Koh Lipe: 7 Island Snorkeling Trip by Longtail Boat w/ Lunch

The Andaman Sea saves its best color for the shallows. I like this tour for its traditional longtail boat and its small group of no more than 10 people, which keeps the day more personal than a crowded boat outing. I also like the mix of coral stops, quiet beaches, sea fans, black rocks, and island viewpoints. The catch is simple: if you have snorkeled in truly exceptional tropical waters, a few stops may feel ordinary.

The roughly six-and-a-half-hour route packs in plenty: Koh Hin Son, Koh Buloh, Ao Kam Nan, Koh Ro Khloi, Monkey Beach, Koh Peung, Koh Hin Ngam, and Jabang. At $27 per person, with lunch, fruit, water, equipment, a guide, and basic accident insurance included, this is a strong value. You still need to budget for the 200 THB national park fee for adults, or 100 THB for children, unless you already paid it when arriving on Koh Lipe.

Key points at a glance

• Small boat, small group: The tour limits participation to 10 people and uses a classic Thai longtail boat.
• Eight named stops: Expect a full route of cliffs, coral gardens, beaches, sea fans, monkeys, black rocks, and soft coral.
• Useful guide support: The English and Thai-speaking guide gives snorkeling and safety instructions, points out fish and coral, and may take photos during the trip.
• Lunch at Monkey Beach: The midday break lasts about an hour and includes a packed lunch, drinking water, and seasonal fruit.
• Extra park cost: The national park entrance fee is not included, but an existing ticket from your arrival on Koh Lipe can be reused.
• Best for confident swimmers: Non-swimmers, pregnant women, and people with back or heart problems should not book this outing.

Why the longtail boat matters on this Koh Lipe tour

You meet at the Star Travel office on Walking Street near Pattaya Beach. That central location makes the start fairly easy to find, though you should arrive ready to go rather than treating the office as a place to store luggage. Large bags are not allowed on the boat.

The longtail boat is part of the appeal. Its narrow wooden hull and exposed seating put you close to the water, rocks, and wind. You do not get the sealed, air-conditioned feel of a ferry or speedboat. You get a more traditional Thai island ride, with the tradeoff of a noisier and more open journey.

The first water transfer takes about 45 minutes. The return ride is listed at about 30 minutes, and the whole experience lasts 390 minutes. That is a full half-day, so bring a towel, dry clothes, sun protection, sunglasses, a hat, and breathable clothing. Flip-flops are useful for beaches and wet boat landings.

Before setting off, the guide gives basic snorkeling and safety instructions. That matters here because the day includes repeated swims and several changes of location. The guide can also help you identify fish and coral, reassure less confident swimmers, and take photos during the outing. One particularly nice touch reported from the trip is that photos may be shared afterward, giving you something better than a collection of blurry underwater shots.

Koh Hin Son and the first look at the archipelago

Koh Hin Son, also written as Ko Hin Sorn, is the opening sightseeing stop. This small island is known for dramatic cliffs and broad views across the surrounding waters. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time to look from the rocks and swim in the clear water below.

This is a good beginning because it is not just a mask-and-fins stop. You get a sense of the eastern Adang archipelago before spending most of the day below the surface. The rock formations provide the first strong photo opportunity, while the water offers an easy way to cool off.

The exact balance between sightseeing and swimming can depend on sea conditions and the pace of the group. If you want a long climb or a serious walk, this is not that kind of visit. Think of it as a short island pause with cliffs, open views, and a first swim.

Coral gardens around Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan

The route then moves toward smaller reef areas, including Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan. The itinerary identifies Koh Buloh as a colorful coral garden with tropical fish. You might even spot a sea turtle, though that is a possibility, not something to plan your day around.

The snorkeling here is valuable because the coral is close enough to explore without turning the trip into an endurance test. You can spend time watching fish move through the reef, then return to the boat and dry off before the next stop. The included masks and fins save you from packing your own gear, though you remain responsible for lost or damaged equipment.

Ao Kam Nan is a bay on the south side of Koh Dong. It offers another coral area, along with a beach where you can swim or rest. This stop helps break up the repeated rhythm of snorkeling. You are not expected to spend every minute in the water.

The practical point is to pace yourself. Several more water stops follow, and the tropical sun can make a short swim feel more tiring than expected. Use the supplied drinking water, apply sunscreen often, and keep your hat and dry clothes protected while you swim.

The quiet hour at Koh Ro Khloi

Koh Ro Khloi is one of the more scenic stops. It is described as a remote island with a panoramic beach and a viewpoint looking across the nearby islands. The scheduled time here is about an hour, with swimming and the option to walk up for the view.

This may be the stop that makes the tour feel like more than a standard reef circuit. The beach offers a proper pause, and the viewpoint gives you a wider sense of the island chain. You can choose between sitting quietly, swimming, or taking the short walk toward the lookout.

Do not expect a developed beach day. The appeal is the absence of facilities and crowds, not a menu of services. Bring everything you need from the boat and keep your belongings together. The tour does not allow large bags, so pack lightly and keep your camera in a waterproof pouch or other secure cover.

Lunch and monkeys at Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach, on the northeast side of Koh Dong, is the lunch stop. The break lasts about an hour and includes a lunch package, seasonal fruit, and drinking water.

This is a useful pause in a packed schedule. You can eat, swim in calmer water, and watch monkeys in the trees. Keep food under control and follow the guide’s instructions around the animals. The supplied information promises a chance to watch them, not a guaranteed close encounter, so the beach should remain the main reason for the stop.

The lunch is practical rather than a centerpiece of the day. At this price, that is fair. You are paying for transport, several water sites, equipment, a guide, and food, not a restaurant meal on a private island. Bring a little patience if the group eats in stages or if the boat needs time to settle at shore.

Sea fans at Koh Peung

After lunch, the boat heads toward Koh Peung. This is another dedicated snorkeling stop, known for colorful sea fans and an underwater setting that differs from the earlier coral gardens.

Sea fans give the reef a different shape and texture. Instead of only watching small fish around low coral, you may see larger fan-like formations moving with the water. Conditions can change with weather, visibility, and current, so the guide’s instructions matter here.

The scheduled snorkeling time is about 30 minutes. That may sound short, but it is long enough for a focused look if you enter the water promptly. Avoid spending too much time searching for one perfect subject. Watch the reef as a whole, keep your fins away from coral, and leave room for other people in the group.

Koh Hin Ngam and its black stones

Koh Hin Ngam is the most unusual beach stop. The island is known for black stones with different shapes and patterns. You get about 30 minutes for a photo stop and walk, with time to relax or swim in the calm water.

The stones are the attraction, but they are not souvenirs. Look, photograph, and leave them where they are. The brief stop works well late in the day because it gives you a change from snorkeling before the final water activity.

This is also a place where footwear helps. Flip-flops are listed among the suggested items, and they make walking around a rocky beach more comfortable. Be careful with wet surfaces and keep your camera secure around the waterline.

The final snorkel at Jabang

Jabang, also called Ko Cha Bang, comes near the end of the route. It is described as a soft-coral site where you can snorkel among schools of colorful fish.

Ending with a coral stop has a practical advantage. If one earlier site had poor visibility or did not suit you, Jabang gives you another chance to spend time in the water. The stop lasts about 30 minutes, so you should be ready to swim when the boat arrives.

It is also a good final test of your energy. By this point, you may have already snorkeled several times, walked on beaches, eaten lunch, and spent hours in the sun. If you are tired, stay close to the guide and use the life jacket provided. This tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and the repeated water entries are best enjoyed by people who are comfortable in the sea.

What the $27 price really includes

At $27, this is inexpensive for a full day of island transport and multiple snorkeling stops. You receive a longtail boat ride, English and Thai guide service, a mask, fins, life jacket, lunch, drinking water, seasonal fruit, and basic accident insurance.

The small group helps the price feel even better. A maximum of 10 participants gives the guide a fair chance to keep an eye on the group and offer help in the water. It also avoids the packed-boat feeling that can take the pleasure out of a reef stop.

The national park fee is the main extra cost. Adults pay 200 THB and children pay 100 THB. If you already paid this fee after reaching Koh Lipe by ferry or speedboat, reuse that ticket instead of paying twice.

The equipment policy is strict: lost or damaged masks and snorkels must be paid for at full replacement cost. Handle the gear carefully and return it directly to the crew after each stop.

Who should book this outing

I would recommend this tour to you if you want a broad introduction to Koh Lipe’s nearby islands without paying for a private boat. It suits confident swimmers, first-time snorkelers who want guide support, couples, friends, and small families with older children who can manage a full day on the water.

It is especially useful if you value variety. You get cliffs at Koh Hin Son, coral at Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan, a beach and viewpoint at Koh Ro Khloi, monkeys at Koh Dong, sea fans at Koh Peung, black stones at Koh Hin Ngam, and soft coral at Jabang.

I would be more cautious if you have already snorkeled in famous, exceptionally clear reef destinations. The route has several beautiful places, but not every stop will feel equally special. One experienced participant found that only two locations truly stood apart, which is a fair warning for seasoned snorkelers.

The tour is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or non-swimmers. The boat, repeated water entries, and open-air ride also make it a poor match for anyone who needs a low-effort day.

Simple ways to enjoy the day more

Pack light. Bring only swimwear, towel, dry clothes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a camera, and flip-flops. Large bags are not allowed, and drones are prohibited.

Use a waterproof pouch for your phone and camera. The scenery is photo-friendly, but a wet boat, beach landing, and repeated swims are not kind to unsecured electronics.

Keep your expectations realistic. Sea conditions can affect visibility, and wildlife sightings are never guaranteed. The value comes from the full mix of stops, not from one promised turtle or one perfect coral garden.

Use the guide. Ask about fish, coral, entry points, and safety. The strongest part of the experience is not simply being taken to islands. It is having someone help you make sense of the water and feel more comfortable in it.

Should you book the Koh Lipe seven-island tour?

Book it if you want an affordable, well-packed introduction to the eastern islands, especially if you like traditional boats and a small group. The guide support, included equipment, lunch, and broad selection of stops make $27 a sensible price.

Skip it if you want a slow beach day, a private boat, or world-class snorkeling at every location. For most first-time visitors to Koh Lipe, though, this is a practical way to see much more than you could reach from the main beach alone. Check the national park ticket before paying again, arrive with only a small day bag, and save some energy for the final snorkel at Jabang.

FAQ

Where does the Koh Lipe snorkeling tour start?

It starts at the Star Travel office on Walking Street near Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours.

How many people are in the group?

The tour is limited to 10 participants.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is available in English and Thai.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A lunch package, drinking water, and seasonal fruit are included.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, fins, and a life jacket are provided. Lost or damaged masks and snorkels must be paid for at full replacement cost.

Do I need to pay a national park entrance fee?

The fee is not included. It costs 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. If you already paid after arriving on Koh Lipe by ferry or speedboat, you can reuse that ticket.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The activity also offers a reserve-now-and-pay-later option.