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

Seven islands, one longtail boat, plenty of salt spray. This Koh Lipe snorkeling trip packs a full 390-minute day into a small-group outing that reaches the eastern Adang archipelago. I like the traditional boat, the mix of snorkeling and beach stops, and the chance to see places you cannot reach on foot from Koh Lipe.

I also like the practical setup: masks, fins, life jackets, drinking water, seasonal fruit, lunch, and an English-speaking guide are included. The main drawback is that not every stop will feel equally special. If you have snorkeled in exceptional tropical waters before, you may find only two sites truly memorable.

Key points to know before booking

• Small longtail boat group: The tour is limited to 10 participants, which makes instructions and help in the water more personal.
• Koh Hin Ngam’s black stones: This unusual beach is a strong photo stop, but you should not remove any stones.
• Two kinds of island time: You get active snorkeling at several reefs, plus slower beach breaks at Koh Ro Khloi and Monkey Beach.
• The park fee costs extra: The national park entrance fee is 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child.
• The guide can improve the snorkeling: One recent guest praised the guide for pointing out fish and coral, offering reassurance, and sharing trip photos.
• A full half-day for $27: The price is attractive, especially if you need equipment and lunch, but you should expect a busy schedule with several short stops.

Meeting at Pattaya Beach and Getting on the Water

Your day begins at the Star Travel office on Walking Street, close to Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe. This is a handy meeting point if you are staying near the main beach or the central streets, but carry only what you need. Large bags and luggage are not allowed on the trip.

Before boarding, your English or Thai-speaking guide gives basic snorkeling and safety instructions. That matters on a longtail boat because the outing includes several swims, not just sightseeing from the deck. You receive a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket, along with drinking water and seasonal fruit.

The first boat ride lasts about 45 minutes. A longtail boat is part of the fun, but it is not a silent yacht. You will hear the motor, feel the movement of the sea, and get a more open view than you would from a covered speedboat. If you prefer a smooth, quiet ride, this may not be your ideal transport. If you want a classic Thai island trip, it fits the setting.

The boat carries no more than 10 participants. That small group size is one of the better features here. You have a better chance of hearing instructions, getting help with equipment, and asking the guide about what you see.

Koh Hin Son and the First Big Views

Koh Hin Son, also written as Ko Hin Sorn, is the first named stop. The island is known for its dramatic rock formations and cliff views. You can take in the scenery from above or swim in the clear water below.

This is a good opening stop because it gives you more than a reef. You get a sense of the outer islands, with steep rock and open sea around you. The viewpoint makes the stop useful even if you are not eager to snorkel right away.

The schedule allows about 45 minutes. That is enough for sightseeing and a swim, but not enough for a long walk or a slow beach session. Wear shoes that are easy to remove if you plan to go into the water, and keep your camera secure around the boat and rocks.

Koh Buloh’s Coral Garden

The next stop is Koh Buloh, a small island with a colorful coral garden. This is one of the places where the tour shifts from dramatic scenery to underwater viewing. You can expect tropical fish around the coral, with the guide helping you notice details that are easy to miss from the surface.

A guest who rated the tour highly praised the guide for pointing out fish and coral, helping with reassurance, and later sharing photographs from the outing. That kind of guidance can make a real difference if you are a first-time snorkeler or feel uncertain in open water.

You have about 30 minutes here. That sounds brief, but a short stop can work well when the water is the main attraction. Your time includes getting in, adjusting your mask, swimming, and climbing back aboard. If you are an experienced snorkeler who likes to stay at one reef for a long time, the pace may feel rushed.

You might spot a sea turtle, but it is not guaranteed. Treat that as a lucky extra, not the reason to book.

Ao Kam Nan and a Longer Swim

The itinerary then moves to Ao Kam Nan, a bay on the southern side of Koh Dong. This stop allows about an hour for swimming. You can look around the coral reef, swim in the bay, or rest on the beach.

I like this part of the day because it adds breathing room after the shorter snorkeling stop. A full hour gives you time to settle into the water rather than rushing through a quick look. It also gives non-snorkelers a chance to relax, although the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers.

The main thing to remember is that conditions can shape the experience. Visibility, wind, and water movement affect every reef stop. The tour offers several locations, which gives you a better chance of having some good water even if one site is less clear than expected.

Koh Ro Khloi, the Quiet Beach Stop

Koh Ro Khloi is one of the more peaceful stops. It has a panoramic beach and a viewpoint with broad views over the surrounding islands. The plan allows about an hour for swimming and exploring.

This is a welcome change from repeated mask-and-fins time. You can sit on the beach, swim, or walk toward the viewpoint. The island is described as remote and unspoiled, so the value here is not a long list of facilities. You come for quiet, open views, and a pause from the boat.

Bring breathable clothing and a towel for this stop. You will be moving between water, boat, and beach throughout the day, so a dry change of clothes becomes useful by the afternoon. A sun hat and sunglasses are also worth packing, though you should store them safely while snorkeling.

Monkey Beach and the Lunch Break

The boat continues to Monkey Beach on the northeastern side of Koh Dong. This is the lunch and break stop, with about an hour set aside. You may see monkeys playing in the trees, and you can also swim in the calmer water.

Monkey sightings are possible rather than promised. Keep food under control and follow the guide’s instructions around the animals. The stop is best treated as a chance to observe from a respectful distance, not as an invitation to feed or approach them.

Lunch is included as a package, along with water and seasonal fruit. The supplied information does not specify the exact menu, so bring sensible expectations rather than planning around a particular dish. For a $27 trip, included food and equipment help keep the total cost down, especially if you would otherwise need to rent snorkeling gear separately.

Koh Peung and the Sea Fans

After lunch, the boat reaches a snorkeling area around Koh Peung. This site is known for colorful sea fans and an underwater setting filled with marine life.

Sea fans give the reef a different look from a simple patch of coral. They can make the underwater view more textured and interesting, particularly when the water is clear enough to see the reef from a little distance. Your stop lasts around 30 minutes, so listen closely to the guide before entering the water.

This is another spot where the guide’s role matters. A good guide can point out fish, coral, and sea fans while helping you stay with the group. One recent guest specifically valued that personal attention and the sense of reassurance in the water.

Koh Hin Ngam’s Black-Stone Shore

Koh Hin Ngam is perhaps the most unusual stop on the route. Its beach is covered with black stones in different shapes and patterns. You have about 30 minutes for photographs and a walk, with time for a swim in calm water.

The black stones are the point of the stop, so use the time to look at their patterns and the way they sit along the beach. This is a place for photographs rather than a long beach stay. Flip-flops are useful, but take care on uneven stones and wet surfaces.

Do not remove stones from the island. They belong where they are, and the attraction depends on the beach remaining intact. You should also keep your camera and phone protected from spray during the boat ride and from accidental drops along the shore.

Jabang and the Final Snorkel

The last main stop is Jabang, also listed as Ko Cha Bang. It is known for colorful soft coral and schools of tropical fish. You get about 30 minutes to snorkel before the return trip.

Ending with a reef stop works well if you still have energy. By this point, however, you have spent hours in sun and salt water. Keep drinking water, use sunscreen before the boat leaves, and do not feel pressured to stay in the water for the entire session.

Jabang may be one of the two sites that experienced snorkelers find most worthwhile, but conditions matter. A guest who has snorkeled in more exceptional destinations felt that only two of the tour’s many stops were truly outstanding. That is a useful warning: the tour gives you variety, not a guarantee that every reef will be spectacular.

The final boat ride back to Koh Lipe takes about 30 minutes. You return to the Star Travel office after a full day on the water.

Is the $27 Price Good Value?

At $27 per person, this is an inexpensive way to combine transport, several island stops, snorkeling equipment, lunch, drinking water, fruit, a guide, and basic accident insurance. The price is especially fair if you are visiting Koh Lipe for a short stay and want to see beyond Pattaya Beach without arranging separate boat hire.

The national park fee is not included. Adults pay 200 THB and children pay 100 THB. If you already paid this fee when arriving on Koh Lipe by ferry or speedboat, reuse that ticket instead of paying again.

The value depends on your expectations. For a first snorkeling trip, the route gives you a lot for the money. You get instruction, equipment, several chances to enter the water, beach time, and recognizable sights such as Koh Hin Ngam.

For an experienced snorkeler, the calculation is different. You may prefer a shorter outing that spends more time at fewer high-quality reefs. This tour covers a broad area and keeps moving, so its strength is variety and access rather than long, focused time at one site.

Who Will Enjoy This Longtail Tour Most?

I would recommend this trip to you if you want a social, affordable introduction to Koh Lipe’s nearby islands. The small group, included equipment, and guide support make it a practical choice for beginners who can swim and want some help identifying fish and coral.

It also suits photographers who enjoy a mix of subjects: cliffs at Koh Hin Son, beaches at Koh Ro Khloi, monkeys at Koh Dong, sea fans at Koh Peung, black stones at Koh Hin Ngam, and soft coral at Jabang.

I would think twice if you are a non-swimmer, pregnant, under two years old, or dealing with back or heart problems. The tour is also not suitable if you want a quiet luxury boat, a private schedule, or a single long reef session.

You must not bring large bags or luggage, and drones are not allowed. Pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, flip-flops, a camera, breathable clothing, and a change of clothes. Any lost or damaged masks, snorkels, or other supplied items must be paid for at full replacement cost.

Should You Book the Seven-Island Trip?

Book it if you want maximum variety at a low price. The best parts are the small group, traditional longtail boat, helpful guide support, Koh Hin Ngam’s black stones, and the range of beach and reef stops.

Skip it if you already know that only top-tier snorkeling will satisfy you. The route is busy, and some stops may feel ordinary beside the best tropical reefs you have seen. For everyone else, the $27 cost makes this a sensible way to spend a day around Koh Lipe, provided you accept that the strongest moments will be mixed with a few routine swims.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Check the start time when booking, since the activity runs for about six and a half hours.

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 about six and a half hours, including the boat rides and island stops.

What islands and locations does the tour visit?

The route includes Koh Hin Son, Koh Buloh, Ao Kam Nan, Koh Ro Khloi, Monkey Beach on Koh Dong, Koh Peung, Koh Hin Ngam, and Jabang, also listed as Ko Cha Bang.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Masks, snorkels, fins, and life jackets are provided.

Is the national park entrance fee included?

No. The fee is 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. You may reuse the ticket you already received after arriving on Koh Lipe by ferry or speedboat.

Who should not take this tour?

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