Pattaya beach - beaches of Pattaya
Most people come to Pattaya to enjoy the beaches, not only for the swimming but also for the relaxed atmosphere and the lovely sea breezes. There is a choice of beaches in Pattaya, with a more than 15 kilometres of sandy coastline offering everything from private coves to long sweeping beaches and busy fun-filled waterfronts.
Pattaya Beach
By far the most convenient and popular beach for many people staying in Central or South Pattaya is Pattaya Beach itself. It is within walking distance of the majority of hotels and condos in this area and is bounded by Beach Road on the landward side. Depending upon the tide, this beach gives about 20/40 metres of beach, mostly covered by umbrellas with deck chairs and small tables underneath, for which you will be charged 20 baht each for as long as you’re there. These areas are open from around 7am until dark (6pm).
The concessionaires will also provide you with food and drink from local establishments or their own stock of ice, beer and soft drinks. Just raise an arm, tell them what you want and they will go and get it for you. The major problem on this beach is that the traffic is only 20 metres away and it is one of the busiest roads in Pattaya. The many beach vendors plying Pattaya beach will offer you anything from fresh oysters (35 baht for 12 shelled and served with sauce in little bags) to second hand books, battered deep fried prawns and souvenirs. Others offer on the spot Thai massages, which can be very relaxing in the shade with the sound of the sea nearby. For these reasons, Pattaya beach is popular with foreigners and Thais in about equal proportions.
It does get very busy on Thai holidays. Pattaya Beach and the beaches to the north and south are safe and clean. Regular clean-ups by the local government and volunteers, and a very efficient new lifeguard service, combined with golden sand and buoyed-off swimming areas (to stop the boats interfering) make it a pleasant beach, but hardly an untouched tropical paradise. There are many speed-boats and jet-ski companies operating off Pattaya beach and it is advisable to swim in the many designated areas where they are not allowed. You will also find many friendly Thai families on this beach.
Jomtien Beach
The slightly cleaner beaches are, however, in Jomtien (round the corner of the promontory further to the south), and the quality of the water is better than that in Pattaya Bay. Many locals and tourists alike take a taxi over to Jomtien (10 baht from the corner of South Pattaya Road and 2nd Road) for this reason. On Jomtien Beach you will find roughly the same facilities as Pattaya Beach, but it is a bit more modern and tends to have more foreign visitors than Thais due to the large number of condos designed for Western tastes in the vicinity. The further down Jomtien Beach Road you go the quieter it gets and there are fewer facilities. Much further down the coast is Pattaya’s only gay beach. Jomtien is also by far the best option for sailing, windsurfing and other water-sports, with equipment and boats available either from the beach or from one of the sailing clubs along Jomtien Beach Road. The Amara Sailing Centre at the Pattaya Park Beach Hotel, Dongtan Beach, Jomtien, tel: 01-862-9958, and Jomtien Water-sports Club, 59/1 Soi Na, Jomtien, tel: 03-823-2114, are just two of many.
North Pattaya - Naklua
In North Pattaya there are plenty of quieter beaches to enjoy, many of them in small coves adjoining hotels and condos. These beaches are not as commercially orientated as Pattaya and Jomtien beaches and tend not to be as busy, even at holiday times of year. Getting to them can be a little tricky and you simply have to go exploring in the suburb of Naklua (which forms the promontory north of Pattaya beach) and look for little lanes leading to these. None of them are the exclusive domain of the hotels here, and everyone is welcome to use them. The Pattaya Council’s policy of cleanliness, and a policy of moving large amounts of sand during the low season, has resulted in some lovely quiet beaches in this area. Many people take a picnic and their own drinks, but you can always find ice nearby.
Offshore beaches - Koh Larn
For really quiet and clean beaches in Pattaya it is worth taking a ferry (20 baht) to Koh Larn (coral island) which has a selection of white sandy beaches and very clear water for snorkelling enthusiasts. The ferries start at 8 am and the last one returns to Pattaya at 6 pm. If you are with several other people, you could hire a speed-boat for 1500 to 2000 baht per day which can take you to the more secluded beaches on the northern parts of the island. There are also several other virtually deserted beaches to choose from on the other smaller islands in the vicinity.
