Dongtan Beach
The quiet north end of Jomtien under Pratumnak Hill, Pattaya's best-known gay-friendly beach, with a promenade, loungers and a ฿20 baht bus from town.
Plan your visit
- Hours
- Open 24 hours daily
Check Monsoon Windows
Andaman coast beaches (Phuket, Krabi) have rough seas May–October. Koh Samui's beaches are roughest October–December, and Hua Hin's wettest months are September and October. Plan your beach trip around these windows for calm water and safe swimming.
Stay within reach of Dongtan Beach
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Finding your way around Dongtan Beach
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North to south along the beach
- North end, Pratumnak side
- The beach starts under Pratumnak Hill, with the promenade, the casuarinas and the access road behind it.
- In front of Rabbit Resort
- The long-standing gay-friendly stretch, with rows of loungers and umbrellas.
- South end, the police box
- Dongtan runs into Jomtien Beach at the police box and 7-Eleven on Thappraya Road, where the parking lot is and where the 2026 beach-widening works reach.
Getting there and around
- Dongtan is about 5 km south of central Pattaya. Baht buses toward Jomtien run along Thappraya Road past the entrance, ฿20 from Pattaya and ฿15 for short hops since April 2026.
- There's a parking lot at the beach entrance by the police box and 7-Eleven.
- Jomtien Heads Viewpoint is about 1 km away, Pratumnak Beach about 1.5 km and Jomtien Night Market about 1.7 km.
Details
Full opening hours
Tours that include Dongtan Beach
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Dongtan Beach.
Why go, and how to do it well
Dongtan is the first kilometer of sand at the north end of Jomtien, below Pratumnak Hill, starting at the police box on Thappraya Road, with a promenade and casuarina trees behind it and a parking lot at the entrance. If Pattaya Beach feels like too much, this is where I'd send you instead. It's about 5 km south of central Pattaya and much calmer.
It has long been Pattaya's best-known gay-friendly beach, centered on the stretch in front of Rabbit Resort, and the rest of it is a mix of Thai families, expats and visitors. Everyone uses it, and the mood is relaxed rather than a party.
There's a marked swimming area. The beach shelves quickly at high tide and turns to long shallows at low tide, and the sea gets choppier from late February into the hot season. Vendors walk the sand selling drinks, coconuts and massages, and boat rental outfits work the shore. Weekday mornings are the quietest, while afternoons and weekends fill up. November through April is Pattaya's dry stretch and the most dependable beach weather.
Written by Mac Kiley · Updated Oct 2026
Tours that include Dongtan Beach
Guided visits and day-tour combos that include Dongtan Beach.
Around here, on foot
Well-rated places within a short walk of Dongtan Beach, nearest first. Minutes are at an easy pace in the heat.
Experience hints
Pair your visit. After Dongtan Beach, round out your day in Pattaya with contrasting stops nearby.
Thappraya Road, Jomtien, Pattaya, Chon Buri 20150, Thailand
Open in Google MapsMore beaches nearby
All within 2.4 km of Dongtan Beach.
Yinyom Beach
Pratumnak Beach
Paradise Beach Pattaya
Jomtien Beach
Tips for Visiting Beaches
Go Early for Empty Sand
Even the busiest beaches are nearly deserted before 9 AM. A sunrise walk is the best hour of the day on the sand, and you'll beat the heat for a morning swim.
Use Reef-Safe Sunscreen
Many Thai marine parks ban chemical sunscreens that damage coral. Bring reef-safe (mineral/zinc-based) sunscreen from home — it's harder to find and pricier in Thailand.
Dongtan Beach: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dongtan Beach a gay beach?
It's Pattaya's best-known gay-friendly beach, centered on the stretch in front of Rabbit Resort, and it's a mixed beach that everyone uses.
Can you swim at Dongtan Beach?
Yes, inside the marked swimming area. It shelves quickly at high tide and becomes a long wade at low tide, and the sea gets choppier from late February.
Is Dongtan the same as Jomtien Beach?
It's the northern kilometer of the same shoreline, between Pratumnak Hill and the Dongtan police box, where Jomtien Beach proper begins.
Are there sunbeds at Dongtan Beach?
Yes, rented by licensed vendors. On their rest days, Wednesdays in high season, the loungers come off the sand, so bring a towel.
How do I get to Dongtan Beach from Pattaya?
Take a baht bus heading to Jomtien along Thappraya Road, ฿20 from central Pattaya, and get off at the police box, or take a Bolt.
Is Dongtan Beach worth visiting?
Dongtan Beach holds a 4.4★ rating from 1,905 Google reviews — a strong rating for beaches in Pattaya.
What are the opening hours of Dongtan Beach?
Dongtan Beach is open 24 hours a day — see the full day-by-day schedule in the location info on this page. Hours can change on Thai public holidays, so check ahead for holiday visits.
When is the best time to visit Dongtan Beach?
The best months to visit Pattaya are November – February, with the most reliable weather. Crowds peak in December – January — going early in the day usually means fewer people. Months to think twice about: September – October (wettest months).
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