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 without the noise and scale of a large tour boat. You’ll move between cliffs, coral gardens, quiet beaches, black rocks, and several snorkeling sites in the eastern Adang island group.

I like the traditional boat, which makes the ride part of the experience rather than simple transport. I also like the practical setup: a maximum of 10 people, an English or Thai-speaking guide, lunch, fruit, drinking water, and snorkeling equipment are included. The main drawback is that the quality of the reefs can vary. If you have already snorkeled in exceptional tropical waters, only a couple of stops may feel truly special.

Key points at a glance

• Small group of up to 10: You get a more personal outing than on a crowded excursion boat.
• Traditional longtail boat: The open boat gives you wide views, though the ride can feel exposed in sun and choppy water.
• Several different stops: Expect cliffs at Koh Hin Son, coral at Koh Buloh and Jabang, a quiet beach at Koh Ro Khloi, and black stones at Koh Hin Ngam.
• Lunch at Monkey Beach: The midday break combines food, swimming time, and a chance to watch monkeys in the trees.
• National park fee is extra: Budget 200 THB per adult or 100 THB per child, unless you already paid for a valid park ticket on arrival.
• Best for confident swimmers: The trip is not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems.

Why this Koh Lipe boat trip works

This is a busy day on the water, but it is not a rushed ride from one identical reef to another. The route gives you several kinds of scenery, which matters on a long excursion. You might swim at one stop, walk on a beach at the next, then spend time looking at cliffs or unusual rocks.

I especially like the balance between water time and shore time. Some stops are for snorkeling, while others give you a chance to stretch your legs, eat, take photographs, or simply sit under the sun. That variety helps keep a six-and-a-half-hour trip from feeling repetitive.

The longtail boat is part of the local character. You are not sealed behind windows or sitting on a large deck with dozens of people. You hear the motor, feel the movement of the boat, and watch the islands approach from sea level. Bring a hat and sunscreen, because this style of boat offers little protection from the sun.

The group limit is another useful detail. Ten people is still enough for a social outing, but small enough for the guide to help with masks, fins, swimming instructions, and fish spotting. One especially useful part of the guide service is help in the water. The guide can point out fish and coral, offer reassurance, and take photographs during the day. That is valuable if you want memories of the outing without spending the entire time holding a camera.

Meeting at Pattaya Beach and heading east

Your day begins at the Star Travel office on Walking Street, near Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe. The meeting point is central, but you should allow enough time to find the office and gather before departure.

The guide gives basic snorkeling and safety instructions before you board. Pay attention here, especially if you have limited snorkeling experience. A life jacket is supplied, and the guide can help you understand how to use the mask and fins before the boat gets underway.

The first water transfer takes about 45 minutes. That is long enough for the open-sea ride to feel like a real part of the trip. You get broad views of the islands, but the boat can be sunny and exposed. Wear swimwear beneath breathable clothing and keep your towel, sunglasses, and sunscreen easy to reach.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and drones are also prohibited. A small day bag is the sensible choice, though you should protect phones and cameras from spray.

Koh Hin Son’s cliffs and sea views

Koh Hin Son introduces the rockier side of the route. This small island is known for dramatic cliffs and wide views across the surrounding water. You may have time to look out from the rock formations, take photographs, or swim in the clear water below.

This stop is more about scenery than coral. If you enjoy unusual rock shapes and open views, it gives the day a strong start. The water may look inviting, but remember that swimming conditions can vary, and the tour is not intended for non-swimmers.

The scenery here also shows why a longtail boat is a good match for the area. The boat brings you close to the islands and lets you see the rock walls from the water, rather than treating the coast as a backdrop viewed from far away.

Coral gardens around Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan

The next part shifts from cliffs to underwater scenery. Koh Buloh is a small island with a coral garden where you can snorkel among tropical fish. The guide’s help is useful here, since a good guide can point toward fish and coral that are easy to miss when you are scanning the water alone.

You might see a sea turtle, but do not book the trip expecting one. Wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, and the main reason to stop is the coral garden itself.

Ao Kam Nan, a bay on the southern side of Koh Dong, offers another reef and a chance to swim or rest on the beach. Having a beach stop after snorkeling is welcome. You can dry off, sit for a while, and enjoy the setting without needing to be in the water at every stop.

The reefs are not identical in quality. Some visitors with extensive snorkeling experience may find only a couple of sites truly memorable. That is an important point for experienced snorkelers. This trip gives you variety and access to several sites, but it cannot guarantee perfect coral at every location.

Quiet time on Koh Ro Khloi

Koh Ro Khloi is one of the calmer stops. Its panoramic beach and viewpoint give you a break from the motor, mask, and fins. You can swim, relax on the sand, or walk up for views of the nearby islands.

I like this pause because a full snorkeling day needs some breathing room. The tour allows about an hour here, giving you time to enjoy the beach instead of taking a quick photograph and returning immediately to the boat.

The viewpoint is a good reason to bring a camera, but pack light and wear footwear that will not slip easily. Flip-flops are listed among the recommended items, and they work for the beach, though you should take care on any uneven walking route.

Lunch and monkeys at Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach, on the northeast side of Koh Dong, is scheduled as a one-hour break with lunch. You can eat, swim in the calmer water, and watch monkeys in the trees.

The lunch is supplied as a package, with drinking water and seasonal fruit also included. That keeps the day simple. You do not need to find food on a remote island, and the fruit is a useful addition after time in the sun.

Treat the monkeys as wildlife, not as an attraction to feed or approach. The provided information says you can watch them playing in the trees, but it does not promise close encounters. Keep your belongings secure and give the animals room.

This is also a good time to change into dry clothes if you prefer. A change of clothes and towel are recommended, and they will make the second half of the day more comfortable.

Sea fans at Koh Peung

Koh Peung is the next dedicated snorkeling stop. The site is known for sea fans and a range of underwater scenery that differs from the earlier coral gardens.

Sea fans give the reef a distinctive shape, but you should avoid touching them or standing on coral. Even when the water looks calm, fins can damage fragile areas very quickly. Follow the guide’s instructions about where to swim and how to move through the site.

The snorkeling stop lasts about 30 minutes. That is enough for a focused look, but not an unlimited session. If you like to spend long periods underwater, the schedule may feel short. For most people, the shorter stops help maintain variety across the day.

Black stones at Koh Hin Ngam

Koh Hin Ngam is one of the more unusual stops. The island is famous for black stones with different shapes and patterns, making it a natural photograph stop as well as a place to walk and swim.

The contrast with the pale beaches and blue water around Koh Lipe makes this stop memorable. You can take pictures, walk along the shore, or swim in the calmer water.

Follow local instructions about the stones and do not remove them. The point of the stop is to see the beach as it is, not to collect a souvenir. A waterproof phone case or camera protection is sensible, since the trip combines shore walks with repeated swims.

Jabang and the final coral stop

Jabang, also called Ko Cha Bang in the route details, is the final snorkeling stop before returning to Koh Lipe. It is known for colorful soft coral and schools of fish.

After a full day, this stop can be a pleasant last look at the underwater world. It also gives you one more chance to use the supplied mask and fins before the return ride.

The timing is about 30 minutes. That sounds brief, but by this point you may be glad for a defined session rather than another long period in the water. If the sea is calm and visibility is good, Jabang can be one of the more appealing reef stops on the route.

The final water transfer takes about 30 minutes before you return to the Star Travel office. In total, the activity lasts 390 minutes, or six and a half hours.

What the 27 USD price really includes

At about 27 USD per person, this is a strong value if you want transport, several island stops, equipment, lunch, and a guide in one package. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The price also covers a lunch package, drinking water, seasonal fruit, snorkeling masks and fins, a life jacket, a professional English-speaking guide, and basic accident insurance.

The national park entrance fee is separate: 200 THB for an adult and 100 THB for a child. Check your arrival ticket before paying again. If you already paid the park fee when you reached Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry, you can reuse that ticket.

At this price, I would not expect a private boat or premium dining. The value comes from the number of stops and the amount of equipment and food included. You should also know that lost or damaged masks and snorkels must be paid for at full replacement cost.

Who should book this excursion

I would choose this trip if you want to see more than one beach and prefer a traditional boat to a large craft. It suits couples, solo visitors, and small groups who like a full day with a mix of swimming, snorkeling, walking, lunch, and scenery.

It is particularly useful for newer snorkelers who want a guide nearby. The guide can offer basic instruction, help you feel more secure, point out marine life, and take photographs during the outing.

I would think twice if you are an expert snorkeler looking for untouched reefs at every stop. The route covers many locations, but the underwater quality may vary, and some sites could feel ordinary beside the best tropical reefs you have already seen.

This is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, or non-swimmers. If you are unsure about your swimming ability, ask before booking rather than relying on the life jacket alone.

Practical packing advice for a longtail day

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, flip-flops, breathable clothing, and a change of clothes. A camera is useful, especially at Koh Hin Son, Koh Ro Khloi, and Koh Hin Ngam.

Keep your bag small. Large bags and luggage are not allowed, and a longtail boat is not the place for bulky gear. Since you will move between water and shore several times, pack only what you can keep dry and carry easily.

The trip is offered with English and Thai-speaking guides. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve while paying later, which helps if your Koh Lipe plans depend on weather or another boat connection.

Should you book the Koh Lipe 7-island trip?

Book it if you want a well-priced, full-day introduction to the islands around Koh Lipe, especially if you value a small group and personal help in the water. The mix of coral gardens, cliffs, a quiet beach, monkeys, sea fans, black stones, and soft coral gives you more variety than a simple beach transfer.

Skip it if your main goal is elite snorkeling and you would rather spend the day on Koh Lipe after visiting a few outstanding reefs. For most visitors, though, the 27 USD price, included lunch and gear, and maximum group size of 10 make this a sensible way to see the eastern archipelago.

FAQ

Where does the Koh Lipe snorkeling tour meet?

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, or six and a half hours, including the boat rides, island stops, snorkeling, lunch, and return to Koh Lipe.

What is included in the price?

The price includes drinking water, seasonal fruit, a lunch package, snorkeling masks and fins, a life jacket, a professional English-speaking guide, and basic accident insurance.

Is the national park entrance fee included?

No. The fee is 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. If you already paid it when arriving on Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry, you can reuse that ticket.

Is the tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The activity is not suitable for non-swimmers. It is also not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, a camera, sunscreen, flip-flops, and breathable clothing. Large bags, luggage, and drones are not allowed.