Naklua Bay is located in the north of Pattaya Bay, with Rachvate Cape separating the them. Naklua Beach, to the far north, is the main strip, with the smaller Crescent Moon Beach and then Palm Beach further south. The northern end of Pattaya Bay (Ao Pattaya) is occupied by Wong Amat Beach, which is accessed from Naklua; and beyond the southern end, around the Buddha Hill headland that separates Pattaya Bay from Jomtien, are several more smaller beaches.
Wong Amat beach is a gently curving, approximately 3km-long beach. It occupies the far northern end of the Pattaya Bay headland, but is only accessible from Naklua (usually Sois 16 or 18). Unlike Pattaya Beach or Jomtien it is free of watersports activities, though that is likely to change. You can hire a deck chair and order some food at an open-air local restaurant, but there are no vendors walking up and down selling foods, drinks or curios. And few people, except for a few locals and those staying in nearby resorts. This lack of mass tourist apparatus, gives the place a secluded, intimate charm. Naklua Beach, further north, is similarly calm. It has a long fishing pier and windsurfing equipment can be hired.
Beyond them is Wong Amat Beach which occupies the northern end of Pattaya Bay, but is accessed from Naklua. All are generally cleaner and more suitable for quiet relaxation than Pattaya Beach.
The northernmost tip of Pattaya Second Road, where it meets North Pattaya Road, marks the end of Pattaya Bay and the start of the area known as Naklua. To reach it, just head north from the distinctive dolphin roundabout. The name means 'salt fields', in reference to the predominant occupation of the area before the rise of tourism 'salt farming.
Today, it still has the air of a village, with some old houses, narrow streets, traditional noodle shops, temples, a fishing pier, and many locals. Slowly that is changing, however, with many condominium blocks now in the area, and lots of hotels and restaurants too. The area's most distinctive features are definitely its small intimate beaches, including Wong Amat and Naklua Beach, as well as the outdoor architectural museum, the Sanctuary of Truth. With Pattaya largely dedicated to single travellers and couples on package tours, Naklua makes a great alternative for families.
Today, it still has the air of a village, with some old houses, narrow streets, traditional noodle shops, temples, a fishing pier, and many locals. Slowly that is changing, however, with many condominium blocks now in the area, and lots of hotels and restaurants too. The area's most distinctive features are definitely its small intimate beaches, including Wong Amat and Naklua Beach, as well as the outdoor architectural museum, the Sanctuary of Truth. With Pattaya largely dedicated to single travellers and couples on package tours, Naklua makes a great alternative for families.
