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

Small boat, big scenery. This six-and-a-half-hour trip gives you a full day on Koh Lipe’s surrounding islands, with a traditional longtail boat, coral snorkeling, quiet beaches, and a packed lunch. I especially like the small group of no more than 10 people and the chance to see both above-water rock formations and underwater coral gardens.

I also like the guide support. The English and Thai-speaking guide gives safety advice, helps nervous swimmers, points out fish and coral, and may take photos during the day. The main drawback is that the snorkeling can feel uneven: two stops may impress you most, while the rest can seem less memorable if you have already snorkeled in truly spectacular places.

Key points to know before booking

• Traditional longtail boat: You ride in a classic Thai boat rather than a larger speedboat, with a slower, more scenic trip through the islands.
• Several kinds of stops: The day mixes snorkeling, swimming, beach time, viewpoints, black rocks, and a monkey stop.
• Small-group setting: The group is limited to 10 participants, which makes it easier to ask for help or stay near the guide.
• Bring your national park ticket: Adults pay 200 THB and children pay 100 THB, but an entrance ticket already bought after arriving on Koh Lipe can be reused.
• Not just a snorkeling trip: Koh Hin Son and Koh Hin Ngam offer memorable scenery even when you are out of the water.
• Best value for first-time snorkelers: At $27 per person, the trip bundles transport, equipment, lunch, fruit, water, a guide, and basic accident insurance.

Meeting the boat near Pattaya Beach

You start at the Star Travel office on Walking Street, close to Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe. That location is useful if you are staying near the island’s main beach area, but remember that the tour does not collect you with luggage. Large bags are not allowed, so bring only what you need for the day.

Before boarding, the English-speaking guide gives basic snorkeling and safety instructions. This is a valuable part of the trip, especially if you are new to fins, masks, or swimming in open water. The tour is not suitable for non-swimmers, and you should also avoid it if you have serious back or heart problems, are pregnant, or are traveling with a child under two.

The first boat ride lasts about 45 minutes. That is long enough to make the boat itself part of the experience. A longtail boat is noisy and open to the elements, but it gives you a closer feel for the sea than a closed cabin would. I would bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and breathable clothes, then keep a towel and dry change of clothes in a small bag.

Koh Hin Son brings the first dramatic views

Koh Hin Son is the opening sightseeing stop, with about 45 minutes set aside for the island. It is known for steep cliffs, unusual rock forms, and wide views across the surrounding water. You can take in the scenery from above or swim in the clear water below.

This is a good first stop because it gives you a break from the boat before the snorkeling begins. The cliffs also provide visual variety. If your idea of a good island trip includes photos and viewpoints, Koh Hin Son may be one of the more satisfying stops of the day.

The tradeoff is simple: the visit is short. You should not expect a long hike or an extended island walk. Use the time for photographs, a quick swim, and a look at the rock formations rather than trying to turn it into a full beach visit.

Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan shift the focus underwater

The next stop is Koh Buloh, a small island with a coral garden and tropical fish. Around 30 minutes is planned for snorkeling. That is enough time to get your mask fitted, swim around a defined area, and look for fish among the coral, though it will pass quickly if conditions are good.

A sea turtle is possible, but it should be treated as a lucky sighting rather than a promise. The important point is that Koh Buloh gives you a chance to see coral close to shore without spending the entire morning in the water.

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 snorkel near the coral reef, swim in the bay, or rest on the beach.

I like this longer pause because a full day of repeated short stops can feel rushed. Ao Kam Nan gives you time to slow down. It is also a useful place to judge your energy level. If you are not a confident swimmer, stay close to the guide and use the life jacket provided.

Koh Ro Khloi offers the day’s quiet beach pause

Koh Ro Khloi is one of the more peaceful stops, with a panoramic beach and a viewpoint. The schedule allows about an hour for swimming, relaxing, and possibly walking up for the view.

This is where the tour feels less like an equipment-based snorkeling outing and more like an island-hopping day. You can leave the mask and fins behind for a while, sit on the sand, and look across the surrounding islands. I would save some energy for this stop rather than treating every earlier swim as a must-do.

The word remote matters here. Facilities are not described, so you should arrive prepared with water, sunscreen, and anything you need for a comfortable beach break. Drinking water and seasonal fruit are included, but you should not expect a resort-style beach stop.

Lunch and monkeys at Monkey Beach

Monkey Beach, on the northeast side of Koh Dong, is the lunch and rest stop. The schedule gives you about an hour. You can watch monkeys in the trees, swim in calm water, and eat the provided lunch package.

This is a practical mid-day arrangement. You get food without having to carry a full meal, and the break gives your eyes and shoulders a rest after snorkeling. Seasonal fruit and drinking water are also included.

Keep your belongings under control around the monkeys. The tour information does not promise close animal interaction, and the sensible approach is to observe them rather than encourage them. Large bags are not allowed on the trip anyway, which makes packing light easier.

Lunch is included, but the exact menu is not specified. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not confirm special meal options, so you should check before booking rather than assume the package will suit you.

Koh Peung is aimed at serious snorkel time

After lunch, the boat heads to a snorkeling area around Koh Peung. The main attraction here is a collection of sea fans, which can give the underwater scene a different look from the coral garden at Koh Buloh.

The planned snorkeling time is about 30 minutes. That makes this a focused stop rather than a long swim. Your guide can help you locate fish and coral, and this is one place where staying close to the guide may improve the experience. A guide who points out small sea life can make a short session much more rewarding.

Snorkeling quality depends on conditions, and the trip does not promise perfect visibility at every site. One useful expectation to carry is that the day offers several chances to see marine life, not seven equally outstanding reef sessions. That distinction matters if you already have extensive snorkeling experience.

Koh Hin Ngam is the most unusual beach stop

Koh Hin Ngam is famous for its black stones, each with different shapes and patterns. The boat makes a 30-minute stop for photographs and a walk, with time for a swim if conditions allow.

This island gives the day a clear visual change. Most island tours lean heavily on pale sand and blue water. Here, the dark stones provide something unusual to photograph and a reason to explore the shore even if you are ready for a break from snorkeling.

Take care with the stones. The information provided does not say that they are comfortable for bare feet, so flip-flops or other secure footwear are a good idea. You should also follow any local instructions about handling or moving them. The stop is short, so focus on the patterns, the shoreline, and a few good photographs.

Jabang finishes the day with soft coral

The final water stop is Jabang, also written as Ko Cha Bang in the route details. You get around 30 minutes to snorkel among soft coral and schools of colorful fish before the boat returns to Koh Lipe.

Ending with a final underwater stop works well for anyone who wants one last chance to see marine life. It also means you should not pack your mask away too early. Keep your equipment handy until this stop is finished.

The final boat ride lasts about 30 minutes. You return to the Star Travel office near Pattaya Beach, giving you an easy endpoint if you want to walk back through Walking Street or continue your evening nearby.

What the $27 price really includes

At $27 per person, this is a strong package for a full 390-minute outing. The price includes the longtail boat, English or Thai-speaking guide, lunch, drinking water, seasonal fruit, snorkel mask, fins, life jacket, and basic accident insurance.

If you arranged each part separately, transport and equipment alone could make a low-cost island day less simple. Here, the value comes from combining several islands and having someone manage the route. You also avoid carrying your own fins and mask.

The national park fee is extra: 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. The useful money-saving detail is that you can reuse the park ticket you already bought after arriving on Koh Lipe by ferry or speedboat. Do not pay twice if you still have that ticket.

You are responsible for lost or damaged masks, snorkels, and other supplied items at full replacement cost. Pack carefully and keep track of your equipment when moving between the water, beach, and boat.

Small group advantages and limits

The group limit is 10 participants. That is a real benefit on a snorkeling day because you have a better chance of getting the guide’s attention. It also reduces the crowding that can make short reef stops frustrating.

A small group does not turn the trip into a private charter. You still follow a fixed route and fixed timing, and each stop has a set length. If you want to linger at one beach for several hours, this is not the right format.

The guide service deserves particular credit. A French booking described the guide as reassuring and helpful at showing fish and coral, with photos shared afterward. That kind of support can make a major difference if you feel uncertain in the water or do not know what to look for.

The strongest positive feedback also focused on the traditional Thai boat, the small group, and the guide’s care. Those are the parts I would value most, since they affect the feel of the entire day rather than just one viewpoint.

What to pack for a smoother day

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, a towel, flip-flops, a camera, breathable clothing, and a dry change of clothes. You should also keep your belongings compact because luggage and large bags are not allowed.

A waterproof pouch would be sensible for small essentials, although it is not specifically listed as provided. Keep your phone and camera protected while boarding and during wet stops.

Drones are not allowed. The tour supplies masks, fins, and life jackets, but you remain responsible for those items. If you wear glasses, the supplied information does not confirm prescription mask availability, so check ahead if that matters to you.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance and allows you to reserve while paying later. That flexibility is useful when sea conditions or your island schedule are still uncertain, but it does not remove the need to check the day’s starting time.

Who should book this island day?

I would recommend it most strongly to a first-time visitor to Koh Lipe who wants a simple way to see several nearby islands. You get a broad sample: cliffs, coral, beaches, monkeys, sea fans, black stones, and soft coral without arranging separate transport.

It also suits confident swimmers who like variety more than long periods at one reef. The guide, life jacket, and small group are helpful for beginners, though non-swimmers should not book it.

Experienced snorkelers should set more modest expectations. The route includes attractive spots, but the quality may vary, and only a couple may feel truly special if you have already snorkeled in exceptional destinations. In that case, spending a quiet day on Koh Lipe could be more rewarding.

Should you book the Koh Lipe 7 Island Trip?

Book it if you want good value, a traditional longtail boat, a small group, and a full schedule of island scenery for $27. The guide support and included gear make the day easy, especially for first-time snorkelers.

Skip it if you want complete freedom, a private boat, or guaranteed top-level snorkeling at every stop. The best way to enjoy this trip is to treat it as a varied island day with several chances for good water time, not as a nonstop reef expedition.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

You meet at the Star Travel office on Walking Street near Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is 390 minutes, or six and a half hours.

What kind of boat is used?

The tour uses a traditional Thai longtail boat.

Is lunch included?

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

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkel masks, fins, and life jackets are provided.

What languages does the guide speak?

The tour offers live guiding in English and Thai.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Is the national park fee included?

No. The fee is 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. You can reuse a national park ticket already bought after arriving on Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry.

Can children join the tour?

Children under two years old cannot join. The information does not specify an older minimum age, but non-swimmers are not suitable for the tour.

What happens if I need to cancel?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.