Snorkelling Tours from Koh Samui: Our Koh Tao Trip

What snorkelling tour can I take from Koh Samui?

Our main snorkelling trip is the Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan day trip. It is a full-day shared speedboat trip with at least two snorkelling sessions around Koh Tao, free time on the Koh Nang Yuan sandbar beach, and a Thai lunch on Koh Tao.

We pick guests up at their hotel in the morning and drop them back in the early evening. It is a long day, so it suits people who want proper time in the water rather than a quick stop.

What will we actually do on the Koh Tao trip?

The day starts at the pier with check-in, a light breakfast and a safety briefing before we board the speedboat. The crossing to the first island takes around 90 minutes in normal sea conditions. Some days it takes a little longer, up to about two hours.

• Snorkel the reefs around Koh Tao, with coral gardens and tropical fish in good visibility
• Visit well-known sites such as Mango Bay or the Japanese Garden, depending on the day
• Have a Thai lunch at a restaurant on Koh Tao
• Spend free time on Koh Nang Yuan's three-sandbar beach
• Climb to the viewpoint if you feel like it
• Ride back to Koh Samui in the afternoon

Do we need snorkelling experience?

No. The snorkelling spots around Koh Tao suit beginners, and a mask, snorkel and life jacket are provided for every stop. Our guide speaks English and looks after the group in the water.

That said, we describe the trip as best for confident swimmers and people who enjoy snorkelling and feel comfortable on a speedboat. Getting in and out of the boat is done by ladder.

What will we see, and is it guaranteed?

In good visibility you can see coral gardens and plenty of tropical fish. Turtles and bigger species are occasionally spotted, but we cannot promise any sighting.

Snorkelling conditions vary with the weather and the sea. Our guides choose the best sites on the day for safety and clarity. Shark Bay is part of the itinerary, but whether you can get in the water there depends on the conditions that day. If they are not right, the crew changes the snorkelling spot.

Is the trip suitable for everyone?

Fitness level is moderate. Expect walking on sand and getting in and out of the boat by ladder. The viewpoint on Koh Nang Yuan is around 15 minutes uphill, and the trail is steep in parts, with steps and rocks. You can skip it and stay on the beach.

We do not recommend the speedboat for pregnant guests or anyone with serious back or neck problems, because of possible bumps on the waves. It is also less ideal for very small children or anyone who dislikes choppy seas.

Koh Nang Yuan has its own rules: no plastic bottles, limited smoking zones and set paths to the viewpoint. We ask everyone to follow the staff and the signs.

Is there a shorter or calmer snorkelling option?

Yes. Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan have the clearest water and the best coral reefs in the Gulf of Thailand, but they are 1.5 to 2 hours by speedboat each way. That makes the trip a full day.

The reefs closer to Koh Samui, around Koh Tan and Pig Island, are only 20 to 30 minutes away. The water there is calm and shallow, roughly 2 to 4 metres, which is easier for young children and nervous swimmers. Our Pig Island Join-in Speed Boat trip snorkels Koh Tan's reefs and also meets the pigs, with kayaking and a Thai lunch.

If you would like a day that mixes snorkelling with island scenery on a bigger boat, our Angthong Big Boat trip is an island-hopping day to Angthong Marine Park with snorkelling and a Thai lunch. Choose Koh Tao for the best snorkelling of your stay, and Koh Tan for the easiest.

What does the Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan cost, and what is included?

• Adult: ฿2,100 per person
• Child: ฿1,750 per person

Hotel pickup included · Admission fee included · No hidden fees · Instant confirmation

The Ang Thong national park is closed from 1 November to 15 December every year.

Can you cancel or change your booking?

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour date, fully refundable. If our captain decides the sea or weather makes the tour unsafe, you can choose a new date or a full refund. There is no fixed booking period: book as early as you can to secure your spot, because Koh Samui tours fill up easily, even in low season.

What else should you read before you go?

• Ang Thong closed 1 Nov to 15 Dec: what to do instead
• Ang Thong Marine Park Fees: What You Pay
• Koh Samui vs Koh Tao: Which Is Better for a Day?

Which other trips do we run from Koh Samui?

• Pig Island Join-in Speed Boat
• Half-Day Elephant Sanctuary Feeding Program

Where can you check official information?

Official information is published by the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Tourism Authority of Thailand and Ministry of Tourism and Sports.