8 Places to Experience the Best Snorkelling in Pattaya
1. Koh Larn - Coral Island
After you are done with the booking of day long snorkeling trip in Koh Larn island, now all you need to do is get your snorkeling mask on and go underwater to see the undiscovered world. Koh Larn is 7 km away from Pattaya. This near beach witness thousands of people everyday. You can just relax in this paradise and wear you tan on.
How to Reach Koh Larn
1. Take a speed boat from Bali Hai Pier
Cost - 200 THB
Travel Time - 15 mins
2. Take a Koh Larn ferry
Cost - 30 THB
Travel Time - 40 to 45mins
2. Koh Sak
Though no previous snorkeling experiences are required in Pattaya but still if you are a beginner then Koh Sak is the perfect island for you. The sheltered inlet makes the best place for training. Koh Sak is 600m away from Koh Larn and 10km far from Pattaya. It has witnessed many big-names vacations like Neil Armstrong etc. This horseshoe shaped small cozy island offers many cheap Thai foods and drinks. It has some mesmerizing hawksbill turtles and several bamboo sharks.
How to Reach Koh Sak
1. Take a speed boat from Bali Hai Pier
Cost - 1000 THB
Boat Capacity - 10-15 people
Travel Time - 25 to 30mins
3. Koh Krok
After all exhausting tours to iconic temples and other sightseeing places, enjoying nightlife and shopping in the busy markets, Koh Krok provides you with the perfect environment. Unlike Koh Larn, this place is extremely peaceful and inhabited with no hotels to stay in. It has very few cafes. Jet-skis are not allowed as a policy of governmental project to keep the environment as natural as feasible, which Pattaya mainland lacks. Thus, crystal clear blue water in only one beach renders you with picturesque marine life views. Relaxing here costs heavy in the pocket because of its private solitary beach.
How to Reach Koh Krok
1. Take a speed boat from Bali Hai Pier
Cost - Approx 800 to THB per boat
4. Koh Phai
Koh Phai can be called by its meaning - ‘Bamboo Island’ as well. It hosts artificial coral reefs, pink anemonefish and various crabs. Travelers are not permitted to spend the night here. This place is one of the best spots for snorkeling among the near islands. Scuba Diving is also famous here. A day long trip is sufficient to this island.
How to Reach Koh Krok
1. Take a speedboat from Bali Hair pier
Travel Time - 2 hours nearly
5. Koh Rin
Koh Rin is one of the remote islands near Pattaya. This is considered to have a rich marine life. Even if you do not dive to see them, the marine lives like multicolored emperor angelfish and the curious butterfly fish at time come of the surface to give you all a view!! Snorkeling thus, is perfect here for amazing visibility.
How to Reach Koh Rin
1. Take a speed boat from Bali Hai Pier
Travel Time - 30 mins (Approx)
6. Koh Samet
With number of luxurious beach-side bungalows and exotic resorts to stay at this place remains packed up on weekends. From slackening with a pineapple juice by the turquoise blue beach under the sun to shaking feet in the lively nightlife, the magnetism of this place draws people 3-4hours drive away from Bangkok. The next best thing to do in this far island is snorkeling to spend some time with the aquamarine habitats.
How to Reach Koh Samet
1. Take a bus from Pattaya to Ban Phe
Cost - 400 THB per person one way
Travel Time- An hour or less
2. Take a taxi service from Pattaya to Koh Samet (either by car or mini bus)
Cost - 1000 THB for a car | 1,300 to 1,700 baht for mini bus (Approx.)
7. Ko Khram
The pleasant white sand dunes of Koh Khram is perfect for sun-bathing and taking a tan on. This little place is near Koh Samet and it offers a number of exciting water sports activities and snorkeling is among them. Due to far off location of this island it offers undisturbed underwater lives. Here, you can see how small school of fish are getting scattered from your shadow only!!
How to Reach Koh Khram
1. Take a bus from Pattaya to Rayong - Fast Ferry from Ban Phe Pier to Koh Samet Na Dan Pier - Ferry from Koh Samet Na Dan Pier to Koh Kood - Ferry from Koh Kood to Koh Khram
Tips for snorkelling in Pattaya
1. If you are going for snorkelling in Pattaya then always go for islands further off the mainland for better visibility and peace due to lesser speed boats and jet skies.
2. It is advisable to book snorkelling day trips from any operator prior. Here they will pick you up from your hotel in the morning, take you in a speedboat to the island brief you about the activity, and provide you with lunch buffet and beverages. And drop you back to your hotels - completely hassle-free.
Cost - 4000 THB per person (Approx)
3. The Best time to go for snorkelling is from December to March and again July and August. Try to avoid the summer and rainy seasons.
4. Book your accommodation in advance if you are planning this peak time to pay a visit. You may get discounts as well!!