#1
Pattaya Beach
4.4 (5,207)·Pattaya
Pattaya's 2.7 km city beach along Beach Road, though you're better off swimming elsewhere. Come for the promenade and the sunset; the Koh Larn ferry leaves from Bali Hai pier at its south end.
The 8 Best Beaches in Pattaya, Ranked
Eight beaches, from the city beach and Jomtien to Wong Amat, Pratumnak and the clear water of Koh Larn.
8 placesAvg 4.4 on GoogleUpdated Oct 2026
Pattaya Beach, Jomtien and Pratumnak lead this list, with Wong Amat and Dongtan next.
From north to south on the mainland, Wong Amat is the quiet beach in Naklua, Pattaya Beach runs along Beach Road through the city, Pratumnak's small bay sits under the hill, Dongtan and Jomtien stretch south from there, and Bang Saray is a fishing village about 20 km further on.
For the clearest water, take the ฿30 ferry from Bali Hai pier to Koh Larn, about 45 minutes, where Tien and Samae are the best beaches. I'd skip swimming at Pattaya Beach itself.
- #2
Jomtien Beach
4.4 (6,308)·JomtienSix kilometers of sand south of Pratumnak Hill, calmer and roomier than Pattaya Beach, where you rent a chair, drink a cold beer and let the day go by.
- #3
Pratumnak Beach
4.3 (169)·Pratumnak (Pattaya South)Cozy Beach, the small bay under Pratumnak Hill between Pattaya and Jomtien, with calmer water and better swimming than the city beach.
Where to stay
Best Hotels in Pattaya
My pick at each price level in Pattaya, going by Google's hotel class. Hotels from my ranked list of the 10 best come first, then the best-reviewed. Each button opens the hotel on Booking.com with your dates filled in.
#1Luxury · 5-star
Arbour Hotel and Residence Pattaya4.9 (12,604 reviews)
A highly regarded Pattaya hotel offering spacious rooms with kitchenettes, a rooftop pool, spa, and restaurant.
Check rates
- #4
Wong Amat Beach
4.4 (826)·PattayaNorth Pattaya's quieter beach in Naklua, calmer and cleaner than the city beach, with marked swimming areas and seafood nearby.
- #5
Dongtan Beach
4.4 (1,905)·PattayaThe 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.
- #6
Tien Beach
4.5 (5,258)·PattayaA Koh Larn beach reached by an eight-minute walk, which keeps it calmer than the rest, with the clear water the mainland lacks.
- #7
Bang Saray Beach
4.3 (4,030)·Bang SarayA calm 3 km beach and fishing village about 20 km south of central Pattaya, known for seafood dinners and quiet weekdays.
- #8
Samae Beach
4.5 (7,145)·PattayaKoh Larn's clear-water beach, white sand and a hill walk to a view over the bay, a ฿30 ferry and about 45 minutes from Bali Hai pier.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pattaya Beach good for swimming?
Not really. Boat traffic and water quality make it a poor place to swim. Use it for the promenade and the sunset, and swim at Pratumnak, Wong Amat or Jomtien, or on Koh Larn.
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