If you’ve been to Pattaya, you’re probably aware of its somewhat dirty beaches, where swimming isn’t always pleasant. Fortunately, the city’s surroundings offer a few alternatives. In this article, we’ll discuss one of them – Sai Kaew Beach in Pattaya. Is it really as amazing as travel agents and numerous tour websites claim?
General Information
Beach information
Length (m): 300 
Cover Type: Sand 
Water Temp (°C): 28 
Cleanliness (1-10): 6 
Crowdedness (1-10): 5 
Infrastructure: Basic amenities 
Best Season: Nov–Apr 
Waves Level: Calm 
Lifeguards Available? no 
Children Friendly? yes
Reviews
Photos
Sai Kaew Beach (sometimes spelled Saikaew Beach or Sai Keo) is popularly called “Blue Lagoon.” It earned this name for its turquoise water color, especially noticeable during peak season.
Sai Kaew Beach is a small lagoon about 400–500 meters long, with a wide shoreline.
On both sides, it’s flanked by lush, vegetation-covered hills. Behind the beach stands another hill, and you won’t see any hotels here, unlike what tourists are used to in Pattaya.
Sai Kaew Beach is located about 20 km from the city. Entry is fee-based – approximately 120 THB per person. There are two checkpoints: at the first one, you must leave an ID (a kind of deposit ensuring you’ll return), and at the second you pay the entry fee. Passports or international driver’s licenses are acceptable. If you travel with a tour operator, you usually don’t need to leave your documents; the driver shows his own and simply indicates the number of tourists (but confirm with your guide if any documents are required). According to the rules, no foreigners may remain on the property after 18:00. Guards start patrolling from around 17:00 to ensure everyone departs on time.
Usually, when you purchase a transfer package, the entrance fee is already included in the ticket price (about 450 THB round trip, or 800–900 THB with lunch).
If you’re going on your own, you’re no longer allowed to drive your personal vehicle all the way in as before. You’ll pay about 50 THB for a tuk-tuk ride to cover the final stretch.
It’s about 3 km from the checkpoint to the beach, so walking would take quite a bit longer.
We’ll cover how to reach the “Blue Lagoon” independently below.
Shoreline and Water Entry
The sand at Sai Kaew is fine and appears white under the sun, though not exactly “snow-white.” The water entry is shallow and gradual—no sudden drop. The seabed is clean, with almost no silt. During low tide, the water recedes significantly, so you might have to walk a bit to reach suitable depths for swimming.
Be warned: during low tide, you might encounter small sharp stones at the water’s edge, which can hurt your feet. At other times, when the tide is high, you likely won’t notice them.
To the left, there’s a section with a more rugged shoreline and a stony water entry. People who like some solitude may prefer that area, since few venture there.
Beach Amenities
The supply of loungers and umbrellas is more limited than on Pattaya’s main beach, but they do exist. Despite its growing popularity, there aren’t that many tourists here, so renting beach gear shouldn’t be a problem—and it’s quite inexpensive, around 30–40 THB.
There’s also a small shop where you can buy swim gear and beach items (inflatable rings, mats, etc.) at relatively reasonable prices. The beach has free restrooms and showers.
Sai Kaew Beach in Pattaya is generally clean. Perhaps it’s because people sense they’re on military grounds, or maybe the cleaners do a good job—whatever the reason, the result is that it’s tidy.
That said, things can change during low season (roughly May to October). Clean-up isn’t as rigorous at that time, so you might find small debris both onshore and in the water. Still, it doesn’t turn into a dump—it’s just not as spotless as during the high season.
Infrastructure and Entertainment
Sai Kaew Beach in Pattaya is likely located on land once occupied by military personnel, which could explain its (admittedly modest) infrastructure. Sai Kaew has a few cafés with fairly affordable prices. There aren’t many beach activities, but you can still find banana boat rides, kayaks, and small boat rentals.
For little kids, there’s a stationary miniature yacht replica, where they can pretend to be the captain without actually going to sea. Older visitors can enjoy lazy sunbathing or use the small volleyball court. Sai Kaew Beach is landscaped in true Thai tradition, featuring greenery, flower beds, and even a small lotus pond. You’ll also notice so-called “benches of reconciliation,” reflecting the friendly local vibe. So it’s worth visiting Sai Kaew at least once.
Every Thai beach is said to have some kind of altar or shrine dedicated to the King (or for prayer). The “Blue Lagoon” is no exception—military discipline aside, traditions can’t be ignored.
Accommodation
You might think there is no lodging in this area, forcing visitors to drive several kilometers (less if coming from Jomtien, more if from central Pattaya). That’s not entirely true.
Indeed, there are no hotels or guesthouses on Sai Kaew Beach’s grounds. However, there is an alternative – small beach bungalows. In this sense, Sai Kaew Beach in Pattaya (see photo below) may remind some of the simpler seaside retreats you might find in smaller coastal towns of Eastern Europe.
The bungalows are basic, offering minimal comforts, with proximity to the sea as their main perk. But if you’re already traveling all the way to Thailand, why stay in a fenced-off area without local color, when you could have a more authentic experience elsewhere?
These huts are usually occupied by local Thais who come for weekend beach getaways. Hence another tip: if you plan an independent trip, consider going on weekdays, because weekends bring more local visitors in addition to the usual tourists.
How to Get There
How do you reach Sai Kaew Beach in Pattaya? There are three main methods:
- tuk-tuk (songthaew);
- taxi;
- rental of a motorbike or another vehicle.
On the map, it appears the drive from downtown Pattaya takes about 40 minutes, depending on traffic. The endpoint is the turnoff for the military base—once you reach it, you can’t miss the signs.
A good strategy is to group up and split the cost of a taxi to Sai Kaew. That way, the same distance becomes cheaper per person (around 400 THB one-way in total, updated for 2025).
If you use a songthaew, it may be less straightforward for a first-timer. For one thing, it won’t enter the base, so you’d walk a significant distance; secondly, there can be long lines as people return to the city. The round-trip fare is typically around 200 THB nowadays.
Traveler reviews suggest it’s more convenient to book a trip via a tour company.
So, how do you get to Sai Kaew Beach on your own by motorbike or car? Simply take Sukhumvit Road away from Bangkok for about 24 km. The key is not to miss the turnoff to the base. You’ll see a sign for Sai Kaew Beach. If you do pass it, you can always turn around—just be mindful.
Your second landmark will be the traffic light near the turn.
At the first checkpoint, they’ll ask your purpose, check your documents, and let you through. Then follow the signs to the second checkpoint. Photos along the way can help you avoid getting lost.
Many tourists compare Sai Kaew Beach to Koh Larn. If you’ve been to Koh Larn or Phuket, Sai Kaew may not seem particularly extraordinary—just a decent beach, nothing exceptional.
If you’re planning an independent trip, consider visiting on weekdays since weekends tend to attract more locals along with the usual tourists.
