Pattaya: 2 Islands one day trip on Catamaran with Lunch

The best part of this Pattaya day trip is the boat itself. You spend much of the day on a roomy catamaran rather than being rushed from one crowded beach to another, with time for snorkeling, fishing, paddleboarding, and the flybridge slide. Two islands, Koh Phai and Koh Rin, give the outing a clear purpose, while the yacht provides a comfortable base between swims.

I especially like the Thai buffet lunch and free-flow drinks, since meals and refreshments are already covered. Hotel pickup in Pattaya also keeps the morning simple. The main consideration is the long time on the water, about five hours of sailing in total, and beach access at Koh Rin is closed during sea turtle nesting season, currently expected through September 30.

Key points to know before booking

• Koh Phai is the main lunch and swim stop: You get about 45 minutes for food, swimming, and snorkeling.
• Koh Rin allows water activities but not beach access during turtle season: Snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding continue around the island.
• The catamaran is the attraction between stops: Use the flybridge slide, relax with a drink, or try the supplied fishing gear.
• Lunch and drinks are included: Thai buffet food, tropical fruit, water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, ice, and snacks are provided.
• The day begins and ends with Pattaya hotel pickup: Allow roughly an hour for the van ride each way.
• This trip suits active adults: It is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or people over 60.

Leaving Pattaya for Ocean Marina Yacht Club

Your day starts with pickup from your accommodation in Pattaya city. You should be in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time. The operator contacts you one day before the trip to arrange the pickup slot, so keep your phone and email details current.

The van ride takes about an hour. That is not a minor detail. An eight-hour activity includes road time as well as time at sea, and the first and last stretches can feel long if you are hoping for a quick transfer. Still, hotel pickup removes the need to find a marina before sunrise or arrange a separate taxi.

The first stop is Ocean Marina Yacht Club, where you have about 15 minutes. This is mainly a transition point, giving you time to reach the boat and get organized. Bring your swimwear under your clothes, because changing later may be less convenient than starting ready for the water.

The required reservation information includes your full name, passport number, Thai phone contact, email address, and date of birth. A child also needs a scanned copy of the passport information page. Have those details ready when you book.

The catamaran ride to Koh Phai

The first crossing lasts about 105 minutes. That is enough time to settle into the catamaran, watch the coast recede, and make use of the boat’s facilities. The yacht is crewed by a professional captain and experienced staff, with an English-speaking guide included.

I would treat this crossing as part of the experience, not just transport. The catamaran gives you more room than a small speedboat and offers several ways to spend the time. You can sit with a cold drink, enjoy the sea air, prepare your snorkeling gear, or head toward the flybridge for the slide.

The supplied drinks include individual bottles of water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and ice. Snacks and towels are also included. These practical touches matter on a full day under the sun. You do not have to keep buying small refreshments every time you feel thirsty.

Motion sickness prevention is worth considering. The route includes long boat crossings, and even a comfortable catamaran can feel rough when the sea changes. If you are prone to seasickness, bring your usual remedy and avoid arriving on an empty stomach.

Koh Phai: lunch, swimming, and snorkeling

Koh Phai is the first island stop. You have about 45 minutes there for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling. The schedule is short, so think of this as a concentrated island break rather than a slow afternoon on the beach.

The Thai buffet is a strong part of the value. Food is served onboard, with fresh tropical fruits afterward. One useful detail from the available feedback is that the food was considered good and plentiful. That matters because a full day of swimming and sun can leave you hungry, and there is no need to budget separately for a restaurant meal.

Snorkeling gear is provided, so you do not need to pack a mask and fins unless you prefer your own equipment. The tour also carries fishing gear and a dinghy. The supplied equipment gives the stop more variety than a simple beach transfer, though 45 minutes is not enough time to try everything at length.

You should keep your expectations practical. Island conditions, water visibility, and the day’s schedule can affect how much time you spend in each activity. If snorkeling is your main goal, move quickly after lunch rather than waiting until the final minutes.

A full hour between islands

After Koh Phai, the catamaran travels for about an hour toward Koh Rin. This is another chance to use the boat rather than simply endure the crossing. Paddleboarding, fishing, and the slide are central parts of the trip, and the flybridge gives the boat a playful side.

The slide is especially useful for people who want an activity without carrying extra equipment. You climb to the flybridge and slide down into the water. Only use it if you are comfortable in the water and follow the crew’s instructions.

Paddleboards are included, as are fishing supplies. These options help break up the day for people who do not want to snorkel continuously. You can also spend the crossing quietly. A catamaran day should not feel like a contest to use every toy onboard.

Private umbrellas are set up at the beaches when beach access is available. They offer shade during a hot day, but you should still bring sunscreen, sunglasses, beachwear, and a change of clothes. The tropical sun can be tiring even when you spend much of your time in the water.

Koh Rin and the sea turtle nesting restriction

Koh Rin is the longer island stop, with about 75 minutes for swimming and snorkeling. In ordinary conditions, the beach would be part of the appeal. During the current sea turtle nesting season, however, beach access on Rin Island is strictly prohibited, with the season expected to last until September 30.

That restriction does not cancel the stop. The program continues around the island with snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding. You should book this trip knowing that Koh Rin may be a water-based stop rather than a chance to walk ashore.

This is an important distinction if your picture of an island trip involves sitting on sand under an umbrella. If your priority is swimming and activities from the yacht, the closure changes little. If you mainly want to land on both islands, the seasonal rule may make another type of excursion a better match.

The island setting still gives you a second place to swim and snorkel, and the longer time here allows a less hurried session than at Koh Phai. Use the first few minutes to ask the guide about the safe swimming area, equipment, and timing for returning to the boat.

Returning across the water to Pattaya

The return crossing lasts about an hour. By this point, you will probably be ready for a slower pace. The catamaran remains a useful place to dry off, eat fruit, have a hot drink, and change into dry clothes if the facilities allow it.

The boat returns to Ocean Marina Yacht Club for another 15-minute stop. From there, the van takes you back to Pattaya city. The return time depends on the road and the scheduled start, so avoid booking an evening activity that requires a tight connection.

A towel is included, but I would still pack a change of clothes. Wet swimwear becomes uncomfortable during the final transfer, and a dry shirt makes the ride home much easier. A waterproof bag for your phone and small belongings is also sensible, though it is not listed as supplied equipment.

What the $124 price includes

At $124 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach Pattaya’s islands. The price makes more sense when you add up what is included: hotel pickup and drop-off within Pattaya, island entrance fees, a crewed yacht, an English-speaking guide, Thai buffet lunch, fruit, snacks, drinks, ice, hot beverages, snorkeling gear, fishing gear, a dinghy, paddleboard, slide, towels, insurance, and group fees.

You are paying for a full service day rather than a basic boat transfer. The catamaran is the key value. A simple island boat might get you to the water, but it would not normally bundle lunch, several water activities, towels, drinks, and hotel transport in the same way.

The value is strongest if you plan to use the equipment. Someone who only wants to sit on a beach may find the price harder to justify, especially during the Koh Rin beach closure. Someone who wants to swim, snorkel, fish, paddleboard, and use the slide gets more from the package.

Personal expenses are not included. The supplied information does not list extra fees for specific optional activities, so ask the crew if you are unsure about any purchase onboard.

Who will enjoy this day most

I would recommend this trip to active adults who like variety. You can switch between swimming, snorkeling, fishing, paddleboarding, and relaxing on the catamaran without arranging separate activities.

It also suits people who prefer a prepared day. Pickup, food, drinks, equipment, towels, insurance, and island fees are already handled. You do not need to plan a restaurant stop or rent snorkeling gear at the beach.

The trip is less suitable for anyone who dislikes long boat rides. The schedule includes about 105 minutes sailing to Koh Phai, one hour between the islands, and another hour on the return route. That is a lot of time at sea, even on a more comfortable catamaran.

The age and health limits are firm: children under two, pregnant women, and people over 60 are not suitable for this activity. The information also advises motion sickness prevention, so consider your comfort on open water before booking.

Practical packing advice

Bring sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, beachwear, a change of clothes, and motion sickness prevention. Pack light, since you will be moving between a van, marina, catamaran, and water activities.

You should also bring any personal medication you need for the day. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed. The tour supplies water, soft drinks, hot drinks, snacks, fruit, lunch, towels, and activity equipment, so there is no need to fill your bag with those items.

The operator provides insurance, but you should still follow the crew’s safety instructions around the slide, dinghy, paddleboards, and snorkeling area. The activity is built around water access, so comfort in the sea matters more than beach sightseeing.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your Pattaya plans are still moving around.

Should you book the Koh Phai and Koh Rin catamaran trip?

Book it if you want a boat-centered day with several water activities, a prepared Thai lunch, and hotel transport from Pattaya. The good food, ample refreshments, and range of included equipment make the $124 cost easier to defend than a bare island transfer.

Think twice if your main goal is walking on both islands. Koh Rin beach is closed during sea turtle nesting season, currently through September 30, so the second stop will focus on water activities around the island.

The strongest reason to choose this outing is variety. You can snorkel, fish, paddleboard, use the slide, eat a Thai buffet, and relax on a catamaran without arranging each piece separately. The main tradeoff is time: much of the eight-hour day is spent reaching the islands and returning to Pattaya.

FAQ

How long is the Pattaya catamaran trip?

The activity lasts eight hours. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off, the van ride to Ocean Marina Yacht Club, sailing to Koh Phai and Koh Rin, island activities, and the return trip.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Koh Phai and Koh Rin in Chonburi Province.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai buffet lunch, fresh tropical fruit, snacks, water, soft drinks, ice, coffee, and tea are included.

What water activities are available?

You can go snorkeling, fish from the yacht, use a paddleboard, and use the slide from the flybridge. Snorkeling gear and fishing gear are provided.

Can I access the beach at Koh Rin?

During sea turtle nesting season, beach access at Koh Rin is strictly prohibited. The season is expected to last until September 30. The tour continues with snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding around the island.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for accommodations within Pattaya city. You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.