9 Best Islands Near Pattaya

Coral Island is the largest inhabited island near Pattaya. There are a few small hotels in the local village and around the island’s main beaches. The Samae, Tien and Tawaen beaches have accommodations, while the Naul, Tonglang and Tayaiy beaches have at least 1 restaurant, personal watercraft rentals, and banana boat rides.

Coral Island has a small network of paved roads, with plenty of songtaews and motorbike taxi cabs. There is a regular ferry between Bali Hai Pier and Na Ban, which takes about 35 minutes. You can charter a speedboat to any of the island's beaches.

Koh Sak is a U-shaped island with 2 beautiful beaches connected by a path. The northern beach, on the inside of the crescent of land, is about 250 meters long. It's a popular spot for sunbathing and bathing. Diving tours regularly visit nearby coral reefs and an artificial shipwreck.

You can walk along the path through the middle of Koh Sak to reach the beach on the other side. Check out footprints left in the concrete by famous celebs, including Neil Armstrong. The only way to reach Koh Sak is by speedboat charter from Bali Hai Pier.

Koh Krok is one of the smallest islands near Pattaya. At just 100 meters in length, it has a sandy beach along the eastern coast and a rocky shore to the west. The beach has several dining options, sun loungers, jet skis, and banana boats.

Corals surrounding the island are great for snorkeling and diving. Speedboat charter is the only way to reach the small pier on Koh Krok.

Koh Phai is part of an island chain that includes Koh Klung Badan, Koh Luam, Koh Luam Noi and Koh Man Wichai. It's about 23 km or 2 hours from Pattaya, earning it the name of the Far Islands (being further from Pattaya than the Near Islands). Koh Phai is under the supervision of the Royal Thai Navy, meaning that there are no permanent facilities. Visitors are not permitted to stay overnight.

You can sunbathe on the pristine beach or swim and snorkel around the excellent coral reefs here. The nearby wreck of HTMS Khram is one of the best scuba diving sites around Pattaya. There is no ferry service to Koh Phai, so you can only reach it via speedboat charter from Bali Hai Pier or on a snorkeling/diving tour.

Koh Rin is a tiny islet with pristine beaches, clear blue water, and beautiful coral reefs. The sea around the island is part of a Royal Thai Navy gunnery range, so you might spot a spent dummy shell if you go on a diving trip here. Given that the tiny island also has a spectacular reef system around it, diving trips here are recommended.

Also known as Gnat Island, this spot is typically included in the itinerary of island cruises that sail out of the Ocean Marina Yacht Club. You can also reach the island via speedboat charter.

Koh Si Chang is one of the closest islands to Bangkok, being just off the coast of Sri Racha. Haad Tham Phang (Collapsed Cave Beach) is a popular stretch of sand on the island. Other attractions include bathing or kayaking between practically deserted coves and walking or cycling around Buddhist pagodas and temples. A must-visit is the remarkable Yellow Buddha of Wat Tham Chakrabongse.

Koh Si Chang has a range of excellent local restaurants and several accommodations options. There is a regular ferry service between Sri Racha and Koh Si Chang, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes each way.

Koh Samet is a small island off Rayong, about an hour’s drive south of Pattaya. It has sheer cliffs along the west coast and gorgeous beaches along the east. The main town has an active nightlife scene, making it a favorite weekend retreat for Bangkok and Pattaya residents. An annual Thai pop and rock music festival takes place on the island, too.

Koh Samet has a good selection of hotels, ranging from very basic bungalows to 5-star resorts. The beautiful blue water around the shore is great for swimmers, snorkelers and scuba divers. Koh Samet is regularly serviced by ferry from Ban Phe Pier in Rayong. As with all Pattaya islands, you can also get there by chartering a speedboat, which takes about 20 minutes.