Image: Otvalo
THE BEACHES OF PATTAYA
Pattaya is not known for having the most beautiful beaches or the clearest sea in Thailand. Most people come to Pattaya to party or to visit one of the many fun attractions. But if you don’t mind some crowds you can have a great beach day in Pattaya. Besides the two most famous beaches Pattaya Beach and Jomtien Beach, there are a number of smaller lesser known beaches. We describe the beaches of Pattaya from north to south.
Bamboo Beach
Bamboo Beach is a nice little bay in the north of Pattaya. There is a cozy restaurant with a bar where you can also rent sunbeds. The beach at Bamboo Beach is partially lined with trees that provide shade. Behind it is the skyline with tall buildings that makes you realize again that you are in a big coastal city. Pretty cool. If you walk down Bamboo Beach in a northerly direction you will come to a concrete pier, a perfect place to watch the sunset. From this pier you can also see the The Sanctuary of Truth in the distance. Walking in a southerly direction you will come to the next beach, Wong Amat Beach.
Around Bamboo Beach are several luxury condos, these are apartment complexes that are often rented out for longer periods. Also, the beautiful Golden Tulip Pattaya Beach Resort is just steps away from the beach.
Image: asia
Wong Amat Beach
Wong Amat Beach is a lesser known beach in Pattaya, it is adjacent to Bamboo Beach and is located north of Pattaya Beach. Wong Amat beach is mostly home to luxury accommodations, such as the beautiful Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort. The resorts at this beach all have a defined stretch of sea so you can swim safely. Speedboats are not allowed on this beach, but jet skis are. This immediately makes this beach feel a lot quieter. Wong Amat Beach is therefore frequently visited by families and couples.
Want to know more about beautiful resorts in Pattaya? Read our article about the luxury 5 star resorts in Pattaya.
Laying out a beach towel if you are not staying at one of the hotels or resorts at Wong Amat Beach is also allowed. There are a few small stalls selling cooling drinks and snacks. The far southern tip of the beach has a small bay with many shady spots under the trees. In the water and on the beach are large and small rocks which makes it look very different from the other beaches in Pattaya. The Thai know this place to appreciate. Between the rocks you can swim with a little attention.
Image: Tope
Pattaya Beach
Pattaya Beach is a beach of about 3 km long and runs parallel to the Pattaya Beach Road. Pattaya Beach Road is a road with resorts, restaurants, stores and bars. Lots of hustle and bustle so! The entire boulevard of Pattaya has recently been refurbished and the beach has been made wider by spraying sand. A little further from the sea, near the main road, are rows of beach beds. These beds are close together so you have little privacy. Moving the beds closer to the sea is not allowed.
On Pattaya Beach, the beach vendors offer everything for sale. Regularly the vendors offer a massage, pedicure, drink, souvenir or something to eat and drink. If you would like you do not have to move a fin on dry land. This beach is great for spending a day or recovering from your hangover. Don’t expect real peace and quiet or super clear water. The sea of Pattaya is full of speedboats coming and going. To prevent accidents and make sure you can swim safely, there are areas in the sea where boats are not allowed to go. Fancy some extra action? Rent a jet ski or take a ride on the banana boat!
Image: Piti
TIP!
For the real tropical beach feeling you have to be on the nearby island Koh Larn! The water is clear and the beaches have white sand. → more info.
Spending the night at Pattaya Beach?
Along Pattaya Beach there are many accommodations in different price ranges. If you want to sleep near the beach or right in the center you usually pay a bit more. More budget hotels and hostels can be found in the backstreets. Around Pattaya Walking Street are also many affordable hotels. Good luxury resorts within stumbling distance of the beach are OZO North Pattaya and the comfortable Holiday Inn Express Pattaya Central. Here you can be sure that everything is taken care of down to the last detail. The A-One Star Hotel, Flipper House Hotel, Red Planet and Travelodge Pattaya are popular and cheaper hotels in this area.
Cozy Beach (Kasetsin Beach)
Cozy Beach in Pattaya, also called Kasetsin Beach, is a small beach located between Pattaya Beach and Jomtien Beach. From Pattaya Beach, the beach is about a 10-minute drive. Cozy Beach is located in a beautiful little bay with plenty of shade thanks to the trees on the beach. Vendors with satay, fruit, cool drinks walk along the beach but here and there are also some simple stalls with coolers. You can rent sunbeds or lay out a towel. Undiscovered is this beach despite the somewhat hidden location unfortunately not. In the high season from December to February it can be busy. In that case, walk a little further in the southern direction, usually it is quieter on Kasetsin beach.
You get to Cozy Beach by means of a fairly steep staircase with uneven stone steps. If you have trouble walking this beach is not suitable. The gate to the stairs is next to The Forest by The Sky Restaurant and near The Chocolate Factory Pattaya. In the evening you are not allowed on the beach and it is closed for visitors. The gate closes at 20:00 and opens again at 06:00. Admission is free.
Spending the night at Cozy Beach?
From the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel you look out over Cozy Beach from the beautiful swimming pool on the edge of a cliff. Magical! A more budget-friendly option is the Cosy Beach Hotel. The hotel is a few minutes walk from the beach across the road.
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TIP!
Complete your visit to Cozy Beach with a visit to the 3 Mermaids Cafe & Restaurant. This restaurant with a bar has special lounge areas overlooking the sea!
Image: 3 Mermaids Restaurant & Bar
Image: 3 Mermaids Restaurant & Bar
Paradise Beach (Pratumnak Beach)
Paradise Beach, or Pratumnak Beach, is a small beach about 500 meters long. It is located just below Cozy Beach, between Pattaya Beach and Jomtien Beach. There are beach chairs for rent and at the Birds and Bees Resort where you can also enjoy the nice seaside terrace.
Je bereikt het strand dankzij een paar korte trappen. Als referentiepunt voor dit strand kun je het populaire en roze Asia Pattaya Hotel aanhouden. Aan de linkerkant van dit hotel is de trap naar het strand.
Dongtan Beach
Dongtan Beach is part of Jomtien Beach. Dongtam Beach is the northernmost part of Jomtien, or north Jomtien. What makes this stretch of beach different from the rest of Jomtien Beach is that it is adjacent to a small landscaped park. In high season, rows of sunbeds are lined up here. A raised square has been created including new parking spaces. A nice place to watch the sun go down. On the beach are vendors selling drinks, fruit and other snacks. But also a 7-Eleven is nearby. On both sides of the beach are some rocks. Some people consider this beach the most beautiful in Pattaya and Jomtien, although the water is not particularly clear.
Spend the night at Dongtan Beach
Nice luxury accommodations at Dongtan Beach is The Heritage Pattaya Beach Resort. A good and cheaper option is the JARDIN Hotel which is a two-minute walk from the beach.
Image: Paul-Atkinson
DID YOU KNOW?
There are no sunbeds for rent in Pattaya on Wednesdays, the Thai government has decreed this way. Fortunately, on Wednesdays you can visit the beaches of Pattaya and use your own beach towel.
Image: Paul-Atkinson
Water Park Pattaya
Looking for really clear blue water? At Dongtan Beach, the water park Water Park Pattaya is right on the beach. This water park is part of the Pattaya Park Beach Resort. In addition to pools and slides, you’ll also find a roller coaster, cable car, monorail and even a revolving restaurant 200 meters above the ground on the premises. Water Park Pattaya is open daily from 10:00 – 19:00 and the entrance fee is 200 baht per person. A fun and affordable day out for families with young children in Pattaya!
More water fun and lots more fun you can read in our article Things to do and see in Pattaya.
Image: think4photop
Jomtien Beach
Jomtien Beach is a fifteen minute drive from Pattaya Beach. From Pratunak Beach (Paradise Beach) it’s a nice short walk under the shade of the trees. Jomtien beach is 6 km long, in the sea there are sections for swimming and on the promenade there are many restaurants. Jomtien Beach is unlike Pattaya Beach more visited by families thanks to the more pleasant and peaceful atmosphere. Yet also here are long rows of sunbeds and chairs for rent. The beach is partly adjacent to a newly constructed boulevard with palm trees. The middle part of Jomtien Beach borders a through road. Snacks, drinks, souvenirs and massages are widely available on the beach and on the promenade. In the center of Jomtien is a nice night market where there are regular performances.
Spending the night at Jomtien Beach
Fine affordable hotels within walking distance of the beach including a pool are: Grand Jomtien Palace, D Varee Jomtien Beach Pattaya and Ambassador City Jomtien Ocean Wing.
Image: Chay
Image: Chay
Image: David Herd (Flickr)
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Despite the fact that our selected locations in Phuket have a very good reputation, it’s possible that due to (for example) new management the quality has become less good. Or unfortunately locations have been forced to close their doors because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic… If you have useful information, please let us know! Also, if you have a favourite restaurant or other great tip for Pattaya, be sure to let us know through our Thailand Magazine Facebook group, or Instagram and Facebook page. Via e-mail is also possible. THANKS!
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