Ko Lan Island - a great option for a beach holiday near Pattaya

Koh Larn is a cozy island located in the Gulf of Thailand, 8 km from the city of Pattaya. Among other Thai islands it is the first in size and at the same time - a compact: has a width of 4 km and 2 km in length. The landscape is hilly - a maximum of 180 m above sea level - as you can see in the photo, covered with dense vegetation.

There are six major beaches on the island, each of which is accessed by a road lined with paving slabs. In addition to these, there are less public parts of the shoreline, usually stony.

Despite the fact that the beaches are not connected to each other, vacationers can cover a distance of 1 to 3 km on their own through an amazing natural landscape. This makes the island of Ko Lan is an ideal place not only for lovers to lie on a lounger, but also for those who prefer an active holiday.

Ko Lan Island on the map

You can come here from the mainland for a few hours or stay directly on the island.

At the service of tourists:

• Hotels;
• Catering facilities;
• Public beaches with paid sun loungers;
• Toilets and showers on the shore.

Ko Lan island is crowded, but mostly holidaymakers are concentrated on different beaches: as you can see in some photos, free sunbeds are always.

How to get there

• Boat (individually or as part of a group)
• Ferry (public transport)

The fastest and most expensive way to get to Ko Lana is by speedboat (Speed boat). On the coastline of Pattaya you can find several companies that provide boat services. The best known are Pattaya Yacht Charters Co and Ocean Marina Yacht Club, located south of the city. Depending on the capacity and comfort of the boat, as well as the place of arrival, the cost of travel can vary from 300 to 500 baht per person.

The travel time is about 30 minutes. Back from the island of Ko Lan the last flight is at 17:00.

A significant advantage of the boat is the ability to arrive at any place on the island.

The ferry costs 30 baht and takes about 50 minutes. Ferries from Pattaya depart hourly from Bali Hai Pier and follow the routes:

• Ta Waen Beach
• Na Ban Village

Na Ban is the central settlement and main port of the island of Ko Lan. Most of the locals live here, as well as numerous hotels and cafes. However, hotels and catering establishments can be found all along the coastline.

Beaches

All beaches on the island of Ko Lan white-sand with clear turquoise water (see photo below). The use of sunbeds, toilets, showers for a fee (100/20/30 baht, respectively).

Ta Wan Beach - the largest and most popular with Chinese tourists - occupies the coast of the northern bay of the island. Its length is more than 600 meters. Every day it is visited by up to 3,000 people. In the interior of the island, away from the beach bustle are bungalows, which offer a total of 150 rooms for accommodation.

Ta Wan has a wide variety of souvenir and clothing shops, bars, and cafes.

Samae Beach stretches along the west coast for 530 m. This side of the island is most blown by the winds, which makes staying there not so hot. Many vacationers choose Sama for this reason. Nearby is a large hotel Xanadu Resort for 100 rooms and several bungalows. Two dozen cafes offer Thai and European cuisine.

Tien Beach It stretches along the coast for 400 meters and, judging by the photos, is the most picturesque. It is separated from Sama Beach by a small landscape hill, which can be easily overcome if desired. The beach has everything you need. There are 10 rooms in bungalows for accommodation.

Nual Beach is also known as Monkey Beach. Tourists in this place used to feed the primates, which eventually settled near the beach. The tradition is still alive today: feeding the monkeys is one of the local attractions for vacationers who like to take pictures with them. Nual is located in the south of the island. Its length is about 350 m. There are places to stop for the night, 4 cafes with Thai cuisine.

Tong Lang Beach It is 200 meters long and is adjacent to Ta Wan. There is no paved road to it: you can get here either on foot or by boat. Also, like the other beaches, there are places where you can eat lunch, buy souvenirs. There are no accommodations for long stays on the beach.

Ta Yai Beach is nestled in a small cove on the northern tip of the island. It is a cozy little beach - its length is 140 m. It is not very crowded. So it's a good place to spend a day here and take a couple of photos as a souvenir of the tropical island.

Hotels

On the island of Ko Lan it is not difficult to find a place to stay. Most of them are not hotels in the full sense of the word. Most are "bungalows", each equipped with air conditioning, refrigerators, showers with hot water and toilets for the number of bedrooms, kitchens.

Long-stay accommodations are located in Na Ban township, Sama and Ta Van beaches.

In Na Ban Village, a room in the two-story Sea Beach Guest House (3*) will cost 900 baht per night. Nearby are bungalows, part of the Rimtalay Resort Koh Larn (3*), the cost of accommodation which starts at 1000 baht. There is a bar and restaurant on site.

Lareena Resort (5*), standing on the beach, offers not only standard rooms decorated in bright colors, but also suites with a gorgeous view of the lagoon. Rates start from 1,300 baht for a budget room, including breakfast and free Wi-fi.

On the south side of Sama Beach is the largest hotel on the island, Xanadu Resort (4*).

You can stay here for 2,500 baht a night. The hotel provides shuttle service from Na Ban, local restaurant and bar, free Wi-fi. All rooms are equipped with electronic locks, security service, and reservations are available. Not far from the beach towards Na Ban village amongst the greenery and mountains is The Lighthouse (4*), a quiet and comfortable place with a small restaurant and an included breakfast. Accommodations start at 1,500 baht.

Just north of Ta Wan Beach on the beach is Lomtalay (3*), which offers budget accommodation, the cost of which in low seasons may not reach 1,000 baht. Not far from it is Barberry (3*). In the photo you can see that its rooms are fully consistent with the name and are made in barberry bard tone.

Entertainment

The main recreational purpose of vacationers on the beaches of Ko Lan Island is swimming in the clear sea water and sunbathing. Many tourists, in seclusion, like to walk around the island, finding secluded untouched corners of nature. Others use the hilly terrain for revitalizing hikes.

Beach activities are well represented on Ko Lan. Among them:

• Parasailing (especially popular on Sama Beach) from 500 baht for 5 minutes (prices subject to change);
• Riding a banana 500 baht;
• Riding on a jet ski, the cost for 30 minutes, 1000 baht;
• Snorkeling;
• Fishing from 2500 baht;
• Beach Volleyball.

Among the unrelated activities on the beach is a self-trip around the island on a rented motorcycle.

Transportation

Many tourists, especially young people, prefer to move around the island on foot: the beaches are a half-hour walk from each other. Note that the terrain of the island is hilly and often rocky. Walking can be difficult for a physically unprepared person and sometimes traumatic.

Moving around the island of Ko Lan:

• Songteo (tuk-tuk) cost 20-40 baht;
• Rent a motorcycle 200-250 baht/hour (with a full tank).