Pattaya has a number of islands in its vicinity of which Koh Lan is the largest. The island is somewhat an extension of the mainland activities, featuring water sports such as diving snorkeling, windsurfing, waterskiing and para-sending. A key attraction is boats sailing around the island for sightseeing purposes. Some of the boats have glass bottoms enabling passengers to see coral and marine life at the bottom of the sea. The island has a number of beaches, the main beach hosting a number of excellent seafood restaurants selling dishes made from freshly caught seafood. The area also features deep sea fishing boats around Koh Lan’s neighbours, Koh Krok and Koh Sak.
Details: Koh Lan is 45 minutes from Pattaya beach by boat or 20 minutes by long-tail boat. Most of the tour boats make anchor to take advantage of the foodshops and stalls along these beaches. Facing Hat Thong Lang are coral ranges. Visitors can choose glass-bottom boats and surface-diving. Hat Samae is located to the southwest while Hat Ta Phan is to the west of the island.
How to get there: Ferries leave South Pattaya Pier daily from 10:00 to 18.30, the one-way fare being 20 Baht. The return ferry leaves Koh Lan’s Na Ban Beach at 12:00 and 14:00.
เกาะล้าน พัทยา เกาะล้าน ชลบุรี เกาะครก เกาะสาก
Pattaya
Chonburi |
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Pattaya Beach is at the centre of the half moon crescent that makes up the Pattaya coastline with Nakula Beach to the north and Jomtien Beach to the south. This part of Pattaya is famous (infamous?) for its nightlife. Very much a hedonist’s paradise, Pattaya Beach is littered with go-go bars and swamped with people employed in the sex industry; both genders (and some of nondescript gender!) and a variety of nationalities including Russians and others from former Eastern Bloc countries. Although this is the part of Pattaya that has most accommodation available, the nature of the nightlife can put families off. In the last few years though there has been a drive to make Pattaya more appealing to families by restricting some of the less salubrious activities. This has been successful to an extent but the area still maintains its go-go, discos and nightclubs. By day the area is somewhat different – the water is packed with jet-skiers, water skiers, powerboats and the sky is full of parasails! It is also a centre for scuba divers. Although as a dive site it might not meet the excellence of other places in Thailand, Pattaya is convenient for Bangkok and those with limited time who want to experience diving might well benefit from taking a course at one of Pattaya’s numerous and inexpensive dive shops. Ko Lan, Ko Sak, Ko Krok, Ko Man Wichai, and Ko Rin are all in easy reach of Pattaya as is a major shipwreck where more advanced divers visit. Pattaya Beach itself has its appeal, but the numerous hawkers walking up and down the beach make it a difficult place to just sit and relax – you are offered everything from food to high technology with annoying regularity. There’s no doubt Pattaya Beach is a fun destination, but one that needs some consideration before a visit. Pattaya has its appeal, but perhaps it might not appeal to you or your situation.
How to get there: Pattaya Beach is on the Songtaew route and getting there is 20 Baht from anywhere in Pattaya. |
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