In the past, like many others, I used to answer this question unequivocally—the best beach on Koh Larn Island is Samae Beach. However, after visiting the island several times, exploring it on a motorbike, and visiting all its beaches repeatedly, I can now say that the answer to this question is, “it depends.”
For instance, visitors from Russia, Europe, Western countries, as well as Australia, tend to prefer Samae Beach. You’ll see plenty of them there—it’s quite evident.
But!
Numerous visitors from China and India have chosen a different beach on Koh Larn—Tawaen Beach. It’s shallow, spacious, features pristine white sand, breathtaking panoramic views, and the iconic turquoise waters that Thailand is so famous for. To reiterate, this beach is shallow, with a long, gentle slope into the sea, making it perfect for tourists who can’t swim, as well as for families with children.
So, to the question of which beach is the best on Koh Larn Island, the answer is: it depends!
One of Tawaen Beach’s Advantages
In addition to the previously mentioned benefits of this beach, there is another noteworthy advantage. The beach is located right next to the pier of the same name, where ferries and speedboats from Pattaya arrive. This means that, unlike Samae Beach, you don’t need to travel anywhere upon arriving on the island—the beach starts right next to the pier.
That said, Samae Beach isn’t at a significant disadvantage in this regard, as getting there doesn’t take much time, regardless of whether you arrive at Tawaen Pier or Na Baan Pier. Koh Larn is a small island, and you can reach any destination on it in about 15 minutes.
