Pattaya: 2 Islands one day trip on Catamaran with Lunch

Island days do not get much more active. This eight-hour Pattaya excursion combines Koh Phai and Koh Rin with snorkeling, fishing, paddleboarding, swimming, and a slide from the catamaran’s flybridge. I like the generous mix of things to do, and I like that lunch, drinks, towels, equipment, insurance, and hotel transport are included. The main point to consider is the long amount of time on the water, with roughly three hours of catamaran travel in the schedule.

The $124 price is not a bargain beach transfer, but it covers a full crewed yacht outing rather than a simple boat ride. The Thai buffet and free-flow drinks make the day easier, while the current sea turtle nesting rules mean you cannot go ashore at Koh Rin until the season ends on September 30.

The best parts of the day

• Two different island stops: Koh Phai offers lunch, swimming, and snorkeling, while Koh Rin adds another 75-minute water stop.
• A catamaran built for play: You can use the paddleboard, fishing equipment, dinghy, and flybridge slide.
• A proper Thai buffet onboard: Lunch comes with fresh tropical fruit, snacks, hot drinks, soft drinks, ice, and bottled water.
• Convenient Pattaya transport: Hotel pickup and drop-off within Pattaya city are included, with a one-hour van segment listed in the schedule.
• Sea turtle protection changes Koh Rin: You can snorkel and use water equipment around the island, but beach access is prohibited during nesting season.
• Useful comfort extras: Towels, snorkeling gear, insurance, island entrance fees, and an English-speaking guide are included.

What the $124 price really covers

At $124 per person, this is aimed at visitors who want a full boat day without arranging every piece separately. You are paying for a crewed catamaran, island fees, transport from Pattaya, food, drinks, water activities, and safety cover. Add those costs to a basic boat trip and the price becomes easier to understand.

I would not book this expecting a quiet ferry crossing to a beach. The attraction is the boat itself and the number of activities packed into the day. You can snorkel, fish from the yacht, paddleboard, swim, ride the slide, and use the dinghy. That range is valuable if your group has mixed interests.

The two available ratings average 4.7 out of 5. The strongest praise centers on the beautiful setting, the food, and the friendly service. One booking comment specifically says the food was good and sufficient, which matters on a full-day trip. You are not left to buy lunch at an island kiosk.

Still, $124 is a serious spend in Pattaya. If you only want to sit on a beach for a few hours, a simpler island transfer may suit you better. If you want a polished day on a yacht with meals and gear already sorted, the price is more reasonable.

Starting in Pattaya and reaching Ocean Marina

Pickup is from your accommodation within Pattaya city. You should be in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time, and the operator contacts you one day before departure to arrange the exact pickup slot.

The listed van segment takes one hour. That transfer is useful because it removes the need to arrange your own ride to Ocean Marina Yacht Club. The marina visit lasts 15 minutes, giving you time to get oriented before boarding the catamaran.

Bring your booking details and the personal information required for the reservation: your full name, passport number, Thai phone contact, email address, and date of birth. Children also need a scanned copy of the first page of their passport. This is not a tour for turning up with no paperwork.

The marina stop is short, so do not plan on a long breakfast or shopping visit there. Treat it as a transition point between your Pattaya hotel and the boat.

The first 105 minutes on the catamaran

The first major boat ride lasts 105 minutes. That is a substantial crossing, so you should be comfortable spending time at sea. The catamaran offers more room and a more social setting than a small speedboat, and the flybridge gives you another place to sit or watch the water.

This is also where motion sickness preparation matters. The tour specifically advises bringing motion sickness prevention. If you are sensitive to boat movement, take your preferred remedy before the crossing according to its instructions, and keep your sunglasses, sunscreen, and water close by.

The boat has a professional captain and experienced crew. An English-speaking guide is included, so you can ask about the schedule and activities during the day. The exact group size is not provided, so I would not assume a private, silent yacht setting. The word private refers to the style of the island-hopping experience, but this is still best approached as an organized excursion with group arrangements.

Koh Phai: lunch, snorkeling, and a useful first stop

Koh Phai is the first island stop and lasts 45 minutes. The schedule combines lunch, swimming, and snorkeling here, so the stop moves quickly.

The Thai buffet is onboard, with fresh tropical fruits afterward. You also get individual bottles of water, soft drinks, ice, coffee, tea, and snacks. Since food is part of the program, you can spend the stop enjoying the water instead of searching for somewhere to eat.

Forty-five minutes is enough for a short swim and snorkel, but it is not a long, lazy beach afternoon. If you want to make the most of it, have your swimwear on under your clothes and keep your sunscreen ready. Snorkeling gear is supplied, so you do not need to pack your own mask and fins unless you strongly prefer your personal equipment.

The timing also means you may need to choose. A quick snorkel, a swim, and lunch are all possible, but you may not have time for a long session of each. I see this as a good first stop because it gives you food and water time early in the day, before the second island visit.

The second catamaran ride and the rhythm of the day

After Koh Phai, the boat travels for another hour before reaching Koh Rin. By this point, the pace becomes clear: boat time is a major part of the experience, while the island stops are focused activity windows.

That rhythm suits you if you enjoy being on the water as much as being on land. The catamaran makes the journey part of the attraction, with fishing, paddleboarding, and the flybridge slide available as alternatives to sitting in your seat.

It may be less suitable if you want long walks or extended time on a beach. The itinerary is built around sea activities rather than exploring island paths, shops, or villages. There is also no promise of a particular fish sighting or marine-life encounter, so judge the trip by the overall boating day, not by one hoped-for moment.

Koh Rin and the sea turtle nesting restriction

Koh Rin is scheduled for 75 minutes of swimming and snorkeling. This is the longer of the two water stops, giving you more time to use the equipment and enjoy the water around the island.

There is an important seasonal restriction. Sea turtle nesting season is expected to last until September 30, and beach access on Rin Island is strictly prohibited during that period. The boat program continues as planned, including snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding around the island, but you cannot step onto the beach.

That rule may disappoint you if an island beach is the main reason you booked. It is also an important protection measure, and the tour still provides a full water-based visit. Check the travel date carefully and set your expectations before paying. You may see people or other activity near the beach, but access remains prohibited during nesting season.

One customer specifically wished the boat had landed at a monkey island, noting that monkeys were waiting but the group did not go ashore. Do not count on a monkey-island landing or an extra beach visit. The advertised program centers on Koh Phai and Koh Rin, and any wildlife sighting is not a guaranteed stop.

Snorkeling, fishing, paddleboarding, and the flybridge slide

The activity list is the strongest reason to choose this excursion. Snorkeling equipment and fishing gear are supplied, and you can use a paddleboard around the island areas. The dinghy adds another way to get onto the water.

The slide from the flybridge gives the day a playful edge. It is a good feature for active adults and older children who want more than a standard swim. You can choose your pace, too. Nothing requires you to use every activity, and the catamaran lets you enjoy the view or take a break between sessions.

The tour does not provide detailed instructions about the exact fishing method, water conditions, or slide operation. Follow the crew’s guidance and use the equipment as directed. If you want the most active day, wear secure swimwear and bring a change of clothes.

Sunglasses, sunscreen, beachwear, and a towel are practical choices. A towel is included, but a spare change of clothes is still useful for the return ride. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, so this is a supervised day on the water rather than a party cruise.

The return ride to Ocean Marina and Pattaya

After the Koh Rin stop, the catamaran travels for another hour back toward Ocean Marina Yacht Club. A final 15-minute marina visit appears before your return to Pattaya.

The overall schedule runs for eight hours. With a 105-minute crossing at the start, a one-hour ride to Koh Rin, and another one-hour return, you spend a lot of the day aboard the catamaran. That is good news if you like open-water views, fresh air, and boat facilities. It is worth less to you if you want maximum time on sand.

Hotel drop-off within Pattaya city is included. The exact return time can depend on the day’s conditions and transport arrangements, so avoid booking a tight evening commitment immediately afterward.

Food, drinks, and comfort on board

The included food is one of the practical strengths here. You receive a Thai buffet, fresh tropical fruits, snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, ice, coffee, and tea. A full day around the islands can leave you hungry, so this removes one common nuisance from boat trips.

The available feedback specifically describes the food as good and enough. That does not promise a restaurant-style feast, but it does suggest the meal is meant to be filling and useful rather than decorative.

The catamaran also provides towels, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, a paddleboard, a dinghy, and the slide. Island entrance fees and insurance are included. Since personal expenses are not included, carry money only for anything extra you may choose to buy, though the supplied details do not list any required additional charge.

Who should book this Pattaya island trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want several activities in one day and like the idea of a yacht outing rather than a basic transfer. It works especially well for active adults, couples, and groups who can agree on a mix of swimming, snorkeling, fishing, and lounging.

It also suits you if convenience matters. Pickup, meals, drinks, gear, towels, entrance fees, a guide, and insurance are handled in one booking. You can spend your planning time choosing sunscreen and swimwear instead of arranging separate transport and equipment.

I would pause if you are pregnant, under two years old, or over 60, since the experience is listed as unsuitable for those groups. The age restriction is unusually specific, so take it seriously rather than assuming the boat operator will make an exception.

This is also not ideal for anyone who dislikes boat motion, wants a long beach stay, or expects to land at every island mentioned in the area. The schedule favors active water time and catamaran travel.

Practical details before you reserve

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date.

The operator provides an English-speaking instructor and guide. You should arrive in the lobby 10 minutes early and wait for the contact message the day before, when the pickup time is arranged.

Pack:

• Sunglasses
• Swimwear and beachwear
• Sunscreen
• A change of clothes
• Motion sickness prevention
• Any personal items you need for a full day outside

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Most importantly, check if your visit falls before September 30, when Koh Rin beach access is prohibited for sea turtle nesting. You will still have snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding around the island.

Should you book the two-island catamaran trip?

Book it if you want an active eight-hour boating day with lunch and equipment included. The best value comes from using the catamaran facilities: snorkel, paddleboard, fish, swim, and try the flybridge slide rather than treating the boat as simple transport.

Skip it if your ideal Pattaya outing means sitting on a beach for most of the day or landing on every island. The $124 cost makes sense for the full package, but only if you will use its activities and appreciate the convenience.

The strongest reasons to go are the good-sized Thai meal, friendly service, broad choice of water activities, and the ease of hotel pickup. Just remember that Koh Rin is a water stop during turtle nesting season, and the long catamaran rides are part of the deal.

FAQ

How long is the Pattaya catamaran tour?

The experience lasts eight hours, including hotel pickup and drop-off within Pattaya city.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Koh Phai and Koh Rin in Chonburi Province.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from accommodations within Pattaya city. You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai buffet lunch is included, along with fresh tropical fruits, snacks, bottled water, soft drinks, ice, coffee, and tea.

What activities are available?

You can snorkel, swim, fish from the yacht, use a paddleboard, ride the flybridge slide, and use the dinghy.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and fishing gear are included.

Can you go onto Koh Rin beach?

Beach access at Koh Rin is prohibited during sea turtle nesting season, which is expected to last until September 30. The tour continues with snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding around the island.

Who cannot join this activity?

The experience is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or people over 60.

What should you bring?

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, beachwear, sunscreen, a change of clothes, and motion sickness prevention. A towel is provided.