Let's tell you about the best beaches in Pattaya and what entertainment awaits you here.
In Pattaya, there is officially only one beach, and that's Central Beach, also known as Pattaya Beach. The other beaches are considered separate resorts located adjacent to the city limits.
Pattaya Beach: The Busiest Shoreline
Pattaya Beach is the primary beach of the Pattaya resort, stretching along the coast from Bali Hai Pier to First Street in the south and extending to North Street and the Sukhumvit Highway in the north. Initially, Pattaya Beach was the entire city, but over time, Naklua, Wongamat, and other beaches were incorporated into the city.
This area is where you'll find most of the hotels, restaurants, bars, stores, and boutiques. Notably, "Walking Street," which is part of this beach, comes alive with live rock music in the evenings, drawing in young people seeking vibrant nightlife experiences.
If you look at Pattaya on the map, you can divide it both vertically (into northern, central, and southern streets) and horizontally (into first, second, and third streets). These intersections create squares, forming distinct quarters within the resort. The smaller branches leading from the quarters or alleys are referred to as "Soi" and are numbered, such as Soi 8.
Pattaya's Central Beach
The beach has a relatively small width, which local authorities consistently maintain with imported sand;
It can get crowded with high noise levels due to motorized water transport;
Unfortunately, there are fewer bathers due to severe sea pollution;
Central Beach offers a wide range of activities, from Thai massages to water skiing and karaoke;
There's easy access to various tourist infrastructure, including stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and affordable accommodations;
Central Beach doesn't have beachfront hotels.
Hotels in Central Pattaya
A double room in a three-star hotel starts at $60 USD per night. For a 4-star hotel, the price for such a room is from $90 USD, and for a 5-star hotel, it's from $120 USD. Here are some of the most popular hotels:
For whom the beach is suitable: For single men, noisy youths, nightlife lovers. How to get there: You can get there from Wongamat or Jomtien Beach (for 10 THB) or from Pattaya North Bus Terminal (for 20 THB) by public songteo.
Pattaya's Cleanest Beaches
Jomtien
The small resort town of Jomtien (Jomtien, Chom Tien) is located at a distance of 3 kilometers from the center of Pattaya towards the south. Its length reaches three kilometers. Many people consider Jomtien to be the beach of Pattaya. For travelers here, there are all opportunities for a quiet, cozy, and relaxing holiday.
Jomtien Features
The following features are the main ones for the beach:
A highway, in places running 50 meters from the coast;
All the necessary tourist infrastructure is within a hundred meters from the sea;
Relative low crowd density;
The ability to reach Pattaya's lively central beach in 15 minutes by songthaew;
Several interesting attractions within walking distance.
Sights and Points of Interest Near the Beach
Nong Nuch Tropical Garden
covering an area of about 240 hectares (open daily from 08:00 to 18:00, located at 34/1 Moo 7, Na-Jomtien, Satahip, Chonburi 20250 Thailand). The original Silver Lake vineyard can be found nearby;
Floating Market
Nearly 100,000 square meters of retail outlets await visitors daily from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm (address: 451/304 Moo 12, Sukhumvi-Road Pattaya, Nongprue, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150);
Wat Yang Temple Complex and Golden Buddha Mountain
The cultural monuments were built to honor the ruling Chakri dynasty;
Million-Year Stone Park Dinosaur and Crocodile Farm
(address: 22/1 Moo 1, Nongplalai, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150, Pattaya City, Thailand. The park is open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm).
There is also an observation tower and amusement park on the beach, which entertains thousands of children every year.
Who the beach is suitable for: Family travelers with children. How to get there: from the central beach or bus station by Songteo (for 10 THB) or cab (from 100 THB).
Wongamat
Located in the northern part of Pattaya, Wongamat Beach is not more than a kilometer long. It is characterized by the following features:
Homogeneity: the northern part of the beach is considered elite, the southern part - wild; the central part is intended for the bulk of vacationers and has all the necessary inexpensive infrastructure;
The absence of a busy highway nearby, as well as noisy nightlife;
The quiet, clean, and peaceful coastline;
Significant number of Russian-speakers, vacationers from CIS countries;
Flat entrance to the sea;
The availability of water activities (banana, water skiing).
Beach Attractions
The following attractions are the main cultural landmarks in the Wongamat Beach area:
Truth Temple
The largest wooden temple in Pattaya (address: 206/2 Moo 5, Soi Naklua 12, Naklua, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150, Thailand. Open daily from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm);
Orthodox Church
At the northern end of the coast.
Who the beach is suitable for: Family tourists with children. How to get there: By any of the songteos that pass along Second Street (for 10 THB). A motorcycle cab from Jomtien Beach to Wongamat will cost from 50 THB, a taxi meter from 100 THB. The same distance can be traveled by Songteo for 20 THB. From the airport to the beach, there is also a Songteo service (20 THB).
Parts of Dongtan Beach
Dongtan Beach is conditionally divided into three parts, each with its own characteristics:
North Dongtan
The northern section is known for its popularity among LGBTQ+ travelers. It's sometimes referred to as "Gay Beach" due to its acceptance and welcoming atmosphere towards the LGBTQ+ community. This area offers a relaxed and friendly environment.
Central Dongtan
The central part is more diverse and attracts a mix of tourists. It's known for its gentle water entrance and relatively clear sea. You'll find various accommodations and a wider range of visitors in this area.
South Dongtan
The southern part of Dongtan Beach is quieter and less crowded. It's ideal for those looking for a more secluded and peaceful experience. While it may not have as many facilities as the central section, it offers a serene coastal retreat.
Who the beach is suitable for: Travelers looking for LGBTQ+ friendly areas, as well as those seeking a quieter or more diverse beach experience. How to get there: Dongtan Beach is accessible by Songteo, taxi, or on foot from nearby areas.
South Dongtan (gay beach)
Located just behind Jomtien beach. The length of the beach is about 500 meters.
It's a place for anyone to relax, or to get a Thai guy (from 500 THB) or just a massage (from 150 THB).
On the southern part of Dongtan, there are no sunbeds, loungers or umbrellas, and vacationers sit on towels under the trees. For those who want to grab a bite to eat, you can stop by one of the local cafes.
Central part of the beach
It is tentatively located between Rabbit Resort on the south side and Ban Hard U Thong Condominium on the north side. This is the most crowded part of the beach, where many tourists with children vacation.
At the Pattaya Park Hotel in the center of Dongtan Beach, there is a small water park and rides that are ideal for families with children.
There are plenty of traditional beach activities in central Dongtan:
water skiing;
scooters;
boats and yachts;
bananas;
volleyball and other sand games.
North Dongtan
Three hundred meters of coast from Pratamnak Soi 5 Street is considered the northern part of Dongtan Beach.
Daytime
it's quite deserted, with fishermen making up the bulk of the vacationers.
In the evening
The northern part of Dongtan is crowded with noisy youths and couples wanting to picnic by the sea.
Who the beach is suitable for: both for non-traditional vacationers, families with children or youth groups: depending on the sector of the beach. How to get there: by public songthaew from central Pattaya for 10 THB.
Pratumnak
Pratumnak beach is located in the south of Pattaya between the central beach and Jomtien. It is one of the most popular beaches among tourists. There are virtually no all-night establishments here, so Pratumnak is ideal for vacationers with children of all ages.
Benefits of Pratamnak Beach
Secluded and isolated from the coast due to the presence of high cliffs along the edges of the beach;
the distance of the highway from the shore;
clear sea and well-maintained coastline;
closeness to attractions such as the Big Buddha Temple, Chinese Temple and Pratamnak Lookout;
the availability of all necessary tourist infrastructure.
A separate section of Pratamnak Beach is Asia Beach (Paradise Beach), named for the nearby Asia Pattaya Beach Hotel. Due to the powerful boulders on the shore, this stretch of coastline is reachable only by sea. Asia Beach is loved by locals. There are no traditional water activities here, and the atmosphere is secluded.
Who the beach is suitable for: for tourists who want privacy. How to get to Pratamnak Beach: by cab or tuk-tuk. The cost of travel from other beaches will cost from 200 THB, from the airport from 1000 THB. The public transportation stop is located a few kilometers away from Pratamnak, closer to Pattaya Beach.
Pattaya's beaches suit a wide variety of vacationers. Pattaya Beach is ideal for youngsters and extreme sports enthusiasts. Here you can ride a banana, water ski, jet ski, try windsurfing, parasailing. Family tourists will like Wongamat, Jontien and the central part of Dongtan. Couples in love and lovers of privacy will like Pratamnak and northern Dongtan. South Dongtan Beach is ideal for those of a non-traditional orientation.
