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

Seven islands, one long day at sea. This Koh Lipe outing combines a classic Thai longtail boat ride with several snorkeling stops, quiet beaches, rock formations, and a simple lunch on Monkey Beach. I like the small group limit of 10 people, and I like that the English-speaking guide gives safety advice, helps swimmers in the water, and may take photos for you.

The price of $27 per person is appealing for a 390-minute trip that includes lunch, fruit, drinking water, equipment, and basic accident insurance. My main caution is that the snorkeling quality is uneven. Two sites may feel especially rewarding, while others can seem ordinary if you have already snorkeled in truly outstanding tropical waters.

Six details that shape the day

• A traditional longtail boat carries only 10 participants, giving the trip a more personal feel than a large speedboat outing.
• Koh Hin Son offers cliffs and rock scenery, so the day is not limited to swimming and snorkeling.
• Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan provide coral gardens, with tropical fish and time for swimming.
• Koh Ro Khloi has a broad beach and viewpoint, making it one of the best stops for a quiet break and photos.
• Koh Hin Ngam is covered with patterned black stones, a striking change from the usual white-sand island stop.
• Jabang is the final snorkeling site, with soft coral and schools of colorful fish before the ride back to Koh Lipe.

Meeting at Pattaya Beach for a small-boat day

You begin at the Star Travel office on Walking Street, close to Pattaya Beach on Koh Lipe. This is a useful meeting point because it is central and easy to reach from the main beach area, though you should allow enough time to find the office before departure.

The guide gives basic snorkeling and safety instructions before you board. That matters here. A longtail boat feels wonderfully open to the sea, but it also offers less shelter than a larger covered vessel. Bring a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and light clothing, and keep your belongings compact because large bags and luggage are not allowed.

The boat ride itself is part of the experience. You will hear the engine, feel the movement of the water, and see the islands arrive slowly rather than rushing toward them in a fast, enclosed cabin. The schedule allows about 45 minutes for the outward boat ride, followed by another 30 minutes on the return.

This is a small group trip, limited to 10 people, which is one of its strongest features. A guide can pay more attention to individual swimmers in a group this size. One French participant particularly appreciated the guide’s help in pointing out fish, coral, and taking photos during the day. No guide name is provided, but that personal support is worth noting if you feel unsure in the water.

Koh Hin Son brings cliffs before coral

Koh Hin Son is a compact island with dramatic cliffs and strong views across the surrounding water. The stop gives the day a scenic opening before the main snorkeling sessions begin.

You can take in the rock formations and panoramic views from above, or swim in the clear water below. This is a good early stop because it lets you settle into the boat rhythm without immediately spending a long period with your face in the water.

The main limitation is time. The stop lasts about 45 minutes, and the schedule describes it as sightseeing rather than a long walk or serious hike. I would treat it as a photo and scenery stop with the option of a swim, not as a full island exploration.

If you enjoy unusual rock shapes, Koh Hin Son may be one of the most memorable parts of the route. If your priority is coral and fish, save your energy for the later water stops.

Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan offer the first real swims

The next stop is Koh Buloh, also identified as Ko Sakai in the schedule. It is a small island with a colorful coral garden, tropical fish, and the possibility of spotting a sea turtle. The snorkeling time is about 30 minutes, so you get a focused look at the reef rather than an open-ended swim.

I like this stop because it adds a clear underwater purpose to the morning. The coral garden gives you something to search for, and the guide’s assistance can help you notice fish that are easy to miss when you are simply looking down from the surface.

You should keep expectations sensible. Coral visibility and marine life can change with sea conditions, and a 30-minute stop is fairly short. A turtle is possible, not promised. Still, this is one of the places where the trip earns its low price, since masks, fins, and a life jacket are already supplied.

The route then continues to Ao Kam Nan, a bay on the southern side of Koh Dong. The schedule gives you about an hour here for swimming. You can snorkel around the coral reef, enter the water, or simply enjoy time on the beach.

This longer stop gives the day a needed pause. You are not being moved from one quick photo point to the next. The tradeoff is that the stop may feel less exciting if you only want busy coral gardens and lots of fish. I would use it as a chance to rest, cool off, and enjoy the bay at an easy pace.

Koh Ro Khloi is the quiet beach break

Koh Ro Khloi is one of the most appealing stops for anyone who likes empty-feeling beaches and wide views. It has a panoramic beach and a viewpoint overlooking the surrounding islands.

The schedule allows about an hour for swimming, beach time, and the viewpoint. That is enough to choose your own pace. You can stay close to the water, walk along the sand, or make the short effort to reach the higher view.

I would not treat this as a major hiking destination. The attraction is the combination of a quiet beach and a scenic outlook, not a long trail system. It also gives you a break from snorkeling gear, which becomes increasingly welcome as the day goes on.

The beach is described as remote and unspoiled, but this is still a scheduled stop shared with the rest of the small group. You should expect peace compared with Koh Lipe, not complete solitude.

Monkey Beach is lunch with a side of wildlife

The boat continues to Monkey Beach on the northeast side of Koh Dong. The stop lasts about an hour and includes lunch.

The monkeys are part of the appeal, but you should watch them from a sensible distance and avoid treating them like tame pets. The schedule also includes time for swimming in calm water, so this stop is not just a quick animal sighting.

The lunch is included as a package, along with drinking water and seasonal fruit. The information does not specify the menu, so I would not book this expecting a particular dish or a restaurant-style meal. Think of it as practical island food that keeps the day moving.

This is a good point in the schedule for lunch because you have already completed several water activities. Eat, drink, and dry off before putting your mask and fins on again. You will appreciate the break more than you might expect.

Koh Peung changes the underwater scenery

After lunch, the boat heads to a snorkeling location around Koh Peung. This area is known for sea fans, which can make the underwater view feel different from the coral garden at Koh Buloh.

The snorkeling time is about 30 minutes. That is enough for a concentrated look at the sea fans and reef life, but not enough to search every part of the site. If your guide points out a particular section, follow that advice instead of spreading too far from the group.

For me, the appeal of Koh Peung is variety. A good snorkeling day is not only about counting fish. Different coral shapes, sea fans, and underwater textures keep the stops from feeling identical.

At the same time, this is another location where conditions matter. The trip description presents it as an aquatic wonderland, but water clarity and marine life are never fully predictable. The guide’s role is important here, especially for showing you where to look.

Koh Hin Ngam and its black stones

Koh Hin Ngam is the most unusual beach stop on the route. Instead of pale sand, the island is famous for smooth black stones in different shapes and patterns.

The schedule gives you around 30 minutes for photos and a walk, with time to relax or swim in the calm water. This makes it a pleasant late-day stop because you can focus on the beach and rock patterns rather than rushing into another long snorkeling session.

The stones are the attraction, so look closely at their colors, markings, and rounded shapes. Follow any local rules about leaving them where they are. A beach can be memorable without offering a major activity, and Koh Hin Ngam provides a visual change after several reef stops.

If you want a classic soft-sand beach, this will not be that. If you enjoy natural details and unusual coastal scenery, it is one of the more distinctive stops.

Jabang finishes with soft coral and fish

The last major stop is Jabang, also called Ko Cha Bang in the schedule. Here you snorkel among colorful soft coral and schools of fish.

The timing is about 30 minutes, which makes this a final concentrated session rather than a long swim. I like the placement of Jabang at the end of the route. After the beaches, lunch, cliffs, and black stones, the day finishes with one more look beneath the surface.

This may be the strongest stop for people who want bright coral and groups of fish. It is also the point where tiredness can affect your enjoyment. If you have already spent much of the day in the water, take a short rest before entering again and use the life jacket if needed.

The return boat ride takes about 30 minutes. You arrive back at the Star Travel office after roughly six and a half hours total. That is a full outing, but the schedule breaks up the time with swimming, walking, lunch, and scenery.

What the $27 price really covers

At $27 per person, the trip is good value if you want a full day of island access without arranging boats, equipment, food, and guides separately.

The price includes:

• Longtail boat transportation
• Lunch
• Drinking water and seasonal fruit
• Snorkel mask and fins
• Life jacket
• English and Thai-speaking guide
• Basic accident insurance

You still need to pay the national park entrance fee, listed as 200 THB for adults and 100 THB for children. If you already paid this fee after arriving on Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry, reuse that ticket instead of paying again.

The value improves if you need snorkeling equipment. Renting a boat and arranging several island stops separately would take more planning, and the small group size gives this trip an advantage over a crowded boat. The price is less compelling if you have your own boat access, your own snorkeling gear, or very high expectations for world-class coral.

The average rating is 4.5 from 37 reviews, with especially strong praise for the small group, the traditional boat, and the guide’s help in the water. One French review rated the outing as merely adequate for experienced snorkelers who have already visited exceptional reef destinations. That is a fair warning, not a reason to dismiss the trip.

Who should book this Koh Lipe trip?

I would recommend it most to first-time snorkelers on Koh Lipe, couples who want a simple day on the water, and visitors who want more than one beach without arranging transport themselves.

It also suits people who like a mixed itinerary. You get rock formations at Koh Hin Son, coral at Koh Buloh and Ao Kam Nan, a beach and viewpoint at Koh Ro Khloi, monkeys and lunch at Monkey Beach, sea fans at Koh Peung, black stones at Koh Hin Ngam, and soft coral at Jabang.

You should think twice if you are a serious snorkeler comparing Koh Lipe with famous reef destinations. The trip visits several attractive sites, but not every stop will feel equally special. You may prefer a quieter day on Koh Lipe if you already know that ordinary coral and short snorkeling sessions will leave you disappointed.

The tour is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, people with back or heart problems, non-swimmers, or anyone who cannot manage a long day around open water. You also cannot bring luggage or large bags, and drones are not allowed. Pack only the essentials: swimwear, towel, change of clothes, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, camera, flip-flops, and breathable clothing.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want a low-cost, well-organized introduction to Koh Lipe’s surrounding islands, especially if a small group and helpful guide matter to you. The traditional longtail boat, varied stops, included lunch, and supplied gear make the $27 price easy to justify.

Skip it if you are an experienced snorkeler seeking consistently exceptional reefs. For everyone else, this is a practical way to see the Adang archipelago in one day, with enough variety to keep the long schedule interesting and enough free time to make it feel like more than a checklist of stops.

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 experience lasts 390 minutes, or about six and a half hours, including the boat rides and island stops.

Is snorkeling equipment included?

Yes. The tour provides snorkel masks, fins, and life jackets.

Is lunch included?

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

Do I need to pay a national park entrance fee?

Yes, the fee is 200 THB per adult and 100 THB per child. If you already paid after arriving on Koh Lipe by speedboat or ferry, you can reuse that ticket.

Can I cancel the booking?

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