Located off the coast of Pattaya, Ko Lan is a breezy island in the Bay of Bangkok that’s a popular getaway destination for locals. It’s known for its white sandy beaches and wooded hills where you’ll find Buddhist shrines and tropical rainforest inhabited by playful monkeys.
Things to do in Ko Lan
For a day at the beach, relax on the white sands of Ta Waen, which is the most popular beach on Ko Lan. It’s backed by several restaurants where you can dine on traditional Thai dishes and water sports operators offering everything from jet skiing to banana boat rides. For elevated views across the coast, climb to the Ta Waen Beach Viewpoint, which is topped by a gilded Buddha statue.
Further south is Samae Beach, which is lined with open-air eateries and offers magnificent views of the sun setting over the Gulf of Thailand. Watching over the beach is an iconic, stingray-shaped building that serves as an electricity control centre. On a hillside above Samae Beach are a series of wind turbines leading to an elevated viewpoint.
At the northern tip of Ko Lan is Ta Yai Beach, a picturesque bay fringed by rocky boulders and tropical rainforest. Beach umbrellas and sun loungers are available for rent and there’s a small restaurant where you can grab a bite to eat. For a unique experience, try “sea walking” to get up close to colourful fish and corals on the seafloor.
Getting around Ko Lan
Direct ferries connect to Na Baan Pier on Ko Lan from Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier, which is around 45 minutes’ drive from U-Tapao–Rayong–Pattaya International Airport. Songthaews travel to the main beaches and motorbike taxis are readily available for getting around. Motorbikes can also be rented near Na Baan Pier.