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Located 147 kilometres southeast of Bangkok
Pattaya can be easily reached in only two hours.
Sailing, windsurfing,
water skiing, swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling are just some
of the activities available. Enjpoy the offshore coral islands with their amazing
beauty and relaxing environments.
From
families to individual visitors, Pattaya offers something for everyone
and all the ingredients for a truly memorable holiday.
Sailing Pattaya and surroundings
Koh Larn
Ko Larn or Coral Island, about 2 sailing hours offshore, is the largest of Pattaya's offshore islands. Major
attractions include sightseeing tours along coral reefs viewing from a
glass-bottomed boat, snorkeling, scuba diving, windsurfing, skiing, and
parasailing. There are a lot of seafood restaurants on the island's
main beaches. Deep sea fishing can be arranged to Ko Larn's neighboring
islands such as Ko Phai and Ko Sak. Good for a easy day sailing about.
Beyond Ko Lan another 40 minutes sail is an island currently under the
care of the Royal Navy. Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight
here, but it has fine deserted beaches that are open during the day
Koh Phai
The Koh Phai Group of Islands are comprised of Koh Phai, Koh Manvichai,
Koh Leom, Koh Klung Badan etc., Koh Phai being the largest. The islands
are presently under the supervision of the Toyal Navy. The Koh Phai
group of islands are situated at a distance about 13 kilometers from
Pattaya and takes 4 hours to reach by sailboat.
There is a light house on top of a hill at Koh Phai. Visitors can enjoy
relaxing-moments, swimming, fishing and diving down to view the coral.
Sail past Ko Lan another 90 minutes to beautiful clear coral waters and
unspoiled vistas. Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight here, but
it's has fine deserted beaches are open during the day
Koh Samet
Koh Samet is a national park, and Rayong's major tourist attraction,
about 7 kms off the south eastern coast. The triangular-shaped island
has fine sandy beaches and reasonably clear waters. Indulge in a number
of beach activities.
To the east Koh Kudi, Koh Khangkhao and Koh Rusi offer sailors a sense
of getting away from it all. Because it is only a day sail , Koh Samet is a good place to go to get away
from the frenetic pace of Bangkok. Although pollution from development
on the mainland has damaged some of the marine resources, there are
still some good spots for snorkeling, especially off the southern tip
and off Thalu Island.
Koh Samet is part of the larger 131 sq. km Khao Laem Ya - Koh Samet
National Park encompassing Khao Laem Ya on the mainland as well as
various islands throughout the region. Although the island is in a
national park, the bungalows which line the popular beaches are built
behind the tree line. There are some beautiful untouched areas on the
island which holiday makers very rarely visit. Ddotted with sandy
beaches and coves, the eastern coast is the most beautiful, but access
to the whole island is easy, as it is only 6 km long and 3 km wide. If
you enjoy watching beautiful sunsets, visit Aow Phrao beach.
Koh Samet has been known as a safe anchorage for sailors since
at least the 13th century and in the 19th century its sheer beauty was
the inspiration for the literary masterpiece of Thailand's most famous
romantic poet, Sunthorn Phu. Phra Aphaimanee
Phra Aphaimanee
Koh Samet earned a permanent place in Thai literature when classical
Thai poet Sunthorn Phu set part of his epic "Phra Aphaimanee" on its
shores. The story follows the travails of a prince, Phra Aphaimanee,
exiled to an undersea kingdom ruled by a love sick female giant,
Pesuarsamut. A mermaid, Nang Ngura, aids the prince in his escape to
Samet where he defeats a giant by playing a magic flute.
In the 1970's it was 'discovered' by backpackers seeking an
untouched tropical island. The first Western visitors found pristine
white beaches, waving palm trees. More than a dozen coves and beaches
provide sailors a range of choices; from campsites on secluded,
deserted beaches, to bungalows with all modern conveniences in
gregarious communities.
The rainy season is from May to July. Koh Samet gets significantly less
rainfall than Rayong Province, even though it is only a few km
offshore. Round the clock electricity is now available at most resorts
on the island. There is a 20 baht entry fee to the National Park for
Thais and 200 Baht for foreign visitors. Koh Samet and the smaller
islands nearby are surrounded by coral formations in shallow water;
ideal for snorkeling, although scuba divers may not find them very
interesting.
Koh Chang
From Gulf Charters, Koh Chang is a typical 2 day sail. Most of the
islands off Trat's coastline belong to a national marine park. Ko Chang
(Elephant island), at 492 sq km, is the second largest island of
Thailand.
The park encompasses 192 sq km of land surface and 458 sq km of sea. Ko
Chang itself is about 50 % undisturbed island rainforest. The 30 km
long, 8-13 km wide and 744 m high island is located near the border of
Cambodia. The jungle seems wild and the mountains are often covered in
clouds. Wild pigs, monkeys and snakes roam free. Small villages dot the
coastline. The villagers live on fishing and cultivation of coconut and
rubber trees. Islands of romance, they are lined with pristine beaches
just waiting for your a few footprints in the white sand. The clear
warms waters invite all to relax, swim and snorke. The evenings are for
a campfire and a fish barbeque bought fresh from the fishing boats or
caught during the day's sail. Short trips with the dinghy into small
rivers through mangrove swamp or to visit small fishing villages are
easy. On Ko Chang, there are several exotic waterfalls to explore. They
can be reached by a (substantial) walk through the beautiful rainforest
on a small path. A cool refreshing swim in the waterfall pools may be
in order, before a trip up the steep path to the top of the fall. For
divers, the Ko Chang Archipelago has plenty of opportunities from wreck
diving (a 100 m battleship in just 12 m depth), a shot down airplane
from the Second World War and the many coral reefs.
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