Koh Larn tour, sand, sea, temple.

This Koh Larn tour is a day from Bangkok that lasts 12 hours and puts a carved wooden temple and a Gulf island into one booking. A car takes about 2.5 hours to reach Pattaya, the Sanctuary of Truth follows for 2.5 hours with a guide, and a speedboat of 30 minutes then crosses to the island, where you spend 3.5 hours.

The fare starts from $53, and the guide speaks English, Japanese or Spanish. The day ends with 15 minutes at the Pattaya View Point and a car of 2 hours back to the MBK Center in Bangkok. Nothing needs planning on your side beyond the choice of pickup option.

This is a long day, and better to know that early. Sit back for the road, give the temple your attention, and keep your energy for the water. A small group is available for anyone who prefers fewer faces on the speedboat.

Leaving the temple, the group rides 30 minutes by car to the pier and then 30 minutes by speedboat to Koh Larn. The city's own account of the crossing: passenger boats from South Pattaya Port, Bali Hai Pier, sail 7 kilometers in 45 minutes, and speed boats to nearby islands need 15 minutes from South Pattaya Beach.

Your boat is a sea vessel and the rules of the sea apply. Wear the life jacket for the entire crossing, as the Marine Department asks of every passenger on board, and take it off only on the sand. If you need help afloat, both the Marine Department and the Tourist Police run lines that answer at any hour, and your guide will know them.

On a Pattaya to Koh Larn tour the same pier is your start point. Spray is part of the ride, so keep your phone in a waterproof pouch and pick a hat with a chin strap, as the crossing is breezy and wet. Another operator keeps a plan B inside Pattaya City for days when the boats cannot go, which shows the day can bend to the weather.

Several listings around the island sell water sports, and the sums differ by package. Water sports change the fare: a package with snorkeling, a jet ski and parasailing begins at $67, and a shared day packed with activities begins at $89.

Snorkelers near coral reefs must keep a life vest on unless they hold a freediving certificate, and a supervisor may look after up to 20 people at once, under the rules in force. A weight limit of 100 kg applies to parasailing on several packages.

Choose your activities before the day, not on the sand. Book the ones you actually want, check any weight or age limit and ask what the guide does while you are in the water. The Tourism Authority of Thailand also advises coral-friendly mineral sunscreen, hats and long-sleeved swimwear.