bring
Many of Sattahip's prettiest beaches — Nang Rong, Nang Ram, Nam Sai, Toey Ngam, Sai Kaeo — sit on Royal Thai Navy land, so getting in isn't like a normal public beach. The system: you hand over an ID card (or any official photo ID) at the checkpoint in exchange for an entry pass, then collect your card back on the way out.
- Bring photo ID — an ID card or driving licence for everyone in the group, used to swap for an entry pass
- There's an entry fee — it varies by beach, from tens of THB up to 50 THB, and some beaches charge foreigners more
- Fixed hours — mostly around 06:00–18:00, with no overnight stays on the beach (except navy accommodation that must be booked in advance)
- Respect the rules — drive slowly, dress modestly, don't photograph restricted areas, and take your rubbish back out
Straight talk
On long weekends and school holidays, Sattahip's beaches get busy and the car parks fill up fast. If you want the genuinely quiet atmosphere that draws people here, go on a weekday or early in the morning — and be ready for the chance that some military areas close temporarily for operations.
Keep planning your Chonburi trip — stays and things to do
See the Chonburi travel guide →