Lipe: Longtail Boat Snorkeling to Outer Islands Program B

The best part of this Ko Lipe trip is the sheer variety packed into one day. You move from rocky islands and shallow coral gardens to a monkey beach, a black-stone shore, and Jabang’s famous seven-colored coral. It feels less like one snorkel stop repeated eight times and more like a tour of the islands around the Gulf of Thailand.

I like the small group of up to 10 people, and I like that lunch, fruit, water, fins, and underwater photos are included at a $22 starting price. The catch is crowding: several boats may reach the same sites together, and some guides give only brief information in English. Check in early, and expect a busy day on the water rather than a private island escape.

Key things to know before you book

• Eight stops across seven islands: You get a full day of snorkeling, beach time, viewpoints, and short shore visits rather than one long stay in one place.
• Jabang has the most unusual coral: The seven-colored coral is found below the surface, around 15 to 20 feet down, and the current can make this stop demanding.
• Monkey Beach includes lunch: The break combines fine sand, clear water, a boxed meal, fruit, and the chance to see small monkeys.
• Underwater photos are included: The captain or guide takes photos and videos during the snorkeling, then the office sends them through a download link.
• The price is strong, but not all-inclusive: You still pay the national park fee, 200 THB for adults or 100 THB for children, on site.
• This is an active sea day: Children under six, pregnant women, people with back or respiratory problems, and those prone to seasickness should not book.

What this Ko Lipe snorkeling day is really like

Program B is a seven-hour longtail boat outing from Ko Lipe. You check in at the local Wichit Tour shop at least 10 minutes before departure, then head out with a captain and an English or Thai-speaking guide.

The group is limited to 10 people, which matters on a small longtail boat. You will have a better chance of getting help with gear, photos, and getting into the water than on a large excursion boat. It does not mean the islands will be quiet, though. The most popular sites can receive several boats at once.

The longtail boat is part of the fun. You get open views of the sea, sun on your skin, and the distinctive sound of the boat’s long propeller. Bring a hat, sunglasses, swimwear, beachwear, and sunscreen. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the Wichit shop yourself.

The pace is fairly full. You make eight stops, but not every stop has the same purpose. Some are for snorkeling, some for a beach break, and some for a quick look at a striking island or viewpoint. That variety keeps the day moving, but it also means you should not expect long, quiet hours at one beach.

Koh Hin Son and the first rocky views

Koh Hin Son is one of the more unusual stops. It looks like a rocky outcrop sitting in the sea, rather than a typical tropical island with a broad beach. The attraction here is the viewpoint, which the tour information connects with UNESCO recognition as an ASEAN heritage site in 1982.

This is a good early reminder that the trip is not only about fish. The islands around Ko Lipe have different shapes and textures, and Hin Son gives you a sharp, open-water view. If you want a long shore walk, this is not the place. Think of it as a scenic stop built around the rocks and the viewpoint.

The boat schedule can shift. One recent outing started late but reached the stops earlier than expected, leaving the overall timing close to seven hours. That is useful to know if you have an evening ferry, dinner booking, or another fixed plan. Keep your schedule loose after the tour.

Koh Pai and Koh Rokroy for shallow-water snorkeling

Koh Pai is a small island with shallow water and many anemones. The anemones create a good setting for spotting clownfish, while larger parrotfish may pass through the area. This is one of the easier places to appreciate the marine life without needing to swim far from the boat.

The shallow water can suit people who are comfortable snorkeling but do not want a demanding swim. You still need to manage your own balance and breathing, and the crew provides a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket. The captain can guide you underwater if you cannot swim, but this is not a substitute for being able to stay calm in open water.

Koh Rokroy brings more of the classic tropical scene: shallow coral, clear water, and attractive views. Conditions can change with the weather and tide, so the exact quality of visibility is never guaranteed. Still, having several sites on the route gives you a better chance of finding enjoyable water during the day.

At each stop, ask the guide what to look for before you enter. Some people received excellent help with photos but felt the explanations about the sites and marine life were too brief. A simple question about clownfish, parrotfish, coral, or the best area to swim can make the stop more rewarding.

Ao Kum Nun, a practical reef stop with beach time

Ao Kum Nun is a bay with several coral types, including staghorn coral, hemp coral, and jackfruit coral. The appeal is variety at close range. You can look for clownfish, parrotfish, and tigerfish among the coral, then spend time on the beach taking photos or resting in the shade of your own beachwear and hat.

This stop works well for people who want more than nonstop snorkeling. The beach gives you a chance to dry off and enjoy the scenery, though the amount of time on shore depends on the day’s schedule and sea conditions.

I would keep your expectations sensible. Coral reefs are living places, not underwater aquariums, and visibility varies. The strongest part of this route is the number of different environments you visit. If one reef is less clear or more crowded, another stop may offer better conditions later.

Monkey Beach and the included lunch break

Koh Dong’s Monkey Beach is the main meal stop. You get a lunch box, seasonal fruit, and drinking water, with clear water and fine sand around you. Small monkeys are also part of the setting.

The lunch is simple rather than a restaurant meal, but it is exactly the sort of food that fits a day on a boat. Several people found it tasty and adequate, and the fruit helps during a long active outing. If you are vegetarian, eat only vegetables, or have a food allergy, tell the operator by email before the trip. If you wait until the day itself, the requested food may not be prepared.

The monkeys may be entertaining, but give them space and keep food secured. The tour information does not promise a particular animal encounter, so think of them as a possible part of the stop, not the main reason to book.

Monkey Beach is also a useful pause in the schedule. Eight stops can leave you tired, especially under strong sun. Eat, drink water, and use the break to reset before the next reef.

Koh Peung and the current near the feather stars

Koh Peung is known for feather stars and orange coral. The site can be especially interesting for anyone who likes unusual reef shapes and smaller details rather than only searching for large fish.

There is an important practical warning here: the current can become strong, and you may need to hold onto a rope. Listen closely to the captain and guide, use the life jacket if needed, and do not treat this stop as a casual swim. The rope is there to help you stay in position and avoid being carried away from the group.

This is also where the difference between being a confident swimmer and being comfortable in moving water matters. The captain can assist people who cannot swim, but people prone to seasickness, with respiratory problems, or who are not comfortable in open water should consider skipping this experience altogether.

Jabang’s seven-colored coral

Jabang is the signature stop for many people. The attraction is a formation of soft coral in several bright colors, often described as seven-colored coral. To see the rock and coral clearly, you may need to go down about 15 to 20 feet.

That depth is not required for everyone, and you should never feel pressured to go below your comfort level. Snorkel at the surface, use the life jacket, and ask the crew where the best view is. The guide can help position you, but the current and sea conditions affect how much you can see.

The combination of color, depth, and moving water makes Jabang more demanding than the shallow sites at Koh Pai or Koh Rokroy. It is also one reason the route feels varied. You get gentle reef viewing earlier, then a more active stop for those who want to go lower.

If you own a waterproof phone case, bring it, but do not expect to manage every photo yourself. The crew provides a free underwater photo and video service, and this is one of the strongest extras in the package. Several outings produced a useful set of images, which the office later shared by download link.

Hin Ngam and the smooth black stones

Hin Ngam is one of the most distinctive islands on the route. Instead of a pale sandy beach, it is made from smooth black stones. The stop is mainly about walking around, taking pictures, and seeing a shoreline that looks very different from the usual Ko Lipe beach scene.

Wear footwear that you can manage comfortably on uneven stones, although the supplied information does not specify that water shoes are included. Beachwear and a hat are useful here, and you should keep your belongings secure while moving around.

Hin Ngam is a fitting late stop because it gives your eyes a rest from looking below the surface. After several snorkeling sessions, a short walk over black stones and a wide sea view can feel just as welcome as another reef.

Fish, coral, and the photo service

The marine life listed for this trip includes clownfish, parrotfish, tigerfish, anemones, feather stars, and soft and hard coral. You might see more or less depending on visibility, season, water conditions, and how close the fish come.

The captain and guide are particularly helpful for people who want underwater photos. The guide may point out Nemo, and one outing even found a baby stingray. Those are possible sightings, not guarantees, but they show why it helps to have someone watching the reef with you.

The photo service adds real value at this price. The crew takes underwater pictures and videos, and the office sends them electronically afterward. If you also want photos with your own camera, guides have helped hold or use guests’ cameras during the snorkeling.

The weak point is interpretation. Some English explanations may be short, especially if the guide speaks little English. You will get more from the day if you ask direct questions at each stop: What fish should I look for? How long do we have? Is the current strong? Where is the coral?

Is $22 a good value?

At $22 per person, this is a low-cost full-day outing, especially with eight stops, a lunch box, fruit, water, snorkeling gear, fins, life jacket, accident insurance, and underwater photos. You also get a small group rather than a large boat loaded with people.

The national park fee is extra: 200 THB per adult or 100 THB per child, paid on site. Add that to the advertised price when comparing tours. The park ticket remains valid for five days from the date of purchase, but if you join after that period and an officer checks it, you need to buy another ticket.

The value is strongest if you plan to snorkel several times during your Ko Lipe stay. Buying or renting gear separately, arranging a boat, paying for lunch, and finding photo service could cost more and require more planning. The value is less clear if you dislike boats, dislike busy snorkeling sites, or want a slow day at one quiet beach.

Who should book Program B?

I would choose this trip if you want to see a lot in one day and enjoy changing scenery. It suits confident snorkelers, couples, friends, and active families with children aged six and over who are comfortable in the sea.

It is also a good fit for people who care about photos. The included underwater images are not a minor extra if you want a record of the coral and fish without handling a camera yourself.

I would think twice if you are prone to seasickness or have back, respiratory, or pregnancy-related concerns. The boat ride, sun, current, repeated entries into the water, and moving sea can make the day tiring. Children under six cannot join.

Book with realistic expectations about crowds and commentary. You may share famous sites with several boats, and the English explanation may be limited. In exchange, you get a broad route, helpful crew, strong photo support, lunch, and a lot of reef time for a modest price.

FAQ

How long is the Ko Lipe Program B snorkeling tour?

The tour lasts seven hours and includes visits to seven islands with eight snorkeling, beach, or sightseeing stops.

What is included in the tour price?

The price includes a lunch box, seasonal fruit, drinking water, mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, accident insurance, underwater photos and videos, and captain assistance in the water.

How much is the national park fee?

The national park fee is 200 THB for adults and 100 THB for children. It is paid on site and is not included in the tour price.

Where do I check in?

Check in at the local activity provider’s shop at least 10 minutes before departure. Look for the sign marked Wichit. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Can people who cannot swim join?

The captain can assist and guide you underwater if you cannot swim, and life jackets are provided. However, the activity is not suitable for people with respiratory problems or those prone to seasickness, and you should be comfortable following safety instructions in the water.

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses, a sun hat, swimwear, sunscreen, and beachwear. You should also bring your national park ticket if you already purchased one. Inform the operator by email in advance about food allergies or vegetarian requirements.