Beach No.4 of 8 · South coast

Nual Beach (Monkey Beach)

Updated 16 June 2026 · We visit. We don't sell placement.

4 8.3/10

Quiet Busy

หาดนวล · Quiet to moderate

white sandmonkeys nearbysmall cove

Quick answer

A small, pretty white-sand cove on the south — keep an eye on your snacks, the monkeys are nearby. Rated 8.3/10 — South coast.

Rank: No.4 of 8
Rating: 8.3 / 10
Crowd: Quiet to moderate
Best for: white sand, monkeys nearby

A small, pretty white-sand cove on the south — keep an eye on your snacks, the monkeys are nearby.

White sand and clear water
Monkeys in the surrounding trees
Sheltered, scenic cove
Decent snorkeling at the edges

Nual is the prettiest of the small beaches — a compact cove of genuinely white sand and clear, sheltered water on the island's south side. Its nickname, Monkey Beach, comes from the troop of macaques in the trees and rocks around it, which are part of the charm and part of the catch: they're wild, bold, and entirely willing to raid an unattended bag for food. Treated with respect (don't feed them, don't get close, keep your stuff zipped and watched) they're a highlight. The beach itself is lovely for a few hours of swimming and a relaxed lunch, though it's smaller and thinner on facilities than Tawaen or Samae, so it works best as part of a southern loop rather than a whole-day base.

The vibe & crowd

Small-cove relaxed, with a wildlife twist. Quiet to moderate depending on boat tours dropping in. Pretty and intimate rather than facility-rich.

The swim

Good — clear, sheltered water and soft sand make for an easy, pretty swim in a compact bay.

The sand

Bright white and soft — the most postcard-like sand on the island, in a small, enclosed cove.

Snorkeling

Decent around the rocks at the edges of the cove, where the water is clear and fish gather. Bring your own mask.

Water sports

Minimal — the odd banana boat. This is a swim-and-relax beach, not a watersports hub.

Banana Boat
Approx 150–250฿ per person

Food nearby

A handful of simple beach restaurants cover drinks and basic Thai and seafood dishes. Choice is limited and things can be closed out of season, so bring water and a snack as backup — and never leave food unattended with the monkeys around.

Getting to Nual Beach (Monkey Beach)

From Na Baan: Songthaew or scooter to the south of the island, roughly 15 minutes, about 30–50฿ per person shared (a charter may be easier to the smaller beaches).
By scooter: A scenic ride south; mind the hills and the monkeys near the access road.
By speedboat: Speedboats and boat tours land directly in the cove in ~15–20 minutes.
On foot: Not practical on foot from the pier.

How to get to Koh Larn from Pattaya · Getting around the island

Good to know

Best time: Morning, before boat tours arrive, for the cove at its quietest. Cool season for the clearest water.
With kids: Kids love the monkeys and the calm, clear water — but supervise closely: don't let children feed or approach the macaques, and keep food and bags zipped and watched.
Accessibility: A small cove with soft sand and a track in — not step-free. Easiest reached by boat directly into the bay.
Photo spots: The white sand against clear water, and (from a safe distance, never feeding) the monkeys in the trees and on the rocks.

For it

The prettiest small beach
Clear, sheltered swimming
Monkeys add character

Against it

Small with limited facilities
Monkeys will raid unattended food
Can get busy when tour boats drop in

Local tip: Keep snacks sealed inside a zipped bag and never feed the monkeys — a fed monkey is a bold monkey, and that's how bags get raided and fingers get nipped.

Maybe skip it if: You want lots of space, facilities or a full day's worth of food options.

On the map

Approximate location · OpenStreetMap · Google Maps

Pin is approximate — verify exact access on arrival.

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Nual Beach (Monkey Beach) FAQ

Quick answers

Why is Nual called Monkey Beach?

Because of the troop of macaques living in the trees and rocks around the cove. They're wild — enjoy them from a distance, don't feed them, and keep food and bags secured.

Are the monkeys at Nual Beach dangerous?

They're generally fine if left alone, but they're bold and will grab unattended food or bags, and can bite or scratch if cornered or fed. Don't feed or approach them, and watch children closely.

Is Nual Beach good for swimming?

Yes — it's a small, sheltered cove with clear water and soft white sand, one of the prettier swims on the island. It just has fewer facilities than the big beaches.

From the journal