Koh Larn (Coral Island)

[MrDK]

This time it is my turn to ask some newbie-like questions ...

I am going to Pattaya shortly and was thinking about taking one day and doing som'ing a bit different (in my book).
A day trip to one of the island came to mind so I did some searches and found that Koh Larn would be the most convenient (closest). I found about 15 threads where this island was mentioned, but not much information other than how to get there and the fact that the beaches are nicer than Pattaya.

Getting there.
I understand that I have two options. Ferry at 20 bath, runs every 2 hours or speedboat for 1,500 to 2,500 depending on size. I am not much for running things on schedule so the speed boat is much more up my alley.
It will likely only be 2 going (me and some BG), so is 1,500 realistic?
Is that for the day, or is it for a "shuttle" service?
Anyone having first hand experiences with the speedboat service?

Things to do?
I can handle laying on the beach for a couple of hours ... tops.
Any specific beach recommandations?
Any other suggestions ... Is snorkeling worthwhile there?
Might also try para sailing.

I took a look at Introduction to Koh Larn, (KohLarn.com) but it looks like the site is still under development.

[cosa]

The one and only time I went out was on a dive boat so cant help with the transport but as for snorkelling I dived there 25 years ago and it was polluted to hell then so god knows what its like now

[Tommychrk]

I went there in July with IJ and it was a total miss. We were let of at the main beach and the water was overcrowded with speedboats and other boats and no places to really swim. I am sure a speedboat can let you off at a quieter place then the main beach though. We paid 1500 (negotiaded down) and the speedboat stayed there all day waiting for us.

I would check out other possibilitises as there must be much nicer places around there.

[Bello Uomo]

Lars, I am not sure if this is still up-to-date information, so take it with a grain of Thai salt.

Regular ferries from Bali Hai Pier costs 20 baht and take 30-45 minutes - departure times: from Pattaya 07:00, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, 18:30; from Ko Laan 06:30, 07:30, 09:30, 12:00, 14:00, 17:00, 18:00.

You might want to investigate Ko Phai for somewhere a bit nicer. It is ~23 kilometres offshore, so I am not sure what that translates into in terms of travelling time? Maybe 90 minutes or more?

http://www.thailandguidebook.com/pro.../m_pattaya.jpg

[luv u long time]

I was in Pattaya with a couple of mates in July and went to Koh Larn about 4 times in 9 days. i always went on the 20baht fairy which wasnt that bad,if your with a tg im sure you'll enjoy yourself while she is lying down on your lap.
They took us to one spot which was like a little villiage 1 time and we had to get motorbike taxis to get back to the good part but all the other times we went straight to the good part of the island.
When i was there it was quiet,there was a boundary at the front section of the beach so no boats or jet skis could go in... The water is like a bath tub(warm and clear) so your little mate doesnt tuck himself in like a scared turtle.. we layed down soaked up the sun,swam for a bit even went on the jet skis. A bit of timeout to relax with no noise and no one to bother you.. i reccommend it mate..

[MrDK]

Thank you for the replies guys. I will look into some of the other islands. The objective here is to make for a nice day , .... a one-day GFE. I am still (somewhat) opposed to the ferry thing. I checked the times and Bello Uomo got it right. 7AM is too early and 10 AM is too late (picky-picky). It looks like a speedboat to other islands will be about the same, but a longer ride ... which is not a big deal.

Still interested in other first hand experiences ... and hopefully a good collection of data can be of help to others later ... if I go I will add mine afterwards.

[_butch_]

Was there in July, took a BG to the island via a ferry, we didnt get the ferry until about midday....if i remember it was about 150 baht each? About a 50 min ferry ride and then a glass bottom boat ride onto the beach. The last ferry back was 5.00pm I think...

The boat dropped us off on a small beach with a restaurant, had a bit of lunch was reasonably priced. It was pretty quite and we found a nice secluded spot in some rocks on the beach. The water just off the beach I thought was ok, pretty clean as I remember.

All in all it was a nice afternoon out, we went for a stroll from the beach but couldnt venture far as it was too rocky. Im guessing the speedboats will drop you off at other beaches on the island.

I would recommend a visit as the beach and sea at Pattaya aint great. Ok if you just want to sit back and have a drink and some lunch, but thats it.

Im in pattaya again next week for a couple of weeks and it will be on my agenda again for a day out with a nice BG.

[nelsonone]

I reckon just hire a speed bpoat for half a day or a day Lars....you can get them out of Jomtien Beach...should be no more than 5K for a half and probably 8 for the day

get them to take you to a few islands....there are plenty of not too crowded ones out there....and just jump in off the boat with your lassie

You will have a geat day

[crazyswede]

Heard a couple of trips back from a Thai Dude that there are "white whales" swiming out there at Koh Larn (read:naked farang women) .. he was very impressed but i desided that i would never go there!

[Mustang]

Hi MrDK.Not exactly what you were asking but I was at Mermaid Divers yesterday inquiring about dive trips and I also asked about snorkeling.1000 baht per person for snorkeling trips to the far islands which has much better diving than Koh Larn.(takes about a half hour by Mermaid speedboat.Leaves at 9:30 am)
Not sure if they spend some time on a beach,but for quality snorkeling this is a good bet.

Hope to meet you in Patts

[MrDK]

Thanks all, again, for the replies

Originally Posted by nelsonone

I reckon just hire a speed bpoat for half a day or a day Lars....you can get them out of Jomtien Beach...should be no more than 5K for a half and probably 8 for the day
get them to take you to a few islands....there are plenty of not too crowded ones out there....and just jump in off the boat with your lassie
You will have a geat day

I think this sounds like the ticket.

Originally Posted by Mustang

Hope to meet you in Patts

I hope so too ... still having some passport issues ... but I plan to be there!

[karma]

i took the ferry once, never again. 50 min slow ride in the heat is too much for me. speedboat 1800 b last time, he wouldnt go lower. just tell tell the guy what time to pick u up to get back, he'll be there. yea there's a boundary at the front section, no boats are near except when they're letting off/on passengers. the water is nice and clear. the beach is nice too, white soft sand, not lill brown stones like pattaya beach. i appreciate 1 or 2 days relaxing on ko lan. my last visit (july this year) a guy came up to me showed me a booklet with pics of an arsenal of guns.. looked like a counterstrike collection with kalashnikov's etc.. wanted me to get on his motorbike up in the mountains and have some fun shooting trying out. if i remember right he said something like 'shoot as much as u want 2000 baht( im not sure thats what he said though). right on the steep hill is a tempel, u'll get there with motorbike taxi or walk urself, but that should be a walk to regret probably.
whatever u do - have a wonderful time !

[MrDK]

Thanks for that reply karma.
I will either go just to Koh Larn (or is it Ko Lan) and for that a "shuttle" at 1,800 seems like a reasonable deal for that. The other option is as Nels mentions for 5k to hire the guy for the day.

Thanks all .... now I only need to find the 2nd passenger.

[luv u long time]

Originally Posted by karma

i took the ferry once, never again. 50 min slow ride in the heat is too much for me. speedboat 1800 b last time, he wouldnt go lower. just tell tell the guy what time to pick u up to get back, he'll be there. yea there's a boundary at the front section, no boats are near except when they're letting off/on passengers. the water is nice and clear. the beach is nice too, white soft sand, not lill brown stones like pattaya beach. i appreciate 1 or 2 days relaxing on ko lan. my last visit (july this year) a guy came up to me showed me a booklet with pics of an arsenal of guns.. looked like a counterstrike collection with kalashnikov's etc.. wanted me to get on his motorbike up in the mountains and have some fun shooting trying out. if i remember right he said something like 'shoot as much as u want 2000 baht( im not sure thats what he said though). right on the steep hill is a tempel, u'll get there with motorbike taxi or walk urself, but that should be a walk to regret probably.
whatever u do - have a wonderful time !

Yeah same thing happened to me... I went with a mate and had a shot, but there was no sign saying 2000b unlimited shooting otherwise i would have pitched a tent..I think the price was roughly about 600baht to have a go with each gun with about 6-7 shots/bullets..It was a lot of fun though i was like a kid in a candy shop,i shot with everything that had a trigger...

[Pentire]

Lars,
As Nels suggested take a private hire on a boat for 5 or 6 hours and just head out towards bamboo island which although deserted is a lovely white beach with beautful swimming conditions and good fishing close by where you can land plenty without two much effort (the boat op shall suppy the rods and bait upon request) then, perhaps take a peek at monkey island where the primates shall actually swim out to the boat looking for food but be careful cos they shall nick anything attractive so we beat them off with the fishing rods
Been a while since I hired a boat but from memory, no need to pay more than 3 perhaps 4k now fuel is a lot higher.
Certainly nothing like Phuket prices in Pattaya, I had a cheeky bas-tard quote me 20k on the beach at the Banyan Tree two years ago

[Dupree00]

Originally Posted by MrDK

Thanks for that reply karma.
I will either go just to Koh Larn (or is it Ko Lan) and for that a "shuttle" at 1,800 seems like a reasonable deal for that. The other option is as Nels mentions for 5k to hire the guy for the day.

Thanks all .... now I only need to find the 2nd passenger.

You can bring an inflatable friend but be careful at the shooting range.

[MrDK]

Again, thanks for all your help guys. As it turned out my date was not up for island hopping so we simply took the boat out and back to lay on the beach. The sand and the water was nice, had good service while laying in the beach chairs and the prices was OK. 530 baht, including chairs, lunch a couple of coconuts and waters, a few beers and lunch.
In the before 1PM the place was packed with Japanese, but afterwards it was somewhat quiet. At one point there was over 80 Japanese tourists being loaded on to two speed boats. A highlight was one Japanese guy being left behind ... he spent nearly an hour standing patiently at the beach looking for he rescue ... Didn't see he be picked up, but he got out of sight.

Paid 1500 baht for the round trip. All in all (given the circumstances) I think I would have been better off taking her to Jomtien Beach and spent the boat money on shopping for her.

[karma]

Originally Posted by MrDK

my date was not up for island hopping

hehe, thats no surprise..

I've seen jap guys do the craziest things.. perhaps he decided to give it a go, swimming back.. to Pattaya that is.