IanForbes Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 (edited) I never hear of tourist recommendations for visiting Koh Larn Island, even though the ferries are usually full. It makes a great day trip and is certainly one of the better deals for a tourist on a limited budget. The 40 minute ferry ride is only 20 baht one way, and another 20 baht scooter ride over the "hill" if you don't want to walk the 2 km. The beaches on Koh Larn are FAR nicer than anything along the coastline near Pattaya and Jomptien. 10 years ago there were a few remote beaches on the far side of the island where you could get away from other tourists, but now all the beaches are developed. The upside is there is food and beverages for sale. The water is much clearer on the island and snorkling is worthwhile... although not up to a par in more famous places in the Andaman Sea. Here are just a few photos to wet your interest... These 2 photos were taken 10 years ago, so they are a little out of date, but still shows the island in its natural beauty That is Loh Larn (Koh means island in Thai) in the hazy back ground from the top of the Jomptien tower Edited February 20, 2009 by IanForbes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siam2007 Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I did such a day-trip more than 2 years ago and I was outright SHOCKED to realize how CLEAN and CLEAR the water was. unfortunately, I did not find any "secluded beaches", rather a fully developped and overcrowded beach-area, with 99% of the tourists there being Asians (mostly Chinese, I guess, plus some Thai). a simple plate of fried rice set me back 150 baht, if I remember that right as me and my companion had only 5 hours of time to spend there, we could not explore the area much. but for sure, if there are still unspoiled and not-overrun areas, then its worth a trip. as I said, couldnt believe how clean the water was. it made me swim in the sea in the vicinity of Pattaya for the first time in my life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michaelaway Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I did such a day-trip more than 2 years ago and I was outright SHOCKED to realize how CLEAN and CLEAR the water was.unfortunately, I did not find any "secluded beaches", rather a fully developped and overcrowded beach-area, with 99% of the tourists there being Asians (mostly Chinese, I guess, plus some Thai). a simple plate of fried rice set me back 150 baht, if I remember that right as me and my companion had only 5 hours of time to spend there, we could not explore the area much. but for sure, if there are still unspoiled and not-overrun areas, then its worth a trip. as I said, couldnt believe how clean the water was. it made me swim in the sea in the vicinity of Pattaya for the first time in my life. Been to Koh Larn maybe 8 times- one of which, my TGF & I stayed overnight for three nights. That time, we took our motorbike on the ferry with us... great! It only cost an extra 100 baht for the bike, and this allowed us to cruise & look around the island before we had to decide where we'd stay. Almost stayed on the far side, at Sam Beach. Very nice beach, but the accomodations right on the sand were few and all were taken, so we declined the other rooms up & away from the actual surf. Went up the hill & checked out Chomtalay Resort (not really very resort-ish)- figured it'd be eery and too quiet at night time. The beaches on this side of Koh Larn are really pretty secluded, especially at low season. So, we ended up staying at Sukkee guest house/restaurant, right in the middle of Tien Beach. Ok, there were quite a few tourists (Chinese, Koreans, Russians, Arabs, etc.) and Thai's all over the beach from maybe, 9:00 in the morning until 4:00 or so in the afternoon. But, it never got actually crowded in any way for us, stationed on our padded beach chaises. There's a lot of beach, which only increases as the water receeds back as the day goes along. All Koh Larn beaches have gorgeous turquoise water and very good people watching! But, everybody's up & out of there by 5:00, which left us; another few people staying at the same guest house; the staff; and not very many local Thai's as the only folks on the whole beach. By 7:00, on this huge beach, there were just 4 guesthouse guests, 3 staff & 4 oil lanterns, spiked into the sand. Oh, and one Thai man with a metal detector. Highly recommended getaway spot, close to home but different by far... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemel Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I am staying there at the moment (3 days), very quiet, only about 20-25 people on naul beach yesterday in the south of the island, stayed overnight and town/village/port was dead. Today a bit busier but no more than 60 people on the beach. seems to be a lot of full ferry's going to and fro but not sure where there all going. baht bus prices are 30 -40 Baht per head to the beaches and I believe the same for the motorbike taxis. You can hire automatic motorbikes for 300Baht per day if you wish. Not much choice if you want falang food but some of the Thai food is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemel Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 I am staying there at the moment (3 days), very quiet, only about 20-25 people on naul beach yesterday in the south of the island, stayed overnight and town/village/port was dead. Today a bit busier but no more than 60 people on the beach. seems to be a lot of full ferry's going to and fro but not sure where there all going. baht bus prices are 30 -40 Baht per head to the beaches and I believe the same for the motorbike taxis. You can hire automatic motorbikes for 300Baht per day if you wish. Not much choice if you want falang food but some of the Thai food is great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samuibeachcomber Posted February 20, 2009 Share Posted February 20, 2009 all good positve replies,went there 2 years ago,just a day trip,but very enjoyable,only gripe would be the lack of decent places to eat on the beach and expensive when compared to pattaya,but yes the water was nice and clean. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frenchFARANGbkk Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Hi, Is it true that there is no accomodation to overnight in Koh Lan ? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siam2007 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Hi,Is it true that there is no accomodation to overnight in Koh Lan ? Thanks. I guess you didn't read the postings here properly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siam2007 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 view of the main touristic beach area on Koh Larn (10/2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 Koh is Thai/English for island. Larn is Thai/English for coral. The best snorkling is off the rocky points where most of the coral reef are located. Here are just a few of the local fish... And there are other attractions... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
siam2007 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Koh is Thai/English for island. Larn is Thai/English for coral.The best snorkling is off the rocky points where most of the coral reef are located. Here are just a few of the local fish... And there are other attractions... I liked that fish behind the tree most. as a friend told me one day in the past to console me: "dont worry, there are many fish in the south Chinese sea" . as well as on land, me thinks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 (edited) "Guess" what I was taking a picture of at Koh Larn... At one time you had to climb over the rocks to get to a secluded beach. Now there are walkway ramps. Edited February 23, 2009 by IanForbes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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