5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan

Koh Tao packs a lot into one boat day. This seven-hour trip takes you from Mae Haad Pier to Koh Nangyuan, Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Aow Leuk, and Shark Bay, with snorkeling gear, lunch, hotel transfers, and underwater photos included. I especially like the mix of clear-water snorkeling and island viewpoints, plus the chance to see turtles and blacktip reef sharks at Shark Bay.

The price is another strong point. At $27.71 per person, the package covers plenty, though you must add Koh Nangyuan’s entrance fee of 250 baht for adults or 120 baht for children. The main thing to consider is the sea: rough water can make the boat ride uncomfortable, and weather may change the planned bays.

The crew receives high marks for being friendly, helpful, and attentive in the water. Guides have helped visitors find turtles, taken photos at the Nangyuan viewpoint, and pointed out fish that might otherwise swim past unnoticed. Still, this is a shared boat excursion, not a quiet private outing, and the boat may carry as many as 60 people.

Key points to know before you book

• Five coastal stops in about seven hours: You visit Koh Nangyuan, Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Aow Leuk, and Shark Bay, though weather can force a change.
• Turtles are a real possibility: Shark Bay is the best-known stop for swimming near turtles and blacktip reef sharks.
• Koh Nangyuan costs extra: The adult entrance fee is 250 baht, and children over 120 centimeters pay the adult rate.
• The price includes more than snorkeling: Transfers, equipment, life jackets, lunch, drinks, fruit, insurance, and underwater photos are included.
• The group may be sizeable: The advertised maximum is 60 people, and some departures use two boats at the same sites.
• Sea conditions matter: Strong currents and large waves can affect comfort, visibility, and the exact route.

What the $27.71 price really buys you

This tour offers unusually good value for a low-cost day on Koh Tao. For $27.71, you get round-trip transport from your hotel, a modified fishing cutter, snorkeling equipment, a life jacket, a Thai lunch box, drinking water, coffee, tea, fresh fruit, basic accident insurance, an English-speaking guide, and underwater photos sent after the trip.

That is a useful bundle. You do not need to rent fins or search for a boat at the pier. You also avoid arranging several separate rides around the island. For a first visit to Koh Tao, that convenience matters.

The extra cost is Koh Nangyuan’s entrance fee. Adults pay 250 baht, while children pay 120 baht. A child taller than 120 centimeters is charged the adult rate. This fee is not hidden in the tour price, but you should budget for it before setting out.

The price also does not include tips. Hotel pickup is included except from Mango Bay and Lighthouse Beach. The starting point is Mae Haad Pier, and the tour ends there before your return transfer.

The value is strongest if you want a full day of sightseeing and snorkeling without paying for a private boat. It is less appealing if you want a small group, a slow pace, or complete control over where you stop.

Starting at Mae Haad Pier

Your day begins with pickup from your hotel lobby, followed by a ride to Mae Haad Pier. At the pier, you meet the Sangthong Tours crew and receive your snorkeling equipment.

A quick health check takes place before boarding. The boat is a modified fishing cutter, so you should expect a practical local vessel rather than a polished luxury catamaran. That suits the character of the trip, but you may notice more movement at sea than on a larger boat.

The boat ride gives you a useful view of Koh Tao from the water. If you are prone to seasickness, take the guide’s advice seriously and wear the life jacket when conditions are rough. Strong currents and larger waves have made some departures uncomfortable, even when the snorkeling itself was enjoyable.

Drinking water, coffee, tea, fruit, and small snacks are available. These simple touches help because the day includes several water stops and a lot of time outside.

Koh Nangyuan: beach, viewpoint, and an extra fee

Koh Nangyuan is usually the first major stop. The island group is made up of three small islands linked by a narrow white beach. You can walk across this striking strip of sand, swim in one of the separate swimming areas, and climb to the viewpoint on the highest island.

The viewpoint is one of the best reasons to visit. From above, the three islands and their connecting beach form the classic Koh Nangyuan scene. Guides have climbed with visitors and taken photos, which is handy if you are traveling without someone to operate your camera.

Allow about an hour and a half here. That gives you time for the beach, the viewpoint, and some swimming, though the climb can feel warm in Thailand’s midday heat. Wear footwear that you can manage on a path and bring water from the boat.

The catch is the entrance fee. You pay 250 baht as an adult, and the charge applies even though it is part of a larger boat tour. Still, this is often the most memorable land stop of the day, especially if the weather is clear.

One practical point: the beach and viewpoint can feel busier than the more open bays around Koh Tao. If you want a quieter beach visit, enjoy the scenery, take your photos, and save your longest swim for a later stop.

Mango Bay and lunch on the boat

The route continues to Mango Bay on Koh Tao’s northern side. The bay takes its name from the mango trees that once grew there in large numbers. Its rocky setting and clear water make it a good place to look below the surface.

Lunch is served on board as you head toward the bay. The meal is a Thai-style lunch box, and the overall food service also includes fruit, water, coffee, tea, and snacks. You should expect practical tour food rather than a restaurant meal, but it keeps the day moving and saves you from leaving the water to find lunch.

Mango Bay is one of the stops most affected by sea conditions. If waves or wind make the approach unsuitable, the crew may replace it with another bay. That can be disappointing if you chose the tour for a specific location, but changing the route is the sensible choice when conditions shift.

In some departures, another bay has turned out to be a favorite. The important thing is to treat the named stops as a plan, not a promise. The crew’s priority is a safe place for the boat and decent water conditions.

Hin Wong Bay and coral-covered pinnacles

Hin Wong Bay lies on Koh Tao’s east coast and is surrounded by large boulders. Underwater pinnacles covered with coral and anemones attract many kinds of fish.

This stop is best for you if you enjoy looking closely rather than rushing from one sight to the next. The rock formations give the bay a different feel from the white beach at Nangyuan, and the underwater setting can be especially interesting when the water is calm.

Visibility is never guaranteed. Wind, current, and weather can affect what you see, so do not measure the stop only by the number of fish. The crew can help you choose a good area and point out marine life, which makes a difference if you are new to snorkeling.

The one-hour stop is long enough to get comfortable in the water and try another section. If you tire quickly, you can use the life jacket for support rather than treating the session as a test of swimming ability.

Aow Leuk for scenery and easier snorkeling

Aow Leuk gets its name from its deep, curved shape and the depth of its water. It can remain suitable for snorkeling even at low tide, which makes it a useful stop when other areas are less favorable.

The bay combines pale sand, clear water, and rocky edges. You get another chance to see coral and fish, while the scenery provides a welcome change from the larger, more exposed stops.

Aow Leuk is also a good place to pace yourself. By this point, you may already have spent time at Nangyuan and Hin Wong, so you do not need to stay in the water for the full hour. I would use the stop for a relaxed swim, a little floating, and a chance to enjoy the coast from the boat.

As with every bay on the route, conditions can vary. The water may be calm and clear one day, then affected by current or wind the next. Keep your expectations flexible and follow the guide’s instructions.

Shark Bay: the best chance for turtles

The final water stop is Shark Bay, sometimes described as the place to swim alongside blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles. You may see one, both, or neither. Marine life is never guaranteed, but this is the stop with the clearest appeal for anyone hoping to spot turtles.

Several people have had memorable turtle encounters here, including swims near multiple turtles. Others have seen only one turtle or a smaller selection of fish and coral. That range is normal for a wildlife stop.

The guides can make the experience better by showing you where to look and helping you keep a respectful distance. Some also take underwater photos, including photos with turtles in the background. The images are provided free after the tour, giving you a useful record of the day.

Do not chase animals or crowd them for a picture. Listen carefully to the guide, especially if the current is strong. Shark Bay can be exciting, but it is still open water, not a controlled aquarium.

The guide service and underwater photos

The crew is one of the tour’s most praised features. Guides are described as friendly, patient, and eager to help people find sea life. They have pointed out turtles and fish, helped with photos, and stayed engaged rather than simply dropping everyone into the water.

The English-speaking guide is especially useful if you are not confident snorkeling. You get advice on where to enter, where to look, and when conditions call for extra care.

Underwater photos are included at no extra charge. This adds real value because a phone in a waterproof pouch is not always easy to use while swimming. The photos are sent to you afterward, so confirm the process with the crew before you leave the boat.

The service is not perfect every day. Pickup delays have happened, and organization can vary. One especially useful lesson is to allow some patience around the start of the trip, since hotel pickups and sea conditions can affect the schedule.

Boat size, crowds, and comfort

The stated maximum is 60 people. That is a significant number for a snorkeling boat, even if the vessel has enough room for everyone. Some departures use two boats that anchor in the same areas, which can spread people out but may still make popular sites feel busy.

You should not book this expecting the privacy of a small-group charter. The boat can be lively, and popular stops may have other boats nearby. The upside is a lower price and a full route around Koh Tao.

A few departures have felt pleasantly small, while others have felt crowded. The experience depends on the day, the boat arrangement, and the number of other boats in each bay. If personal space is your top concern, ask about a private option before booking.

The boat’s fishing-cutter design also means comfort depends on the sea. Calm water can make the ride enjoyable. Rough seas can be hard on anyone prone to motion sickness, and even confident swimmers should use the life jacket if the guide advises it.

Who should book this Koh Tao tour?

I would recommend this tour if you want to see several sides of Koh Tao in one day and keep costs down. It suits first-time visitors, couples, families with confident swimmers, and anyone who wants a guided introduction to the island’s snorkeling spots.

It is also a practical choice if you want your lunch, equipment, hotel transfer, and photos handled in one booking. The crew’s help with turtles and fish is valuable if you are not familiar with the best places to look.

You may want another option if you need a quiet boat, guaranteed access to every named bay, or a private schedule. It is also worth reconsidering if rough water causes severe seasickness. The trip requires good weather, and the route can change or be canceled when conditions are poor.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. If bad weather cancels the tour, you can receive a different date or a full refund. The same choice applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached.

Should you book it?

Book it if your ideal Koh Tao day includes several snorkeling stops, a classic beach viewpoint, a Thai lunch, and a fair chance of seeing turtles without paying private-boat prices.

Go in knowing that the 250-baht Koh Nangyuan fee is extra, the boat may carry up to 60 people, and weather can replace Mango Bay or another stop. With those limits in mind, the package offers strong value, friendly guidance, and a full look at Koh Tao’s coast.

FAQ

How long does the 5 Islands tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Mae Haad Pier in Koh Tao. Hotel pickup is offered before you go to the pier.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at Mae Haad Pier, the meeting point.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip hotel transfer is included, except for hotels at Mango Bay and Lighthouse Beach.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai-style lunch box is included, along with drinking water, coffee, tea, and fresh fruit.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are included.

How much is the Koh Nangyuan entrance fee?

The adult fee is 250 baht per person. The child fee is 120 baht, but children over 120 centimeters pay the adult rate.

Can children join the tour?

Most people can participate, and children can join under the stated entrance-fee rules. The supplied information does not list a separate minimum age.

Will the tour always visit Mango Bay?

No. The route can change because of weather and sea conditions. Mango Bay may be replaced by another bay.

Are underwater photos included?

Yes. Free underwater photos are taken during the tour and sent to you afterward.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded or accepted.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You can choose another date or receive a full refund.