About The Activity
Pattaya area is surrounded by many accesible coral islands, so there is plenty of opportunity to carry out snorkeling.
Pattaya is a coastal holiday resort full of adventure and enjoyment, located on the eastern seaboard of the Gulf of Thailand.
Local scuba shops and tour agencies offer boat trips and organized snorkel tours to the nearby coral islands almost every day of the year.
Snorkeling is an increasingly popular water sport activity for visiting tourists. It is relaxing, relatively inexpensive, and a great way to escape the relentless noise and mayhem found in the city
Thai operated water-based enterprises, such as scuba diving, para-sailing, jet skis, inflatable banana rides, and fishing, are easily accessible for active thrill-seeking holidaymakers, but being family-friendly and easy to participate, helps to make snorkeling trips in Pattaya the favored choice of most sea life enthusiasts.
The Best Snorkeling Spots in Pattaya
There are two distinct groups of islands that are within easy reach by boats from the harbor– Laem Bali Hai - situated at the southern end of Walking Street. Coral reefs around these two areas offer snorkelers very different environments.
The nearest, and largest, is Koh Larn which is less than 10km from the mainland. Public ferries sail to this large and popular destination several times each day and it is one of the few islands that are inhabited in the Pattaya region.
The neighboring islands of Koh Sak and Koh Krok are smaller and less crowded. The ‘inner’ islands offer shallow sandy bays to snorkel in and are the best choice for half day trips.
The ‘outer’ islands of Koh Rin, Koh Phai, and others, take more than an hour to reach by the majority of tour boats. However, being uninhabited, remote, and distant, usually makes them a better experience for snorkeling.
Though the aquatic environment and sea life is similar throughout the region, there is less annoyance by speed boats and jet skis at the far islands.
