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

The best part of this Koh Lipe day trip is the mix of traditional longtail boating and varied island stops. You get cliffs at Koh Hin Son, coral gardens at Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan, a quiet beach at Koh Ro Khloi, monkeys at Koh Dong, and black stones at Koh Hin Ngam. It feels more varied than a simple morning snorkel run.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, which gives the guide room to help you with your mask, point out fish, and keep an eye on swimmers. I also like the price: 27 dollars includes lunch, water, fruit, equipment, and insurance. The catch is that not every stop will feel equally special, and experienced snorkelers may find only a couple of sites truly memorable.

Quick points before you book

• Traditional longtail boat: Travel between the islands in the classic Thai boat style, rather than on a large tour vessel.
• Several kinds of scenery: Expect cliffs, coral gardens, a broad beach, monkeys, sea fans, and Koh Hin Ngam’s black stones.
• Small-group format: The boat is limited to 10 participants, a useful size for a snorkel guide.
• Lunch and equipment included: You receive a packed lunch, seasonal fruit, drinking water, mask, fins, and a life jacket.
• National park fee extra: Allow 200 THB per adult or 100 THB per child unless you already paid after arriving on Koh Lipe.
• Not for non-swimmers: The tour includes repeated snorkel and swim stops, so basic comfort in the water matters.

Setting out from Koh Lipe’s Walking Street

Your day starts at the Star Travel office on Walking Street, near Pattaya Beach. This is a handy meeting point if you are staying around the main village, but do not arrive with a large suitcase. Luggage and big bags are not allowed on the trip.

Before boarding, the English- or Thai-speaking guide gives basic snorkeling and safety instructions. That briefing matters more than it may sound. A mask that leaks or fins that do not fit can spoil an otherwise fine day, and a small group lets you ask for help before the boat leaves.

The ride begins with roughly 45 minutes on the water. A longtail boat gives you an open view and a distinctly local way to travel between the islands. You will feel closer to the sea than you would on a covered ferry, though you should expect sun and possible spray. Wear a swimsuit under light clothing, keep your camera protected, and bring only what you need.

The boat is not the attraction for everyone. If you prefer a fast, steady ride with plenty of dry storage, a speedboat may suit you better. If you like the sound and look of a traditional Thai boat, this is part of the appeal.

Koh Hin Son: cliffs before coral

Koh Hin Son is an impressive first stop because it changes the pace before the snorkeling begins. The small island is known for dramatic cliffs and wide views across the surrounding water. You can take in the scenery from the cliffs or swim in the clear water below.

This is a good place to get your bearings. The scenery is easy to appreciate even if you are not yet ready to put on a mask, and the stop gives you a visual sense of how spread out the eastern Adang archipelago is.

The tradeoff is that cliff scenery does not automatically mean an outstanding snorkel site. If you are mainly interested in fish and coral, treat Koh Hin Son as a sightseeing stop rather than expecting it to be the day’s best underwater location.

Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan: the main coral stops

The next part of the day focuses on coral. Koh Buloh is described as a small island with a colorful coral garden, where you can swim among tropical fish. This is one of the places most likely to satisfy you if snorkeling is the main reason you booked the tour.

The guide’s help can make a real difference here. A good guide may point out fish you would otherwise miss, show you where to look, and help you feel more secure in the water. On one outing, the guide also took photographs and shared them afterward, a useful bonus if you want memories without keeping your camera in hand.

Ao Kam Nan, a bay on the southern side of Koh Dong, adds another coral stop. You can snorkel, swim, or spend time on the beach. That choice is useful for a mixed group. Strong swimmers can look around the reef while someone who wants a quieter break can stay on shore.

Do not expect every coral stop to look identical. Visibility, weather, tide, and recent sea conditions can affect what you see. The experience is best approached as a series of chances to find good water, not as a promise that every location will be perfect.

Koh Ro Khloi: beach time with a view

Koh Ro Khloi is the day’s quieter pause. Its panoramic beach and viewpoint give you room to step away from the mask and fins, stretch your legs, and enjoy a more peaceful island setting.

You can swim from the beach or walk to the viewpoint for views of the nearby islands. The viewpoint is worth considering if you want more than a string of short water stops, but remember that the schedule includes about an hour here. Use that time according to your energy. You do not need to turn every stop into a hike.

This island will likely appeal most to people who enjoy a little balance in their day. The tour is not only about checking coral sites. You also get shore time, open views, and the simple pleasure of sitting on a beach away from Koh Lipe’s main strip.

Monkey Beach and the included lunch

The boat then heads to Monkey Beach on the northeastern side of Koh Dong. You may see monkeys playing in the trees, and the calm water offers another chance to swim.

This stop combines a wildlife sighting with a lunch break, but keep your expectations sensible. The monkeys are free-ranging animals, not a scheduled show. You may see them clearly, or you may get only a brief look from the beach.

Lunch is included, along with drinking water and seasonal fruit. The supplied information does not specify the exact menu, so bring a practical attitude rather than expecting a restaurant meal. The value is in having food provided during a full half-day outing, not in treating lunch as a main attraction.

Be careful with food around monkeys. Keep your belongings close and follow the guide’s instructions. Large bags are not allowed anyway, which makes it easier to keep the beach stop simple.

Koh Peung: look for sea fans

Koh Peung is presented as a particularly good place to look for sea fans. Underwater fans give the reef a different appearance from a low coral garden, and they are a worthwhile target for anyone who enjoys spotting shapes and smaller sea life.

This is the kind of stop where patience helps. Rather than rushing from one fish to the next, slow your movement, keep your fins under control, and let your eyes adjust. The guide may show you places to focus, especially if you are new to snorkeling.

The tour allows about 30 minutes for this snorkel stop. That is enough for a useful look, but not enough to explore every part of a reef. If you are an experienced snorkeler who wants long, uninterrupted time in one location, the schedule may feel busy.

Koh Hin Ngam: a beach of black stones

Koh Hin Ngam is one of the more unusual stops. Its beach is known for black stones with different shapes and patterns, giving you something to examine even when you are out of the water.

You can walk, take photos, relax on the beach, or swim in the calm water. This is a welcome change after several coral stops because it gives your eyes and body a rest. It is also one of the easiest places to appreciate without special skill. You do not need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy the shoreline, though the tour as a whole is not suitable for non-swimmers.

Treat the stones as something to admire in place. The experience is about seeing the natural patterns, not collecting souvenirs.

Jabang: the last underwater stop

The final major stop is Jabang, known for soft coral and schools of colorful fish. Ending with a snorkel stop makes sense because you can use the guide’s earlier advice and equipment adjustments by this point in the day.

Jabang may be one of the stronger underwater stops, but conditions still control the experience. If the water is clear and the fish are active, it can provide a satisfying finish. If you are tired or the sea is less cooperative, you may appreciate having already seen several different sites.

After Jabang, the boat makes the return trip to Koh Lipe, with about 30 minutes of transport listed for the final leg. The full experience lasts 390 minutes, or about 6.5 hours. That is a substantial portion of your day, so avoid booking another fixed activity too close to the return time.

What the 27 dollar price really covers

At 27 dollars per person, this is a strong-value outing if you plan to use the included equipment and food. You receive:

• A longtail boat trip
• An English- or Thai-speaking professional guide
• Mask and fins
• Life jacket
• Lunch
• Drinking water and seasonal fruit
• Basic accident insurance

You also get a small-group format capped at 10 people. That matters more on a snorkel tour than on a simple sightseeing boat. A guide can give more personal help, and the group is less likely to spread out into a large crowd at the water stops.

The national park entrance fee is not included. It costs 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. If you already paid this fee when you arrived on Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry, reuse that ticket instead of paying again.

You are responsible for lost or damaged masks, snorkels, and other supplied items at full replacement cost. Keep equipment together when you leave the water.

Who will enjoy this Koh Lipe boat trip

I would choose this tour if you want to see several islands in one day and do not want to arrange separate transport, food, and snorkeling equipment. It suits first-time snorkelers who can swim and appreciate a guide nearby. The guide’s support, including help spotting fish and reassurance in the water, is one of the strongest reasons to choose the small-group option.

It also works well for a mixed group. Someone can snorkel at Koh Buloh or Jabang, swim at Ao Kam Nan, walk at Koh Hin Ngam, or relax on Koh Ro Khloi. You do not have to treat every stop as a serious athletic session.

I would think twice if you have already snorkeled in several world-class reef destinations. The route has attractive scenery and a good variety of stops, but not every site will leave the same impression. One experienced assessment found that only two locations really stood apart, which is a useful warning against expecting seven perfect islands.

The tour is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or non-swimmers. You should also reconsider it if you want a slow beach day with no schedule. This is an active outing with repeated boarding, swimming, walking, and sun exposure.

Practical packing advice for a tropical boat day

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, flip-flops, breathable clothing, a camera, and dry clothes for afterward. A change of clothes is especially useful after several hours around salt water.

Leave drones and large bags behind. A small personal bag is more practical, but the stated rules specifically prohibit luggage or large bags, so pack lightly.

Sun protection is not optional. The boat and island stops offer plenty of open exposure, and the schedule lasts most of the day. Apply sunscreen before meeting the guide and bring enough for later use.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before making other plans.

Should you book the seven-island trip?

Book it if you want good variety for a low price, especially if this is your first snorkeling day around Koh Lipe. The traditional boat, small group, included lunch, and guide support make the package practical. Koh Hin Son, Koh Ro Khloi, Monkey Beach, and Koh Hin Ngam also ensure the day is not just a series of nearly identical reef stops.

Skip it if you are an advanced snorkeler seeking the very best underwater sites and long sessions at each one. You may find that the route feels spread out and that only a few snorkeling locations truly impress you. For most visitors who want an easy way to see the eastern islands, though, this is a sensible and affordable full-day choice.

FAQ

Where does the Koh Lipe snorkeling tour start?

Meet 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, which is about 6.5 hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides masks, fins, and life jackets. Lost or damaged equipment must be paid for at full replacement cost.

How much is the national park entrance fee?

The fee is 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. If you already paid after arriving on Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry, you can reuse that ticket.

Who should not take this tour?

The activity is not suitable for children under 2, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or non-swimmers.