Sai Kaew Beach: Location, Things to Do & Nearby Attractions
About 30 kilometers south of Pattaya, inside the Chumphon Sattahip Naval School area, Sai Kaew Beach is often called the most beautiful stretch of sand in the wider Pattaya/Chonburi region — a one-kilometer bay of clear turquoise water, soft white sand, and palm trees, kept pristine precisely because it's managed by the Royal Thai Navy rather than left to commercial development.
Because Sai Kaew sits on navy-controlled land, access works differently than at Pattaya's other beaches. Visitors pay a small entry fee at a checkpoint (commonly cited at around 50 THB for Thai nationals and 100 THB for foreign visitors, though fees can change and should be confirmed before visiting), and on weekends a shuttle sometimes replaces direct car access to the beach itself. This extra step keeps crowds and commercial vendors to a minimum compared with Pattaya Beach or Jomtien — there are no touts, no jet-ski hustlers chasing sunbathers, just a genuinely calm, well-maintained beach backed by forested hills.
The beach has been developed for tourism since the early 2000s, and today it draws a strong mix of Thai families and visitors seeking a clear-water alternative to the city beaches. Shallow coral reef sections lie just offshore, tree cover along the sand offers natural shade, and the surrounding hills give the bay a scenic, sheltered feel that's hard to find closer to central Pattaya.
Things to Do near Sai Kaew Beach – Tours & Tickets
7 results
Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden Tickets
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Pattaya Floating Market Ticket – Best Price & Boat Ride Option
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Changthai Thappraya Safari Pattaya Ticket – Elephant Trekking & Jungle Adventure
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Highlights
- Widely regarded as the clearest water and cleanest sand near Pattaya
- Managed by the Royal Thai Navy, which limits commercial overdevelopment
- One-kilometer bay backed by forested hills and lined with palm trees
- Shallow coral reef sections just offshore
- Minimal touts or vendors compared to Pattaya's city beaches
- Popular day-trip destination for both Thai families and international visitors
Quick Facts
Location : Chumphon Sattahip Naval School area, ~30 km south of Pattaya |
Length : Approximately 1 km |
Water conditions | Clear, calm, some shallow coral reef |
Entry fee : Small fee at the checkpoint (confirm current rate before visiting) |
Best for : Clear-water swimming, quiet family beach days |
Best time to visit : Weekdays or early mornings; November–February for weather |
Getting there : ~30–40 min drive from central Pattaya |
Things to Do at the Beach
- Swimming in some of the clearest water in the Chonburi/Pattaya area
- Kayaking, available directly on the beach
- Beachside Thai massage, offered right on the sand
- Relaxing under palm trees, with natural shade along much of the shoreline
- Snorkeling near the shallow reef sections, though visibility is better on the offshore islands
- Trying local Thai food at the small restaurants and shops along the beachfront
Nearby Attractions & Activities
Sai Kaew's clear water and relaxed setting pair well with:
- Bang Saray Beach — a nearby fishing village beach, easy to combine into a south-Pattaya coastal day
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden — passed en route from Pattaya, a popular full-day stop
- Ramayana Water Park — a large water park in the same general area, good for families
- Khao Chi Chan (Buddha Mountain) — a giant gold Buddha carved into a cliff face, a reasonable drive away
- Pattaya Elephant Sanctuary — an ethical elephant experience located nearby
- Monkey Island — a small island visible en route to Sai Kaew, known for its resident monkey population
[Book Nong Nooch Garden tickets →] [Book Ramayana Water Park tickets →] [Book a Bang Saray fishing charter →]
Getting There
Sai Kaew Beach sits inside the Chumphon Sattahip Naval School area, about 30 kilometers south of Pattaya via Sukhumvit Road, passing the Pattaya Floating Market, Nong Nooch junction, and Bang Saray junction en route. The drive takes roughly 30–40 minutes from central Pattaya. Since the beach sits on navy-managed land, visitors typically stop at a checkpoint to pay the entry fee and, in some cases, leave an ID as a deposit for a beach access pass. On weekends, cars may need to park before taking a shuttle the final stretch to the beach, while weekday access is often more direct — it's worth confirming current entry procedures before setting out, as military-managed access rules can change.
Need to know
Frequently Asked Questions
7 questions answered
About Sai Kaew Beach
Sai Kaew Beach guide — Sattahip's pristine navy-managed beach near Pattaya. Water conditions, entry fees, things to do, and the best nearby attractions.
All Pattaya guidesYes, a small fee applies at the checkpoint, historically cited around 50 THB for Thai nationals and 100 THB for foreign visitors — confirm the current rate before visiting since it's subject to change.