Pattaya & The Eastern Gulf
Pattaya is 147 km southeast of Bangkok and faces the Gulf of Thailand. The coast southeast from Pattaya to the Cambodian border has many relatively undeveloped islands.

For the moment there is only one really safe year-round haven for yachts along this coast, Ocean Marina just south of Pattaya. There is also a good natural harbour at Sattahip, but this is used by the Royal Thai Navy and is out of bounds. As a result, there are still not many yachts or motor cruisers plying the coast, but Ocean Marina Yacht Club has recently become active and organizes many cruising flotillas to the islands to the south.

The voyage from Pattaya to Koh Kut near the Cambodian border will certainly not lead to crowded anchorages. This trip is well worth the effort, with lots of splendid unspoiled islands to visit.

Pattaya & The Eastern Gulf
50 years ago, Pattaya was a sleepy little fishing village. Then came the Vietnam War and the incursion of thousands of young American GI’s in search of rest and recreation.

The area grew at such a pace, with both Thai and foreign tourists, that the government promulgated the Pattaya City act in 1978, thereby joining Naklua and Pattaya to form the fifth local government municipality. Thus Pattaya City was born with an ever increasing influx of visitors and residents from the burgeoning surrounding industrial estates.

The latter use this whole stretch of coast as an escape from the city, resulting in crowded beaches and hotels every weekend and during school holiday periods. The 10-kilometre stretch of grossly overdeveloped coastline from Pattaya to Jomtien has also gained a reputation for its wild nightlife and overcrowded beaches.

Surprisingly, perhaps, Royal Varuna Yacht Club (RVYC) Ocean Marina, just south of Jomtien, are havens of relative tranquillity.

There is regular yacht racing at the Royal Varuna Yacht Club for small sailing boats, and Ocean Marina Yacht Club organises regular weekend racing and cruising weekends to the offshore islands. In May each year The Top of the Gulf Regatta is held at Ocean Marina, attracting yachts from Hong Kong and Singapore as well as the Gulf Coast.

This anchorage is secure only in the north east season. Although good holding can be found in 4-5 metres anywhere in the bay, we recommend the southern end, away from the many fishing and tour vessels.

Anchor well clear of the busy parasailing pontoons and floating restaurants scattered throughout the bay.

The sand beach is accessible by dinghy, and there is plenty of action ashore, particularly at night, with countless bars, restaurants and more along the colourful and noisy strip.

Anchor only in settled weather and only near the two mooring buoys at the southern end. Stay well clear of the rock awash in the middle of the bay.

This anchorage is not recommended for overnight stays. There is often a shore break, which can upset a small tender and, during the northeast season, the beach can be depleted of sand.

The new Royal Varuna Yacht Club house offers good facilities, including a bar, a restaurant and a swimming pool. Visiting yachtsmen are warmly welcomed, but be sure to register with a committee member. Good road links into the city.

This pretty anchorage in 5-8 metres on sand is recommended only as a day stopover – a place for swimming or lunch ashore at the restaurants on Haad Tein.

Good snorkelling can be found along the outer edge of the reef that fringes the beach. Further south there is another less busy bay with resorts and restaurants ashore.

Good holding can be found in 5-10 metres on a sandy bottom, lending protection in the southwest season. The sand beach makes for convenient dinghy access to the many hotels and restaurants ashore.

A very popular daytime destination for the tour boats operating out of Pattaya. Numerous speedboats and even a yellow submarine operate from the commercial jetty in the bay.

This small horseshoe-shaped island has a well-sheltered bay in the southerly season. Anchor in about 4-6 metres on a sandy bottom in clear water off the fringing coral reef.

NOTE: On the passage from this group of islands to Pattaya, avoid the area around Hin Koh Larn, about 1.5 miles east of Koh Krok. Do not rely on the marker buoy, which is frequently washed away or which drags during rough weather. Anchoring at Koh Krok, a private island, is not permitted.

Swim ashore on Koh Sak to a basic seafood restaurant. The island used to be an exclusive resort for Thailand’s rich and famous, though it is now rather rundown. On the footpath leading south from the beach you’ll see the foot and hand prints of many famous visitors, including some old Hollywood legends.

Extracted from The Southeast Asia Pilot (3rd Edition) cruising/sailing guide by Bill O'Leary & Andy Dowden − www.southeastasiapilot.com