What should you expect from a beach located in the heart of a bustling Asian city, especially with a busy road running right alongside it? Not everyone is eager to swim at Pattaya’s main beach. You’ll likely see tourists strolling along the shore and local children playing in the sand, but the water can be a bit murky, with some debris and the occasional plastic bag floating by.
In general, efforts are made to keep the beach clean—sidewalks are regularly swept, rows of sunbeds are neatly arranged, palm trees sway gently in the breeze, and the sea laps soothingly against the shore. However, being in the heart of a lively city, you’ll often find someone sitting on the broad steps of the promenade, enjoying a snack. True to Thai tradition, food and various goods are sold everywhere.
The beach often hosts public festivities and celebrations, making the effort to keep it clean a constant challenge. Many people report seeing rats on the beach at night and encountering various kinds of unpleasant trash in the water. Additionally, some of the more rowdy tourists can behave poorly. Despite these issues, the beach can still appear quite idyllic during the day and at sunset.
This is especially true for those who enjoy being in a crowd. The sunset draws a mix of locals and tourists who spread out mats for traditional group picnics on the beach. It’s also nice to relax on a sunbed with a bottle of your favorite drink, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of this slightly unconventional Asian resort.
Beach Overview
Pattaya Beach forms a neat, symmetrical curve stretching nearly 2.5 miles (4 km). The beach’s width varies with the tide and different sections. At high tide, the beach is about 16 feet (5 meters) wide on average, though some areas are wider or narrower. The sand is fine and yellow, with small pebbles mixed in.
To the north, Pattaya Beach is bordered by a cape, beyond which lies Wong Amat Beach. The southern end of the beach is home to the famous Walking Street and a pier with ferries to Koh Larn. Past the pier, the beach ends at a cape with a lighthouse and a park featuring large red PATTAYA letters. Above the letters on a hill is a viewpoint offering great views of the city center and the beach.
Swimming Conditions
At high tide, only a narrow strip of beach remains, especially in areas crowded with sunbeds. The seabed is muddy, and the water near the northern end of the beach tends to be a bit dirty. Urbanization is so intense near Walking Street and the pier that swimming there is more of a hypothetical idea. Most parts of the beach have a gentle slope into the water.
During low tide, the beach expands significantly, and the water recedes far, leaving a stretch of shallow, marshy land. Large waves are rare, and the sea is usually calm.
Sunbeds and Shade
A wide sidewalk runs along the beach, lined with tall palm trees and additional trees planted near the edge, though not in a continuous line. Sunbeds with umbrellas are scattered in clusters, often arranged in multiple rows. Wednesdays are sunbed-free days. Natural shade is available, but the beach is usually crowded with tourists, locals, and vendors, so finding a spot in the shade might be challenging.
Beach Photos
Amenities
Since this is the heart of a major tourist city, you’ll find everything you could possibly need along the beach. Shopping centers like Central Festival and Mike Shopping Mall have facades facing the road along the beach. Big C Supercenter is located on Second Road in the northern part of the beach.
Along the sidewalk by the beach, you’ll find stalls selling drinks and snacks. In the evenings and especially during festivals, street vendors sell a variety of Chinese trinkets.
Across the street from the beach, there are numerous 7-Eleven and Family Mart stores, as well as local shops, markets, cafes, and restaurants. Walking Street, famous for its nightlife, cafes, and shopping, is also part of the beach’s amenities.
There are plenty of nearby attractions as well. The southern end of the beach leads to Walking Street and a cape with a hill. Here, you’ll find a park with large red PATTAYA letters, a viewpoint, and a large golden Buddha statue. On Beach Road, you can visit the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum and the Teddy Bear Museum. On Second Road, there’s the Art in Paradise 3D gallery, Alcazar Show, and many others.
Closer to the center, there are several large souvenir shops and the Gems Gallery jewelry factory.
Accommodation
All accommodations are located behind Beach Road. There are several high-rise hotels:
- Hilton Pattaya 5
- Holiday Inn
- Amari Residences
- Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya 4
- Siam Bayshore Resort Pattaya – Sha Extra Plus 5
Budget accommodation is available but tends to be further inland, without sea views. You can find condos here, but it’s the very center of the city with all the drawbacks of such a location.
Long-term rental houses are almost nonexistent, but you can find small hotels with green grounds. For example, Twin Palms Resort 3 offers a garden and simple rooms.
How to Find the Beach
Pattaya Beach is right in the center of Pattaya, with Beach Road running along its length. At the southern end, it transitions into Walking Street, one of Pattaya’s most iconic locations. In the middle of the beach, across the road, you’ll find a tall brown building housing Central Festival Mall on the lower floors and Hilton Hotel on the upper floors.
Parallel to Beach Road, further inland, are Second Road and Sukhumvit Road, which is the main highway for intercity buses, including those from Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok. Beach Road and Second Road are connected by three main streets: North, Central, and South Pattaya.
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