Lipe: Longtail Boat Snorkeling to Outer Islands Program B

The best part of this seven-hour longtail boat trip is the sheer variety. In one day, you visit seven islands and stop eight times for snorkeling, beaches, viewpoints, and a lunch break. The route takes you from shallow anemone beds around Koh Pai to the rare seven-colored coral at Jabang Island, with plenty of open-sea scenery between stops.

I like the small group of up to 10 people, which makes it easier for the captain to help you in the water. I also like the free underwater photos and videos, a useful extra when your phone is safely back on the boat. The main drawback is crowding. Several boats can reach the same sites together, and English explanations may be brief.

Key points to know before booking

• Seven islands and eight stops: Expect a busy day with repeated chances to snorkel, swim, take photos, and rest on beaches.
• Jabang’s seven-colored coral: This is the trip’s most unusual marine sight, but viewing it requires descending 15 to 20 feet.
• Small group service: The boat carries no more than 10 participants, and the captain can assist people who are not strong swimmers.
• Lunch at Monkey Beach: Your package includes a lunch box, fruit, and drinking water, with a stop near the island’s small monkeys.
• Free underwater media: The captain or guide takes underwater photos and videos, then sends them electronically.
• Bring an extra 200 THB or 100 THB: The national park fee is paid separately on site for adults and children.

What this Koh Lipe snorkeling day is really like

Program B is not a quiet, single-reef outing. It is a full circuit through the waters around Koh Lipe, with the longtail boat acting as both transport and viewing platform. You get the familiar Thai island feeling: a wooden boat, warm sun, clear water, rocky islands, and stops that vary from coral gardens to smooth black stones.

The $22 price is the strongest reason to consider it. The trip includes the boat, mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, lunch, fruit, water, accident insurance, and underwater media. Add the national park fee, and the total remains low for seven hours on the water.

That low price also comes with a practical tradeoff. This is a shared excursion, not a private charter. Your day follows a set route, and popular sites may feel crowded when several boats arrive at once. The timing can also feel loose. One recent outing started late, though the boat returned earlier, making the overall time close to the advertised schedule.

You 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, so you need to reach the shop yourself.

Koh Hin Son and the first open-sea views

Koh Hin Son is a rocky outcrop rising from the sea. It gives the day a strong opening because it looks quite different from a typical sandy island. The stop includes a viewpoint that received UNESCO recognition as an ASEAN heritage site in 1982.

The scenery here is mainly about rock, sea, and wide views rather than a long beach stay. Keep your camera ready, but also expect the boat to be part of the experience. A longtail boat is noisy compared with a modern speedboat, yet that engine note and low ride put you close to the water.

The route can be affected by conditions at sea, so the order or length of stops may change. The captain has adjusted plans for the needs of the small group in the past, which is useful when participants have different swimming abilities.

Koh Pai’s shallow water and anemone beds

Koh Pai is a good early snorkeling stop because the water is shallow and filled with anemones. You may see clownfish moving among the anemone beds, along with larger parrotfish passing over the reef.

This is the sort of stop that works well for people who are comfortable snorkeling but do not want every site to involve deep water. You can spend time looking closely rather than simply swimming across a reef. The descriptions of the marine life are not always extensive, though. If you want to know exactly what you are seeing, ask the guide directly.

The captain can help you in the water if you cannot swim. You still need to be comfortable entering the sea and wearing snorkeling equipment, but the included life jacket adds support. People with serious respiratory issues, back problems, or a strong tendency toward seasickness should choose another activity.

Koh Rokroy and the easygoing beach pause

Koh Rokroy combines shallow water, coral, and attractive island views. It is one of the more relaxed parts of the circuit, giving you a chance to alternate snorkeling with time on or near the beach.

That variety matters. Eight water and island stops can make a day feel repetitive if every stop requires constant swimming. Koh Rokroy gives you room to look around, take photographs, and enjoy the setting without treating the day like a race from one reef to the next.

Bring a hat and sunglasses for the periods between swims. The boat offers little shade information is not provided, so plan for direct sun. Sunscreen, swimwear, and beachwear are not supplied.

Ao Kum Nun and its coral gardens

Ao Kum Nun is a bay with several types of coral, including staghorn, hemp, and jackfruit coral. You can see clownfish, parrotfish, and tigerfish close to shore, then spend time on the beach taking pictures or simply watching the water.

This stop helps explain why the route uses several locations instead of relying on one famous reef. Coral conditions and fish activity can vary from place to place. If one stop is busy or less clear than expected, another may offer better views.

You should keep your expectations sensible. The exact visibility, fish activity, and comfort of the water can change with sea conditions. The trip gives you many chances, but no operator can guarantee a particular fish sighting.

Monkey Beach, lunch, and a useful break

Koh Dong’s Monkey Beach is the lunch stop. The package includes a lunch box, seasonal fruit, and drinking water. The beach has fine sand and clear water, while small monkeys may be nearby.

The monkeys are part of the setting, not a petting attraction. Keep food under control and follow the captain’s instructions. The description says the monkeys behaved themselves during one outing, but wild animals remain unpredictable.

Lunch has earned good marks for being pleasant and filling enough for a day outdoors. If you are vegetarian, eat only vegetables, or have a food allergy, you must tell the operator by email before the trip. Do not wait until you are standing on the beach. The operator says special food will not be prepared without advance notice.

Monkey Beach is also a welcome pause in the schedule. After several swims, you can dry off, eat, and sit on the sand before returning to the boat.

Koh Peung and the rope in stronger current

Koh Peung is known for feather stars and orange coral. The current can be strong here, so you may need to hold a rope while looking into the water.

This is one of the more demanding stops. It rewards people who are comfortable in moving water, but it is not the place to relax without paying attention. Wear the provided life jacket if you need extra support, and listen closely to the captain.

The included fins make it easier to control your position, though fins are not a substitute for swimming ability. If you are prone to seasickness, the long boat ride and changing water conditions may be uncomfortable. The tour specifically advises against booking if seasickness is a serious problem.

Jabang Island and the seven-colored coral

Jabang is the standout stop for marine life. The attraction is its rare seven-colored coral, with soft coral covering underwater rocks in bright shades.

To see the main formation, you may need to descend 15 to 20 feet. That depth is not suitable for everyone, and you should never feel pressured to go lower than is comfortable. You can still enjoy the area from the surface, but the most striking coral may be below you.

This is also a stop where good timing matters. If several boats arrive together, the water can become crowded around the best viewing point. Even so, the unusual coral makes Jabang worth keeping on the route.

The free photo and video service is especially useful here. The captain or guide can take underwater images while you focus on staying calm and looking at the reef. The files are shared electronically, often through a download link sent after the outing.

Hin Ngam’s black stones and final photographs

Hin Ngam is made from smooth black stones. Instead of a coral reef stop, it offers a short walk and a very different visual scene from the sandy beaches and shallow bays earlier in the day.

The stones are the main attraction, so wear footwear that works for a rocky shoreline. The stop is best for photos and a final change of pace. It also gives you a chance to appreciate how varied the islands around Koh Lipe can be within one boat route.

Some outings finish with especially good snorkeling at the last stop. That makes it worth keeping your mask and towel handy until the crew says the water portion is finished.

The captain, guide, and group size

The tour uses English and Thai. The captain provides basic assistance and can guide you underwater if you cannot swim. The small group limit of 10 helps, particularly when someone needs help with equipment or wants an underwater photograph.

Service appears to be one of the strongest parts of the outing. The captain may point out clownfish, Nemo, a baby stingray, or other sea life when spotted. The crew also takes photos for participants who bring their own cameras.

Do not expect a long natural history talk at every island. English commentary can be limited, and explanations of what to look for may be brief. If you want more information, ask about the coral, fish, and expected time at each stop. A little initiative will improve the educational side of the day.

The relaxed approach can be a plus. One captain adjusted the plan around the group’s needs, and the atmosphere suits people who want friendly help without a formal lecture.

Equipment, lunch, and what to pack

The price includes a mask and snorkel, fins, and a life jacket. Equipment has generally been described as adequate, though fit can vary from person to person. Arrive early enough to check your mask seal and ask for another size if needed.

Bring:

• Sunglasses
• A sun hat
• Swimwear and beachwear
• Sunscreen
• A towel, if you want one for the beach stops

Sunscreen is not included. Use reef-safe sunscreen if available, and apply it before boarding so you are not rushing at the first island.

The boat supplies drinking water and seasonal fruit. Alcohol, drugs, fishing equipment, fireworks, and explosive materials are not allowed. Bicycles are also listed as prohibited items, though you will not need one during the outing.

National park fee and the five-day rule

The national park fee is separate from the tour price. Adults pay 200 THB and children pay 100 THB on site.

Keep the park ticket with you. It is valid for five days from the purchase date, not indefinitely. If you return for the excursion after those five days and an officer checks your ticket, you will need to buy another one.

This is an easy cost to overlook when comparing tours. The extra fee is modest, but include it in your budget rather than treating the advertised $22 as the complete total.

Who should book Program B?

I would choose this outing if you want maximum variety for a low price. It suits confident snorkelers who like moving between several islands and do not mind sharing popular sites with other boats.

It also works for mixed groups. The captain can assist weaker swimmers, and the route includes shallow areas, beaches, and viewpoints rather than seven demanding reef sessions. Still, anyone who cannot comfortably enter the sea, has significant back or breathing problems, is pregnant, or is under six should not book.

Choose something else if your top priority is silence, detailed marine biology information, or a private schedule. The boat may arrive at busy stops with several others, and explanations can be short. For many people, the low price, free underwater media, lunch, and large number of stops make that a fair exchange.

Should you book this longtail boat tour?

Yes, if you want a full day around Koh Lipe without spending much. Program B packs seven islands, eight stops, lunch, equipment, and underwater photos into seven hours. The strongest moments are likely to be Jabang’s colored coral, Koh Pai’s anemones, Monkey Beach, and the changing scenery from the longtail boat.

Book with realistic expectations. You may wait at the shop before departure, share the water with other boats, and receive only short explanations in English. Tell the operator about food needs in advance, budget for the park fee, and arrive ready for sun and salt water.

For a small group that values variety and friendly assistance over privacy, this is a very good-value choice.

FAQ

How long does the snorkeling trip last?

The activity lasts seven hours. Check the available starting times when booking.

How many islands does the route visit?

The route visits seven islands and includes eight stops for snorkeling, beach time, viewpoints, or exploring.

How much does the national park fee cost?

The fee is 200 THB for adults and 100 THB for children, paid on site.

How long is the national park ticket valid?

The ticket is valid for five days from the date of purchase. If you use it after five days and an officer checks it, you must buy a new ticket.

What equipment is included?

The tour includes a mask, snorkel, fins, and a life jacket.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The package includes a lunch box, seasonal fruit, and drinking water.

Can the operator prepare special meals?

You must email the operator before the trip if you have food allergies, are vegetarian, or eat only vegetables. Special food is not prepared without advance notice.

Are underwater photos and videos included?

Yes. The captain or guide provides free underwater photos and videos, which are shared electronically.

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.

Is this trip suitable for children?

Children under six cannot join. The activity is also not suitable for pregnant women, people with back or respiratory problems, or people prone to seasickness.