Thailand boasts many beautiful beaches, but the most breathtaking ones are on its islands. The image of crystal-clear waters on white sand, flanked by lush vegetation, is rarely found on the mainland.
Many travelers believe there are no beautiful beaches near Bangkok, but in reality, there’s a picture-perfect island just two hours from the capital called Koh Larn.
Koh Larn, popular among Russians, Chinese, and Thais, is a small island off the coast of Pattaya. Many guidebooks omit it due to its past tourist influx and its proximity to a city often associated with sex tourism in the West.
However, it’s a mistake to let such prejudices deter you from this beach destination.
Koh Larn features stunning vegetation and beaches. If you venture beyond the main cove, which can feel like a theme park during high season, you’ll discover charming cafés with views, small hotels that respect the natural environment, quieter beaches, and some picturesque local areas.
Of course, to explore the more beautiful and less crowded parts of Koh Larn, renting a motorbike is essential. It’s easy to get around the island this way. Due to its proximity to Bangkok and the ease of traveling from Koh Larn to the main airport in the capital, this island is perfect for a short getaway.
The island is very popular with Thais from Bangkok, who typically stay here for at least one night. Additionally, the pandemic benefited Koh Larn by reducing mass tourism from Chinese and Russian visitors, allowing it to adapt to a new reality. As a result, the island has become known as “the island of hidden charm,” with popular tourist spots now featuring beautiful cafés and bars that appeal to Bangkok tourists seeking modern, photogenic locations.
The best time to visit Koh Larn is between November and February, when temperatures are cooler, and rainfall is minimal.
From March to the end of May, the weather is generally sunny, but the heat can be intense.
The rainy season runs from June to October, bringing occasional cloudy skies. However, there are still plenty of sunny days, fewer tourists, and lower prices.
Travel Advice: Check out our article on the best time to visit Thailand for month-by-month climate information.
To begin with, we always recommend getting good travel insurance Thailand. This can save you a significant amount on medical expenses and, most importantly, ensures that the insurance covers the costs upfront, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket.
In the previous article, we go into more detail about healthcare in Thailand, as well as tips on how to get the best insurance (and save money).
Nowadays, finding hotels, guesthouses, or restaurants in Thailand with free Wi-Fi is pretty common. However, there are still those who prefer (or need) to stay connected at all times.
That’s why we’ll show you how to get an eSIM Thailand card with internet— now also available with unlimited data.
Getting to Koh Larn from Bangkok is straightforward and doesn’t require much planning. In fact, you can plan your trip the day before or even on the morning of your departure. However, the experience is much better if you stay on the island for at least one night to avoid the organized tour groups that come from Pattaya.
Getting to Koh Larn is very easy if you are in Bangkok or the Pattaya area. There are two main options:
From the central Ekkamai bus station in Bangkok, you can take a bus to Pattaya every hour for 120 baht (about 3 euros). The journey takes about two hours. From Mo Chit bus terminal, there are three buses in the morning, at 3 a.m., 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Once in Pattaya, take a taxi to Bali Hai Pier. Ferries to Koh Larn depart hourly from the end of the pier walkway. For 30 baht (less than 1 euro), the ferry will take you to the island in about 40 minutes.
A taxi from Bangkok to Bali Hai Pier takes just over an hour and a half and costs around 1,300 baht (about 35 euros). From there, speedboats can quickly take you to the best beaches in about ten minutes for approximately 200 baht (just over 5 euros).
If you plan to spend just one day on Koh Larn, it’s best to leave Bangkok early and take the 10 a.m. ferry. This will help you avoid the organized tours that usually depart between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. The last ferry back to Pattaya departs between 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., but you can also return by speedboat at any time.
While the beaches are the main attraction on Koh Larn Island, they are not the only highlight. The island also boasts some charming restaurants by the sea, a pleasant residential area, and numerous modern cafés offering views of nature or the sea.
This shift in tourism on Koh Larn has moved from a focus on organized groups of Chinese and Russians to attracting Thai youth.
The emergence of Instagrammable cafés for Thai youth in more unspoiled areas of Koh Larn, which are reachable by motorbike, has been a positive change. Previously, efforts to attract Chinese tourists led to the installation of street lamps and loudspeakers on some beaches, while other beaches were cluttered with umbrellas for Russian visitors.
The new cafés respect the natural environment and are located in more pristine areas.
The most historically spectacular beaches are found in the central part of the island, where the main beach is also the largest. Our recommendation is to visit this area either early in the morning or at dusk to avoid crowds.
Tawaen Beach is the main beach on Koh Larn, renowned for its beauty, with crystal-clear waters and very white sand stretching over a wide area. However, it can get very crowded.
Despite the presence of motorboats and designated bathing areas, as well as numerous restaurants and hammocks filling the beach, Tawaen Beach remains beautiful in the morning and relatively quiet at dusk.
Aside from Tawaen Beach, there are two other notable locations in the central part of Koh Larn. The first is Hat Sanwang, a small beach located on the opposite side of the Tawaen Pier. To reach it, head right from the pier rather than towards the main cove.
The standout beach in this part of the island is Tong Lang Beach. It is situated away from Tawaen, accessible by a small path that takes about 15 minutes on foot or a couple of minutes by motorbike.
Tong Lang Beach has only one small local beach bar that doesn’t intrude on the beach area. It offers simple meals like rice or noodles and drinks, but the beach remains tranquil without speedboats or large crowds.
If you’re visiting Koh Larn for just one day without staying overnight and don’t plan to rent a motorbike, you can enjoy the central beaches. They are great for a day of sea and sand, although Tawaen Beach can be crowded during peak times.
If you rent a motorbike, you can explore the island further and discover less crowded beaches.
The most famous beach away from the port is Samae Beach, about a 15-minute motorbike ride from the central area. It features beautiful sand and a large expanse, and the sunsets there are stunning.
However, since 2015, Samae Beach has suffered from the impact of mass tourism. Landowners, seeking to capitalize on the influx of Chinese tourists, have damaged part of the cove to create a commercial area. They installed loudspeakers, CCTV cameras, and streetlights, and an abandoned, monstrous building marred the beach’s natural beauty.
In contrast, Tien Beach is a quieter option. It is inaccessible by road and requires about a five-minute walk from a viewpoint, which keeps it relatively unvisited.
Tien Beach is ideal for those seeking tranquility. While Tawaen is suited for those looking for restaurants and bars and Samae Beach caters to water sports enthusiasts, Tien offers a peaceful retreat.
The beach, popular among the Thai public, tends to be empty during midday but becomes busier in the evening as locals come to enjoy its waters.
As with many Thai islands, the most unspoiled beaches are often the most remote. Nual Beach on Koh Larn is a prime example, featuring only vegetation, sand, and sea. With minimal tourist infrastructure and abundant rocks, it is home to a few monkeys and little else.
It takes about 20 minutes by motorbike from the central area of Koh Larn, but the trip is worthwhile.
If you have limited time and want to visit both Koh Larn and Pattaya from Bangkok, you can book a tour that includes both destinations.
Accommodation in Koh Larn is generally more expensive compared to the Pattaya area. We recommend avoiding hotels on the central beaches due to their exorbitant prices and mediocre quality. Inland, you can find places starting at around ten euros per night, with options ranging up to very luxurious accommodations.
For great value, we highly recommend Nomad Resort. Prices start at just over 50 euros per night, including breakfast. The resort’s standout feature is its rooms with high ceilings and private outdoor pools in each individual bungalow.
An ideal way to end the day in Koh Larn.
Renting a motorbike is straightforward; you don’t need to leave a passport or deposit. The cost is usually 100 baht (about three euros) for a few hours, or double that for a full 24 hours.
Though the island has many hills, traffic is minimal, and travel times are short. Without a motorbike, you would be limited to the central beaches, which are often crowded with tourists.
Koh Larn has become a hotspot for trendy dining, especially on Tawaen and Samae beaches, where restaurants prioritize photo opportunities over food quality.
Our recommendation is to avoid overspending, steer clear of these tourist-heavy areas. However, Tawaen Beach Resort offers good food at reasonable prices in a quieter part of the central beach.
For cheaper options, head away from the beaches to the residential areas. There, you can find simple dishes for around two euros. Exploring the island by motorbike will also reveal many upscale cafés, some better than others.
We particularly love Local Café, which supports local farmers and prepares coffee traditionally while respecting the island’s natural environment.
For those staying overnight on Koh Larn, we recommend visiting Chalianglom Kitchen. Although the cove nearby lacks sand, the restaurant is excellent.
It’s not a tourist trap or overpriced, and it serves high-quality local dishes, making it popular among Thais on the island.Chalianglom Kitchen on Koh Larn.
Exploring the underwater world is a fascinating yet sometimes daunting activity. Simply putting on a diving mask and peering beneath the surface reveals a whole new world of colors and unfamiliar life forms.
However, this world needs to be cared for and respected. If you’re planning to include snorkeling in your trip and want to ensure your presence doesn’t negatively impact the ecosystem, consider learning about responsible diving practices (whether with or without a tank).
Click on the image and it will take you to a new Google Maps window with all the points of interest to travel around Koh Larn.
