Where the water turns bright turquoise, the cliffs glow gold in the afternoon, and every snorkel feels like a cheerful, easy holiday escape from Pattaya.

Koh Lan (เกาะล้าน) is the bright‑blue island just off Pattaya — famous for its beaches, clear water, and simple, happy snorkeling. The reefs here are shallow, colorful, and perfect for beginners.
This clockwise map starts at the north pier and circles the entire island.

1) Ta Waen Beach Reef (Northwest)

Thai: หาดตาแหวน
Romanization: Hat Ta Waen
Local pronunciation: Ta‑waen

Ta Waen is the busiest beach on Koh Lan, but the rocky edges on both sides hide small coral pockets.

What makes it beautiful

• Clear, shallow water
• Coral heads near the rocks
• Easy, beginner‑friendly snorkeling

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาผีเสื้อเหลือง (Pla Phee Suea Lueang) — yellow butterflyfish — “the sunshine flutter”
• ปลาจิ๋วฟ้า (Pla Jiw Fa) — blue damselfish — “the tiny electric boss”
• ปลาสลิดทะเล (Pla Salid Talay) — rabbitfish — “the polite vegetarian”

“Ta Waen is the ‘I didn’t expect this near Pattaya’ moment.”

2) Sangwan Beach Reef (Northwest Headland)

Thai: หาดแสมสาร
Romanization: Hat Sangwan
Local pronunciation: Sang‑wan

A small, quiet beach with surprisingly clear water and coral near the rocky edges.

What makes it beautiful

• Calm, sheltered bay
• Coral heads close to the surface
• A peaceful, tucked‑away feeling

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาคราม (Pla Kram) — blue‑green chromis
• ปลานกแก้ว (Pla Nok Kaew) — parrotfish
• ปลาผีเสื้อปากยาว (Pla Phee Suea Pak Yao) — long‑nose butterflyfish

“Sangwan is the soft, quiet corner of Koh Lan.”

3) Tien Beach Reef (West Coast)

Thai: หาดเทียน
Romanization: Hat Tien
Local pronunciation: Tien

Tien Beach is one of the best snorkeling spots on Koh Lan — clear water, coral heads, and rocky channels.

What makes it beautiful

• Clear turquoise water
• Coral gardens near the rocks
• A calm, relaxed atmosphere

Fish you’ll see

• ปลานกแก้วรุ้ง (Pla Nok Kaew Rung) — rainbow parrotfish — “the colorful chaos machine”
• ปลาฟูซิเลียร์ (Pla Fusilier) — fusilier — “the silver confetti cloud”
• ปลาทรัมเป็ต (Pla Trumpet) — trumpetfish — “the long, shy pretender”

“Tien Beach is the ‘this is the real snorkeling beach’ of Koh Lan.”

4) Samae Beach Reef (Southwest)

Thai: หาดแสม
Romanization: Hat Samae
Local pronunciation: Sa‑mae

Samae Beach is long, bright, and beautifully blue — with coral pockets near both rocky ends.

What makes it beautiful

• Long, wide beach
• Coral near the headlands
• Clear water on calm days

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาผีเสื้อเหลือง (Pla Phee Suea Lueang)
• ปลาจิ๋วฟ้า (Pla Jiw Fa)
• ปลานกแก้ว (Pla Nok Kaew)

“Samae is the ‘sunny, happy, easy’ snorkeling chapter.”

5) Nual Beach (Monkey Beach) — South Coast

Thai: หาดนวล
Romanization: Hat Nual
Local pronunciation: Nual

A quiet, rocky bay with coral heads and occasional monkeys watching from the cliffs.

What makes it beautiful

• Clear, shallow water
• Coral heads near the rocks
• A peaceful, natural atmosphere

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาคราม (Pla Kram)
• ปลานกแก้วรุ้ง (Pla Nok Kaew Rung)
• ปลาผีเสื้อปากยาว (Pla Phee Suea Pak Yao)

“Nual Beach is the ‘monkeys above, coral below’ moment.”

6) Ta Yai Beach Reef (North Coast)

Thai: หาดตายาย
Romanization: Hat Ta Yai
Local pronunciation: Ta‑yai

Ta Yai is one of the clearest‑water beaches on Koh Lan — small, quiet, and perfect for snorkeling.

What makes it beautiful

• Crystal‑clear water
• Coral near the rocky edges
• A peaceful, hidden‑beach feeling

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาผีเสื้อเหลือง (Pla Phee Suea Lueang)
• ปลาจิ๋วฟ้า (Pla Jiw Fa)
• ปลานกแก้ว (Pla Nok Kaew)

“Ta Yai is the ‘tiny beach, big beauty’ chapter.”

Nearby Islands (Clockwise from Koh Lan)

7) Koh Sak

Thai: เกาะสาก
Romanization: Koh Sak
Local pronunciation: Sak

A small island north of Koh Lan with surprisingly good snorkeling.

What makes it beautiful

• Coral gardens near the rocks
• Clear, shallow water
• Perfect for beginners

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาผีเสื้อเหลือง (Pla Phee Suea Lueang)
• ปลาคราม (Pla Kram)
• ปลานกแก้วรุ้ง (Pla Nok Kaew Rung)

“Koh Sak is the ‘better than expected’ surprise near Pattaya.”

8) Koh Krok

Thai: เกาะครก
Romanization: Koh Krok
Local pronunciation: Krok

A tiny rocky island with coral heads and clear water.

What makes it beautiful

• Coral near the rocks
• Calm, shallow water
• A quiet, simple snorkeling spot

Fish you’ll see

• ปลาจิ๋วฟ้า (Pla Jiw Fa)
• ปลาสลิดทะเล (Pla Salid Talay)
• ปลานกแก้ว (Pla Nok Kaew)

“Koh Krok is the ‘tiny island, tiny reef, tiny joy’ moment.”

🌺 The Feeling of Koh Lan & Nearby Islands

Koh Lan, Koh Sak, and Koh Krok are the bright, cheerful, turquoise chapter of Chon Buri — simple, easy, and full of color. The reefs are shallow, the water is clear, and every snorkel feels like a happy little holiday.

It’s the part of Thailand that reminds you how close paradise can be.