Will be heading down to Rayong for a few days and really want to do some swimming and snorkeling, where can I find clear, clean water?

Hi - we're further down the coast, up that way occasionally, prefer the beaches from Ban Phe towards Laem Mae Pim, though Mae Ram Phung can be nice for a swim, can get crowded on holiday weekends.

Water clarity very weather dependent, we find it only take a few days' breeze - like we have now, small waves and clarity suffers.

As for 'clean' maybe one for reason for Ban Phe-south, away from Rayong area factory outfalls, being clear doesn't mean clean of course.

Snorkeling - we've tried so many 'likely looking' spots and found they have been fished to death, a low-light of last trip to Samet was in otherwise perfect conditions, even at the recommended 'Snorkel Point' we were lucky to see any fish at all - from the times we've been on Andaman Coast and Phuket by comparison this coast is extremely poor, close in-shore fishing with nets that take everything.

On a clear day we see those three small islands on the horizon - lower right of the map - don't know what access is to them (anyone?)

Thanks cyclone, useful info..... really didn't expect good snorkeling but hate going to a beach where you can't swim, so this will help.

The beach Know as Ban Ao Khae is good and very safe. Owner of bar on beach ensures most of beach is kept clean, preumably due to the presence of HRH King of Sweden's family being regular residents very close to the beach . Good food in the restaurant, and very peaceful location. Dont know about the diving prospects there , sorry.