Koh Larn, Thailand: The Island Paradise near Pattaya!
Koh Larn, often spelled Ko Lan and also known as Coral Island, is a small dream island just off Pattaya in the province of Chonburi. With its beautiful beaches and almost kitschy turquoise sea, this small island is a true paradise on the east coast of Thailand. Yes, the island of Koh Larn has become a popular destination for day tours and holidays over the years, and many tourists from Pattaya visit this island every day. However, you won’t find an exciting nightlife there. This is due to the fact that the island is still very quiet in some places, and those who know the right locations and beaches on the island will have a relaxed and unforgettable vacation. But what can you expect from a visit to Koh Larn, where are the best hotels, and what can you do on the island?
In this travel guide, we give you all the important information on topics such as how to get there, where to stay and the best time to visit. There are also numerous useful tips about the island of Koh Larn, where you can find the most beautiful beaches, fantastic viewpoints and temples worth seeing.
Good to know!
If you are still looking for a particularly good and affordable place to stay in Koh Larn, we can recommend the charming, family-run Montra Resort.
The best time to visit Koh Larn is between November and February. The rainy season is from May to October, with particularly heavy rainfall in September and October.
The island is best known for its gorgeous beaches. Here you will find the most beautiful beaches on Koh Larn, perfect for unforgettable days of swimming on the island.
It is even possible to book a day trip from Bangkok or Pattaya to Koh Larn. Check out GetyourGuide for an extensive selection of guided tours!
Things to do in Koh Larn
At just 5.6 square kilometers, the small island of Koh Larn is quite compact, but still offers plenty of great activities and attractions. There are spectacular things to do in Koh Larn. Viewpoints, beautiful temples and great beaches are just some of the highlights. Exploring the island by scooter or island taxi gives you the opportunity to experience all the beautiful places away from the mass tourism. In our experience, in addition to swimming and snorkeling, you can see numerous sights in one day. But if you really want to enjoy the island and discover all the beautiful beaches and places, it’s definitely worth spending a few nights here!
Kuan Yin Viewpoint & Big Buddha
One of the most famous attractions in Koh Larn ist the Kuan Yin Viewpoint & Big Buddha Temple. Actually, the Kuan Yin Viewpoint is a must-see at Koh Larn island and should, if you are already there, be visited. It’s by far the most beautiful view of Koh Larn, and it can be easily reached by a scooter tour. Only a few minutes away, this viewpoint is located centrally between Koh Larn Pier and the main beach, Tawaen Beach. On the way up, you will inevitably pass a giant Buddha statue – one of the main attractions of Koh Larn. This is not only a great photo opportunity, the view down to Tawaen Beach is also overwhelmingly beautiful.
A bit higher than the first Big Buddha viewpoint is the famous Kuan Yin Viewpoint. From the parking lot, you have to walk a few meters to cross a temple and to reach the Kuan Yin statue. From there you will have scenic views over the dense forests and the entire northern part of the island. If you are a bit sporty, why not hike up the 250 steps to the pagoda at the summit. But don’t go for the view: trees limit the wonderful view over the island.
Wat Mai Samraan
The Wat Mai Samraan is an enchanting temple and a very authentic attraction on Koh Larn. Many interesting Buddha statues, colorful decorations and a peaceful atmosphere await you in the small temple area. This Buddhist temple is just a few minutes’ walk from Koh Larn Pier, right in the center of the small village, and can therefore easily be reached on foot.
The beaches of Koh Larn
Although Pattaya’s Coral Island is tiny compared to other islands in Thailand, there are still a few stunning beaches on Koh Larn. The sea around the island is crystal clear, almost cheesy turquoise and the beautiful sandy beaches are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Overall, there are 7 beaches at Koh Larn. Here we will show you which are the best beaches on the island:
Ta Yai Beach
The Ta Yai Beach, or Grandparent’s Beach, is located in the north of Koh Larn and is one of our absolute favorite spots on the island. The incredible water colors, the fine sand and the relaxed vibes are simply incredibly enchanting and so the Ta Yai Beach is certainly one of the most beautiful beaches in Ko Lan. If you are searching for a good place for snorkeling, this beach jewel will definitely be the right choice for you. This quiet beach is an ultimate highlight of the island and you should not miss it!
Tip: A lot of people like to come here in the evening as well. The sunsets at Ta Yai Beach are almost magical and are one of Koh Larn’s insider tips.
Tawaen Beach
The 700-meter-long Tawaen Beach is the main beach of Koh Larn, and it’s the location where all the day trippers from Pattaya dropped off. The beach is, apart from the masses of visitors, fantastically beautiful and in counts as one of the best beaches on the island. It falls gently into the sea and therefore is ideal for families with small children. There are many activities, such as jet ski, underwater walk and banana boat offered. In our experience, a visit is worth starting from 16:00 when the crowds leave the island. Then peace returns and the atmosphere on the beach gets really pleasant.
Sang Wan Beach
West of the main beach, just next to the Tawaen Pier is the small but beautiful Sang Wang Beach located. The small bay is actually ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Here the sea is crystal clear and underwater are some colorful fish to discover. Especially in the early morning, the beach is still pleasantly quiet. Unfortunately, around lunchtime it gets really full.
Monkey Beach (Nual Beach)
Another recommended beach of Koh Larn is the famous Nual Beach, which is actually better known as the Monkey Beach. Unquestionably, it is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and is accordingly a little better visited, but still not crowded. Really scenic is the Monkey Rock that is located at the bottom of the beach. If you are lucky, you will have the chance to meet some monkeys over there.
Tip: The beaches of Koh Larn usually offer natural shade. Anyway, for only 100 baht per day, it’s possible to rent a beach chair with umbrellas.
Tien Beach
Another top beach is the wonderful Tien Beach. This quiet beach is high up on our list of the best beaches in Koh Larn. The atmosphere is really relaxed, the water is just spectacular and the entire location is just scenic. There are also good shady spots and the beach is also great for snorkeling.
Samae Beach & Viewpoint
The Samae Beach is definitely a nice place for a swim. Although the beach is a little coarser than other beaches on the island, the sea colors on this coastline are absolutely spectacular. One of the most beautiful sights there is the viewpoint. The view from the so-called Samae Beach Viewpoint is absolutely stunning, and the climb up the numerous steps is absolutely worth it.
Tip: The best view is in the afternoon when the sea colors change to turquoise blue.
Where to eat in Koh Larn
Maybe because of its proximity to the big city of Pattaya, the small island of Koh Larn offers a surprisingly good selection of hip and tasty restaurants. These are mainly found in the capital of the island. Especially delicious was the food at the Café & Restaurant Soul Sweet. In addition to typical Thai food, great European dishes like delicious burgers are served here. But especially, people love the cool teddy bear location and the incredibly creative desserts and shakes. For good food, we can also recommend the Sa ra O Coffee and Pizza and Coffee Koh Larn.
How to get to Koh Larn
Getting to Koh Larn is relatively easy and can be easily arranged from Pattaya either by speedboat or, our recommendation, by ferry. The ferry leaves almost every hour from Bali Hai Pier in Pattaya and the trip only takes about 30 minutes. Compared to the speedboat, the ferry is really cheap at only 30 baht per person and the ride is also beautiful. Here are the ferry times:
- Pattaya – Koh Larn, Naban Pier: 07:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 18:30
- Pattaya – Koh Larn, Tawaen Beach Pier: 08:00, 09:00, 11:00, 13:00
Tip: If you want to travel from Bangkok to Pattaya, you can find several good and affordable transfer options on 12go.Asia.
Where to stay in Koh Larn
Koh Larn you have a good range of simple hotels, accommodation, and bungalows. Despite the proximity to Pattaya and Bangkok, the prices of the island are not pricier than on other islands of Thailand. Especially during the week, you can find some cheap and good hotel deals. Most accommodations can be found in the area near Naban Pier. This is centrally located on the east side of the island and is the best starting point to explore Coral Island. Here are our tips and recommendations for the best places to stay on Koh Larn…it’s worth a look!
- Cosy Resort: The Lareena Resort is located just 30 meters from the pier. This hotel boasts a prime location right by the sea and beautiful rooms.
- Affordable Guesthouse: The Blue Sky Resort offers excellent value for money. The rooms are wonderful, and the breakfast is delicious.
- Small family-run Hotel: The Montra Resort is a lovely family-run hotel on Koh Larn. The hospitality is particularly noteworthy.
- Charming Guesthouse: The Samanta By The Sea offers nice, clean rooms and a pleasant ambience. The breakfast is also good!
Conclusion: Even if the main beach is almost overrun by day-trippers from Pattaya, the remaining beaches of Koh Larn have remained calm and offer amazing holiday feelings. It is hard to believe, but some parts of the islands are still quiet! We were surprised by the many great impressions we made and the beautiful beaches we discovered.
Find the best accommodation at Koh Larn:
More about Thailand:
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Koh Samet – Island Paradise in the Gulf of Thailand
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Unique Things to do in Koh Samui – Travel Guide
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Koh Phangan – The Ultimate Travel Guide!
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Top 7 Beaches on Koh Larn
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