Koh Larn, Thailand — Pattaya's coral island escape
Just 30 minutes by speedboat from Pattaya's Bali Hai pier, Koh Larn (Coral Island) feels like a different world — turquoise water, soft white sand, and laid-back beach shacks. It's the perfect day-trip antidote to Pattaya's neon energy, with six distinct beaches to explore by songthaew or scooter.
Why visit Koh Larn?
Koh Larn is the easiest beach escape in eastern Thailand — close enough for breakfast in Pattaya and lunch on a quiet bay, but disconnected enough to feel like a real island. Bring cash, rent a scooter, and pick a different beach for sunset.
Highlights
- Tawaen, Samae & Nual beaches
- Snorkel & glass-bottom boats
- 30 min from Pattaya
- Cash-only island vibe
Good to know
- Best months to visit: November, December, January, February, March, April
- Suggested length of stay: Day trip or 1 night
- Typical daily budget: ฿600 (simple) to ฿1,500 (comfortable)
- Best for: Beaches, Snorkeling, Day trip, Relax
- Less suited to: Nightlife, Long stays, Shopping
Where to stay in Koh Larn
Tawaen Beach
The main and most developed beach. Restaurants, jet skis, banana boats. Best for First-timers & families.
Samae Beach
Long crescent on the west coast — calmer water, fewer crowds. Best for Swimming & relaxing.
Nual Beach (Tien)
Southern tip, the quietest stretch with the best sunsets. Best for Couples & sunsets.
Getting there and around
Speedboat from Bali Hai pier (~30 min, ฿300 return) or public ferry (~45 min, ฿30). First boats from 07:00.
Songthaew shared trucks between beaches (฿20-40). Scooter rental at Tawaen pier (฿250/day).
What things cost
Beach chair ฿100, seafood lunch ฿200-400, snorkel set ฿150, banana boat ฿200.
Local tips
- Bring cash — there are no reliable ATMs on the island
- Last public ferry leaves around 18:00, last speedboat ~17:00
- Weekends get crowded with day-trippers from Bangkok
- Book a beach hotel for sunset & sunrise without the crowds
What it costs in Koh Larn in 2026
| What you pay for | Booked with a local operator | Chain, hotel desk or agency |
|---|---|---|
| 125cc scooter, per day | 200–300 THB | 400–600 THB |
| Compact car (Yaris/Almera), per day | 900–1 300 THB | 1 400–2 200 THB |
| Half day (4 h), car + driver | 1 500–2 200 THB | 2 500–3 500 THB |
| Longtail boat, half day | 1 800–3 000 THB | 3 500–5 000 THB |
| Half-day class incl. market visit | 1 000–1 600 THB | 1 800–2 800 THB |
| Thai massage, 60 min | 300–500 THB | 900–1 800 THB |
Ranges are typical 2026 prices in Thai baht. High season (December–February) sits at the top of each range; low season and weekly bookings sit at the bottom. Always agree the price before you hand over money or a passport.
The local operators qop connects you with in Koh Larn
This is where qop is different from a booking site. Instead of reselling you a chain product, qop puts you in direct contact with the local services operators that actually live and work in Koh Larn — the same people locals use, at the price locals pay.
- Every operator we hand you over to is a registered business with a real address, not a beach-front middleman taking a cut.
- We check reviews and complaint history before an operator gets listed, and we drop them when travellers report problems.
- You talk to the operator directly, in your own language through qop, so nothing gets lost between three intermediaries.
- Booking direct is usually 30–50% cheaper than the hotel desk, because there is no agency commission on top.
- If something goes wrong, you have a name, a phone number and a person who wants to keep working with us — not a support queue abroad.
Ask in the qop chat which operators are open in Koh Larn right now and you'll get live options on a map, with the contact details — see local providers in Thailand.
1 Day on Koh Larn
Day 1: Coral Island Day
- Speedboat from Bali Hai pier
- Morning swim at Tawaen Beach
- Seafood lunch on the strip
- Snorkel & relax at Samae Beach
- Sunset at Nual Beach
- Last boat back to Pattaya