Lipe: Longtail Boat Snorkeling to Outer Islands Program B

Seven islands, eight water stops, and a longtail boat that skims between Thailand’s outer islands: this is a full day of snorkeling for a remarkably low price. You’ll look for clownfish, parrotfish, anemones, feather stars, and the famous seven-colored coral around Jabang Island.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, which gives the captain more time to help with masks, swimming, and photos. I also like the unusual mix of stops, from Koh Hin Son’s rocky viewpoint to the smooth black stones of Hin Ngam Island.

The main catch is crowding. Several boats can reach the same snorkeling sites at once, and the English explanation may be brief. Strong currents at Koh Peung and open-sea boat travel also make this a poor match for people prone to seasickness.

Key points at a glance

• Seven islands and eight stops: Expect a busy, varied day rather than one long snorkeling session at a single reef.
• Free underwater photos and videos: The captain takes pictures during the snorkeling stops and sends them electronically afterward.
• Koh Hin Son viewpoint: See the rocky island and the viewpoint recognized as an ASEAN heritage site by UNESCO in 1982.
• Jabang’s seven-colored coral: The best views require going 15 to 20 feet down, so this stop suits confident swimmers.
• Lunch at Monkey Beach: Koh Dong offers a sandy beach, clear water, fruit, drinking water, and a lunch box.
• Good value at $22: The price includes gear, food, insurance, and photo service, but not the national park fee.

Why this Koh Lipe snorkeling trip is good value

At $22 per person, this tour packs in a lot. You get seven hours on the water, a longtail boat, lunch, seasonal fruit, drinking water, a mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, accident insurance, and underwater photo and video service. Add the small group, and the price becomes one of the strongest reasons to choose it.

You still need to pay the national park fee separately: 200 THB for an adult or 100 THB for a child. The ticket is valid for five days from the purchase date, so keep it if you plan to join another park trip during that period. If it is older than five days and checked, you may need to buy another one.

The tour begins at the local activity provider’s shop. Look for the Wichit sign and arrive at least 10 minutes early. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own way to the shop.

The group limit of 10 matters here. Longtail boats are open, exposed, and not especially quiet, so a smaller group makes boarding, swimming, and getting help easier. It also gives the captain a better chance to take pictures of everyone, a detail repeatedly praised by people who joined the trip.

Koh Hin Son and the first taste of the outer islands

Koh Hin Son looks like a rocky outcrop dropped into the sea. It is one of the more unusual early stops because the attraction is not only underwater. You’ll also see the island’s viewpoint, which was praised by UNESCO as an ASEAN heritage site in 1982.

The stop helps set the tone for the day. This is not simply a reef shuttle. The route mixes rock formations, beaches, shallow coral areas, and open-water scenery. Keep your camera ready, but protect it from spray during the longtail boat rides.

The captain is there to assist in the water and guide you if you cannot swim. That support is useful, but it does not turn the trip into a swimming lesson. You should be comfortable wearing a life jacket in open water, especially if the sea is choppy.

Koh Pai, where anemones cover the shallow water

Koh Pai is a small island with shallow water and many anemones. This is one of the easiest places to appreciate the smaller marine life because you do not need to be an expert swimmer to see activity close to the surface.

Look for clownfish among the anemones and larger parrotfish moving around the reef. The description of the area as covered with underwater flowers is not just decoration: the anemones are the main attraction, with fish using them as shelter.

Shallow water can make this stop friendly for less confident swimmers, though conditions can still change with wind and current. Stay close to the captain’s instructions and avoid touching coral or standing on the reef. The equipment provided includes fins and a life jacket, so use both if they help you feel more secure.

Koh Rokroy and Ao Kum Nun bring variety

Koh Rokroy offers another shallow-water stop, with coral and attractive island views. It is a good place to alternate between looking below the surface and simply enjoying the setting. That variety matters on a seven-hour outing, since constant snorkeling can become tiring.

At Ao Kum Nun, the coral selection becomes a major part of the stop. You might see staghorn coral, hemp coral, and jackfruit coral, along with clownfish, parrotfish, and tigerfish. The bay also has a beach where you can sit, take photos, or rest in the sun.

I like this pause in the itinerary because it gives you a proper breather. Some island tours treat every stop as a race to get back into the water. Here, the beach is part of the experience, so you can choose your pace.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, beachwear, and sunscreen. Sunscreen is not included. Apply reef-safe sunscreen before entering the water and reapply during the day, but keep it away from your eyes and mask.

Lunch at Koh Dong Monkey Beach

Koh Dong, known as Monkey Beach, is the lunch stop. You’ll have a lunch box, seasonal fruit, and drinking water, with a fine sandy beach and clear water nearby. Small monkeys are also part of the setting.

Do not expect a restaurant meal or a long dining stop. This is practical boat-trip food, designed to keep the day moving. People who have taken the trip describe the lunch as nice and tasty, but the exact menu is not specified.

Dietary needs require advance notice by email. Tell the provider before the trip if you are vegetarian, eat only vegetables, or have food allergies. If you wait until the day of the tour, the requested meal may not be prepared.

The monkeys behaved themselves during one recent outing, but you should still keep food secured and avoid feeding or approaching them. The beach is a good place to relax, but your time there remains part of a packed itinerary.

Koh Peung and the stronger current

Koh Peung is known for feather stars and orange coral. It can be one of the more memorable underwater stops, but it comes with a clear warning: the current can be strong, and you may need to hold onto a rope.

This is where the supplied life jacket and the captain’s assistance matter most. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay close to the rope and follow directions. Do not treat the open water like a private swimming area.

The stop may reward patience. Feather stars are distinctive, and orange coral gives the reef a different look from the anemone areas around Koh Pai. But if the current feels uncomfortable, there is no prize for staying in the water longer than you should.

People prone to seasickness should think carefully before booking. You will spend much of the day on an open longtail boat, and the combination of boat movement, heat, and salt water can be tiring.

Jabang Island and the seven-colored coral

Jabang is the specialist stop on Program B. The island is known for rare seven-colored coral, with soft coral covering underwater rocks in bright shades.

The most impressive views require going down about 15 to 20 feet. The tour information uses this depth as a guide, but you should only go as far as you can safely manage. If you prefer to stay near the surface, you can still enjoy the water and coral from above, though you may not see the full formation.

This stop is a good reason to choose Program B if you have already compared several Koh Lipe snorkeling routes. The itinerary is not limited to general reef viewing. It includes specific marine features, and Jabang gives the day a memorable focal point.

The captain can guide people underwater and help those who cannot swim. Even so, the current, depth, and open-water conditions mean this is not suitable for everyone. People with respiratory problems, back problems, or limited comfort in the water should skip this tour.

Hin Ngam’s smooth black stones

Hin Ngam Island is one of the most photogenic stops. The island is made of smooth black stones, and you can walk around it to see the shoreline from different angles.

Wear footwear suitable for walking on a rocky beach, though the tour information does not specify whether water shoes are provided. The supplied snorkeling equipment covers masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets, not shoes.

Hin Ngam gives your eyes a break from the water. After several reef stops, walking around the black stones and looking across the sea can feel just as worthwhile as another swim. It is also a chance to take regular photos, since underwater images are not the only memorable pictures from this route.

What the guide service adds

The captain’s role is more than steering the longtail boat. He assists in the water, points out marine life, and helps weaker swimmers. A captain has shown people clownfish and even a baby stingray, while also taking underwater photographs and videos.

The free photo service is a genuine bonus. You may receive pictures of yourself snorkeling, along with reef footage, through a download link after the tour. Bring your own camera if you want extra control, but do not count on having to manage every photo yourself.

The information at each stop can be limited. Some people have found the English explanations brief and wanted clearer advice about what to look for and how long they would have in the water. If that matters to you, ask direct questions before entering the sea: What should I look for here? How strong is the current? How long do we have?

The tour is offered in English and Thai. Communication appears strongest through practical help, gestures, and in-water guidance rather than long talks about marine biology.

Crowds, timing, and the real pace of the day

Eight stops in seven hours sounds generous, but it also means the schedule is active. You will board, ride, snorkel, return to the boat, and repeat the process several times. There is time to relax on beaches, but this is not a slow private charter.

Several boats may reach the same sites at the same time. That can affect the quiet island feeling and make the water feel crowded around popular coral areas. One way to make the most of the day is to listen closely at the start, move promptly when the captain signals, and use beach stops as your calmer moments.

A small group does help. With no more than 10 participants, you are less likely to feel lost in a large crowd from your own boat. It cannot control how many other boats are at Jabang, Hin Ngam, or the other popular sites, however.

Starting late can also affect how the day feels. If departure runs behind but the boat returns earlier than expected, the total time may still come close to seven hours. Arrive early and be ready at the shop so your group is not waiting for you.

Who should book Program B

I would choose this outing if you want a low-cost full day on the water and enjoy variety. It suits people who want coral, fish, beaches, rocky islands, lunch, and a little help with underwater photos in one package.

It is especially appealing if you are curious about specific sites. Koh Hin Son’s rock formation, Koh Pai’s anemones, Koh Peung’s feather stars, Jabang’s seven-colored coral, and Hin Ngam’s black stones give the route more character than a generic beach cruise.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness, pregnant, under six, or dealing with back or respiratory problems. You should also reconsider if you dislike open boats, strong currents, crowded snorkeling spots, or a quick pace between stops.

Pack light. Bring your sun protection, swimwear, sunglasses, hat, and beachwear. Fishing, alcohol, drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are not allowed.

Should you book this Koh Lipe boat trip?

Book it if value and variety matter most. For $22, the included equipment, lunch, fruit, insurance, and underwater photo service make this an unusually full package. The small group and helpful captain add practical value, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.

Skip it if you want a quiet private boat, long explanations at every island, or complete control over the schedule. The reefs can be crowded, the English briefing may be short, and Koh Peung has a strong-current warning.

For most confident swimmers who want to see a lot of Koh Lipe’s outer islands in one day, Program B is a sensible buy. Just bring sunscreen, keep your national park ticket within its five-day validity period, and tell the provider about dietary needs before you arrive.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling trip last?

The activity lasts seven hours. Check availability for the starting time.

How many islands and snorkeling stops are included?

The route visits seven islands and includes eight stops for snorkeling, beach time, or sightseeing.

What is included in the $22 price?

The price includes a lunch box, seasonal fruit, drinking water, mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, accident insurance, and free underwater photos and videos. Captain assistance is also included.

Do I need to pay a national park fee?

Yes. The fee is 200 THB for adults and 100 THB for children, payable on site. The ticket is valid for five days from its purchase date.

Where do I meet the group?

Check in at the local activity provider’s shop at least 10 minutes before departure. Look for the sign that says Wichit. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can the captain help if I cannot swim?

Yes. The captain can look after you and guide you underwater if you cannot swim. A life jacket is also provided.

Can I request a vegetarian meal or report a food allergy?

Yes, but you must notify the provider by email before the trip. If you do not provide advance notice, the requested food may not be prepared.