My Advice · 30 October 2026 · 1 min read
The Best Beaches In and Around Pattaya
By Shane RuddleI'm not really a beach person, but after 20 years here I know where I'd go and where I'd send visitors.
Are Pattaya Beach and Jomtien Beach worth it?
Plenty of people use them, mostly for the convenience. But of the beaches close to the city, I'd recommend Dongtan Beach over both. It starts at the bottom of Pratumnak Soi 5 and runs along to Jomtien Beach, and it's quite a nice stretch.
Which beach would I choose?
The Navy Beach, about a 30-minute drive from Pattaya. Everyone calls it that because you go through Navy grounds to get to it.
The island beaches
Koh Lan. The island has really nice beaches and is only about a 30-minute boat ride from Pattaya.
Koh Si Chang. A hidden gem I discovered recently. Not Koh Chang, but Koh Si Chang, off Sriracha. The ferry takes about 45 minutes. There isn't much on the island in the way of roads or restaurants, but the beaches are lovely and very, very quiet.
For how Pattaya's beaches compare with the islands, read Pattaya vs Phuket, and for more ideas, things to do in Pattaya.