(Image: AI-generated illustration based on SOAR Ocean Club’s announced concept and promotional imagery. The venue is currently under construction and the finished appearance may differ.)
Something rather unusual is taking shape off the Pattaya coast.
SOAR Ocean Club, a new floating ocean club built in the shape of a manta ray, has now arrived in the waters near Ban Amphur and Bang Saray after making the journey down from Bangkok.
The 1,730-square-metre floating venue is currently being prepared for its planned opening in November 2026.
A Floating Ocean Club Near Pattaya
SOAR describes itself as a new type of ocean club, combining design, dining, music and hospitality on the water.
The venue has been purpose-built in the distinctive shape of a manta ray and the venue is designed to accommodate 514 seated guests, with capacity for up to 800 during events, according to details released following an October meeting with the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
Its concept is described as “Playfully Luxurious”, with a focus on a more relaxed take on premium hospitality rather than a traditional formal luxury setting.
The club is intended to operate from daytime through into the evening, with food, drinks, music and the surrounding sea forming the main part of the experience.
SOAR’s own description also talks about DJs, sunset sessions and a Mediterranean-meets-Thai design aesthetic.
SOAR Has Arrived
The floating club completed what SOAR calls “The First Glide” in September.
It departed Bangkok on the evening of September 11, travelling down the Chao Phraya River before continuing along Thailand’s eastern seaboard. It arrived off the coast near Ban Amphur and Bang Saray on September 12, where final preparations are now taking place.
Once operational, visitors are expected to travel to SOAR by speedboat from Ocean Marina, making the journey to the floating club part of the experience.
The project is being overseen by Paul Dibbayawan, CEO and Owner Representative of SOAR Ocean Club, who says the focus is now on completing the final preparations before the first guests arrive in November.
TAT Discusses SOAR Ahead of November Opening
On October 7, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) met with SOAR Ocean Club executives to discuss the project and its potential role in attracting higher-spending visitors to Thailand’s eastern coast.
A report published on Thailand’s official government website on October 8 provided some additional details about the planned venue.
The 1,730-square-metre floating club is designed to accommodate 514 seated guests, with capacity for up to 800 people during events. Planned operating hours are 11am to midnight, and Ocean Marina Jomtien is identified as the boarding point for visitors travelling to the venue.
The discussions also covered plans for quarterly festivals featuring Thai and international artists, potentially held around Songkran, the August green season and the year-end holiday period.
SOAR remains scheduled to open in November 2026, although further details about its opening and future events are still to come.
The project fits TAT’s broader “Value over Volume” strategy, which focuses on attracting visitors who spend more and seek premium travel experiences.
The announcement provides a clearer picture of the venue’s intended scale and operation, although some practical details — including booking arrangements, access for private boats and the final range of facilities — remain to be confirmed.
Source: Thailand.go.th — TAT Discusses New Floating Ocean Club in Chon Buri, October 8, 2026.
A First Look Inside SOAR Ocean Club Pattaya
Recent behind-the-scenes footage from inside the venue gives a better idea of what is taking shape.
The main structure is already substantially built, with large open-air areas beneath a sweeping roof, multiple levels and a series of curved bar and service areas. The venue also has extensive lighting and event infrastructure already being installed, including overhead lighting rigs and what appears to be a dedicated performance area.
The earlier footage shows parts of the interior still covered in protective sheeting, with some areas of the fit-out unfinished. More recent video suggests preparations have progressed considerably, with furniture in place, pools filled and the bar area being prepared. The open design also gives guests views directly out across the sea, rather than the enclosed feel of a conventional nightclub or restaurant.
The footage suggests that SOAR is being built as a full-scale entertainment and hospitality venue, rather than simply a floating restaurant with a few DJ nights.
What to Expect
There is still quite a lot that SOAR hasn’t announced yet, so we’re not going to pretend we know exactly what a visit will look like.
What has been confirmed is a sizeable floating venue combining:
- On-water dining and drinks
- Music and DJ programming
- Day-to-night entertainment
- Premium hospitality
- A large open-water setting
- Speedboat transfers from Ocean Marina
We’ve also heard unofficially that SOAR may operate from around 11am until 1am, and that private boats are expected to be allowed to access the venue once it is up and running. These details have not yet been officially confirmed.
SOAR says further details about the venue will be announced as the opening gets closer.
This isn’t the first floating venue to arrive in Pattaya. Sina Beach Club, which opened earlier this year off Bali Hai Pier, has already brought the floating beach-club concept to Pattaya. SOAR will take the idea further south, with a substantially larger venue and a somewhat different focus.
The operation behind SOAR appears to be substantial. Recruitment material indicates that the guest experience will involve a land-based reception, transfer vessels and the floating venue itself, with a large multidisciplinary team covering hospitality, marine operations, entertainment and guest services. The club is also being designed around cashless and contactless payments, reservations and RFID technology.
A Closer Look at SOAR – New Footage Reveals Pools and Finished Areas
Newer footage shared by Thida Chantarangsri on Instagram provides a closer look at SOAR Ocean Club as preparations continue ahead of its planned November 2026 opening.
The video shows a much more finished venue than the earlier behind-the-scenes footage, with furniture unwrapped, tables and chairs in place, pools filled and a bartender preparing the bar area. A SOAR-branded speedboat is also visible.
The footage provides a clearer indication of the facilities taking shape, including the pools and outdoor seating areas. While some areas may still require final preparation, the venue appears to be progressing towards its intended opening.
Earlier drone footage by kellymon1 on Instagram offers a useful aerial perspective, showing the extensive outdoor decks, multiple levels and manta-ray-inspired layout. Several pools can also be seen from above.
Together, the footage gives a better sense of the scale of the project and how the finished venue is expected to look. SOAR has moved well beyond the initial construction stage, although its opening date and final operating arrangements remain subject to official announcements.
SOAR Presents Plans to Thailand’s Tourism Authority
On October 12, SOAR Ocean Club hosted a presentation for representatives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), including Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool, at Ocean Marina Jomtien.
Photographs from the visit show a hosted dinner and entertainment setup aboard the floating venue, suggesting that preparations have progressed beyond the construction stage. SOAR remains scheduled to open in November 2026.
Sina Beach Club vs SOAR Ocean Club
Want to see how SOAR compares with Sina? We’ve put together a side-by-side look at Pattaya’s two floating beach clubs, including their locations, access, pools, size and what we currently know about SOAR. Read our Sina vs SOAR comparison.
SOAR Ocean Club is currently scheduled to open in November 2026.
Last updated: October 13, 2026