This site's tour
Bangkok day
Lunch on the island
- Time12 hours
- LunchOn the island
- From$53
Find a stop on the map
Koh Larn hotels: where to stay and eat on the island
Browse 32 stops
Koh Larn and its landing places on the map
Select a route, then tap a marker or stop to see its note and open Google Maps.
The pier of Na Ban village on the east side of the island; the city's songthaew routes to the beaches start here.
Google MapsAbout 750 meters of white sand with coral at both ends, on the north side of the island.
Google MapsA beach of 500 meters on the west side; people move here from Tawaen in the monsoon season.
Google MapsA quiet beach of 350 meters in the southwest with a walkway and restaurants.
Google MapsThe island of Koh Sak lies 8 kilometers from the shore and has two white-sand beaches.
Google Maps
A mountainous island about 7.5 kilometers off Pattaya shore, covering 4.07 square kilometers.
Google MapsThe pier of Na Ban village on the east side of the island; the city's songthaew routes to the beaches start here.
Google MapsA pier at the north end of Tawaen Beach on the map, on the same side as the Sangwarn and Tong Lang bays.
Google MapsAbout 750 meters of white sand with coral at both ends, on the north side of the island.
Google MapsA quiet beach of 350 meters in the southwest with a walkway and restaurants.
Google MapsA small island 550 meters long with a single beach.
Google MapsThe island of Koh Sak lies 8 kilometers from the shore and has two white-sand beaches.
Google MapsThe South Pattaya pier from which the boats to the island leave.
Google MapsA hilltop lookout over Pattaya Bay that the day tour from Bangkok adds at the end of the day.
Google Maps
About 750 meters of white sand with coral at both ends, on the north side of the island.
Google MapsA small beach of 150 meters beside Tawaen, quieter than its neighbour.
Google MapsA small, quiet beach where the main activity is snorkeling to see corals; glass bottom boats are the alternative.
Google MapsA small beach of 100 meters, quiet and shaded, with white sand and stones.
Google MapsA beach of 500 meters on the west side; people move here from Tawaen in the monsoon season.
Google MapsA quiet beach of 350 meters in the southwest with a walkway and restaurants.
Google Maps
The pier of Na Ban village on the east side of the island; the city's songthaew routes to the beaches start here.
Google MapsA pier at the north end of Tawaen Beach on the map, on the same side as the Sangwarn and Tong Lang bays.
Google MapsAbout 750 meters of white sand with coral at both ends, on the north side of the island.
Google MapsA beach of 500 meters on the west side; people move here from Tawaen in the monsoon season.
Google MapsA quiet beach of 350 meters in the southwest with a walkway and restaurants.
Google MapsA small, quiet beach where the main activity is snorkeling to see corals; glass bottom boats are the alternative.
Google MapsA small beach of 150 meters beside Tawaen, quieter than its neighbour.
Google Maps
The South Pattaya pier from which the boats to the island leave.
Google MapsThe pier of Na Ban village on the east side of the island; the city's songthaew routes to the beaches start here.
Google MapsA pier at the north end of Tawaen Beach on the map, on the same side as the Sangwarn and Tong Lang bays.
Google MapsA mountainous island about 7.5 kilometers off Pattaya shore, covering 4.07 square kilometers.
Google MapsA hilltop lookout over Pattaya Bay that the day tour from Bangkok adds at the end of the day.
Google Maps
Map © OpenStreetMap contributors
Koh Larn is small, and where you sleep decides how much of it you see. Learn how to choose between the island and Pattaya, and how to eat well in either.
Editorial team, kohlarntour.click · Updated November 12, 2026 · A 7 min read
Summary view
- The islandKoh Larn covers 4.07 km2 and is home to 2,934 people, so rooms sit close to the water.1,2
- Getting aroundThe Tourism Authority of Thailand lists minibuses and motorbike taxis on the island.3
- A base in PattayaSeveral tours pick up in Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Naklua.
- EatingLunch can be bought at Tawaen Beach, with Thai food, seafood and vegetarian dishes.
- Our roleWe sell no rooms; we help you compare where to sleep and what to book for the day.
Staying on Koh Larn or in Pattaya
Most visitors see Koh Larn on a day trip, which makes the question of Koh Larn hotels a real choice and not a given. Pattaya City measures the island at 4.07 km2 and places it about 8 kilometers off the shore.1,4 Think about how much time you want on the sand and how late you want to stay. Make the choice before you book.
The case for staying on the island is simple: you wake up on the beach and you do not have to catch a boat home. The case for staying in Pattaya is just as plain: more rooms, more food and a hotel pickup for a tour, which the listings here offer from Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Naklua. Weigh that against the cost of a boat each way and the effort of carrying bags across the water.
Among the islands near Pattaya to stay on, Koh Larn has a minibus cooperative and a city office of its own.5,6 Choose the island when you want quiet evenings, early swims and a slower pace. Choose Pattaya when you want a wide choice of restaurants and rooms, or when the trip is one stop in a longer holiday. Whichever you pick, keep your return plans flexible in case the sea turns. Read any host's cancellation rules with the weather in mind.
Where to base yourself
Island or city: the stay compared
| Base | Getting to the beach | Boat timing | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| On Koh Larn | Minibus or motorbike taxi3 | You set your own return | Quiet evenings |
| Pattaya Beach | Pickup on tours | Pier van of 30 minutes | Choice of food and rooms |
| Jomtien Beach | Pickup on tours | Pier van of 20 minutes | Pickup on many tours |
| Naklua | Pickup on tours | Check the operator | Ask your operator |
Pickup areas come from the tour listings and vary by operator; check yours before you book.
Who lives on Koh Larn, and what that means for a stay
Koh Larn is a community, not only a resort. Pattaya City counts 2,934 residents in 2018 in 626 households, and runs a branch office on the island that handles general administration, safety keeping, civil and sanitary jobs.2,6 The population grew from 2,869 in 2016 to 2,912 in 2017 and 2,934 in 2018.9 Seeing it as a place where people live changes how you move around it.
Daily services are in place: a minibus cooperative of 33 members runs on the island, a boat cooperative of 121 members runs the sea routes, and a local office handles safety and sanitation.5,6 You will find that daily life shares the same piers and minibuses as the visitors. Knowing this helps when you need directions, a taxi or a doctor.
It also means a visit has a footprint. Pack out your rubbish, keep noise down after dark in village lanes, and treat shops and homes as places where people live. A courteous guest is a better neighbor, and the island rewards it. Small habits count on a small island. Take a reusable bottle if you can, and say thank you in Thai.
A living island
Residents of Koh Larn by year
- 20162,869
- 20172,912
- 20182,934
Residents of Koh Larn as counted in Pattaya City's yearly report for 2016, 2017 and 2018.9
Which side of the island to choose
Tawaen Beach is the beach the listings name most often: one package spends 1 hour there, another includes a sunbed there, and a third sells lunch there. Rooms near it put you close to food and water sports, but also close to the day crowd.Ask whether the room faces the water or the lane, and when the day boats arrive.
Samae Beach is the other name that appears in official listings. The Tourism Authority of Thailand's calendar lists an event on Samae Beach on 30 March 2024, which shows that beach hosts organized gatherings too.11 Check the dates of any festival before you choose a bed, since events change the noise and the crowds. If you want a stretch with fewer day trippers, ask your host about the quieter bays and how to reach them.
Use the map above to compare distances from the pier and the beaches, and ask any host how far the room is from the road and from the sand. On a small island a short walk matters, and a steep lane with luggage matters more. The map shows the piers and beaches that tours and ferries use. Keep the pier name and your host's phone number on your phone. Ask which lane the room is on, and how it feels at night.
Pick your base
Where should you sleep for Koh Larn
Describe how you travel and we will suggest where to look for a room.
If I want quiet evenings by the sea
Stay on Koh Larn
If I want a hotel pickup
Stay in Pattaya
Tours pick up in Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Naklua.
If I am visiting Bangkok too
Take a day trip
The 12 hour day starts and ends in Bangkok from $53.
If I have a food allergy
Tell the kitchen early
One operator asks for notice 24 hours ahead.
If I dislike crowds
Choose a small group day
One day is capped at 20 guests from $54.
Tours with food
Day trips with lunch in the fare
Up to 20
Small group
Thai seafood lunch
- Time7 hours
- LunchThai seafood
- From$54
Seafood
Premium speedboat
Seafood lunch
- Time5 hours
- LunchSeafood, private setting
- From$89
Choosing a hotel or guesthouse on Koh Larn
We do not sell rooms, so this is a checklist and not a recommendation. Ask whether the room has air conditioning, how far it is from the pier and the beach, whether the host helps with a pickup from the pier, and what the cancellation rules are if the weather stops the boats. Write your questions down before you message a host.
Look at how the room handles the sea air and the heat. The Tourism Authority of Thailand notes the sun in Pattaya is very strong, so shade, a fan or air conditioning and a place to rinse sand matter more than a view.23 A room with a shower you can use after the beach saves a lot of grit. Light curtains and a good lock are worth a look.
Read recent reviews for the boat timing and the noise, and ask for the host's phone number before you travel. Keep a copy of the booking and the address in Thai on your phone, so a minibus or motorbike driver can find it. A host who answers quickly is a good sign. Ask how check-in works if your boat arrives late.
Price a day trip
Compare day trips that include lunch
Set your party size and compare the day trips that serve a meal.
Compare 4 alternatives
Compare day trips that include lunch
Set your party size and compare the day trips that serve a meal.
- Bangkok day12 hours · price per person from $53
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View - Small group7 hours · price per person from $54
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View - Premium speedboat5 hours · price per person from $89
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View - Speedboat run6 hours · price per person from $9
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View
Starting prices as on the booking platform, converted at the ECB reference rate. You see the exact price at booking.
A night on the island
How an overnight stay on Koh Larn runs
Crossing day
Cross to the island
The boat route is 7 kilometers from South Pattaya Port.7
Arrival
Reach your room
Minibuses and motorbike taxis serve the island.3
Afternoon
Swim and eat
Lunch is sold at Tawaen Beach.
Evening
Quiet beach hours
Keep noise down in the village lanes.
Next day
Return to Pattaya
Wear a life jacket on the boat.8
Using Pattaya as your base for Koh Larn
Pattaya is the easier base. One speedboat package collects you at your hotel in a window from 9:00 to 11:30 AM, drives 30 minutes to Bali Hai Pier and costs from $9. Another package with a pickup covers Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Naklua. Whichever you choose, do not leave the choice of pickup point until the last day.
Free transfer on one island tour is limited to central, north and south Pattaya, and other areas may add THB 100 to 200 paid to the operator. Check with the operator that your hotel falls within the pickup area before you pay. A hotel just outside the area can still work, but the surcharge changes the price.
The base also puts the Sanctuary of Truth, the Pattaya View Point and the city's food in reach on other days. The Tourism Authority of Thailand puts Pattaya 150 km southeast of Bangkok, which makes it an easy stay for a long weekend.24 Plan a quiet evening after a long boat day, and a lie-in the morning after.
Video
Where to stay on Koh Larn
Philly and the Brain on YouTube · Tap play to load the video; not before.
The quality of the seawater in these area are in standard criteria.
Before you book a room
What to ask a Koh Larn host
Ask the host3
- Whether they meet you at the pier
- How far the room is from the beach and the road
- What happens if the boats stop
Pack for the island3
- Sunscreen and a hat for strong sun23
- Baht in small notes for food and rides
- Water and a dry bag
Where and what to eat on Koh Larn
Food on a day trip often arrives with the ticket. The day from Bangkok includes lunch on the island, and a small-group day offers a Thai seafood lunch, while a premium speedboat day serves a seafood lunch in a private setting. Each is a different style of meal, and the listing tells you which you are buying. Where lunch is included, it is worth asking what the meal is.
On your own, the beach is the dining room, which makes Koh Larn restaurants a matter of choosing a table on the sand. A listing notes lunch can be bought at Tawaen Beach, with Thai food, seafood and vegetarian dishes. A VIP day lists a seafood lunch by the beach with halal options. Tell the kitchen about allergies early, since one operator asks for notice 24 hours ahead. Order water first, and ask the price of a dish before it arrives. Take your time over the menu.
Carry cash in baht for drinks, snacks and beach chairs, and drink water through the day. Fresh seafood suits the setting, but check prices before you order, and choose a table where you can see the dishes before they arrive. A small bag with a zip is better than a pocket. Keep your receipts, and agree the price of chairs and umbrellas before you sit.
Getting your bags and yourself around
Carry less than you think you need. The Tourism Authority of Thailand notes minibuses and motorbike taxis operate on the island, and that visitors can rent a motorbike.3 A backpack fits a motorbike taxi, and a wheeled suitcase on a sandy path may not. Roll your clothes and keep your valuables with you.
Ask your host whether they will meet you at the pier. A pickup removes the first problem of the stay, and it gives you a person to ask about the best beach for the day and the right time for the last boat. A host who knows the boat times can save you an hour. Tell them what time your boat lands, and write down a second contact in case the first does not answer.
Plan the first and last days with care. Arrive early, drop your bag, and swim before lunch. Leave the island well before dark on the day you go home, and keep your life jacket handy for the crossing, since the Marine Department requires one for all passengers.8 Allow a buffer for queues and for the walk to the boat. Pack your bag the night before you leave.
FAQ
Common questions, answered fast.
Can I stay overnight on Koh Larn?
How big is Koh Larn?
4.0 km2.
Pattaya City gives the island area as 4.07 km2, small enough to cross on foot or by bike.1
Is it better to stay on Koh Larn or in Pattaya?
Pattaya offers more choice; the island offers quiet.
Tours pick up in Pattaya Beach, Jomtien Beach and Naklua, so a city hotel works for day trips.
How do I get around Koh Larn?
By minibus, motorbike taxi or rented motorbike.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand lists these services on the island.3
Where can I eat on Koh Larn?
At the beaches, notably Tawaen.
Lunch is sold at Tawaen Beach with Thai, seafood and vegetarian dishes.
Are there halal meals on Koh Larn?
One listing offers them.
A VIP day lists a seafood lunch by the beach with halal options.
Does the Koh Larn tour include lunch?
Yes, on the day from Bangkok.
The 12 hour day includes lunch on the island and costs from $53.
Do you sell hotel rooms?
No.
We guide the choice, and you book rooms with the host or platform you prefer.
Sources
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City yearly report 2018 (PDF, English summary, May 2019) ↩
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City yearly report 2018 (PDF, English summary, May 2019) ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand · Pattaya (TAT official destination page, archived copy) ↩
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City yearly report 2018 (PDF, English summary, May 2019) ↩
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City yearly report 2018 (PDF, English summary, May 2019) ↩
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City yearly report 2018 (PDF, English summary, May 2019) ↩
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City yearly report 2018 (PDF, English summary, May 2019) ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Marine safety measures and regulations in Thailand ↩
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City yearly report 2018 (PDF, English summary, May 2019) ↩
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City yearly report 2018 (PDF, English summary, May 2019)
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · March 2024's festivals and events in Thailand ↩
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Pattaya City · Pattaya City Yearly Report 2018 (English translation, PDF, Research and Evaluation Section)
- Tourism Authority of Thailand · Pattaya (TAT official destination page, archived copy) ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand · Pattaya (TAT official destination page, archived copy) ↩