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

Koh Lipe’s best scenery is offshore, and this small-group longtail boat trip gives you a full day of it for $27. You move from cliff-lined islands to coral gardens, quiet beaches, black rocks, and several snorkeling spots, with lunch tucked into the middle of the day.

I like the traditional boat, which feels far more suited to these small islands than a large speedboat. I also like the mix of stops: Koh Hin Ngam’s polished black stones and Koh Ro Khloi’s broad beach give the day some variety beyond repeated swims.

The catch is that not every snorkeling stop will feel equally special. If you have already snorkeled in truly outstanding tropical waters, you may find only two or three sites especially memorable. The longtail ride can also be bumpy, and non-swimmers are not accepted.

Key points to know before booking

• Traditional longtail boat: Travel to the eastern Adang island group in a classic Thai boat rather than a large tour vessel.
• Small group of up to 10: The limited group size makes it easier to hear instructions and receive help in the water.
• Eight listed stops across a seven-island route: Expect cliffs, beaches, coral gardens, sea fans, monkeys, black rocks, and soft coral.
• Lunch at Monkey Beach: The meal, drinking water, and seasonal fruit are included, so you do not need to carry food.
• Snorkeling gear is supplied: Masks, fins, and life jackets are provided, but lost or damaged equipment must be paid for.
• Budget-friendly, with one extra fee: The $27 price includes the boat, guide, lunch, and gear, but the national park fee costs 200 THB per adult or 100 THB per child.

Meeting the boat near Pattaya Beach

Your morning starts at the Star Travel office on Walking Street, close to Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe. This is a useful meeting point because you can reach it on foot from much of the island, but do not arrive carrying your full luggage. Large bags are not allowed on the trip.

Before boarding, the English or Thai-speaking guide gives basic snorkeling and safety instructions. This matters more than it may sound. The route includes several water stops, and a calm briefing helps you understand how to use the mask, fins, and life jacket before you are floating beside the boat.

The group is limited to 10 people. That is one of the better features of this trip. You are not one face among dozens, and the guide has a better chance of keeping an eye on the group and pointing out fish or coral. One especially good touch is the guide’s hands-on help in the water. The guide may show you fish and coral, offer reassurance, and take photos during the outing.

The first boat journey takes about 45 minutes. A longtail boat is part of the experience, not just transport. It puts you close to the water and gives you open views of the islands, though the ride is exposed to sun, wind, and spray. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and breathable clothing.

Koh Hin Son and the first island views

Koh Hin Son is the route’s dramatic opening stop. Small cliffs and rock formations make this island more about scenery than a long beach stay. You can take in the views from the cliffs or swim in the clear water below, depending on sea conditions and the guide’s instructions.

This is a good first stop because it lets you get your bearings before the snorkeling begins in earnest. The island’s rock shapes give your camera something different from the usual palm-fringed beach. You have about 45 minutes here, enough for sightseeing and a swim, but not enough for an extended walk.

The boat’s movement and the island’s exposed rocks may not suit everyone. If you have back problems, heart problems, or trouble with boat motion, this is an outing to consider carefully. Pregnant women and children under two are not permitted, and the trip is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Koh Buloh’s coral garden

The next snorkeling stop is Koh Buloh, a small island with a coral garden and tropical fish. The supplied route also labels this stop with a local map name, Ko Sakai, so do not worry if the name you hear differs slightly from the one used when you book.

You get about 30 minutes in the water here. That is enough time to see the reef and fish, but it is a fairly short window once you put on your mask, enter the water, and get comfortable. I would treat this as a focused look at the coral rather than a long free-swimming session.

You might spot a sea turtle, but it is not promised. The same goes for the exact fish and coral you see. Sea conditions, visibility, and timing all affect the experience, so it is best to enjoy the reef in front of you rather than expect a particular animal.

The guide’s help is useful at this stop, especially if you are new to snorkeling. A guide who points out fish and coral can turn a quick swim into a more rewarding one. Keep your fins and mask in good condition, since lost or damaged equipment is charged at full replacement cost.

Ao Kam Nan and an hour for swimming

Ao Kam Nan is a bay on the southern side of Koh Dong. The stop combines a coral reef with time to swim or relax on the beach, and the schedule allows about an hour here.

This is one of the more relaxed parts of the day. Not every stop asks you to snorkel. You can use the time to float, sit on the sand, or look over the bay. If you have already had enough time in the water, that pause helps keep the day from becoming one long cycle of mask, fins, boat, and repeat.

The beach is part of the appeal, but the trip does not promise a private beach or total solitude. You are visiting a popular island route, so the mood depends on the day and the number of boats in the area. Still, the combination of reef and beach gives Ao Kam Nan more range than a stop limited to one snorkeling site.

Koh Ro Khloi’s panoramic beach

Koh Ro Khloi is the scenic reset of the trip. It is described as a remote island with a wide beach and a viewpoint over the surrounding islands. The schedule gives you about an hour for swimming and time on shore.

You can use the stop in two ways. Stay near the water for a swim, or walk up to the viewpoint for broader views. The route does not promise a long hike, so think of this as a short island walk rather than a serious trek.

I like having this stop in the middle of the day because it breaks up the snorkeling. It also gives you a chance to dry off and stretch your legs. The beach and viewpoint may be the most peaceful part of the route, especially for anyone who prefers scenery to constant activity.

As with every island stop, bring only what you need. Large bags are not allowed, and loose belongings are easy to misplace around a boat, beach, or swimming area. A small waterproof pouch for essentials is sensible, though the activity information does not provide storage details.

Monkey Beach and the included lunch

Monkey Beach, on the northeast side of Koh Dong, is the lunch stop. You have about an hour for the break, meal, and any swimming permitted by the guide.

The monkeys are part of the attraction. You can watch them in the trees, but keep your food and belongings secure and do not approach them. The supplied information promises a chance to observe them, not a guaranteed close encounter.

Lunch is included, along with drinking water and seasonal fruit. At this price, that matters. You are not paying extra for a restaurant meal at the middle of the route, and you do not need to pack a full lunch. The exact menu is not specified, so anyone with strict dietary needs should check before booking rather than assume a particular meal will be available.

An hour sounds generous, but it goes quickly once you stop for food and look around. This is also a useful point to reapply sunscreen and drink water. The tropical sun does not take a lunch break.

Koh Peung and the sea fans

After lunch, the boat heads to Koh Peung for another 30-minute snorkeling session. This site is known for sea fans and an underwater setting that differs from the smaller coral garden at Koh Buloh.

Sea fans give the reef a different look, with broad shapes moving in the current. The site is a good reason to keep your attention on more than brightly colored fish. Look carefully at the reef structure and the spaces around it, since the guide may help you notice details you would miss on your own.

Thirty minutes is again a compact stop. If you are a confident snorkeler, you may wish for more time. If you are new to the activity, the shorter session may feel manageable, especially after several earlier stops.

The supplied mask, fins, and life jacket make this easier to arrange. You do not need to rent equipment separately, but you should bring your own if you rely on a particular fit. A poorly fitted mask can distract from the reef and make a short stop feel even shorter.

Koh Hin Ngam’s black stones

Koh Hin Ngam is one of the route’s most distinctive stops. The beach is covered with black stones in different shapes and patterns, making it a strong photo stop as well as a place to walk and swim.

You get about 30 minutes here. That is enough to see the stones, take photos, and perhaps enter the calm water, but not enough for a long beach stay. The stones are the reason to visit, so do not expect a traditional white-sand beach.

Treat the beach carefully. The unusual stones are a natural feature, not souvenirs. The stop works best when you slow down and look at the shapes and patterns rather than rush straight to the water.

This is also a practical point for footwear. Flip-flops are on the suggested packing list, and you should use care around uneven or rocky ground. The tour does not state that water shoes are provided, so bring footwear you can manage comfortably.

Jabang and the final coral stop

Jabang, also called Ko Cha Bang in the route details, is the last snorkeling stop before Koh Lipe. It is known for colorful soft coral and schools of fish, giving the day a final look at underwater life.

The scheduled water time is about 30 minutes. Because this comes late in a six-and-a-half-hour outing, you may be ready for a rest. Still, it can be a worthwhile final stop, especially if the visibility is good and the soft coral is active in the water.

The guide’s role matters here. A short session can feel much more useful when someone points out where to look and helps you stay comfortable. You should not expect every stop to have equal water quality, but Jabang gives the trip a strong final chance to see coral and fish before the return ride.

After this stop, the boat takes about 30 minutes to return to Koh Lipe. You arrive back at the Star Travel office near Pattaya Beach, completing a day of roughly 390 minutes.

What the $27 price really covers

At $27 per person, this is a low-cost way to reach several islands in one day. The price includes the longtail boat, an English or Thai-speaking professional guide, lunch, seasonal fruit, drinking water, snorkeling masks, fins, a life jacket, and basic accident insurance.

The main extra charge is the national park entrance fee: 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. If you already paid this fee after arriving on Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry, you can reuse that ticket. Check before paying again.

The value is strongest if you want variety. You receive multiple island stops, several snorkeling sessions, beach time, lunch, and a small group without arranging boats, food, or equipment yourself. The value is weaker if your main goal is world-class snorkeling at one exceptional reef. The route covers a lot of ground, but some stops will naturally be better than others.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the date and time before you commit.

Who should book this Koh Lipe boat trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want a full day on the water, enjoy changing scenery, and like the idea of seeing several islands rather than spending the whole day at one reef. It suits confident swimmers and people who are comfortable getting in and out of a longtail boat several times.

It is also a good choice for a first snorkeling outing. The guide provides instructions, equipment is included, and the small group allows for some personal help. The guide may also take photos during the day and share them afterward, which is a useful bonus if you want memories without keeping your phone in hand.

I would hesitate if you have back or heart problems, are pregnant, cannot swim, or dislike exposed boat rides. You should also think twice if you have already visited several famous snorkeling destinations and expect every site to be exceptional. The scenery remains attractive, but the underwater quality can vary from stop to stop.

Pack sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, flip-flops, and breathable clothes. Leave luggage and drones behind. Bring a change of clothes, since the boat ride home is more comfortable when you are not sitting in wet swimwear.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want good variety at a modest price and prefer a traditional Thai boat with a small group. Koh Ro Khloi, Koh Hin Ngam, and the coral stops give the day enough variety to justify the long route, while lunch and equipment keep the planning simple.

Skip it if you want one quiet beach, guaranteed perfect visibility, or a specialist snorkeling trip focused on only the finest reef. For most first-time visitors to Koh Lipe, though, this is a practical way to see the eastern islands in one day, provided you are comfortable swimming and accept that some stops will be better than others.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet?

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

How long does the snorkeling trip last?

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

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

What languages does the guide speak?

The 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.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The fee is 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. A ticket already paid after arriving on Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry can be reused.

Can children join the tour?

Children under two years old cannot join. The national park fee lists a child rate, but the supplied information does not specify the age range for that rate.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.