Nature
Ao Phatthaya
Ao Phatthaya
Ao Phatthaya is simply Pattaya Bay, the curved stretch of coastline that the city of Pattaya is built around. It's the natural feature that gives the whole area its shape and its main reason for tourism: the beach promenade, the boat piers, and the row of hotels facing the water all sit along this bay. It's not a standalone sight so much as the backdrop for most of what people do in Pattaya, including swimming, walking the beach road, and catching boats out to islands like Koh Larn.
Getting there
The bay runs through the center of Pattaya itself, so if you're staying anywhere near Pattaya Beach Road you're already at it. From Jomtien or the outskirts, a songthaew (shared pickup truck taxi) along Beach Road takes roughly 10-15 minutes. Coming from Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), it's about a 1.5 to 2 hour drive depending on traffic.
How much time to allow
An hour or two is enough for a walk along the water and a look at the piers. If you're using the bay as a jumping-off point for a boat trip to nearby islands, plan for most of a day.
When to go
Early morning or late afternoon are more comfortable, avoiding the midday heat. The beach road and waterfront get busy in the evening, especially on weekends, with heavier traffic and foot congestion along the promenade.
Combine it with
- Pattaya Beach (0.7km) - the main beach strip right along the bay, an easy walk.
- Wong Amat Beach (3km) - a quieter beach further along the same coastline, worth a short ride if you want less crowding.
- North Point - Tower A (3.3km) - a landmark building near Wong Amat if you're already heading that way.
- All Saints Church (3.8km) - a short detour inland from the northern end of the bay.
Updated September 20, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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