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

Koh Lipe’s seven-island snorkel trip is a full day of island hopping in a classic Thai longtail boat. You’ll move from cliff views and black stone beaches to coral gardens, sea fans, and quiet coves, with enough time at several stops to swim rather than simply snap a photo and leave.

I like the small group of no more than 10 people, which makes the boat and guide’s attention more manageable. I also like the mix of scenery: Koh Hin Son gives you dramatic rocks, Koh Ro Khloi offers a broad beach and viewpoint, and Koh Hin Ngam looks like someone scattered polished black stones along the shore.

The main consideration is that not every snorkeling stop will feel equally special. If you have already snorkeled in truly exceptional tropical waters, you may find only two or three sites especially memorable. The trip is also not suitable for non-swimmers, pregnant women, or people with back or heart problems.

Key points to know before you book

• Longtail boat access: You’ll travel in a traditional Thai boat toward the islands east of Koh Lipe, with a 45-minute opening ride and a 30-minute return ride listed in the schedule.
• Four snorkeling stops: Koh Buloh, Ao Kam Nan, Koh Peung, and Jabang each offer a different underwater setting, from coral gardens to sea fans and soft coral.
• A proper island day: The schedule allows time for swimming at Ao Kam Nan and Koh Ro Khloi, plus a lunch and rest stop at Monkey Beach.
• Small-group format: The maximum group size is 10 participants, a useful limit on a compact boat.
• Practical inclusions: Masks, fins, life jackets, drinking water, seasonal fruit, lunch, an English or Thai-speaking guide, and basic accident insurance are covered.
• Extra park fee: You must pay 200 THB per adult or 100 THB per child for the national park, unless you already have a valid ticket from arriving on Koh Lipe.

A longtail boat day east of Koh Lipe

The morning starts at the Star Travel office on Walking Street, near Pattaya Beach. This is a convenient meeting point if you are staying around Koh Lipe’s main village, but arrive ready to move because the tour begins with instructions, equipment, and a boat transfer rather than a slow beachside start.

Your guide gives basic snorkeling and safety advice before you leave. The guide speaks English or Thai and helps with the practical parts of the day, such as fitting masks, using fins, and understanding where you can swim. One French guest particularly appreciated a guide who pointed out fish and coral, offered reassurance in the water, and later shared photos taken during the trip.

The boat is a traditional longtail, not a large covered ferry. That matters. You get a closer connection to the sea and a distinctly Thai way to move between islands, but the ride can also feel exposed to sun, spray, and movement. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and breathable clothes. Leave large bags behind, since luggage and big daypacks are not allowed.

The posted day lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours. The schedule includes a 45-minute outward boat ride and a 30-minute return, leaving the rest of the time for swimming, lunch, walking, and snorkeling. The exact starting time depends on availability, so check it before booking your day around the trip.

Koh Hin Son brings the first big view

Koh Hin Son is a small rocky island with steep cliffs and broad views over the water. It is a good opening stop because you get scenery before putting on a mask and fins.

You may look out from the rock or swim in the clear water below. The listed stop lasts about 45 minutes, giving you time to take pictures and get comfortable with the day’s rhythm. This is more of a scenic and swimming stop than a dedicated coral session, so do not expect the same kind of underwater viewing at every island.

The rock formations are the point here. If the sea is calm, the cliffs and open views give the trip an immediate sense of place. Keep your camera secure around the boat and shoreline, and remember that a longtail has limited dry storage.

Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan offer the first real water time

The next stop is Koh Buloh, a small island with a coral garden and tropical fish. The schedule allows about 30 minutes for snorkeling. That is long enough to see the area at a relaxed pace, but it is not an extended session, especially if several people need help with masks or fins.

You might spot a sea turtle, but it should be treated as a lucky possibility, not a promise. The more dependable attraction is the chance to see coral and fish in a shallow island setting. Keep your fins away from the coral, and avoid standing on the reef even if the water feels shallow.

The route then reaches Ao Kam Nan, a bay on the south side of Koh Dong. The listed activity here is swimming for about an hour, so this stop gives you a break from repeated snorkeling. You can swim in the bay or rest on the beach, which is useful because a full day of salt water and sun can wear you down faster than expected.

I like this change of pace. A good boat trip needs more than one reef after another. Ao Kam Nan gives you room to float, dry off, and enjoy the setting without having to inspect the seabed every minute.

Koh Ro Khloi is the day’s quiet beach stop

Koh Ro Khloi brings a remote beach and a viewpoint with wide views of the surrounding islands. The schedule allows roughly an hour for swimming, and you can use that time to relax on the sand or walk up for the view.

This is one of the better stops for people who want a little quiet between water activities. The appeal is not a long list of facilities. It is the simple combination of beach, open water, and a viewpoint on an island that feels removed from Koh Lipe’s main strip.

The viewpoint does require walking, so wear flip-flops or other footwear that can handle a short island walk. The supplied advice also recommends bringing a change of clothes and a towel. Those items become especially useful here, since you can choose between swimming and staying dry for a while.

Monkey Beach combines lunch with a break

The route continues to Monkey Beach in the northeastern part of Koh Dong. The stop is listed as both a break and a lunch period, lasting about an hour.

You may see monkeys in the trees and can also swim in the calm water. Give the animals space and keep food secured. The supplied tour information does not promise a particular monkey encounter, so think of them as a possible part of the stop rather than the main reason to book it.

Lunch is included in a package, along with drinking water and seasonal fruit. That adds real value to a six-and-a-half-hour outing. You do not need to arrange a separate meal while moving between islands, though the information does not specify the exact menu. If you have dietary restrictions, ask Star Travel before booking rather than assuming the lunch will suit you.

This is also a sensible time to drink water, reapply sunscreen, and check your snorkeling gear. The heat and glare can build during the longtail rides, even when the air feels pleasant.

Koh Peung is for sea fans and underwater scenery

After lunch, the boat stops around Koh Peung for another 30-minute snorkeling session. This site is noted for colorful sea fans, which give the underwater view a different shape from a low coral garden.

Sea fans are delicate living organisms. Keep your fins and hands clear of them, and let the guide point out the best areas. A short stop can feel more worthwhile when you stay close to the guide’s route instead of scattering around the reef.

The guide’s role matters most at places like this. A good guide can help you spot fish and coral that you might swim past, while also keeping the group together. The small-group limit of 10 gives you a better chance of getting that kind of help than a crowded boat would.

Koh Hin Ngam has the most unusual shoreline

Koh Hin Ngam is famous for black stones in different shapes and patterns. The schedule allows about 30 minutes for a photo stop and walk, with time for a swim in calm water if conditions permit.

This island offers something different from the other stops. You are not looking only for coral or fish. The beach itself is the attraction, with dark stones that create a striking contrast with the surrounding sea.

Do not remove stones from the beach. The tour information calls attention to their natural patterns, and they are best treated as part of the island rather than souvenirs. Use the short stop for photos and a walk, then return to the boat when instructed.

Koh Hin Ngam is also a good reminder that this trip is not purely a snorkeling tour. You are buying a mix of reefs, beaches, rock formations, viewpoints, wildlife, and boat travel. That variety helps the day feel less repetitive.

Jabang finishes with soft coral and fish

The final snorkeling stop is Jabang, known for colorful soft coral and schools of fish. The listed time is about 30 minutes, making this another compact but focused water session before the boat heads back to Koh Lipe.

This may be one of the more rewarding stops for anyone who wants a lively underwater view. The soft coral and fish provide a different scene from Koh Peung’s sea fans, while the guide can help you locate the best parts of the area.

Do not measure the whole tour by one snorkeling stop. Sea conditions, visibility, weather, and daily water conditions affect what you see. One guest felt that only a couple of the sites truly justified the outing, while another found the coral, fish, and guide support excellent. Both reactions make sense. The route gives you many chances, but it cannot guarantee perfect visibility at every island.

What the 27 dollar price really covers

At about $27 per person, this is an inexpensive way to spend most of a day moving around the islands near Koh Lipe. The value is strongest if you need the basic gear and want transport, lunch, water, fruit, a guide, and several stops arranged in one package.

You receive a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket, so you do not need to rent those items separately. Basic accident insurance is also included. The national park entrance fee is extra: 200 THB for an adult and 100 THB for a child.

Check your arrival ticket before paying again. If you reached Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry and already paid the national park fee, you can reuse that ticket on the tour day. This small detail can save you an unnecessary charge.

The price is less compelling for strong snorkelers who already own gear and prefer to choose one excellent reef rather than visit several mixed sites. It is more useful for someone who wants a straightforward island day without arranging a private boat, buying lunch, or planning the route alone.

Who should book, and who should skip it

I would choose this tour if you want to see more than Koh Lipe’s beaches in one day, like the character of a Thai longtail boat, and enjoy a mix of snorkeling and island stops. It suits confident swimmers and people who are happy with short snorkeling sessions spread across several locations.

It is also a good fit for first-time snorkelers. The guide gives instructions, the equipment is supplied, and the small group makes it easier to ask for help. You should still be comfortable in the water, because the tour is not suitable for non-swimmers.

I would skip it if you are pregnant, have back or heart problems, or want a very gentle boat outing. The longtail ride and repeated transfers may not suit you. It is also not the best choice if you expect every reef to look like a perfect aquarium. The trip’s strength is variety, not a guarantee of world-class snorkeling at every stop.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before departure, and the reserve-now, pay-later option helps if your Koh Lipe plans are still shifting. Drones and large bags are not allowed. Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a camera, a hat, sunglasses, flip-flops, and a dry change of clothes.

My call on the Koh Lipe seven-island trip

Book it if you want a well-priced, small-group day with plenty of variety. Koh Hin Son, Koh Ro Khloi, and Koh Hin Ngam give you strong scenery, while Koh Buloh, Koh Peung, and Jabang supply the main underwater interest. The guide support and included gear make the day easy to arrange.

Skip it if you have already seen outstanding coral reefs elsewhere and would rather spend a quiet day on Koh Lipe. The honest expectation is a good island-hopping outing with several worthwhile stops, not seven perfect snorkeling sites.

FAQ

Where does the Koh Lipe snorkeling trip 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. The schedule lists a 45-minute boat ride at the start and a 30-minute boat ride back to Koh Lipe.

What is included in the tour price?

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

Do I need to pay a national park fee?

Yes, unless you already paid the fee when arriving on Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry. The fee is 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child, and an existing ticket can be reused.

Is this tour suitable for non-swimmers?

No. The tour 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.