Koh Larn, also known as Coral Island, is a small beautiful island located just 10 km off the coast of Pattaya Beach. It is just a 15-40 minute boat ride from Pattaya, making it a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of Pattaya.
Many visitors visit Koh Larn as a day trip from Pattaya while others stay overnight on the island to experience its tranquil atmosphere at night. If you are looking for a good place to stay on Coral Islan, have look at this where to stay in Koh Larn.
In this article, I will cover the best things to do and see in Koh Larn. These include the most popular beaches, viewpoints, temples, and activities such as paragliding.
Koh Larns has several beautiful beaches with white sand and crystal clear water. Major beaches are Tawaen Beach, Tien Beach, Samae Beach, and Nual Beach. You can enjoy beach activities such as swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, parasailing, and jet skiing.
With mountainous terrain, Koh Larn is a great place to hike. I actually walked around the island on a day trip from Pattaya. You hike up to viewpoints such as Windmill Viewpoint and The Big Buddha Viewpoint. If you don’t like hiking, you can use a motorbike taxi or drive up to the top of these viewpoints.
I visited Koh Larn as a day trip from Pattaya. I took a ferry from Bali Hai Pier to Na Ban Pier, then explored the island on foot. The motorbike taxis are available at most beaches, so you can easily use them if you get tired of walking.
If you need recommendation on itinerary, things to do, and getting around Pattaya, you can read these articles:
- 25 Amazing Things to Do & See in Pattaya
- How to Spend 2-3 Days In Pattaya Itinerary
- How to get to Pattaya & Get Around
If you can drive a motorbike confidently, you can consider renting a motorbike for 200-30 baht per day. Another option is to hire a private driver to take you around the island for a few hours.
Here are top activities and attractions in Koh Larn:
16 Wonderful Things to Do in Koh Larn
Beaches
With 4 km long and 2 km wide, Koh Larn is home to numerous beautiful beaches. Most of the beaches have white fine sand and clean water. Popular beaches are lined with bed chairs, umbrellas, restaurants, and beach bars. You can easily find places for jet skiing, banana boats, paddle boarding, and kayaking.
#1. Tawaen Beach
Tawaen Beach is one of the main beaches on Koh Larn. It is located right next to Tawaen Beach Pier, which is one of the two main piers on the island. You can easily take ferries or speed boats directly from Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier to Tawaen Beach Pier.
Tawaen Beach is a long beach with white fine sand and crystal azure water. It is lined with hotels, resorts, restaurants, bars, as well as bed chairs, umbrellas, and water sport equipment for rent.
In addition to swimming and sunbathing, you can try banana boats, speed bikes, or jet skiing. It is also a popular spot for parasailing and paragliding. I visited in the late afternoon, and saw many people start off paragliding at the Big Buddha. It was beautiful to watch people flying high in the sky, especially at sunset.
As it the first stop of many visitors when taking a boat from Pattya, Tawaen Beach is a crowded beach. If you want a quieter atmosphere, I recommend visiting the beach early in the morning or around sunset time when people on a day trip have already left.
You can have a very nice viewpoint of Tawaen Beach by walking for 10-15 minutes uphill to the Tawaen Beach Lookout. If you like to hike, head to the Big Buddha and Guanyin Temple for higher views to the beach.
You can reach Tawaen Beach by an easy walk from Tawaen Beach Pier, as well as motorbike rental, or motorbike taxi. If you arrive at Na Baan pier, you can take a motorbike taxi ride for 40-50 baht.
#2. Tien Beach
Tien Beach is a beautiful snow white sandy beach with crystal blue water. It is located around a 30-40 minute walk from Tawaen Beach and only a few minutes short ride away. You can easily use a motorbike taxi or songthaews from the piers to reach this beach.
You will find several shops selling beachwear, food, and snacks at the road near the beach. To reach the sandy beach, you need to walk across the concrete bridge from the rocky beach. There are restaurants, resorts, and lots of beach facilities along the shore.
Tien Beach is lined with mangrove trees, creating lots of shade and relaxing atmosphere. You can bring your own beach mat or rent the beach chairs and umbrellas for around 100 baht. I saw several speed boats on the beach that dropped off a group of Russian and Chinese tourists.
#3. Samae Beach
Samae Beach is a beautiful long beach located just 10-15 minutes walk from Tien Beach. The beach is lined with restaurants and bars and a resort. You can find many beach facilities such as sunbeds and umbrellas for rent for around 100 baht.
With white sand and crystal clear water, Samae Beach is an ideal place for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoy water sports such as jet skiing, snorkeling, and banana boat.
You can have nice views of Samae Beach at the Windmill viewpoint and Samae Beach Viewpoint. The Windmill is located 25 minutes walk from Samae Beach, while Samae Beach Viewpoint is located at the northern end of the beach.
Samae Beach can be reached from either Naban Pier or Tawaen Beach Pier by motorbike taxi for around 50 baht. There is a speed boat from Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier direct to Samae Beach for around 400 baht round trip per person.
#4. Hat Sangwan Beach
Sangwan Beach is a small hidden beach located close to Ta Waen Beach and Pier. You can easily reach this beach by walking on a white wooden bridge for a few minutes from the pier and the main beach.
Sangwan has clear, blue water. The beach is small but has everything you would need such as bed chairs, food, and drinks.
#5. LaemThong Bay
LaemThong is a small secluded black sand beach located south of Koh Larn. It is quite difficult to reach on foot. I walked through the jungle from Windmill Viewpoint, and at the final point, I had to use the rope to climb down to the beach. Be careful as there were lots of thorn bushes near the rope area.
The beach was quite dirty with lots of plastic bottles on the sand. The water is clean and clear. There was just me and another person at the beach.
If you want to escape from the crowds and dont mind a bit of trash, and walk to reach LaemThong, it is a great place to check out. Otherwise, just skip it. There are more beautiful beaches on the island and easier access.
#6. Nual Beach (Monkey Beach)
Nual Beach, also known as Monkey beach, is located on the southeastern coast of Koh Larn, 15 minute drive from Naban Pier and the main village. The beach has white sand crystal clear water and like other beaches, it is packed with tourist and beach facilities.
The shore is lined with bedchairs for rent, as well as food and drinks. You can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, taking a walk along the beach, or try jet ski, banana boat ride, and underwater walking. If you are lucky, you can spot monkeys or sea urchins at the beach.
You can reach Nual Beach by taking a direct speed boat from Pattaya. If you are on the main piers of Koh Larns, you can take a motorbike taxi or songthaews to Nual Beach. It is possible to walk from Naban Pier for around 45 minutes. It can be tiring on a hot day.
#7. Tong Lang Beach
Tong Lang Beach is a quiet beach located in the northwest coast of Koh Larn. It is within walking distance from the island’s main beach, Taewan Beach. There are eateries and cafes on the beach as well as deck chairs for rent. It is another good place for swimming in Koh Larn.
#8. Ta Yai Beach
Ta Yai Beach is a small and tranquil beach located on the northern end of Koh Larn. It is a 20 minute walk from Naban Pier, or you can take a short motorbike taxi or songthaew ride for 50 baht. There is a small cafe/restaurant on the beach.
Viewpoints
#9. Windmill Viewpoint
Windmill Viewpoint is a popular place to visit in Koh Larn. It has sweeping views of the ocean and the surrounding mountains. You can take a walk around the broadwalk and enjoy the stunning views of the beaches below such as Samae Beach.
The Viewpoint is located around 3 km from Na Baan Pier. You can reach the viewpoint by walking to the motorbike. I walked all the way from Na Baan Pier to the Windmill Viewpoint. The road at the first half is flat, and it is getting ascent at the mountain to the viewpoint.
Golf carts are not allowed to go up here, but you can use motorbike rental or motorbike taxi. Just make sure you know how to handle the motorbike.
The road is narrow with lots of sharp turns. There are several warnings on the side of the road that say “be aware of the slope” and “Slow down, there are frequent accidents ahead”. The road between Samae Beach and the Windmill has more windy and steep sections than the road between Na Baan Pier and the Windmill.
#10. Tawaen Beach Lookout
This look out is located just a few minutes walk from Tawaen Beach. It has beautiful views of the ocean. You can have a quick stop at this viewpoint when hiking or driving to the Big Buddha. It is simply beautiful at sunset.
#11. Big Buddha Viewpoint
The Big Buddha statue is located high on the hill above Tawaen Beach. You can reach the golden-colour Big Buddha by motorbike or songthaew. I walked all the way up, it is a steep hill.
The Big Buddha area has stunning views of the sea. If you visit at sunset, you can watch people parasailing around The Big Buddha. There are souvenir shops and toilets onsite.
From the Big Budda statue, you can continue walking up to Guanyin Temple and the highest point of the hill. Guanyin Temple also offers beautiful views of Tawaen Beach.
If you like hiking, you can hike up the steep stairs to reach the top of the hill. The views on the top are blocked by trees and it is not as beautiful as viewpoints below. Worth checking if you love to hike.
#12. Samae Beach Viewpoint
This viewpoint is located at the northern part of Samae Beach. It has a stunning view of the sea and is a great place to take photos. To reach this viewpoint, you need to walk to the north end of the beach, and climb up to a short staircase.
From the observation deck of Samae Beach, you can continue walking on the path to head to Tien Beach and its Viewpoint.
Temples
#13. Big Buddha statue
The Big Buddha is a Big Golden seated Buddha Statue, located on the hill on the northern part of Koh Larn. It has panoramic views of Tawaen Beach. It is accessible by walking, songthaews, and motorbike taxi. It is free to enter and you can watch people paragliding.
In the same area, you can walk up to visit Guanyin Temple and climb 250 steep steps to the summit of the mountain where you can see Buddha’s Footprint. Along the way, you will see another Big but black seated Buddha Statue.
#14. Guanyin Temple
Guanyin Temple is located just a few minutes walk up from the Big Buddha statue. It is on the higher elevation, so has better views of Tawaen Beach.
Other attractions and activities
#15. Na Baan Village (The main Village)
Na Baan Village is located within walking distance from Na Baan pier. If you arrive at Koh Larn at Na Baan pier, you’ll be likely to pass this village to visit other beaches and attractions on the island.
The main road is lined with hotels, resorts, and guest houses. There are several restaurants, motorbike rentals, songthaews stations, convenient stores (both 7-11 and local mini marts).
#16. Paragliding and Parasailing
In addition to all other beach activities such as jet skiing, banana boat, water scooter, you can try Paragliding and Parasailing. This is one of the most popular activities to do in Koh Larn. You see lots of people doing this around Tawaen Beach and the Big Buddha.
These are the 16 amazing things to do and see in Koh Larn (Coral Island). You can explore different beaches, enjoy water activities, do some hiking, check out the viewpoints and temples. It is great whether you visit Koh Larn as a day trip from Pattaya or decide to stay a night on the island.