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Pattaya is 147 km southeast of Bangkok and faces the Gulf of Thailand. The only place of note between Bangkok and Pattaya is a small marina in a housing development in the Bang Pakong river.
The coast southeast from Pattaya to the Cambodian border has many relatively undeveloped islands. |
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| Click links on the right to go to anchorages: Pattaya & Koh Larn | Koh Phai | Koh Rin >>> Return to Thailand main page |
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Pattaya & Koh Larn |
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| 50 years ago, Pattaya was a sleepy little fishing village. Then came the Vietnam War and the incursion of thousands of young American GI’s in search of rest and recreation. |
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The area grew at such a pace, with both Thai and foreign tourists, that the government promulgated the Pattaya City act in 1978, thereby joining Naklua and Pattaya to form the fifth local government municipality.
Thus Pattaya City was born with an ever increasing influx of visitors and residents from the burgeoning surrounding industrial estates.
The latter use this whole stretch of coast as an escape from the city, resulting in crowded beaches and hotels every weekend and in school holiday periods.
The 10-kilometre stretch of grossly overdeveloped coastline from Pattaya to |
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Jomtien has also gained a reputation for its wild nightlife and overcrowded beaches.
The Yacht Cruising Association of Thailand organizes regular cruising weekends to the offshore islands.
In May each year The Top of the Gulf Regatta is held each year and attracts yachts from Hong Kong and Singapore as well as the Gulf Coast and Phuket.
There is regular yacht racing at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club for large and small sailing boats. |
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This anchorage is secure only in the north east season. Although good holding can be found in 4-5 metres anywhere in the bay, we recommend the southern end, away from the many fishing and tour vessels.
Anchor well clear of the busy parasailing pontoons scattered throughout the bay.
The sand beach is accessible by dinghy, and there is plenty of action ashore, particularly at night, with countless bars, restaurants and more along the colourful and noisy strip. |
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Anchor only in settled weather and only near the two mooring buoys at the southern end. Stay well clear of the rock awash in the middle of the bay.
This anchorage is not recommended for overnight stays. There is often a shore break, which can upset a small tender and, during the northeast season, the beach can be depleted of sand.
The new Varuna Yacht Club house offers good facilities, including a bar, a restaurant and a swimming pool. Visiting yachtsmen are warmly welcomed, but be sure to register with a committee member. Good road links into the city. |
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| This pretty anchorage in 5-8 metres on sand is recommended only as a day stopover – a place for swimming or lunch ashore at the restaurants on Haad Tein. Good snorkelling can be found along the outer edge of the reef that fringes the beach. Further south there is another less busy bay with resorts and restaurants ashore. |
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| Good holding can be found in 5-10 metres on a sandy bottom, lending protection in the southwest season. The sand beach makes for convenient dinghy access to the many hotels and restaurants ashore. A very popular daytime destination for the tour boats operating out of Pattaya. Numerous speedboats and even a yellow submarine operate from the commercial jetty in the bay. |
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This small horseshoe-shaped island has an very well-sheltered bay in the southerly season. Anchor in about 4-6 metres on a sandy bottom in clear water off the fringing coral reef.
Note: On the passage from this group of islands to Pattaya, avoid the area around Hin Koh Larn, about 1.5 miles east of Koh Krok. Do not rely on the marker buoy, which is frequently washed away or which drags during rough weather. Anchoring at Koh Krok, a private island, is not permitted.
Swim ashore on Koh Sak to a basic seafood restaurant. The island used to be an exclusive resort for Thailand’s rich and famous, though it is now rather rundown. On the footpath leading south from the beach you’ll see the foot and hand prints of many famous visitors. |
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Koh Phai |
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| Anchor well clear of the fringing reef in 4-6 metres on sand, but watch out for the odd coral patch which may foul your anchor. This day stop is ideal, in the southwest season, for snorkelling or a walk along the beach. |
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| Anchor opposite the Royal Navy outpost in 5-8 metres. There are some facilities ashore at the Navy buildings, but you should contact an officer before looking around. |
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| This secluded bay is an ideal day anchorage, offering a fine sandy beach with good snorkelling and clear waters. Anchor in 8-10 metres on sand. |
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Anchor on sand in 9-12 metres on the northeast end of this island. There is a single rock at the southeast end of the small bay.
The water is usually very clear, and the beach is easily accessible by dinghy, offering some of the best snorkelling in this group. Follow the track to a small shrine full of phallic objects on the northern hill. |
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| Anchor on sand halfway down the island on the east coast in 5-6 metres. The water is usually clear and good for swimming. Snorkelling is better farther south at Koh Rin. Shelter here is marginal and this is certainly only a daytime anchorage. |
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Koh Rin |
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Anchorages here offer reasonable day-stop protection in the southwest season and can be used during calmer days in the northeast season.
Anchor off the beach in 7-9 metres on a sandy bottom. Take care to avoid the coral heads, which lurk for the most part at the southern end of the bay. The swimming and snorkelling is good both here and farther north along the reef edge, although the currents can be strong around mid-tide. |
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| Anchor in 4-6 metres close to the drop-offs either north or south of this pair of low-lying islands, which are jointly surrounded by a fringing reef. The water is usually clear, and the snorkelling and diving is best around slack water or neap tides. This makes a day-stop only. |
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