Koh Larn · Coral Island
Busy, lively, hilly with viewpoints & the Big Buddha. 8 beaches; best swimming & watersports of the three.
Best for: A beach day from Pattaya. Getting there: ~7 km · ferry from Bali Hai.
See our full Koh Larn guide Compare
Which island near Pattaya should you visit?
Three very different islands sit within reach of Pattaya. Here’s the honest trade-off between them — and when each one is the right call.
Updated 16 June 2026 · We visit. We don't sell placement.
Quick answer
For a beach day trip from Pattaya, Koh Larn is the easy winner — 7 km out, a 40฿ ferry and no entry fee. Ko Samet has whiter sand and clearer water but sits ~2 hours away, adds a 200฿ national-park fee, and really needs an overnight. Ko Si Chang is the quiet, cultural day trip — easy to reach but light on sandy beaches.
- Easiest day trip
- Koh Larn
- Whitest sand
- Ko Samet
- Quietest / culture
- Ko Si Chang
- Cheapest day
- Koh Larn
Side by side
The three islands compared
| Island | From Pattaya | Crossing & cost | Entry fee | Day trip? | Beaches | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Koh Larn Coral Island | ~7 km · ferry from Bali Hai | 40฿ ferry (30–45 min) or speedboat | None (a cleanliness fee is discussed, not yet charged) | Yes — the classic day trip | 8 beaches; best swimming & watersports of the three | A beach day from Pattaya |
| Ko Samet Rayong | ~2 hrs to Ban Phe, then a boat | 50–70฿ slow ferry / 200–500฿ speedboat | 200฿ national-park fee (foreign adult) | Tough — really an overnight | Whiter sand and clearer water; many bays | A whiter-sand overnight |
| Ko Si Chang off Si Racha | ~45 min to Si Racha, then a boat | ~50฿ ferry (~45 min) | None | Yes — easy quiet day trip | Rocky; few sandy beaches (Tham Phang the main one) | Culture & calm, not a beach blowout |
Fees, fares and times verified June 2026 and rounded; they change and are often negotiable, so confirm on the day. The Ko Samet fee is the national-park admission (foreign adult; less for Thai nationals and children).
The verdict
Which one is right for you?
Ko Samet · Rayong
Beach-hopping, livelier nightlife at Hat Sai Kaew. Whiter sand and clearer water; many bays.
Best for: A whiter-sand overnight. Getting there: ~2 hrs to Ban Phe, then a boat.
Ko Si Chang · off Si Racha
Quiet, authentic, history — Rama V’s old palace. Rocky; few sandy beaches (Tham Phang the main one).
Best for: Culture & calm, not a beach blowout. Getting there: ~45 min to Si Racha, then a boat.
Based in Pattaya with one day and beaches in mind? Start with Koh Larn — then price up your day or see how to get there. Comparing further afield? See Koh Larn vs Phuket or Koh Larn vs Koh Samui.
FAQ
Common questions
Is Koh Larn or Ko Samet better?
It depends on your trip. For a beach day from Pattaya, Koh Larn wins on sheer convenience — a 7 km, 40฿ ferry and no entry fee. Ko Samet has whiter sand and clearer water, but it’s about two hours to Ban Phe plus a boat and a 200฿ national-park fee, so it really works as an overnight rather than a day trip.
Can you visit Ko Samet as a day trip from Pattaya?
You can, but it’s a long day: roughly two hours each way to Ban Phe pier plus the boat crossing, and you still pay the 200฿ park fee. Most people stay at least one night. If you only have a day and you’re based in Pattaya, Koh Larn is the far easier choice.
Does Koh Larn have an entrance fee?
No. As of mid-2026 there’s no entry or national-park fee for Koh Larn — you just pay your boat fare. Pattaya authorities have discussed a cleanliness/tourist fee to fund waste and infrastructure, but it hasn’t been introduced. Verify locally on arrival, as this could change.
Which island near Pattaya is cheapest?
Koh Larn, for a day trip — a 40฿-each-way ferry, no entry fee and no hotel needed. Ko Si Chang is similarly cheap to reach but has fewer beaches. Ko Samet costs more once you add the 200฿ park fee, the longer transport and a night’s accommodation.
Which island near Pattaya has the best beaches?
For pure beach quality, Ko Samet’s sand is whiter and its water often clearer. But Koh Larn has the best beaches you can reach on a quick day trip from Pattaya, and more to do in the water. Ko Si Chang is the rocky, low-beach option — go there for quiet and history, not sand.