Nature
Ko Phai
What it is
Ko Phai (also spelled Koh Pai, and known in guides as "Bamboo Island") is the largest island in a small, uninhabited archipelago off Pattaya's coast. There's no town or accommodation here — people come for the beach and the water around it, which is clearer and calmer than the mainland beaches near Pattaya. It's a day-trip destination rather than a place to explore on foot for long.
Getting there
Ko Phai sits about 21 km west of Pattaya, so it's reached by boat rather than road. Most visitors go on a speedboat tour booked from Pattaya's piers, with a crossing time of roughly 30-45 minutes depending on the boat and sea conditions. Independent travel is uncommon since there's no scheduled public ferry to the island; it's typically visited as part of an organized island-hopping trip.
How long to allow
A few hours is enough for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach. Many boat tours combine Ko Phai with one or two other islands in the same trip, so you may only get an hour or two here rather than a full day.
When to go
Mornings tend to have calmer seas and better visibility for snorkeling before afternoon winds pick up. As with most boat-accessible islands near Pattaya, expect company during peak tourist season, since it's a common stop on group speedboat tours. Sea conditions can turn rough in stormy weather, which may affect crossings.
Combining with nearby islands
Ko Klueng Badan is very close by, just 3.5 km away, making it easy to pair with Ko Phai on the same trip. Ko Lan (11.3 km), Ko Sak (12.8 km), and Ko Khrok (14.2 km) are all part of the same island group off Pattaya and are commonly included together on multi-island speedboat itineraries.
Updated September 20, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors
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