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Pattaya Day 2: Exploring Koh Larn Island by Motorbike and Its Paradise Beaches

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PattayaKoh LarnKo LanThailandBali Hai PierTawaen BeachNual BeachMotorbike RentalPattaya Travel GuideTravelThai BeachesIsland Hopping

Hi friends! On our second day in Pattaya, we headed to Koh Larn Island. The day before, we explored the city side, the beach area and Walking Street. Today we crossed over to this small island right across from Pattaya and toured the entire place by motorbike.

Honestly, coming to Pattaya and skipping Koh Larn would be a big miss. There is a serious difference between the sea in the city and the sea on the island, and some of the beaches here are genuinely paradise-like.

How to Get to Koh Larn Island

To reach the island, you first need to go to Bali Hai Pier. Located at the southern end of Pattaya, right where Walking Street ends, this pier is the departure point for all ferries and speedboats going to the island.

We bought a one-way ferry ticket for 30 baht per person. The trip takes about 45 minutes. For that price it is incredibly cheap, and the sea view along the way is lovely too.

If you want to get there faster, speedboats are also available. A speedboat costs around 150 baht per person and cuts the travel time significantly. If you are not in a hurry, I would recommend the ferry — it is far cheaper and the ride itself is enjoyable.

Transport summary:

  • Ferry: 30 baht per person (one way), around 45 minutes
  • Speedboat: Around 150 baht per person, much faster
  • Departure point: Bali Hai Pier

Renting a Motorbike on the Island: 250 Baht per Day

As soon as we arrived on the island, the first thing we did was rent a motorbike. There are plenty of rental shops right at the pier exit, so you do not have to search for one.

For around 250 baht, you can rent a motorbike for the entire day. The price felt very reasonable to us, and we started exploring the island right away.

Koh Larn is a small island, but the beaches are spread out across different points. If you try to walk everywhere, a single day will not be enough. With a motorbike, you can get from one end of the island to the other quickly, stop at whichever beach you like and stay as long as you want. So the motorbike is not just transport here — it completely changes how your day flows.

First Stop: Nual Beach

Our first stop was Nual Beach. The beach was quite nice, the water was clean and the view was pleasant. But one detail gave us pause: they were asking 100 baht per person just to sit on the sunbeds.

If you are only stopping by briefly before moving on, that fee feels unnecessary. Since we did not want to spend too much time there, we hopped back on our motorbike and continued touring the island.

Still, I would not tell you to skip Nual Beach entirely. If you are looking for a quieter beach and plan to stay in one place all day, it can be a sensible choice. Just factor the sunbed fee into your budget in advance.

Tawaen Beach: The Star of the Island

After riding a little further, we reached Tawaen Beach on the other side of the island. And this is where I was genuinely surprised.

Honestly, I felt like I was in the GTA 6 trailer! It was one of the cleanest and clearest seas I have ever seen in my life. The color of the water, the texture of the sand, the transparency of the sea... It is a truly paradise-like place.

Tawaen Beach is one of the most popular beaches on the island, so it can get crowded around midday. But the quality of the water more than makes up for the crowds. You cannot even compare the sea here with the sea along the Pattaya shoreline.

My Tips for Koh Larn

If you are going to visit Koh Larn, I strongly recommend coming early in the morning. There are a few reasons for this:

  • Ferry queues are much shorter in the morning
  • The beaches are far calmer than in the afternoon
  • You have enough time to comfortably tour the island by motorbike
  • You get to swim before the sun reaches its harshest hours

There are several other nice spots to see across the island. Instead of visiting a single beach and heading back, I would suggest riding around to different corners of the island. Renting a motorbike lets you explore freely and makes the whole day much more enjoyable.

One small note: be careful when riding on the island. The roads are narrow and sloped in some sections. Do not skip the helmet.

Pattaya Day 2 Route Summary

  • Bali Hai Pier: The departure point, ferry at 30 baht per person
  • Ferry ride: Around 45 minutes, scenic and very affordable
  • Motorbike rental: Around 250 baht per day, essential for touring the island
  • Nual Beach: A nice beach, but sunbeds cost 100 baht per person
  • Tawaen Beach: The clearest water on the island and the highlight of the day

Locations

Here are the Google Maps links for the places I mentioned:

Final Thoughts

Our second day in Pattaya was a completely different experience compared to the first. Escaping the city crowds, touring a small island by motorbike and stopping along the way to swim in crystal-clear water was genuinely wonderful. And considering the total cost, it was an incredibly affordable day.

For me, Tawaen Beach was the star of the day. If you are visiting Pattaya and not planning to cross over to Koh Larn, I would say it is worth reconsidering your plan.

Stay tuned for the rest of our trip! If you have any questions, feel free to write them in the comments. Happy travels! 🌴

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