There are over 30 golfing facilities – from simple driving ranges to 18-hole courses – within easy reach of Pattaya. Some of these are up to world class standard, such as the Siam Country Club Old Course, which annually hosts the Honda LPGA tournament. The area is very popular for golfers because of the sheer variety of options, the good weather and conditions, the high quality of the courses and the relatively low cost for using them. A round of golf in Pattaya is a great way to spend a day, enjoy the sun and meet some new people.

The tiny, uninhabited islands off the coast of Pattaya are anyone’s idea of a tropical paradise. The Far Islands (so named because they are further from Pattaya than the Near Islands), especially, are ringed by perfect sandy beaches, warm tropical seas and vibrant coral reefs. Taking a cruise around Koh Rin, Koh Khram and Monkey Island is a popular itinerary and features sunbathing on a desert island, swimming and snorkelling in the clear water and feeding the friendly macaques, as well as just enjoying the fresh sea breeze. Cruises of the Near Islands depart from Pattaya’s Bali Hai Pier, but the trips around the stunning Far Islands are best taken from the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Na Jomtien. Prices, in both cases, are around 3,000 baht per person. Read More…

Opening Hours: Most depart at about 09:00 – 10:30

Location: Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Na Jomtien

Parasailing

There are several places you can go in Pattaya to enjoy a fantastic view of the city, but there is none that can rival the view from a hundred metres above Pattaya Bay. You can see the brightly-coloured parachutes zigzagging around the sky, drawn by speedboats which will occasionally cut their engines so that the parasailer drops into the sea before leaping back into the air again as the boat powers up. Vendors can be found along Pattaya Beach selling the short but exhilarating experience from about 500 baht up per person. Read More…

• • Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:30
  • Location: Pattaya Beach Road, South Pattaya

Pattaya is a great place to make a splash, with no less than three great waterparks: Pattaya Park, Cartoon Network Amazone and Ramayana Water Park. Each features a lot more than just a great selection of exciting slides and shoots. There are also whirlpools, simulated rivers and seas, zip lines, and even great restaurants and special evening shows to make for a complete day out for the whole family. The water is kept scrupulously clean at all of the available parks and the thrilling rides are fully supervised to ensure absolute safety. R

• • Opening Hours: 10:00 – 18:00
  • Location: 888 Sukhumvit Road, Na Jomtien
  • Tel: +66 (0)3 823 7707

Thailand’s first and only pirate ship calls Pattaya its home port. The Admirallica offers action-packed tours, family-friendly games and activities and a disco foam party, all with fun pirate theme. The ship itself was locally built by a team of New Zealand engineers, who prioritised passenger comfort and safety. The day-long trips offer fantastic value for money while enjoying complimentary meals, the fantastic scenery and the swashbuckling fun on the open sea of the Gulf of Thailand. The ship can also be chartered for special events. Read More…

• • Opening Hours: Departs 10:00
  • Location: Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Na Jomtien
  • Tel: +66 (0)92 721 0005

There are a number of circuits available for the petrol heads in Pattaya to have some high-speed fun. However, the best option is Easy Karts, close to Bali Hai Pier. You will find a choice of vehicles ranging from 100cc to 270cc in engine size (or 25km/h to 70km/h in top speed), as well as two tracks to race them on. There is also a full range of safety equipment and careful supervision. A single race can be as short as eight minutes long, but you can buy a package to make it a full-day activity.

• • Opening Hours: 10:00 – 01:00
  • Location: Chalermphrakiat Road, near Bali Hai Pier, South Pattaya
  • Tel: +66 (0)2 203 1205

The waters around Pattaya are absolutely perfect for sailing. They never get particularly rough, there is almost always a breeze to fill your sails, the weather is usually sunny and warm and there are plenty of little islands to explore. It is these kinds of conditions which brings one of the biggest regattas in Asia to these shores every year, along with several other races and events. There are several sailing clubs to choose from, including the Royal Varuna Yacht Club, which sailing classes as well as rental boats in Laser, Hobie, Optimist, RS Quba and RS Vision classes.

• • Opening Hours: 08:00 – 22:00
  • Location: 286 Moo 12, Phatamnak Road, South Pattaya
  • Tel: +66 (0)3 825 0116

With impressive coral reefs surrounding the Near and Far Islands and five shipwrecks to explore, Pattaya is a fantastic place to scuba dive in Thailand. The conditions which make the area so good for sailing and cruises also make it enjoyable for divers, which is why there are dozens of centres and shops to choose from. Mermaids Dive Center comes highly recommended for their experience and professionalism, guiding new and seasoned divers through the tropical undersea world around Pattaya. The water is not as clear as it is further to the south of Thailand and the wildlife is not as exciting, which is why the destination is not as widely known. Unlike the south, however, diving is possible throughout the year and is not obstructed by monsoons.

• • Opening Hours: 07:30 – 20:00
  • Location: 315/166-167 Moo 12, Thappraya Road, Jomtien
  • Tel: +66 (0)3 830 3333

The Flight of the Gibbon is a zip-lining adventure through the canopy of a tropical rainforest a short drive north of Pattaya. Consisting of 22 lines making a 3 km course (which will take you about half a day to cover), it provides both fast-paced thrills as well as an educational aspect, learning all about the tropical ecosystem. Safe and family-friendly, it is as close as you’re ever likely to get to seeing the beautiful natural surroundings of untamed Thailand from the perspective of a monkey.

• • Opening Hours: First group from 06:00.
  • Location: Chompoo National Preserve, Chonburi
  • Tel: +66 (0)5 301 0660

There is something strangely satisfying about blasting a large hole through a paper target. There is also some considerable pride to be taken from obliterating the bullseye or hitting a paper silhouette target right between where its eyes would be. There are plenty of options for shooting in Pattaya, including the Tiffany’s Indoor Shooting Range. Friendly and safety-conscious instructors can guide you through the operation of a variety of weapons, ranging from the accurate .22 up to the cathartic .45 calibre. Read More…

• • Opening Hours: 10:00 – 20:00
  • Location: Tiffany’s Cabaret, 9 Pattaya Second Road
  • Tel: +66 (0)3 842 1700