| Pattaya Beach
Some 4 kilometres long, this beach faces Pattaya Bay,
the major venue from where boats visit Pattaya's offshore
islands. The beach curves from north to south and is
largely paralleled by a treelined promenade and beach
road which is lined, in the northern and central parts,
by hotels and restaurants. The northern section of the
beach is largely tranquil, while the central and
southern parts become increasingly lively, thanks to
a position of shops, department stores, boutiques, beauty
salons, supermarkets, bars, discotheques, restaurants
and nightclubs. The central area of the beach is a major
shopping area, while the southern end is one of Pattaya's
major nightlife areas.
Jomtien Beach
This 6-kilometre long, largely straight beach, some
4 kilometres south of Pattaya, is the most notable of
several beaches south of the resort. The beach is popular
with windsurfers and watersports enthusiasts, largely
because the area enjoys brisk and fresh breezes sweeping
island from the Thai Gulf, and because the seas are
less congested with boats than is Pattaya Bay.
Jomtien is also a major residential area with beacheside
hotels, bungalow complexes, condominiums and restaurants.
Wong Phrachan Beach
is on the northern side of Pattaya Bay. The 1 kilometer
beach shares the same entrance as the Central Wong Amat
Hotel. A quiet spot, the beach is ideal for swimming
and relaxation.
The Ko Lan Group of Islands is comprised Ko Lan, Ko
Khrok and Ko Sak.
Ko Lan situated to the west of Pattaya Strait, about
7.7 kilometers from the shore, covering an area of about
4 square kilometers. There are beautiful beaches, clear
water, and an abundance of coral, Visitors can view
the coral either from a glass-bottom boat or by diving
down directly. A well-known beach is at Ta Waen Beach
in the northern part of the island, a 750 meters stretch
of white sand with many stalls and shops. Sightseeing
boats mostly dock in this area. There are also Laem
Thian Beach and Samae Beach on the south-western side,
each beach spanning a length of 700 and 100 meters respectively.
Both are regarded as beautiful and interesting spots,
especially Laem Thian Beach which has remained exceptionally
clean and tranquil. There are now a few stores servicing
visitors. TaPan Beach on the western part of the island
is 500 meters in length with make-shift lodging available.
On Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, sightseeing boats
usually dock along this beach all the way to Laem Thian
where there is coral. On the southern part is Nuan Beach
450 meters in length. On this beach is a hotel which
accommodates a large number of tourists. This is another
good place for viewing coral.
Apart from these beaches, there are also Laem Hua Khon
Beach on the back and front sides, Laem Lamrae, etc.,
which are also interesting tourist spots. Popular activities
on Ko Lan include swimming, coral viewing, Para-sailing,
water-skiing, water scooter riding, etc.
Ko Krok a small island
covering an area of 0.05 square kilometers, approximately
8 kilometers from the shore. The island comprises mostly
rocks. Only one sandy-beach on the east of the island
is Ko Krok beach which is only 100 meters in lenght.
This is an ideal place tor coral viewing.
Ko Sak some 10 kilometers
west of Pattaya Strait or 600 meters away from Ko Lan.
Ko Sak is another small island shaped like a horse shoe
with an area of 0.05 square kilometers. It has two beaches,
one on the northern cover 250 meters in length, an area
in which boats usually stop for tourists to swim and
another one on the southern part of the island opposite
the first island, with a pathway linking the two beaches,
a small beach 80 meters in length. A coral reef is found
at the area in front of the beach. Skin-diving is also
possible in this vicinity.
Ko Phai Group of Islands
are comprised of Ko Phai, Ko Manwichai, Ko Luam, Ko
Klung Badan, and etc., Ko Phai being the largest. The
islands are presently under the supervision of the Royal
Navy. The Ko Phai group of islands are situated at a
distance about 13 kilometers from Pattaya and takes
2 hours to reach by boat. There is a light house on
top of a hill at Ko Phai. Visitors can enjoy relaxing-moments,
swimming, fishing and diving down to view the coral.
Tourists interested in visiting all
the island mentioned here can arrange to hire boats
from the promenade or pier at South Pattaya. Large boats
can carry between 20-80 passengers, speed boats carry
10-15 passengers. Rental fees cost between 1,000-5,000
Baht, depending on the spot one intends to visit as
well as the size and type of boat.
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