Jomtien Beach is one of Pattaya’s most iconic spots, famous for its long stretch of sand and bustling atmosphere. The Jomtien area attracts a mix of tourists, long-term visitors, and expats, along with many Thai locals who enjoy weekend picnics on the beach, along the sidewalk, or even in the back of a pickup truck parked on Beach Road. You’ll notice the beach gets especially busy with locals on weekends.
In the evenings and after sunset, Jomtien comes alive with a lively, though still relatively relaxed, vibe compared to central Pattaya. You’ll often hear music playing loudly from the Night Market and from cars parked along the road.
During the tourist season, the beach sees a noticeable influx of Russian visitors, particularly in the central and southern parts of Jomtien, where popular hotels and condos cater to them.
Jomtien might not be the best for swimming due to the less-than-clear water and some litter in the sand, but it’s perfect for a stroll, relaxing by the sea, or staying nearby. The area is quieter than central Pattaya, offering peaceful streets, greenery, and all the necessary amenities, plus convenient access to public transportation along the beach road.
Beach Overview
Jomtien Beach stretches in a straight line for about 5 kilometers (3 miles), unlike many other beaches that curve around a bay. The northern section, close to Pratamnak Hill, is more developed with urban infrastructure, while the southern end gradually blends into the Na-Jomtien area.
After the Sigma Resort Hotel, the beach gives way to a newly built concrete promenade, and further south, a river empties into the sea.
The water at Jomtien is often a yellowish, murky color, sometimes littered with debris, both natural and plastic. The currents and winds tend to push this debris toward the shore, and the high volume of visitors in this bustling city means litter is a common issue.
On top of that, the trees along the beach drop fruits and leaves, which aren’t always cleared away quickly, adding to the natural clutter.
The beach itself is fairly wide, up to 15 meters (50 feet) in some spots, but multiple rows of sunbeds take up most of the space. During high tide, only a few meters of sand are left between the water and the sunbeds, with the first row often nearly in the surf.
Swimming Conditions
During the peak season, from November to February, when the sea is calm with no strong waves or extreme low tides, the entry into the water is just right—not too steep and not too shallow—making it quite comfortable for swimming. However, the water can feel a bit cool or even cold at times.
By February and March, strong winds begin to blow in from the sea. While the water remains warm, it can feel chilly when you get out or if you’re sitting in the shade. This period also marks the start of the strong low tide season.
When the tide goes out, the sea retreats several meters, revealing a somewhat muddy and littered seabed where you might spot various marine creatures.
During these low tides, swimming can become a bit inconvenient—the water remains shallow, only knee-deep, for quite a distance, and you’ll need to walk far out to reach deeper, yet still murky, water. The low tide is more pronounced in the southern part of the beach and less noticeable in the northern section.
Sunbeds and Shade
Jomtien Beach is lined with paid sun loungers under umbrellas, often belonging to beach cafes that serve food and drinks right to your sunbed. Some of these spots even provide clothes hangers for added convenience. Along the sidewalk, trees offer some natural shade.
However, finding a good shady spot can be tricky, especially during peak season when the beach is packed with people lying on mats, numerous drink and food stalls, and rows of sunbeds occupying most of the space. Open areas without sunbeds are often taken over by Thai picnickers, and you might find small litter like cigarette butts in the sand.
There are also benches and steps along the sidewalk where you can sit in the shade during the day, but these spots tend to be crowded and not always the cleanest. Plus, large garbage bins along the road can sometimes produce unpleasant odors.
Beach Photos
Northern Jomtien
Central Jomtien
Southern Jomtien
Amenities
Along Jomtien Beach and in the nearby sois (alleys), you’ll find a variety of small Thai shops, cozy cafes, fruit stalls, street laundries, and more—everything you might need for a short visit or a longer stay.
This area is popular not only with tourists but also with long-term visitors and expats due to its convenience and laid-back vibe.
In the middle of the beach, there’s the Night Market, primarily catering to tourists. Nearby, you’ll find stalls selling all kinds of souvenirs, several 7-Eleven and Family Mart convenience stores, massage parlors, and travel agencies. While Jomtien doesn’t have large shopping malls, they are easily accessible by public transport, whether you’re heading to central Pattaya or along Sukhumvit Road.
Jomtien probably offers the widest range of beach activities in Pattaya. You can rent jet skis, go banana boating, try parasailing, water skiing, windsurfing, or even hang gliding. Its location is also convenient for visiting most of Pattaya’s attractions.
Nearby, you can enjoy Pattaya Park Water Park with its tower, where you can descend by cable car, and Buddha Hill, which offers a great viewpoint. There are plenty of other activities available, like paid fishing and bungee jumping. Street travel agencies abound, offering tours to any of Pattaya’s attractions or even to neighboring countries.
Accommodation
A wide range of accommodations line Jomtien Beach, from cozy bungalows and villa communities to high-rise condos and hotels in various price ranges. In the northern part, closer to central Pattaya, Thappraya Road, and Dongtan Beach, you’ll find many European tourists (Scandinavians, Germans, Italians). As a result, there are accommodations and cafes specifically catering to them, often marked with national flags. Large hotels are spread along the entire beach.
Jomtien is also known for its many high-rise condos, providing options for both short-term stays and long-term rentals.
At the southern end of the beach, the area transitions into Na-Jomtien, just beyond a final beachfront hotel.
How to Find the Beach
Jomtien Beach is one of the main areas in the city, so finding it is easy. Beach Road runs along the entire length of the beach. About 400 meters inland from the first beach road is the second road (Second Beach Road), connected to the first by numerous sois (alleys), numbered from 1 to 19 from north to south.
Sukhumvit Highway runs parallel to the coastline, 1.5 to 3.5 kilometers from the beach, and connects to Beach Road via several main streets: Thepprasit in the north, Bun Kanchana (or Soi Wat Bun), and Chaiyapruek in the center and south.
The nearest bus station to Jomtien, where buses from Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi Airport arrive, is on Thappraya, near its intersection with Thepprasit Road. From there, it’s only 900 meters to the northern part of Jomtien—you can easily walk or take a local tuk-tuk.
However, since Jomtien is 5 kilometers long, tuk-tuks run along the entire beach in both directions. If you arrive at the North Station or get off at Sukhumvit, you can reach Jomtien by tuk-tuk through the city center with a transfer or take a taxi.
Jomtien is easily accessible by private vehicle or taxi from anywhere in the city. Since the beach is very long, it’s best to know in advance which part of Jomtien you want to visit. Taxi drivers are familiar with the city, so finding a popular hotel or condo shouldn’t be a problem.
Tuk-tuks run back and forth along the entire length of Beach Road. They operate both as a shuttle and as taxis—just ask. You can also catch a tuk-tuk from the intersection of South Road and Second Beach Road in central Pattaya, just 150 meters from Walking Street.
Additionally, tuk-tuks run along Thepprasit Road to Sukhumvit and back. In the mornings on weekdays, you can take a tuk-tuk from the intersection of Second Beach Road with Sukhumvit to Jomtien.
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