Pattaya is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Thailand and for a good reason. It's very easy to access, being only two hours away from Bangkok. And with vast stretches of sandy beaches, and lush flora combined with an invigorating nightlife, the seaside resort is the perfect place for a memorable vacation. If you're vacationing in Pattaya, there is an abundance of activities you can indulge in. You can even take these excellent day trips for an exciting and fulfilling holiday:

Fishing at Ko Man Wichai and Ko Lai

If you're up for a peaceful one-day trip from Pattaya, you could go for a fishing trip to the Ko Man Wichai and Ko Lai regions in the Gulf of Siam. This trip involves travelling by boat as you enjoy the sights from the water. You could go fishing straight from the boat using fishing rods while you bathe in the sun, waiting for your bait to bite. Many agencies make sure that their guests can instantly enjoy the fish that they catch, serving it for lunch in a traditional preparation. After a satisfying lunch, you can go snorkelling to discover the rich underwater flora and fauna.

Go Picnicking on Coral Island (Koh Lan)

Picture yourself enjoying a delightful lunch spread on a peaceful tropical island. Now you can turn that dream into a reality by going on a day trip to Coral Island set just off the coast of Pattaya. You can arrange for a delicious picnic that you and your friends or family can enjoy together without any disturbance from other people. You'll be departing from Pattaya on a speedboat after breakfast and get transported to the island. On the island, you can relax on sunbeds under the shade of beach umbrellas or go swimming, parasailing, and snorkelling if you're up for some activity. You can even go fishing if you feel like it, and have the freshly-caught fish prepared for lunch. Overall, a picnic on the island is a fulfilling and relaxing experience for everyone.

Explore the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden

The Nong Nooch Tropical Garden is located about half an hour away from Pattaya. Spreading across 240-hectares (600-acres) of land, it can take an entire day to thoroughly explore the famed botanical gardens. You can arrange for a tour starting early in the morning and lasting for about six hours. The gardens are divided into several sections:the French garden, Stonehenge garden, European garden, Cactus and Succulent garden, Butterfly Hill, and more. You can explore all these sections during your tour and also enjoy a Thai cultural show involving a re-enactment of historical events by actors and dancers.

Go on a Sunset Cruise

A beautiful sunset is always mesmerizing; it's even more enjoyable when you plan an entire trip around it. Go on a boat trip to enjoy the view of the sunset from the middle of the sea. You can take along some snacks to have while you wait for the sun to set. Or you can even indulge in swimming and snorkelling activities while you wait. And after the sun sets, you can see Pattaya come to life from a distance. It's a unique and romantic experience perfect for couples. Families and friends can also enjoy a memorable boat trip to watch the sunset along the Pattaya coastline.

Discover Historic and Religious Landmarks in Ko Si Chang

Take the time to visit Ko Si Chang, a small island in the Gulf of Thailand, reachable by boat or by bus. Depending on which mode of transportation you take, it will take anywhere between 30 minutes and two hours to reach. Ko Si Chang may not have beaches as pristine as that of other islands, but what makes this island unique is the abundance of historic landmarks. You can explore the remains of what used to be the royal palace, once used by King Chulalongkom as a summer retreat. You can also find plenty of religious shrines and temples, if you're keen on discovering the spiritual side of Thailand. There's the Saan Chao Pho Khao Yai temple, located on top of a mountain that is still active today. The mountain has an abundance of caves, the most notable one being the Cave of 1000 Wishes, which you can explore during your visit to Ko Si Chang.

Explore the Sapphire Mines of Chanthaburi

Another excellent day trip from Pattaya is the full-day private tour of the Chanthaburi sapphire mines, located about 175 kilometres (110 miles) away. On your way to the mines, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the country roads as you pass by plantations of pepper, tapioca, rubber, and fruit. You will also get a chance to meet with local artisans who create beautiful mats using locally-sourced materials. Once you get to the Chanthaburi sapphire mines, you will be able to feast your eyes on the mine fields with sapphire, ruby, and topaz studding the grounds and walls. In addition to this, you will be taken on a tour to find out how the rough stones go through the polishing and cutting processes to be turned into precious gemstones.

Go on a Canopy Tour in the Rainforest

If you love adventure, you should definitely plan a visit to the Kao Yai Da Rainforest and take the day off from the city. Go on a canopy tour through the forest to get breath-taking views from an aerial location and discover the rich flora and fauna of the region. You can enjoy cable rides to the top and take in the fascinating view of the forest from 3,200 meters above ground and across more than 20 platforms.

These are seven amazing day trips you can take from Pattaya to enjoy a memorable vacation. As you can see, there's something for everyone - whether you'd like to go on an adventure or you want to enjoy romantic sunset views from the sea. You can choose whichever activities fit your needs best and then plan your holiday accordingly.