9AM – 6PM on Koh Larn Island, Pattaya: Best Day-Tripping Experience.
If you are planning to visit Pattaya, Thailand and wish to spend time in places where people are not seeking ladyboys, Koh Larn Island, Pattaya is the best spot for your needs. I went on a day trip to Koh Larn Island, Pattaya with my 4 friends, and it was one of the most memorable experiences I had during my entire time in Thailand. I planned the visit to Koh Larn Island to be a 9 AM – 6 PM affair due to multiple factors. Firstly, I only had one day to spend here, And second, I chose to reach the island using the ferry service, which typically starts around 7 AM and ends at 6 PM.
Reaching Koh Larn Island from mainland Pattaya.
I Started the day at 8:30 AM from my Airbnb – The Base, Central Pattaya to catch a taxi to Bali Hai Pier. It took me just 10 minutes from the Airbnb to the pier since my Airbnb was centrally located in Pattaya and was easily accessible to all prime locations within minutes.
Klook.comHow to reach Koh Larn Island, Pattaya?
There are 2 ways you could reach Koh Larn Island from Bali Hai Pier, Pattaya: 1) Ferry – 30 THB per person, 2) Speed boat – 600 THB per boat.
How long does it take to reach Koh Larn Island from Pattya mainland?
Upon reaching the Bali Hai Pier, I was persuaded by the speed boat operators who claimed that they would transfer me to the island within 20 minutes and informed me that the ferry would take almost 1 hour. Well, it is true that a ferry takes 1 hour to reach the island. Although the ferry journey lasts longer, it offers a unique experience, especially during the sunset.
Which one to choose? Well, it depends on the person. If you wish to experience the adrenaline rush, then you can opt for a speed boat. I didn’t choose the speed boat as I was aware that the speed boat journey would be very rough and could lead to dizziness since I had just had breakfast.
The ferry journey did last an hour, and it was really a calm journey with scenic views without much fuss.
Ferry Schedule to Koh Larn Island, Pattaya.
As I mentioned earlier, the ferry service from Bali Hai Pier to Koh Larn Na Baan Pier starts at 7 AM in the morning and ends around 6 PM in the evening.
Experiencing the Serene Beauty of Koh Larn Island, Pattaya
The ferry docked at Na Baan Pier, Koh Larn around 10 AM. As I reached the island, I was welcomed by the turquoise blue waters and the lush greenery on the island. The plan for the entire day was to rent a scooter and ride across the island to explore at least 3-4 beaches in Koh Larn.
Renting a Scooter in Koh Larn Island.
Right after 100 metres from Na Baan Pier, you can find multiple scooter rental companies offering you the best deals for the day. You’ll have the flexibility to bargain here since there are multiple scooter rentals available, but it’s not necessary since the cost per scooter is just 200 THB per day, including fuel.
I was asked to submit a valid ID before taking the bike (obviously no issues). I gave my Indian driving license as proof. Since I was not very sure if this place could be trusted, I took a photo of the person holding my ID, just to make sure, you know! This person was friendly and didn’t hesitate for the photo, as he was aware of the importance of these IDs for tourists.
You might be asked to submit your passport as well, so make sure you have any valid ID before you board the ferry from the mainland. If you are in a group, any one person from the group will be asked for valid ID proof.
After renting the scooter, the first destination was to go to Tien beach.
Road to Tien Beach.
“Sometimes it’s more about the journey than the destination”
Riding along the road to Tien Beach itself is a unique experience. This route has a few patches of winding roads, and this is where the beauty lies.
As soon as I started the ride, I reached this winding road where I had to ride uphill and was surprised by the aerial view of Koh Larn Island and a glimpse of the Pattaya city skyline from the island. I stopped here to click a few Instagram-worthy pictures before continuing the ride to Tien Beach.
Tien Beach: White sand & Crystal Clear Waters
It was a 10-minute ride to Tien Beach from Na Baan Pier, and the ride was totally worth it with the scenic views of the coast. After parking the bike, I started a small hike to Tien Beach from the parking area.
The path to the beach reminded me of the climax scene from Game of Thrones, where the Starks send off Jon Snow to Castle Black. The bridge alongside the coast leading to the beach was very similar to the dock shown in Game of Thrones.
Reaching the beach, I was very impressed with the crystal-clear water, white sand, and its cleanliness. The first impression of the beach made me plan to spend the maximum amount of time here on the island to relax and chill at Tien Beach.
You can also enjoy other water activities such as kayaking, banana boat rides, and jet ski rides here at Tien Beach.
Authentic Thai Food at the Tien beach
If you want to chill by taking a sunbath at the beach, you’ll need to rent a sun lounger. The rental for the entire day costs 100 THB. Another option to relax here at the beach would be to order food at the cute little cafes along the beachside. You won’t be allowed to sit near the cafes without purchasing their food. You can simply grab a drink to get yourself a spot.
After spending some time in the beach water, the next thing to do was to eat authentic Thai food. I ordered fried rice with chicken and mixed vegetables. It was quite different from what we get in India, as it was less spicy and a little milder. But the food was really good and fresh.
Monkey Beach/Nueal Beach: Scam Alert
Spending almost 4 hours at Tien Beach until 3:30 PM, I started off to Monkey Beach, which is 5 km away from Tien Beach. The route to Monkey Beach goes through the interior roads of Koh Larn Island, which were very beautiful.
To be honest, Monkey Beach was not really impressive compared to Tien Beach. This beach was a bit secluded and didn’t give off that typical beach vibe. One of my friends tried the jet ski here, only to get scammed by the jet ski operator. After paying a hefty 450 THB per person, the jet ski ride lasted just 5 minutes, yes you heard it right.
To put it in perspective, if you remember, the rent for the scooter for the entire day including fuel costs just 200 THB.
Adding to this scam, there is another incident that happened in the middle of the ocean. One of my friends requested the jet ski operator if he could ride it. The operator saw this as an opportunity to scam again by asking for an additional 50 THB for him to ride the jet ski in the middle of the ocean, and he insisted on immediate payment.
To be honest, this was one of the worst experiences we had in Thailand. I would suggest avoiding the jet ski ride here at Monkey Beach.
Tai Yai Beach
Tai Yai Beach is located at the northern tip of Koh Larn Island. After spending nearly an hour at Monkey Beach, I planned to visit one last beach for the day, which is Tai Yai Beach. It’s another 5 km ride from Monkey Beach to Tai Yai Beach. The route to this beach takes you through the neighbourhoods of the island, which are very different and unique from what you can see in mainland Pattaya city.
Tai Yai Beach is yet another beautiful beach with rocky formations along the coast. This is one of the best spots on the island to capture Instagram-worthy photos with rock formations, white sand, and turquoise blue water as your backdrop.
That’s a Wrap for the Day.
Spending my time at Tai Yai Beach in the evening for almost another hour, I called it a day and set out on a ride back to Na Baan Pier to catch the last ferry of the day to mainland Pattaya city, which departs at 5:30 PM..
Ferry Ride Back: Experiencing The Beautiful Golden Hour
The ferry ride back to mainland Pattaya was the most memorable experience of the day trip. Witnessing the golden hour as the sun set in the west was magical, especially with the view of the Pattaya skyline against a pink sky.
I would say this is a must-experience for couples, as the vibe during the return journey was truly romantic. Make sure to catch the last ferry back to the mainland to experience this.
Other Places To Visit In Koh Larn Island, Pattaya
Listing some of the other places that you can visit apart from what I visited,
- Samae Beach
- Priss Beach
- Tawaen Beach
- Tong Lang Beach
- The Windmill Viewpoint
- Tawaen Beach Viewpoint.
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My Final Suggestions
If you are planning a trip to Koh Larn Island, Pattaya, you have two options: a day trip or staying at the beach resorts for a couple of days. For a day trip, I suggest visiting a couple of beaches and one of the viewpoints mentioned above to get an aerial view of Koh Larn Island. This is something we missed doing, which I still regret. Feel free to share this blog and leave a comment if you find it helpful. Thanks!
