Outdoors · Pattaya · Thailand
6 best outdoor things to do in Pattaya
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Don Ramey Logan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Koh Larn (Coral Island), Pattaya Beach and Jomtien Beach. Together the 6 picks below take roughly 22–30 hours across 6 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 6
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 22–30 hours
- Areas
- Koh Larn, Central Pattaya and Jomtien
Outdoors in Pattaya
Island · Koh Larn
1.Koh Larn (Coral Island)
Take the public ferry rather than a speedboat tour, and head to Samae or Tien beach, which are usually quieter than Tawaen.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Beach · Central Pattaya
2.Pattaya Beach
Walk the promenade at sunset, when the heat eases and the bay glows; for swimming, Jomtien or Koh Larn usually have clearer water.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
Beach · Jomtien
3.Jomtien Beach
Head to the southern end for more space and kite-surfing schools, and visit the Jomtien Night Market in the evening.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Active
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Garden · Sattahip
4.Nong Nooch Tropical Garden
Allow a full morning, use the in-park tram to save walking in the heat, and visit the elevated walkway for views over the gardens.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Theme park · Na Jomtien
5.Ramayana Water Park
Arrive at opening to beat queues on the big slides, bring reef-safe sunscreen and rent a locker for valuables.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Kids
- Active
- Outdoors
Beach · Naklua and Wongamat
6.Wongamat Beach
Combine a morning swim here with the Sanctuary of Truth at the southern end of the beach.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Koh Larn | Koh Larn (Coral Island) | Full day |
| Central Pattaya | Pattaya Beach | 1–2 hours |
| Jomtien | Jomtien Beach | Half a day |
| Sattahip | Nong Nooch Tropical Garden | Half a day |
| Na Jomtien | Ramayana Water Park | Full day |
| Naklua and Wongamat | Wongamat Beach | Half a day |
Booking and timing
Of these 6, 3 free, 1 low cost, 1 mid-priced, 1 expensive. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Koh Larn (Coral Island); group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 6 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Koh Larn): Koh Larn (Coral Island), at least 6 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Central Pattaya): Pattaya Beach, at least 1 hour.
- Half-day 3 (Jomtien): Jomtien Beach, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Sattahip): Nong Nooch Tropical Garden, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 5 (Na Jomtien): Ramayana Water Park, at least 6 hours.
- Half-day 6 (Naklua and Wongamat): Wongamat Beach, at least 3 hours.
The best months to be outside
- December: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 2 rainy days, very busy crowds. Pleasant, dry weather and peak crowds and prices around Christmas and New Year.
- January: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 2 rainy days, very busy crowds. Dry, sunny and less humid; peak season, with many European and Asian visitors.
- February: highs of 32°C (90°F), about 3 rainy days, very busy crowds. Still dry and sunny, with calm seas for Koh Larn trips; busy around Lunar New Year.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Central Pattaya — Beach Road, Second Road and the big malls in the middle of the city
- Naklua and Wongamat — North Pattaya's quieter beach, seafood market and the Sanctuary of Truth
- Jomtien — A long beach south of the hill with water sports and a relaxed pace
- Na Jomtien — Resorts and water parks further south towards Sattahip
More of Pattaya
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Pattaya?
Koh Larn (Coral Island). About 7 km off the coast, Koh Larn has several beaches with clearer water than the mainland, including Tawaen, Samae, Nual and Tien.
+Which of these are free in Pattaya?
Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Wongamat Beach.