Tien Beach

Koh Larn (Coral Island)

Whether for a couple of hours or a couple of days, you need to include a visit to Koh Larn during your trip to Thailand. Also known as Coral Island, Koh Larn is a small tropical gem 7km off the coast of Pattaya. It can be visited as a day trip from Pattaya City or as a multi-day adventure on your Thailand itinerary. At the time of our visit, we were staying in Bangkok for a month and were in need of a beach excursion away from the city, but wanted something close enough so as to not spend much on transportation.

The island is known for its white sand beaches backed by hills and jungles, gorgeous sunsets, crystal clear waters, and cute local eateries. We had so much fun during our time there, and I would definitely go back again. It's my hope that this Koh Larn guide makes your visit easier!

How to Get to Koh Larn From Pattaya

Getting to Koh Larn is very simple. You have two options - ferry or fast boat. Both leave from Bali Hai Pier, which is a 10-minute walk from Central Pattaya, or you can reach it via tuk-tuk or taxi.

Bali Hai Pier seen from the 'Pattaya City Sign' viewpoint

Fast boats and ferries have different features, so choose which to take based on the following information:

Fast Boat

• Quicker ride, ~15 minutes to Koh Larn
• Pricier, ~200 THB one way (~$6 USD)
• Large groups can hire a private speed boat for 1,500-3,500 THB (~$45–$100 USD), depending on the size of your group. Round-trip adds 500–1,000 THB more (includes waiting time on the island). Boats can be hired at the pier or along Beach Road. You can be taken to/from any pier on the island of your choosing
• Abundant fast boats, so they run every few minutes
• Very bumpy - make sure you have a strong stomach and wear a life vest
• Cash-only, paid to the operator (on Bali Hai Pier or directly to private hire)

VS

Ferry

• Budget-friendly but longer ride
• Runs every 1-3 hours
• Smoother with comfortable seating and roofs
• Tickets are purchased at the piers kiosk

The ferry schedule & details can be found below.

There are 2 destinations on the island for boat drop-offs & pickups (ferry and fast boat):

Na Baan Pier

• Northeast side, facing Pattaya
• In Na Baan village (also called Koh Larn Village) - the main village on the island and the hub for almost everything - eateries, pharmacies, motorbike rental shops, police station, health clinic, temple (Wat Mai Samran) and the island’s little school
• Use this pier if you're staying longer than a day or wish to visit multiple locations on the island (more transport and rental options)

OR

Tawaen Beach

• West side, opposite Na Baan Pier
• Large and popular beach with white sand and turquoise water
• Use this pier if you plan to have an easygoing beach day at Tawaen (day trip from Pattaya City)

Tawaen Beach; Photo by Mike Anderson on Unsplash

We took a fast boat - within literally 1 minute, we had paid, loaded into a boat, and were on our way! It was a quick & easy process. Make sure you confirm the boats destination (Na Baan or Tawaen) before hopping on. Since we were staying two nights on the island we chose Na Baan pier - we had some luggage and needed more transportation options. We rode in an island sidecar to our accommodation and later rented a motorbike from the a shop in the village.

The island is tiny (just ~20 minutes from end to end), so a wrong port drop-off isn't catastrophic—but avoid Tawaen if you have luggage (suitcase + sand = no fun) or plan to explore multiple spots, as rentals aren't available there and you'd need a taxi.

(L) Na Baan Pier on Koh Larn; (R) On the fast boat to Koh Larn

Where to Stay on Koh Larn

Pick The Area in 10 Seconds!

• 🏪 Convenience + Local Life: Na Baan Village
• 🌴 Wake up on the Beach: Tawaen or Samae
• 🌹 Quiet + romance: Ta Yai
• 💰 Budget Stay: Na Baan guesthouses
• 👑 Luxury: Xanadu Beach Resort

With so many hotels, resorts, and guesthouses, pick based on vibe: For maximum convenience without beachfront, Na Baan Village puts you steps from restaurants, 7-Eleven, ATMs, rentals, and boats. It's also the cheapest spot, with options from basic guesthouses to small resorts.

Guesthouse in Na Baan

For a “wake up on the beach” experience, stay on Tawaen, Ta Yai or Samae Beaches. Tawaen is the longest and liveliest stretch of white sand, lined with resorts that put you a few steps from the water and sunset views, but popularity comes with crowds. For a quieter, more peaceful & laid-back beach vibe, stay along Samae at Xanadu Beach Resort or Ta Yai at Ta Yai Beach Resort. They give you a “secret island” feeling without the bustle.

How to Get Around on Koh Larn

Motorbike, Island Sidecar, Songthaew, Moto Taxi

Rent a motorbike (~200-400 THB/$6-12 USD per day) for easy exploration — abundant in the village - though some don't offer helmets, so be sure to find a shop that does! In terms of taxis or public transportation, you can hop on island sidecars (unique to Koh Larn - a motorbike with sidecar attached that has benches, a roof and sometimes even little curtains or fans), catch a songthaew (shared pickup truck taxi common in Southeast Asia, where you sit on benches in the truck bed), or take a moto taxi. There are hardly any cars on the island and no car rentals are available.

Koh Larn island sidecar

Top Things to Do on Koh Larn

1) Explore Na Baan Village

The village of Na Baan (also called Nabaan) on Koh Larn is worth exploring to do some local shopping, eat Thai street food and see the main cultural hub of the island. Being on the island's east coast it has views of Pattaya's skyline and is where most locals live, which creates a lively and welcoming atmosphere. Narrow streets are filled with cute cafés, local restaurants, street food stalls, souvenir shops, and practical amenities like 7-Elevens and a doctors. Beyond this you can do cool activities like joining a local cooking class (~500 THB/$15) to make somtam with fresh island ingredients!

Na Baan (Koh Larn) Village

When night comes, the village becomes very lively. You'll see sidecar drivers park along the pier with full disco lights and blaring music - jump in for a 10-minute ride around the village for ~50 THB (~$1.50 USD) and experience pure Koh Larn chaos. From ~6–10 PM you can visit the night market to enjoy delicious food; the main street fills with stalls: grilled squid, mango sticky rice, somtam, and cold Chang beers.

Wat Mai Samran (Wat Koh Larn)

Near the pier is a small Buddhist temple built in 1922, standing as the island's oldest temple and a vital spiritual center. The island was primarily a small fishing settlement and naval outpost used as a stopover for fishermen, sailors, and even pirates. Ever since, the temple has served local residents, many from fishing families, who make daily visits to pray and offer alms to monks for safe voyages, bountiful catches, and protection at sea. It's worth a stop on your explorations to reflect and observe daily island life & culture, though it's now in need of restoration to preserve its historical significance amid growing tourism.

2) Explore The Temples: Big Buddha & Guanyin Temple

Guanyin Temple and the large golden Big Buddha of Koh Larn are adjacent attractions within the same hillside complex above Tawaen Beach (on the same road towards Tawaen beach viewpoint). You can drive to the first level - the main viewpoint where the Buddha is - and explore with panoramic views of the beach and sea below. From there, it takes around 20 minutes to walk to the second level at the top of about 250 steps. This second level is the location of the higher Guanyin Temple, which features a dedication to the goddess of compassion (Guanyin), along with a Buddha footprint. This hill actually offers better panoramic views than the nearby Tawaen Beach Viewpoint, which is lower and provides a more direct but less expansive overlook of the beach — skip it and focus here for the superior scenery and added culture.

3) Hike to Windmill Viewpoint

The Windmill Viewpoint is an incredible lookout point on the island's highest point near Samae Beach. The hike is short but rewarding, leading to 360-degree views of the island including the Pattaya city skyline (which lights up beautifully at night) and stunning sunsets. Park at the base and follow the path (20-40 minutes, 0.5-1km) through lush greenery, sections of dirt trails and rocky steps. It's a straightforward uphill route where you'll spot tropical vegetation & local wildlife like birds or butterflies, ending at a viewing platform with benches to rest and soak in the scenery! Paragliders take off from this spot; watch or join for a thrill.

Views of Samae Beach from Windmill viewpoint; Photo by ThaimaaOpas on Unsplash

If hiking isn't your thing you can drive to the top instead, though the road is steep with sharp turns on narrow paths, so proceed with caution.

4) Visit the Best Beaches: Tien, Nual, Samae & Ta Yai

There are so many beautiful beaches on the island with soft powdery shores and warm azure seas. In my opinion, the following are the top beaches on Koh Larn. All of them offer:

• free parking
• water activities (jet-skiing, kayaking, banana boats)
• sunbed rentals (~100 THB/$3 USD per day)
• at least one cafe/restaurant
• excellent snorkeling amid corals (it's 'Coral Island' for a reason!)

**My honest opinion on Tawaen Beach: Tawaen is arguably the most popular beach on the entire island, but it wasn't my favorite. Boats were coming and going often—there is a pier for transport to/from Pattaya city—and there were so many watersports, resorts and restaurants. For me, there was just too much going on and I prefer beaches that are a bit quieter. It's not even the most beautiful, so I'm not sure why it's so popular other than for day trippers from Pattaya City.

Tien Beach

Motorbike & songthaew parking in front of Tien Beach

This was my favorite beach on the island, located on Koh Larns west side. It has beautiful trees on the sand close to the water that create natural shaded areas - perfect for breaking from the sun - and make the beach feel so tropical. There is a restaurant and bar with delicious food, cocktails, and coconuts that are chopped open on the spot - the ones in Southeast Asia are the best I have ever tasted, and the ones from this bar were no exception!

Tien Beach; natural shade & views

The beach was relatively quiet, and I was so surprised at how warm and gentle the water was, making for a wonderful day of swimming. We rented jet-skis for ~1200 THB (~$35 USD) for 30 minutes - we had never been on a jet-ski prior to this, so having our first experience be on a tropical Thai island was amazing!

Nual Beach (Monkey Beach)

Nual Beach, located on the southernmost part of the island, is known as Monkey Beach due to the monkey colony that occupies the hillside on the left of the beach. You can often see them climbing around on the rocky hill. You can lure them closer with snacks (e.g. watermelon, bananas) or even climb the hill to get a closer look - if you do, be respectful and follow the monkey rules*! I would arrive early in the morning or later in the evening for higher chances of spotting them, as they usually won’t be out and roaming if the weather is too hot/at its peak.

Nual Beach (monkey hillside)

*Monkey rules:

• Do not provoke them
• Do not touch them
• Do not look them in the eye for long periods of time (they can see it as a sign of aggression)
• Keep your belongings close/away from the monkeys so they don't steal them

This beach was the least crowded and had the best snorkeling - corals, tropical fish, and starfish can be found under the blue waters near the rocky area below the monkey hill. Note that the beach had many stray dogs while we were there - especially puppies! One of the dogs was so adorable and took a liking to my boyfriend and me as he followed us all the way down the beach and didn’t want to leave our side!

Samae Beach

Sunset at Samae Beach

Samae is the second-largest beach on the island and one of the best for watching the sunset. The most recognizable photos of this beach are of the stingray-shaped building on the right-side hill, which is actually the electricity control center of the island. This beach definitely gets busier than others as it's one of the most popular beaches on Koh Larn, but the beach is large and there is plenty of room so it never felt too crowded! It's a great spot for water sports and snorkeling, with clear waters and rentals like jet skis and banana boats.

Sunset at Samae Beach

Ta Yai Beach

Ta Yai, situated on the northern tip of Koh Larn, is a small and charming spot perfect for a peaceful escape away from the island's more crowded areas. It's known for having the whitest sands on the island and is surrounded by picturesque rocks both in the water and on land - this makes it a hidden gem for photography, with the unique rock formations and scenic spots making perfect Instagram-worthy shots.

Activities here are low-key: lounge on the soft sands, stroll along the shore, or snorkel to spot colorful fish and corals in the calm bay. It's home to Ta Yai Beach Resort which is available to the public for dining! Another food option is to stop by Matata Bay Cafe which is not far on the road leading to the beach.

5) Check out Koh Larn's Cafe-Bars

Koh Larn is full of trendy, boho-island-vibe cafes and bars. Not sure how else to explain it! They're well decorated, have great, often live, music, delicious Thai food and great cocktails. There aren't many nightlife options due to the islands small size (and the majority are in Na Baan village) but these spots are great for daytime and are also open pretty late at night:

Klom Klom Kohlarn: This is, in my opinion, the best bar/restaurant on Koh Larn! It's a charming boho bar open until 12am and has a lively local vibe with live music (soft alternative was played when we were there), pool tables, and authentic Thai food (the Pad Thai was the best). As I sit here writing this, I am craving their noodles! The whole place is beautifully decorated with unique paintings, sculptures and tapestries everywhere you look. Hanging around the bar was the sweetest cat that seemed to live there - they even had cat toys around the bar! The staff are all very kind, to say the least.

Klom Klom Kohlarn outside & meal

Vibe Bar Kohlarn: Trendy beachfront spot on Ta Waen Beach with colorful decor, gorgeous views and a menu of craft cocktails, pizzas, and coffee — the perfect place for sunset watching in a relaxed atmosphere.

Talaybar: Very chill local spot in Na Baan with views of Pattaya City across the sea. Very affordable food & drinks. There is often a band next door so you can hear their live music from this more relaxed spot without being in the crowds!

FAQs about Koh Larn

Q: If I take a boat from Pattaya to Na Baan, can I return to Pattaya via Tawaen Beach (or vice versa)?

Yes! You can pay as you board, so it doesn't matter what pier you return to Pattaya from.

Q: Is Koh Larn crowded?

It can get busy during peak season (Nov-Apr) with day-trippers from Pattaya, especially at popular spots like Tawaen Beach. For quieter vibes, visit mid-week or early mornings, or opt for hidden gems like Ta Yai.

Q: What's the best time to visit Koh Larn?

November to April for dry, sunny weather (25-30°C/77-86°F) and calm seas—perfect for beaches and hikes. Avoid the rainy season (May-Oct) when ferries might cancel due to rough waves, though it's less crowded and cheaper then.

Q: How much does a day trip to Koh Larn cost?

Budget 500-1,000 THB (~$15-30 USD) per person: Ferry/fast boat (30-200 THB round-trip), motorbike rental (200-400 THB), beach sunbed (100 THB), and food/drinks (200-400 THB). Add 1,200 THB for activities like jet-skiing. For overnight stays, increase budget starting at 800 THB (~$25) for basic guesthouses.

Q: Are there ATMs or currency exchange on Koh Larn?

Yes, a few ATMs in Na Baan Village (e.g., near 7-Eleven), but they can run out of cash on busy days—bring enough THB from Pattaya. Most spots accept cash only; no formal exchanges, but some shops might swap at poor rates.

Koh Larn Interactive Map

Zoom in to explore Big Buddha Temple, Tien Beach, Na Baan and more! Click on marked spots for details.