Pattaya beaches Travel Guide

About Pattaya beaches

Pattaya is one of Southeast Asia's most famous beach resorts, a no-holds-barred party hub with something for everyone, from young travellers in search of a wild night out through to families. The resort boasts its own sweeping beach, a variety of watersports, decent scuba diving options and myriad day trip opportunities. One of the slickest and most developed resorts in the country, Pattaya is well used to dealing with the needs of all holidaymakers.

Beach:

The main beach of Hat Pattaya curves around the Bay of Pattaya. Along its sandy sweep are myriad things to see and do for holidaymakers with souvenir stalls, food stands, bars and a choice of watersports. Hat Jomtien just to the south is a relatively quieter option, while Hat Naklua to the north is the most family-friendly beach.

Beyond the beach:

If you want to do more than swim there are a number of scuba dive options, including PADI diving courses for beginners. More experienced divers can enjoy wreck dives. On land the Pattaya Elephant Village (www.elephant-village-pattaya.com) offers the chance to take in an elephant show or enjoy a ride on one of the pachyderms.

Family fun:

Ripley's Believe it or Not (www.ripleysthailand.com) is a good distraction for adults looking to keep young ones at bay. This collection of oddities will set young minds ticking, at least for a little while. Of the beaches, Hat Naklua is the most family-friendly.

Exploring further:

A trio of islands, Ko Larn, Ko Krok and Ko Sak, tempt visitors just offshore. The options are to either take an organised day trip with an operator or to go it alone and arrange a transfer on one of the boats that regularly service the islands from Pattaya. Once on the islands there is little to do bar take it easy and enjoy a rest away from the bustling streets of Pattaya. The snorkelling can be good too for those wanting to do more than swim.