Thailand | The island of Koh Larn is a small, peaceful paradise off the coast of Thailand. The sand and water are pristine white-golden, and the palm trees sway in a gentle breeze. The people who live on this island seem to have found an escape from all the chaos that surrounds them elsewhere in the world. When me and my parents went to Thailand last year, we wanted an unforgettable experience and for sure we got it. We toured Bangkok and Pattaya mainly in the trip but none of them top the surrealistic experience we witnessed at Koh Larn Island. This island is one of the best of Thailand to visit for a variety of activities. It’s also perfect for those who want peace and quiet, as it has very few big hotels or resorts. This island is the epitome of an inner sea haven with its sunny weather year-round. Honestly this is the perfect destination for those wanting a relaxing beach getaway without having to spend their money on expensive tourist destinations like Phuket or Pattaya Beach.
When we reached Pattaya after a long ride we didn’t expect the city to be crowded that much. It was filled to the brim with tourists from all over the world, from the East to the West. We were tired and wanted some peace, so we headed over to Koh Larn Island, a short ferry ride away. We found out about the island from a local coconut vendor. He told us that it was a place where we could really relax from the bustle of the city, and he wasn’t wrong!
There were a lot of boats to go to the island so we assumed that they would ask for absurd amount of money to take us there. To our surprise they didn’t. The fixed rate to go to the island ranges around 100-150 Baht per person which is pretty reasonable. The boats might’ve looked old, but they were reinforced really well and safe. Some Italians and a French man also went with us on the boat ride. Me being a curious person started to ask the Italians how their trips had been so far, and they told me that the local culture around Pattaya was simply mesmerizing, and they were really excited to visit Koh Larn for the first time.
The boat ride to Koh Larn takes about 30 minutes or so and it’s really peaceful and quiet with views of Pattaya in the background. It felt like we were going on a mini vacation together without any worries for the time being! The island itself was so beautiful and serene. All of us initially told the driver to take us to the most popular beach on the island but he said that if we wanted peace and quiet, we should go to Tawaen Beach. We were a little hesitant at first but in the end, he was right! When we reached the island, personally I was shocked at how beautiful it looked. The beaches were unreal, crystal clear water with white sand and palm trees that lined the shoreline for miles on end!
When the boat docked our first goal was to find a place where we could relax. Sadly, almost all of the resorts were booked or occupied. We cooped up in a small resort bar on the beach and the view there? It was astonishing. You could see the whole ocean — and it looked unreal. It felt like something out of a dream. I could stay in that bar for days and I would never get tired of the view. As is tradition, we ordered some drinks, and the bartender was kind enough to show us some of his tricks. He mixed together a few local ingredients and made this amazing, sweet soda that was refreshing and delicious.
After taking a short break, all of us set out to the local markets in the island to see what we could catch our attention. We saw local amulets made from the rarest of pearls and beautiful statues that highlighted the culture and beliefs of the local people.
Strolling through the clear waters of Koh Larn was a surreal experience. The clear blue water and white sand beaches were like something from another world, a perfect oasis we had all been looking for. The beach was so quiet even though there were a good number of tourists and locals and absolutely breathtaking. There are plenty of hammocks to relax in with a book or some sunbathing under the shade of palm trees along the shoreline. There were very few people there and those that were there were enjoying the serenity just as much as us.
Time passed by quickly as we realized it was noon and we had to find a place to have lunch. Lucky for us we found that the resort bar we had our drinks had a great set of authentic Thai cuisine with their own twist. Being on the beach we ordered a variety of seafood dishes that we would have never thought of ordering if it weren’t for the great flavors they had to offer. The shrimp in traditional Thai garnish was my favorite dish as I loved that the sauce balanced out perfectly with a bit of spice and not too much chili paste. It came served over rice noodles which was perfect. The seafood Pad Thai was also a great dish to try as it was the perfect mix of noodles and seafood with just enough spice. The dish had lobster bits and perfectly sized shrimps mixed with a bit of vegetables and noodles.
We also ordered the classic Thai dish Pad See Ew prepared with chicken which was probably one of their most popular dishes. They serve it with flat rice noodles, egg, broccoli and some bean sprouts to make it that much more interesting and most importantly, tasty. The whole thing can be eaten in just a few bites, making it perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Beware, however, that the heat in this dish is on the higher side so if you are not up for spicy food then I would recommend ordering something milder like their Tom Yum Soup with Shrimp which was perfectly balanced and had just enough spice to give it an edge without being too overwhelming.
To top it all off we ordered some non-alcoholic cocktails. Me being a bit experimental ordered a Sparkling Almond, as I found it quite intriguing. It was a mixture of sparkling water and lime juice with almond milk and a hint of ginger. Lemonade came to mind as I was quite thirsty, so we ordered two glasses. One of them was made from freshly squeezed lemon juice combined with honey syrup while the other one had less sugar in it than usual.
After lunch we relaxed and travelled around the edges of the beach for a bit. Now, I thought the island was beautiful in the morning and nothing could top that. But in the evening, everything turns up a notch. The sky is a deep blue, and the sun sets over the water, casting oranges and reds across the horizon. All good things must come to an end, and after a few hours we had to head back. That was our last day in Pattaya and it was a fitting end.
I’d never been to Thailand before, but if you are looking for a Thai island getaway Koh Larn is the place. It is one of Thailand’s best-kept secrets so head on over to the Island soon before everyone else finds out about it! From diving and snorkeling in crystal clear water to enjoying the sunset or just relaxing on one of the many beaches, there is something here for everyone. The food was incredible- fresh seafood that will make your mouth water and some spicy dishes that really take it up a notch. The culture is amazing too with people so friendly and welcoming. If you want an unreal experience this summer, then look no further than Koh Larn Island!