Reviewed · ISLAND HOPPING AND BOAT TOURS
Pattaya Island Trip With Drone Photo and lunch,Nature Beach
Hardtien Beach is Pattaya’s quieter seaside escape. This eight-hour trip combines a speedboat ride, clear water, kayaking, paddleboarding, a chicken steak lunch, and a drone photo session into one active beach day. I especially like the professional camera and drone package, which gives you more than the usual phone snapshots, and the chance to feed island geese adds a quirky local touch.
The main catch is timing. The beach portion may last only about two and a half hours if the boat makes extra activity stops, and the speedboat can feel rough if you suffer from motion sickness. The drone service is also weather-dependent, with no refund if wind or rain prevents filming.
In This Review
- Key points to know before booking
- Leaving Pattaya by speedboat
- Hardtien Beach and the island’s quieter side
- Kayaking, paddleboarding, and the waterslide
- Drone photographs and full-frame camera pictures
- Feeding the island geese
- A chicken steak lunch beside the sea
- What the $38 price really covers
- Who will enjoy this Pattaya island day
- Practical packing advice
- Should you book the Hardtien Beach trip?
- FAQ
- How long does the Pattaya island trip last?
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- What languages does the guide speak?
- Is lunch included?
- What water activities are included?
- Are drone photographs and videos included?
- What should I bring?
- Can anyone join this experience?
Key points to know before booking

- Hardtien Beach is the star of the day: Expect clear water, a quieter shore, and time to swim or relax away from Pattaya’s main beaches.
- The route may include extra stops: The activity order can vary, and some departures have included stops away from the main beach for other water activities.
- Drone photos are included: You receive drone photos and videos, along with pictures taken on a full-frame camera.
- The speedboat ride is fast: It saves time, but the ride may be uncomfortable if you are prone to seasickness.
- Lunch is simple: The included meal is chicken steak at a seaside restaurant, useful but not a major food experience.
- The trip suits active, mobile visitors: It is not suitable for people with mobility, heart, back, neck, vision, or hearing difficulties, pregnant women, or people over 70.
Leaving Pattaya by speedboat

Your day begins with hotel pickup in central, north, or south Pattaya. Wait in the hotel lobby at the agreed time. The driver should have a sign with your last name, which makes the meeting easier in a busy hotel entrance.
The ride to the pier is included, as is the speedboat transfer. Pickup from other parts of Pattaya may cost an extra THB 100 to 200, paid directly to the operator. Traffic can also shift the schedule, especially during peak travel periods, so avoid booking anything tight that evening.
The speedboat is practical rather than gentle. It gets you across the water quickly, but the ride may be bumpy and fast. If motion sickness is a concern, take your usual precautions before leaving and keep sunglasses, sunscreen, and swimwear easy to reach.
Your tour guide accompanies the group and can provide service in Thai, English, Chinese, Korean, or Japanese. A captain, life vest, towel, and one drinking water are included. Bring extra water if you know you drink a lot in the heat, since only one bottle is listed.
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Hardtien Beach and the island’s quieter side

Hardtien is the reason to choose this trip instead of a standard Pattaya beach outing. The shore is described as one of the less-crowded beaches on the island, with clear water suited to swimming and a broad enough stretch for relaxing between activities.
The appeal is simple. You can lie back on the sand, cool off in the sea, or use the beach as a base for the included water sports. This is not an all-day stay at a remote beach, though. The schedule can include other stops, and the time at Hardtien may be shorter than you expect.
That matters if your ideal day is mostly sun, swimming, and quiet. You may spend roughly two and a half hours at the beach after earlier activities, so anyone wanting a long, lazy beach session should keep expectations in check.
The route and order are not always identical. Some departures have made an early stop for activities near the harbor and another stop at a small island before reaching the main beach. That can be good news if you want variety, but less appealing if you booked mainly for Hardtien and the photographs.
Kayaking, paddleboarding, and the waterslide

The active part of the outing includes a clear kayak, stand-up paddleboard, waterslide, and life vest. These are included in the price, so you do not need to pay separately for each activity.
A clear kayak can be fun for seeing the water beneath you, though you should not expect a long independent paddle excursion. One account describes the clear kayak and board as anchored in place, making them more like short activity stations than free-ranging equipment. That is an important distinction.
Stand-up paddleboarding usually rewards balance more than strength. If you are new to it, expect a few wobbly attempts. The kayak is the easier choice for many people, while the waterslide adds a quick burst of fun for anyone who enjoys a splash.
The activity setup can also mean waiting your turn, depending on group size and demand. The tour description does not specify the group size, so you cannot assume unlimited time on each piece of equipment. If you want a calm beach day, you can choose to spend less time on the activities, but the group may still make the scheduled stops.
The outing is not suitable for people with mobility difficulties, those using walking aids or wheelchairs, people with back or neck problems, pregnant women, or anyone with heart problems, epilepsy, or high blood pressure. It also excludes people with visual or hearing impairments, and anyone over 70. These restrictions are firm and should be taken seriously because the day involves speedboat access, beach movement, and water activities.
Drone photographs and full-frame camera pictures

The drone photo session is the most distinctive part of the package. Along with aerial images, you receive photographs and videos made with a full-frame camera. For a beach day, that can be valuable. You return with something more polished than a quick selfie, including views that show you against the water and shoreline.
The strongest praise goes to the drone shots and the photographer’s work. Several accounts describe the photographs as a major reason the trip felt worth the price. One person, however, received only two pictures instead of the expected eight to ten and found the photographer unpleasant. That points to a practical question: confirm how many final images and videos you should receive before the session begins.
Do not treat the drone shoot as guaranteed. Rain and strong wind can prevent takeoff, and there is no refund if weather stops the aerial filming. You should still receive the rest of the trip, but the most unusual inclusion may be missing.
The photographs also depend on timing. If the beach stay is shortened by extra stops, you may have less time to relax between posing, water sports, lunch, and goose feeding. If the photos matter most to you, tell the guide early in the day. You may not control the schedule, but you can make sure you understand when your session is planned.
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Feeding the island geese

The goose visit gives the day a welcome change of pace. Your guide explains the birds and their habitat, then lets you feed them. It is a small activity, but it helps the trip feel like more than a swim-and-sand transfer.
This stop is also useful for families and anyone who enjoys animals more than organized water sports. The information provided does not specify the number of geese, the feeding food, or how long the visit lasts, so think of it as a brief guided encounter rather than a full wildlife program.
The beach and goose stop together provide the most unusual character. Pattaya’s island trips often focus on speed, sun, and water. Here, you get a short nature element as well, though the day remains an organized group outing rather than a quiet independent visit.
A chicken steak lunch beside the sea

At midday, the group stops at a seaside restaurant for chicken steak. Lunch is included, which helps keep the $38 price predictable. You do not need to find food on the island or worry about missing the boat while ordering.
The meal is practical, not a culinary reason to book. Portions have been described as modest, so anyone with a large appetite may want to eat a good breakfast and carry a permitted snack if possible. The tour includes one drinking water, but extra drinks may be wise in Thailand’s heat.
The restaurant setting adds value because you get shade and a proper break from the sun. Still, the meal is best understood as fuel between activities. If you want seafood, local specialties, or a choice of several dishes, this package may feel limited.
What the $38 price really covers

At $38 per person, the package offers a lot of moving parts: hotel pickup and drop-off, guide service, speedboat transport, beach access, lunch, water equipment, a towel, life vest, goose feeding, and drone photography with photos and videos.
The value is strongest for someone who wants an easy all-in-one day. You avoid arranging transport to the pier, negotiating boat fares, renting water equipment, and finding a photographer. The included drone service alone may justify part of the cost if the images turn out well and are delivered as expected.
The value is weaker if you mainly want to sit on Hardtien Beach. You are paying for the speedboat, activities, guide, lunch, and photography, even if you skip some of them. Extra stops can also reduce your beach time.
The photo guarantee is the biggest value question. Weather can cancel the drone portion without a refund, and the number of delivered images is not specified. Ask about the expected photo and video delivery before you commit. That small conversation can prevent disappointment.
Who will enjoy this Pattaya island day

I would recommend this trip to you if you want variety and a simple plan. It works best for active adults, couples, friends, and families with older children who can manage a fast boat, beach access, and water activities.
You will probably enjoy it most if you like taking photos, do not mind a fairly structured schedule, and want more than a standard beach transfer. The goose feeding and drone session give the day a little personality.
I would be cautious if your priority is peace and quiet. The extra stops, group schedule, and fast boat can make the day feel busy. You may reach Hardtien later than expected and have less time there than the promotional description suggests.
This is also a poor match if you are prone to motion sickness. The speedboat ride is repeatedly described as fast, and a rough crossing can affect your enjoyment before the beach portion even begins.
Practical packing advice

Bring sunglasses, swimwear, and sunscreen. Wear something that can handle getting wet, and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch if you plan to use it around the kayak, paddleboard, or waterslide.
A towel and life vest are included. One drinking water is included as well, but additional water may be sensible. Since the boat and beach can expose you to strong sun, apply sunscreen before leaving the hotel and reapply during the day.
If you have a medical condition, read the restrictions carefully before booking. High blood pressure, epilepsy, heart problems, back or neck problems, pregnancy, limited mobility, and several visual or hearing conditions are listed as reasons not to join. The activity also does not accept people over 70.
Should you book the Hardtien Beach trip?
Book it if you want a full day of organized island activities and like the idea of going home with drone photographs. The combination of clear water, a less-crowded beach, kayaking, paddleboarding, lunch, and goose feeding gives you plenty to do for $38.
Skip it if you want a long, unhurried stay at Hardtien, dislike fast boats, or would be upset if weather cancels the drone shoot. Before booking, ask how long the group expects to spend at the beach, how many photo files you will receive, and whether the day includes additional stops.
For the right person, this is good value with one important warning: it is a busy activity day with a beach stop, not a pure beach holiday.
FAQ
How long does the Pattaya island trip last?
The experience lasts eight hours, including hotel pickup, the pier transfer, speedboat travel, island activities, lunch, photography, and the return to Pattaya.
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. Pickup is included for hotels in central, north, and south Pattaya. Other locations may have a surcharge of THB 100 to 200, confirmed and paid directly to the operator.
What languages does the guide speak?
Live guide service is available in Thai, English, Chinese, Korean, and Japanese.
Is lunch included?
Yes. The included midday meal is chicken steak at a seaside restaurant.
What water activities are included?
The package includes a clear kayak, stand-up paddleboard, waterslide, and life vest. Swimming at Hardtien Beach is also part of the day.
Are drone photographs and videos included?
Yes. The package includes a drone photo shoot, drone photos, and drone videos, along with a full-frame camera photo session. Drone filming is not possible in rain or strong wind, and no refund is provided if weather prevents it.
What should I bring?
Bring sunglasses, swimwear, and sunscreen. One drinking water and a towel are included.
Can anyone join this experience?
No. It is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or neck problems, mobility impairments, heart problems, epilepsy, high blood pressure, visual or hearing impairments, people using walking aids or wheelchairs, or anyone over 70.
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