Pattaya Beach guide: swimming, chairs, prices and sunset

Pattaya Beach is the curve of sand that gave the city its name: a west-facing bay about 3 km long, running from the headland by the Dusit Thani hotel in the north to the entrance of Walking Street in the south. One-way Beach Road and a tree-lined promenade follow it the whole way, with hotels, malls and restaurants on the far side of the road. It is a city beach, lively and convenient, and you should judge it as one.

How long is Pattaya Beach and how is it laid out?

The Marine Department rebuilt the beach in a 429 million baht sand nourishment project after erosion had cut parts of it to a narrow strip. The restored section measures 2.8 km, from North Pattaya to South Pattaya, and the sand is now about 35 m deep from promenade to waterline. The side streets off Beach Road are numbered from Soi 1 in the north to Soi 13 in the south, and they are the simplest way to describe where you are.

A baht bus runs the length of Beach Road southbound for 15 THB and returns north along Second Road, so no part of the beach is more than a few minutes away. See getting around Pattaya for how the loop works, and the Central Pattaya area guide for what lies behind each section.

Can you swim at Pattaya Beach?

Yes, inside the swimming zones. Lines of buoys mark enclosures along the beach where boats and jet skis are not allowed, and these are the only places to enter the water. Outside them the bay is working water: speedboats run to and from the islands, parasailing boats tow from offshore pontoons, and jet skis cross at speed.

• Swim in the buoyed zones only, and stay out when a red flag is flying.
• The north section has the gentlest water and the least boat traffic.
• Early morning is the calmest time, before the boats start their day.
• The seabed shelves slowly, so children can paddle, but keep them inside the lines.
• Medical emergencies: 1669. Tourist Police: 1155.

How clean is the water at Pattaya Beach?

Be realistic. This is a busy bay in front of a large resort city, on the Gulf of Thailand, and the water is greenish and cloudy rather than clear. The sand itself is kept clean, and Pattaya holds ISO 13009 certification for beach cleanliness, safety and environmental management.

Water quality depends on the weather. In the dry months from November to April the sea is at its cleanest. After heavy rain, storm drains carry runoff from the streets into the bay and the water near the outlets turns brown for a day or two: skip swimming until it has cleared. If clear water is the point of your beach day, take the ferry to the island or head north to Wongamat.

The clearest water within reach is on Koh Larn, 45 minutes away by ferry. The seasons are set out in the best time to visit Pattaya.

How much do chairs and umbrellas cost, and what are the rules?

Chairs are rented by licensed operators working from numbered stalls, 001 to 118, each with a fixed block of sand. Pattaya City sets the rate and requires it to be posted. Operators also sell drinks and food, which is where the bill grows, so ask for the menu with prices before ordering.

• Overcharged for a chair? Note the stall number and call the Pattaya City hotline on 1337, open day and night.
• You may bring your own mat or chair and sit on any open sand for free. Tents, overnight stays, bonfires and loud music are not allowed.
• Chair operators leave the sand clear on the city's chair-free Wednesdays. If you find the rows empty, lay out a mat.
• The beach itself never closes.
• Before a jet ski ride, agree the price and time, photograph the machine from every side, and wear the life jacket.

Jet ski damage claims are the best-known dispute on the beach. How to avoid them is covered in Pattaya scams and safety.

What is the promenade like?

A paved walkway shaded by trees runs the full length of the bay between the road and the sand, flat and step-free. It is the most pleasant way to cover the 3 km on foot: allow 40 to 45 minutes end to end without stops. Licensed vendors sell fruit, grilled seafood and cold drinks along it.

Morning, before 09:00, belongs to joggers and walkers. By evening the promenade is the city's main stroll, busy until late, and it is well lit throughout. Cross Beach Road at the signalled crossings: traffic is one-way but constant.

When and where is the sunset best?

The bay faces west, so the sun sets into the sea on a clear evening, behind Koh Larn. Sunset falls at about 17:45 in November and close to 18:50 in late June and early July. Arrive 40 minutes early, when the light turns gold and the heat drops.

The south section, around Soi 13 and the Bali Hai end, gives the widest view across the bay with the boats in the foreground. The north section is quieter for the same sky. The beachfront cafes and hotel terraces along Beach Road fill up at that hour.

Is Wongamat Beach the better choice?

For swimming, often yes. Wongamat is the main beach of Naklua, about 5 km north of Central Pattaya, a 10 minute ride. It has about 1.3 km of sand backed by hotels and condominium towers, no road along it, far fewer boats and noticeably clearer, calmer water than the city bay. The sand comes in stretches divided by rocky bends rather than one continuous strip.

What it lacks is convenience. Public access is through Naklua Soi 18 at the southern end and the short lanes off Naklua Soi 16 further north, parking is limited, and services on the sand are thin: hotel loungers are for guests, so bring a mat, water and shade. Baht buses run north along Naklua Road for 15 THB; walk the last few hundred metres down the soi.

The neighbourhood behind it is described in the Naklua and Wongamat area guide. For a long beach with more facilities and a family feel, see Jomtien and Dongtan.