Limestone island rising from the sea in the Pattaya gulf

Where We Sail

The Islands of the Pattaya Gulf

Four islands sit within an hour of the pier, each with its own character: beach clubs, quiet snorkel bays, sunset anchorages and far, clear water. This is the map your charter is drawn on.

The Near Islands

Four Islands, Four Moods

Every one of them sits inside a standard charter window. Here is how they differ, and who each one suits best.

Aerial view of boats anchored over the turquoise shallows of Koh Larn

25 min

About 25 minutes from Bali Hai

Koh Larn, the Coral Island

The classic first stop of the Pattaya gulf. Koh Larn is the biggest of the near islands, ringed by proper sand beaches: Tawaen on the north side for the full beach-club scene, Samae further round for a quieter stretch of white sand.

The leeward bays stay calm through most of the day, so it is an easy first swim off the boat. If your group wants lunch ashore, the beach restaurants here are the most reliable in the gulf.

Approx. 7.5 km offshoreApprox. 25 min cruise

Best forFamiliesFirst charters

Yacht anchored in the clear turquoise water of Koh Sak

30 min

About 30 minutes from Bali Hai

Koh Sak, the horseshoe bay

A small crescent of an island just north of Koh Larn, shaped like a horseshoe around one sheltered bay. The water inside the curve is clear and shallow, and the reef along its edges makes this the best easy snorkeling stop in the near gulf.

Come in the morning and you will often have the bay almost to yourselves; the day boats tend to arrive later. Drop anchor, swim off the stern and let the crew set up the snorkel gear.

Approx. 10 km offshoreApprox. 30 min cruise

Best forSwim stopsSmall groups

Yacht at anchor in golden sunset water off Koh Krok

35 min

About 35 minutes from Bali Hai

Koh Krok, the golden hour anchor

The smallest of the group, a green knuckle of rock with a single beach facing east. Most boats pass it by, which is exactly the point: Koh Krok is quiet even on busy weekends.

Late in the afternoon the light turns the whole anchorage gold. Anchor off the beach, swim while the sun drops, then turn the bow back toward Pattaya as the skyline lights up. It is the gulf at its most photogenic.

Approx. 8 km offshoreApprox. 35 min cruise

Best forSunset anchorage

Limestone island of Koh Phai rising from deep blue water

45 min

About 45 minutes from Bali Hai

Koh Phai, the Bamboo Island

The far anchorage. Koh Phai sits well beyond the day-trip crowd, and the reward is the clearest water in the Pattaya gulf: deep blues over sand, visibility that makes snorkeling feel like flying.

The island itself is controlled by the Thai navy, so boats anchor offshore rather than landing. In practice that keeps the anchorage uncrowded and the reef healthy. Bring the full day; the crossing is part of the pleasure.

Approx. 23 km offshoreApprox. 45 min cruise

Best forFull-day charters

Sample Routes

Three Days on the Water

Starting points, not scripts. Your captain adjusts every route to the wind, the tide and your group.

4 to 5 hours

The Classic Half Day

09:30Depart Bali Hai Pier
10:00Koh Larn, swim at Tawaen or Samae
12:00Koh Sak, snorkel the horseshoe bay
13:45Cruise back to the pier

Suits the 4 and 5 hour charter windows.

Plan this route

8 hours

The Full Gulf

09:00Depart Ocean Marina
09:45Koh Larn beach stop
11:30Koh Sak swim and snorkel
13:00Koh Phai far anchorage, lunch on board
16:00Cruise home with the afternoon light

Suits full-day 8 hour charters.

Plan this route

3 hours

Golden Hour

15:30Depart Bali Hai Pier
16:10Anchor off the east beach of Koh Krok
17:45Sunset on the water
18:30Return past the Pattaya skyline

Suits 3 hour evening windows.

Plan this route

Two departure piers

Charters leave from Ocean Marina in Na Jomtien and Bali Hai Pier in central Pattaya. Your confirmation states which pier your yacht sails from.

Custom routes

None of these itineraries is fixed. Tell your captain what your group wants from the day and the route is built around it, on the water if need be.

Calm season

November through April typically brings the smoothest water in the gulf. Mornings are typically calmer than afternoons the whole year round.

You Know Where. Now Choose How.

Thirty-five plus yachts sail these routes from Ocean Marina and Bali Hai. Find the one that fits your group, or tell us the day you have in mind and we will match it for you.

Pick your yacht Plan a route with us

Weather calls are made with your captain; routes flex, the day out does not.