Guides
Best beaches in Pattaya: Pattaya, Jomtien, Wong Amat and Koh Larn
For a long, calm beach with a family feel, Jomtien is the pick. For the busiest stretch with the most to do, it is Pattaya Beach. For towers and a quieter northern setting, it is Wong Amat, and for coral and snorkelling you take a boat to Koh Larn.12 The Pattaya coastline runs for about 20 km, so the beaches differ more than a first glance at the map suggests.
This guide describes each beach using official tourism material and a small number of secondary sources, flags where figures disagree, and ends with the February 2026 water report from Jomtien.
Pattaya Beach
Pattaya Beach sits in the middle of the coast, in a north to south arc around Pattaya Bay, and is the busiest part of the city.1 The tourism authority's Japan office says the northern end suits quiet stays with large resort hotels, and the southern end suits visitors who want nightlife.1
Sources disagree on how long it is. Wikipedia gives about 2.7 km,3 while another summary gave about 4 km, which we could not trace to a named publisher. Treat the length as a range of roughly 2.7 to 4 km until you have walked it.
Ferries and speedboats to the offshore islands leave from the Bali Hai pier, south of Pattaya Beach.1
Jomtien Beach
Jomtien is about 15 minutes south of Pattaya by minibus and has a calmer feel than Pattaya Beach. The tourism authority describes ivory coloured sand, recommends it for families, and gives the length as about 6 km from north to south.2
Modern hotels cluster at the north end, and the same page names windsurfing, banana boats and sea canoeing as popular there.2 Jomtien is also where several of the condominium projects on Keybaan are found, including the guide price from THB 1,930,390 shown on the Pristine Park III card.
Wong Amat and Naklua
Wong Amat Beach is 1.3 km long and sits on the Nakluea Bay peninsula in northern Pattaya. No beach road runs along it. It is lined with beachfront condominium towers and hotels, and the first hotel there opened in 1960.4
Naklua, the district to the north, is described by the tourism authority as keeping traces of the old fishing village.1
Na Jomtien and Ban Amphur Beach
Ban Amphur Beach is the coast of Na Jomtien (Na Chom Thian) and continues south from Jomtien Beach. It lies in Sattahip District, outside Bang Lamung.5 No length or facilities figure was confirmed for it, so check the beach in person.
Koh Larn
Koh Larn lies about 7.5 km from Pattaya and is surrounded by coral. The tourism authority names Tawaen Beach in the north for coral and snorkelling, and Sawai and Samae beaches, which face west, for sunsets.1
This guide gives no ferry times or fares, because those were not confirmed. Ask the pier operator on the day.
Water quality and what was reported in February 2026
Pattaya Mail reported that wastewater was discharged into the sea near Jomtien Beach Soi 14. Initial inspections on 2 February found water quality described as poor. After the mayor's inspection on 3 February, officials said tests showed conditions were normal again and tourists were back in the water. Legal action against the contractor was under way.6
The site was a stormwater retention pond in a beach improvement project, according to the same report.6 This guide has no current water quality grades for any beach, and gives no swimming safety advice. Check the local advice on the day you go.
Which beach suits which stay
- A family stay with a long, calm beach: Jomtien, about 6 km.2
- Resort hotels away from the nightlife: the northern end of Pattaya Beach.1
- Nightlife within reach: the southern end of Pattaya Beach.1
- A towered, quieter beach in the north: Wong Amat, 1.3 km.4
- Snorkelling and coral: Koh Larn by boat.1
When to go and how to get there
The tourism authority puts Pattaya about 160 km from Bangkok, about two hours by car and about 1.5 hours from Suvarnabhumi Airport. It gives a cool dry season from November to March, a hot season from April to May and a green season from June to October.1
Living near the beach
Buyers who want to live beside the sea should compare the areas, not only the sand. Our guide to the areas of Pattaya covers Jomtien, Pratumnak, Wongamat, Naklua and the others, with hospitals, schools and listing prices.
Developments near these beaches
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Frequently asked questions
Which Pattaya beach suits families?
The tourism authority's Japan office recommends Jomtien for families. It is about 6 km long, with ivory coloured sand and a calmer feel than Pattaya Beach.
How long is Pattaya Beach?
Sources differ. Wikipedia gives about 2.7 km, and another summary gave about 4 km, so a range of roughly 2.7 to 4 km is the honest answer.
Where do boats to Koh Larn leave from?
Ferries and speedboats to the offshore islands leave from the Bali Hai pier, south of Pattaya Beach. This guide has no confirmed fares or times.
What happened at Jomtien Beach in February 2026?
Pattaya Mail reported a wastewater discharge near Jomtien Beach Soi 14. Water quality was described as poor on 2 February, and officials said conditions were normal again after the mayor's inspection on 3 February.
Sources
Last checked 23 October 2026. Wikipedia and Wikivoyage style pages are secondary sources. Pages from the Tourism Authority of Thailand Japan office are in Japanese and are summarised here in our own words.
- Tourism Authority of Thailand, Japan office (Japanese-language page), “Pattaya area guide”, Checked 23 October 2026. https://www.thailandtravel.or.jp/areainfo/pattaya/
- Tourism Authority of Thailand, Japan office (Japanese-language page), “Jomtien Beach”, Checked 23 October 2026. https://www.thailandtravel.or.jp/jomtien-beach/
- Wikipedia, “Pattaya”, Checked 23 October 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pattaya
- Wikipedia, “Wong Amat Beach”, Checked 23 October 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Amat_Beach
- Wikipedia, “Na Chom Thian”, Checked 23 October 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Na_Chom_Thian
- Pattaya Mail, “Jomtien water quality after the mayor's inspection”, published 4 February 2026. https://www.pattayamail.com/news/after-pattaya-mayors-inspection-jomtien-waters-clear-and-tourists-return-534558
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Take independent legal advice before you buy.
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