Chon Buri is a coastal province on Thailand's Eastern Seaboard, best known for the resort city of Pattaya and its string of sun-drenched beaches along the Gulf of Thailand. The province blends vibrant beach tourism with industrial heritage, traditional fishing villages, and lush tropical landscapes just 80 km from Bangkok.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Chon Buri.
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- Busy, social, tourist-facing
- sunbed rental
- umbrella rental
- jet skis
- parasailing
- banana boats
- beach bars
Pattaya Beach
The iconic 4 km curved bay that defines Pattaya, with a wide sandy beach along a bustling promenade. The water is not the clearest in Chon Buri but the social scene and services are unmatched — jet skis, parasailing, banana boats and beach bars fill the strip.
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- Relaxed, family-friendly, cleaner
- sunbed rental
- umbrella rental
- windsurfing/kitesurfing
- beach bars
- restaurants
- showers
Jomtien Beach
A 6 km long beach south of Pattaya with cleaner water, a more spacious promenade, kitesurfing conditions and a calmer atmosphere than the main strip. The beach is wider at the southern end near Dongtan and is popular with families, kitesurfers and longer-stay visitors.
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- Quieter, upscale, resort-backed
- hotel beach facilities
- restaurant access
- sunbeds at resort pools
- watersports
Wong Amat Beach
A relatively quiet beach in North Pattaya backed by luxury resorts including Centara Grand Mirage, with cleaner water than the main Pattaya Bay and a more relaxed atmosphere. Popular with families staying at the northern resorts.
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- Local, authentic, family Thai
- seafood restaurants
- beach chairs
- showers
- public parking
- market stalls
Bang Saen Beach
A beloved 3 km beach with casuarina-pine shade, calm Gulf waters and a long seafood promenade. Bang Saen is a Thai family beach at heart — enormously popular with Bangkok day-trippers on weekends but quiet and charming on weekdays.
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- Tropical island paradise, busiest on Ko Lan
- sunbed rental
- umbrella rental
- restaurants
- showers
- snorkeling gear rental
- water sports
Ta Waen Beach (Ko Lan)
The main and busiest beach on Ko Lan island with crystal-clear turquoise water, white sand and excellent snorkeling just offshore. Can get crowded on weekends but weekday visits are superb.
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- Quieter alternative on Ko Lan
- basic restaurants
- sunbed rental
- snorkeling gear rental
Samae Beach (Ko Lan)
The most scenic and least-crowded of Ko Lan's main beaches with excellent coral snorkeling reefs just offshore. Requires a short ride from the Ko Lan pier but rewards visitors with near-empty sands on weekdays.
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- Secluded, wildife, snorkeling
- basic facilities
- snorkeling gear rental
Nual Beach (Monkey Beach, Ko Lan)
A small, relatively secluded beach on the south side of Ko Lan accessed by a hilltop road, named for the resident monkey population in the trees above. Excellent shallow snorkeling with colorful corals.
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- Local island, peaceful, historic
- basic beach facilities
- bungalow accommodation
- local restaurants
Hat Sai Kaew (Ko Si Chang)
The main beach on the quiet island of Ko Si Chang, with clear green-blue water, a relaxed local atmosphere and almost no foreign tourists. The island offers snorkeling, cycling and royal palace ruins as well.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Samae Beach and Nual Beach on Ko Lan on weekdays; Hat Sai Kaew on Ko Si Chang any day
Family
Family-friendly
Bang Saen Beach with its calm waters, shade trees and excellent seafood restaurants; Wong Amat Beach in North Pattaya
Sport
Active & sporty
Jomtien Beach for kitesurfing and windsurfing; Ta Waen Beach on Ko Lan for water sports
Social
Lively scene
Pattaya Beach for the full resort scene with jet skis, parasailing and beach bars
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Chon Buri memorable.
Snorkeling
Best at Ko Lan's Samae Beach and Nual Beach with live coral reef visible from shore
Samae Beach and Nual Beach (Ko Lan), Hat Sai Kaew (Ko Si Chang)
Parasailing
Tandem parasailing over Pattaya Bay from speedboat tow — spectacular aerial views of the coastline
Pattaya Beach, Ta Waen Beach (Ko Lan)
Kitesurfing
Jomtien Beach has reliable sea breeze conditions for kitesurfing from November to May
Jomtien Beach (south end)
Sea Walking
Walk on the seabed in a diving helmet at shallow reef areas — great for non-swimmers to experience underwater world
Ko Lan island (operators at Ta Waen Beach pier)
Jet Skiing
Available throughout Pattaya Beach and Ko Lan; always photograph the jet ski before renting
Pattaya Beach, Ta Waen Beach
Kayaking
Kayak rental available along Jomtien Beach and Ko Lan for exploring the coastline independently
Jomtien Beach, Ko Lan beaches
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
November to May for calm seas and swimming; June–October seas can be choppy but swimming possible in calm periods
Getting there
All public beaches free; sunbed and umbrella rental 50–100 THB per day on most beaches
On-beach facilities
Pattaya and Jomtien beaches have full facilities; Ko Lan beaches have basic facilities; Bang Saen has good facilities
Costs to budget
Sunbed rental 50–100 THB ($1.50–3); umbrella 50 THB; snorkeling gear 100 THB; parasailing 500–800 THB ($15–25)
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.