Independently (cheapest)
Take the public ferry from Bali Hai Pier — about 40฿, 30–45 minutes — and pick whichever beach you fancy. Total freedom, almost no cost. See how to get there and what a day costs.
Coral Island
Coral Island, Pattaya
‘Coral Island’ is the tourist name for Koh Larn — the island about 7 km off Pattaya. Here’s what the name really means, how much coral you’ll actually see, and the two ways to get there.
Updated 16 June 2026 · We visit. We don't sell placement.
Quick answer
Coral Island and Koh Larn are the same place — ‘Koh Larn’ is the Thai name, ‘Coral Island’ the tourist nickname. It sits about 7 km off Pattaya: roughly 40฿ and 30–45 minutes by public ferry from Bali Hai Pier, or 15–20 minutes by speedboat. There is some coral and tropical fish around the rocky points, but it’s patchy — the real draw is clear-ish water and eight swimmable beaches, not pristine reef.
- Also called
- Koh Larn
- Distance
- ~7 km off Pattaya
- Get there
- ~40฿ ferry or speedboat
- Coral
- Patchy; fish on calm days
The name
Why is it called Coral Island?
The island’s real name is Koh Larn (เกาะล้าน) — Thai for “million island.” Pattaya’s tour operators long ago rebranded it Coral Island in English, and the nickname stuck: it’s what you’ll see on tour boards, taxi windows and booking sites across the city. If a tout offers you a “Coral Island” trip, they mean Koh Larn.
The catch is the name oversells the coral. This is the Gulf of Thailand, not the Andaman — the water is warm and clear-ish rather than gin-clear, and the reef is patchy. What you get instead is eight sandy beaches a short hop from the mainland, which is plenty for a great day out.
The reality
Is there real coral — and snorkeling?
Yes, there’s coral and tropical fish — just keep expectations realistic. The clearest water and best snorkeling are around the rocky headlands at Samae, Tien and Nual, on a calm morning before the boats churn things up. Bring your own mask for the best fit, and always stay inside the marked swim zones, clear of jet-ski lanes. Our full take is in the snorkeling guide.
Getting there
Two ways to visit Coral Island
On a tour (convenient)
A speedboat package with hotel pickup and lunch takes the planning off your hands, but herds you to the busy beach and pushes paid watersports. We weigh it up in tours vs doing it yourself.
New to the island? Start here, then see all eight beaches ranked or find your match with the beach finder.
FAQ
Coral Island questions
Is Coral Island the same as Koh Larn?
Yes. Koh Larn (เกาะล้าน) is the island’s Thai name; “Coral Island” is the English nickname the Pattaya tour trade gave it. Same island, 7 km off Pattaya — two names for one place.
Is there actually coral at Coral Island?
Some, but don’t expect pristine reef. The coral is patchy and the Gulf of Thailand water is less clear than the Andaman coast. On a calm day you’ll see tropical fish and some coral around the rocky points of Samae, Tien and Nual. The real draw is clear-ish water and eight swimmable beaches, not world-class reef.
How do I get to Coral Island from Pattaya?
From Bali Hai Pier at the south end of Walking Street. The public ferry is about 40฿ and takes 30–45 minutes to Na Baan; a speedboat does it in 15–20 minutes and can land on any beach. You do not need a tour to go.
Is Coral Island worth visiting?
For a quick, cheap island escape with clear-ish water 7 km off Pattaya — yes. Set expectations: it’s a busy day-trip island, not a deserted paradise. Go early, pick the right beach, and it delivers a genuinely good day by the sea.