Lan - one of the islands in the Gulf of Thailand on the east coast of Thailand. It belongs to the group of the islands closest to Pattaya. Also known as Coral Island. It is a popular tourist destination in Pattaya.
Koh Lan Island - the island closest to Pattaya, located just 9 km from the mainland. Most tourists who come to Pattaya and see that it’s not very pleasant to swim on city beaches (especially in central Pattaya), tend to go to the islands.
And Koh Lan is a favorite place for beaching at wintering campers and long-livers of Pattaya. They love to come to this island for the weekend and the Thais from the stifling Bangkok.
How to get to Koh Lan island
1. By purchasing an organized tour
Despite the fact that Koh Lan can be reached easily by yourself, some tourists prefer to buy an organized tour of the island. In this case, contact either your hotel guide or any travel agency on the street. The cost of the tour is 500-600 baht. The cost includes: transfer from the hotel to the pier and back, having swum to the island, delivery to one of the beaches of Koh Lana, lunch.
2. On a speed boat (Speed boat)
Speedboats (Speed boat) depart from the central beach of Pattaya, and from the Bali Hai Pier. Capacity 12-15 people. The cost of 300-500 baht per person back and forth (you have to wait for those wishing to get on the whole boat). You can rent the entire boat entirely, bargaining up to 2000 - 2500 baht. A speedboat takes you to one of your chosen beaches.
Pros of the speed boat: the journey time from the mainland to Koh Lan island is only 15-20 minutes
Cons speed boat: the high price and the boat is very swaying! (we traveled on such a boat from Koh Chang to Koh Kood, I had to drink pills for motion sickness, which made us dreadfully sleepy)
3. On a tourist boat (cruise boat)
The cruise boat leaves from Bali Hai Pier and arrives directly to one of the beaches of Koh Lana - to Samae Beach. Cost 150 baht back and forth. The price includes one drink. Travel time is 35 minutes. Do not confuse this cruise boat with a speed boat!
The central part of the island is mountainous, the highest point of the island is located at an altitude of 205 m, there is a viewing platform and a Buddhist temple. Ko Lahn is often called the Coral Island. It seems that there should be a good snorkel.
On Koh Lan island there are 5 main beaches and several small beaches in the bays:
Ta Waen Beach is the most popular and crowded beach of the island, there is a pier, where some ferries from Pattaya arrive. And lazy tourists do not want to go / go somewhere further, so they are left to sunbathe and swim on this beach.
Samae Beach is the second most popular beach, also very populous.
Tien beach
Nual Beach (Monkey Beach)
Ta yai beach
The beaches are equipped with sun beds, there is a toilet and a shower (all this for money), a cafe, water rides, bungalows are built on some beaches. Feature of the beaches of the island of Koh Lan: the beaches are privately owned, and usually they are not allowed to sunbathe on their mat - bedding. Required to pay for the lounger. The cost of a sunbed is from 20 to 100 baht (most often 100 baht!).
Foreigners Koh Lan island in Pattaya is perceived as a separate resort. They consider it a nice bonus to local beaches and even a tourist attraction. Vacationers gladly go to the island for organized excursions or go on their own to the beaches. Compared with the beaches of Pattaya - the beaches of Koh Lang are considered to be more clean. It happens that travelers stay overnight on the island and stay on its territory for another couple of days.
On many island beaches for vacationers become available water activities - flying with a parachute, riding a jet ski and "banana", kayaking. In some places, it is possible to rent diving equipment and accessories for snorkeling, as well as diving boats. If desired, you can get tattoos, order a massage (read about the types of Thai massage in Thailand) or go to Na Ban village to shoot a dash.
In terms of architectural creativity Koh Lan is poor. On its territory there is only one temple. There are also observation platforms that open attractive panoramas of island lands and Pattaya. Not far from the Tawayen Beach, there is a playground with views of Buddha statues.
The hotels of Koh Lan island are in abundance in its eastern part, but there are no beach areas. Directly on the beach, tourists can settle in the hotels of O Baanpak Koh Larn (Tawayen) and Xanadu Beach Resort (Samae). Few hotels located in the north of the island.
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