Lipe: Longtail Boat Snorkeling to Outer Islands Program B

Sea, coral, and a little monkey business await. This seven-hour trip from Koh Lipe packs eight snorkeling and beach stops into a classic Thai longtail boat outing, with clownfish, parrotfish, colorful coral, lunch, and free underwater photos. I especially like the rare seven-colored coral at Jabang and the helpful captain service for anyone who is not a confident swimmer. The main drawback is crowding, since several boats may reach the same sites at once.

The small group is limited to 10 people, which gives the day a friendly, flexible feel. I also like that the $22 price includes equipment, lunch, fruit, water, insurance, and photos. You should expect some basic guiding in English, though the amount of information about each reef can be limited.

Key points at a glance

• Seven islands, eight stops: The route includes Koh Hin Son, Koh Pai, Koh Rokroy, Ao Kum Nun, Koh Dong, Koh Peung, Jabang Island, and Hin Ngam.
• Strong value at $22: Lunch, fruit, water, mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, insurance, and underwater photos are included.
• Great for nervous swimmers: The captain can guide you in the water, and one stop includes a rope to hold when the current is strong.
• Best marine-life stops: Koh Pai is known for anemones, clownfish, and large parrotfish, while Jabang has rare seven-colored coral.
• A full Thai island day: You get a longtail boat ride, reef time, beaches, lunch at Monkey Beach, and the smooth black stones of Hin Ngam.
• Plan for crowds: Popular reefs can be busy, and some English explanations may be brief.

A $22 day on the Andaman Sea

At $22 per person, this is one of those trips where the price deserves a close look. You are not paying only for a boat ride. The package includes a lunch box, seasonal fruit, drinking water, mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, accident insurance, and underwater photo and video service.

You also get seven hours on the water. Add the national park fee of 200 THB for an adult or 100 THB for a child, and the total remains reasonable for a full day around Koh Lipe. The park ticket is valid for five days from purchase, so use it within that window or you may have to buy another one if an officer checks it.

I would value this trip mainly for the number of stops and the included extras. A single reef visit can feel short, but eight stops give you several chances to find calm water, clear coral, fish, or a good beach break. The free photos are especially useful if you do not have a waterproof camera.

The tradeoff is that a low-cost, popular route can draw many boats. Several people can arrive at the same location at once, and the first departure may run late. One practical way to judge the timing is to count the period spent waiting at the office as part of the morning. The boat may still return close to the planned duration, but you should not expect a perfectly precise schedule.

Meeting the boat at Wichit’s shop

You check in at the local activity provider’s shop, marked with a Wichit sign, at least 10 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way to the meeting point.

The group limit of 10 matters here. It is small enough for the captain to pay attention to individual swimmers, and the route can feel less rigid than a large boat excursion. One captain adjusted the plan to suit the group, and the crew took time to photograph people in the water.

The tour is led in English and Thai. You should expect useful basic instructions, but not a detailed marine biology talk at every stop. If you want to know what to look for, ask the guide directly before entering the water. That simple question may help you spot anemones, feather stars, or small reef fish rather than just swimming past them.

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, beachwear, and sunscreen. Sunscreen is not included. I would also bring a dry bag or other waterproof protection for valuables, though the provided information does not specify storage arrangements.

Koh Hin Son and the first rocky views

Koh Hin Son looks like a rocky outcrop set in the sea. The stop is known for its viewpoint, described in the tour information as having received UNESCO recognition as an ASEAN heritage site in 1982.

This is a good early reminder that the day is not only about looking underwater. The longtail ride itself gives you changing views of the sea and the islands, while Hin Son offers a sharp, rocky scene that feels different from a soft white-sand beach.

The boat schedule may affect how long you spend here. If several boats arrive together, the viewpoint can feel less peaceful. Still, it gives you a memorable visual start before the route moves into shallower reef areas.

Koh Pai: anemones, clownfish, and parrotfish

Koh Pai is one of the most appealing stops for people who want colorful, easy-to-see marine life. The water is shallow, and the area has many anemones. Clownfish swim among these soft, flower-like forms, while larger parrotfish move around the reef.

I would pay close attention here rather than swimming quickly from one end of the site to the other. Anemones can cover much of the area, and the best sights may be close to the bottom. The captain or guide may point out a Nemo fish, as one captain did for a group, along with a baby stingray.

Because the water is shallow, Koh Pai can suit newer snorkelers. You still need to follow instructions and wear the supplied life jacket if advised. Do not stand on the coral, even if the bottom looks close enough to reach.

Koh Rokroy and Ao Kum Nun’s coral bays

Koh Rokroy brings shallow water, coral, and open views. It is a good place to alternate between snorkeling and simply taking in the scenery. If your mask is fitting well and the water is clear, this stop can give you a relaxed look at the reef without demanding a long swim.

At Ao Kum Nun, the reef has several coral forms, including staghorn coral, hemp coral, and jackfruit coral. These names may mean little until you see the different shapes spread across the seabed. Look for clownfish, parrotfish, and tigerfish close to the coral.

Ao Kum Nun also gives you beach time. You can sit on the sand, take photos, or watch the water instead of snorkeling every minute. That pause matters on a seven-hour trip. A full day in strong sun becomes tiring if you treat every stop as a race to get back into the water.

The boat route provides several snorkeling chances, so you do not need to worry if one stop has weaker visibility or more boats than expected. Conditions can vary from bay to bay, and the variety is part of the value.

Monkey Beach lunch and a needed break

Koh Dong’s Monkey Beach is the lunch stop. You get a fine sandy beach, clear water, small monkeys, and a lunch box, followed by seasonal fruit and drinking water.

The monkeys add character, but keep your food secure and give them space. The tour information says they behaved well during one outing, but wild animals remain unpredictable. Do not feed them or move toward them for a photo.

The lunch is practical rather than a restaurant meal. People with food allergies, vegetarians, and anyone who eats only vegetables must notify the operator by email before the trip. If you wait until the day itself, the requested meal may not be prepared.

I like this stop because it breaks up the water time. You can eat, dry off, and rest your shoulders before returning to the reefs. The beach is also useful for anyone in your group who wants a quiet pause instead of another swim.

Koh Peung and the rope in the current

Koh Peung is known for feather stars and orange coral. The site can be more demanding because the current may become strong. You may need to hold onto a rope while looking at the reef.

This is not the stop for ignoring the captain’s instructions. If you are not a strong swimmer, stay close to the guide and use the life jacket. The rope gives you support, but it does not remove the need to pay attention to the current or other people in the water.

The feather star is a special reason to take your time here. It is easy to focus only on brightly colored fish, but smaller reef life can be just as interesting. Ask the guide to point it out before you start.

Jabang’s rare seven-colored coral

Jabang Island is one of the main reasons to choose this route. The site is known for rare seven-colored coral, with bright soft coral covering rocks beneath the surface.

The coral is found at a depth of about 15 to 20 feet. You should only descend that far if you are comfortable, trained, and able to do so safely. You can still enjoy the area from the surface if you prefer. The tour is not a test of how deep you can go.

This is also where the captain’s help can make a difference. The captain can guide you underwater if you cannot swim, and the small group allows more personal attention. Several people praised the photo and video help, including pictures taken for those who were less comfortable in the water.

The underwater camera service is a valuable bonus. The office sends the photos and videos through a download link, and some people received them the next day. You should still ask how the files will be delivered before leaving if you want to make sure you receive them.

Hin Ngam’s smooth black stones

Hin Ngam offers a change from coral and fish. The island is made of smooth black stones, and you can walk around to see the unusual surface close up.

Wear footwear carefully and follow the crew’s advice near the water. Smooth stones can still be slippery. This stop is more about texture, views, and photos than long snorkeling time, so it gives your eyes a rest after several reef visits.

Hin Ngam is a fitting final stop because the route finishes with something visually different. After seeing coral gardens and small fish, a shore made of black stones gives you another clear memory of the day.

Photos, equipment, and the guiding style

The equipment package covers the basics: mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket. The quality was considered good enough by several people, but mask fit is personal. Check yours early and ask for a replacement if water keeps entering.

The free underwater photos and videos are among the most praised parts of the experience. The guide may take pictures of you, help with your own camera, and record short underwater clips. This service is not just a souvenir. It lets you concentrate on the reef rather than trying to hold a phone in one hand.

The guiding style is friendly and helpful, but the amount of spoken information can vary. Some people found the English limited and wished the guide had explained what to find at each stop or how long they had in the water. I would not book this trip expecting a formal naturalist presentation.

Instead, think of the crew as practical water guides. They help with swimming, point out fish, manage the route, take photos, and keep the group moving. That works well for a casual snorkeling day.

Who should book this Koh Lipe tour?

I would choose this trip if you want a full day on the water at a low price and care more about seeing several locations than having a polished luxury outing. It suits couples, small groups, and people who want a mix of coral, beaches, island views, and photographs.

It can also work for newer swimmers because the captain offers underwater help and life jackets are included. Still, Koh Peung may have a strong current, and Jabang involves coral at 15 to 20 feet. The trip is not suitable for children under six, pregnant women, people with back or respiratory problems, or people prone to seasickness.

Do not book it if you need a quiet, uncrowded reef experience or a detailed English commentary at every location. Popular sites can fill with boats, and some explanations may be brief. You should also avoid alcohol, drugs, fishing, fireworks, and explosive substances, all of which are prohibited.

Should you book Program B?

Yes, if your priority is variety and value. For $22, you get a longtail boat day, eight stops, food, gear, insurance, and free underwater photos. The strongest moments are likely to be Koh Pai’s anemones and clownfish, Koh Peung’s feather stars, Jabang’s seven-colored coral, and the unusual black stones of Hin Ngam.

Book with realistic expectations about crowds and timing. Arrive early at the Wichit shop, bring sun protection, report dietary needs by email before the trip, and ask the guide what to look for at each reef. If you can accept a busy route and basic commentary, this is an excellent low-cost way to see the waters around Koh Lipe.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling tour last?

The tour lasts seven hours.

How many islands and stops are included?

The program is described as visiting seven islands and making eight stops for snorkeling, beach time, or sightseeing.

What is included in the price?

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

How much is the national park fee?

The fee is 200 THB for an adult and 100 THB for a child. It is paid on site.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to check in at the Wichit activity shop at least 10 minutes before departure.

Can people who cannot swim join the tour?

The captain can take care of you and guide you underwater if you cannot swim. A life jacket is also included, but the tour is not suitable for people with respiratory problems or those prone to seasickness.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, beachwear, and sunscreen. Sunscreen is not included. You should also bring your national park ticket if you already purchased one, and make sure it is used within five days of purchase.