Koh Lipe: Longtail Boat Snorkeling Trip Program A

The best part of this six-hour trip is the sheer amount of sea you cover for $19 per person. You move from Jabung’s seven-color coral to black stones at Hin Ngam, then on to clear shallows, white sand, and reefs filled with clownfish. It is a full day on the water, not a quick boat ride with one token swim.

I like the small group of up to 10 and the fact that the captain also helps in the water. I also like the free GoPro photos and videos, since you can enjoy the snorkeling instead of trying to hold a camera steady. The main drawback is that several boats can reach the same sites together, and the longtail boat has little protection from spray in rough weather.

Key points to know before booking

• Jabung gives you the trip’s signature reef: Look for soft corals, sea anemones, and colorful fish in water about 15 to 20 feet deep.
• Hin Ngam is a beach stop with a twist: There is no sandy beach, only smooth black stones that shine when wet.
• Your captain may be your underwater photographer: The crew takes free photos and videos, often shared later by WhatsApp or a download link.
• The $19 price includes the useful extras: Lunch, fruit, water, mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket, and accident insurance are all included.
• Expect shared timing at popular sites: The scenery is excellent, but the water can feel crowded when several boats arrive together.
• Pack for sun, spray, and wet landings: Bring swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen, and protect your phone from seawater.

A full day around Koh Lipe’s inner islands

This is the kind of outing that makes sense if you want to see more than the beaches near Koh Lipe without spending much. The route visits reefs and islands around the Tarutao National Marine Park area, using a traditional longtail boat rather than a larger speedboat.

The boat is part of the experience. You travel low over the water, with the engine noise, sea spray, and views of small islands close by. That also means you should not expect a quiet, dry ride. One person found water hitting the face uncomfortable in rain and wind, since the sides do not have full covers.

The group is limited to 10 people, which helps when getting on and off the boat and keeps the day from feeling like a large excursion. The captain is also your guide, boat operator, safety helper, and sometimes underwater photographer. A guide named Joe was praised for moving the group to calmer snorkeling sites when conditions turned rough, a useful sign that the route can change with the sea.

Jabung Island and the seven-color coral

Jabung is the first major snorkeling stop and one of the most unusual. At the Jabang Canal, underwater rocks support soft corals, anemones, and tropical fish. The water is listed at about 15 to 20 feet, shallow enough for ordinary snorkeling but deep enough to give you a clear view of the reef below.

The name seven-color coral refers to the mix of colors and coral forms visible around the rocks. You might see the best detail by swimming slowly and looking down rather than racing from one fish to the next. The captain can guide people who are not confident swimmers, and a life jacket is provided.

This stop suits you if you want a proper reef rather than only a scenic beach. It is less suited to anyone who struggles in open water, since even a moderate depth can feel daunting when the boat is bobbing nearby. If you are not a strong swimmer, tell the captain early and stay close to the group.

Hin Ngam’s black stones and wet shine

Hin Ngam is not a typical tropical beach. There is no soft sand to lie on. Instead, the shore is covered with rounded gray-black stones that are close in size and polished-looking when waves wash over them.

The stones are the reason to stop here, so take a moment to walk carefully and look at the shoreline. They can be slippery when wet. Hin Ngam is also a checkpoint, and you need to carry your national park entry ticket for inspection.

This stop breaks up the snorkeling with a distinctive coastal view. It is also a good place for photographs, though you should not expect the usual white-sand beach scene. The route includes Rawi later for that.

The reef behind Hin Ngam

Behind Hin Ngam, the boat reaches a snorkeling site with rock corals, brain corals, fire corals, and clownfish. The water is not very deep, so the reef should be easy to see from the surface when visibility is good.

This is one of the better stops for fish watching. Clownfish, often called Nemo, are a frequent highlight, and the coral shapes give you plenty to look at even when fish are hiding. Follow the guide when underwater photographs are being taken. One useful tip from the day is that the captain may lead you toward small fish or coral that you would otherwise swim past.

The captain does not always communicate at length in English. The available languages are English and Thai, but one person found that other people in the boat sometimes helped pass along instructions. Basic safety directions are still given, and you can ask for clarification before entering the water.

Koh Yang for hard coral and clear shallows

Koh Yang lies north of Hin Ngam and shifts the focus from black rock to hard coral. Around the island, you may see staghorn coral, lettuce coral, and table-shaped coral, along with clear water and reef fish.

This stop is a good reminder that the route is not built around one single reef. The coral types change from place to place, even if some of the general scenery begins to look familiar by the fourth or fifth stop. One person felt the snorkeling points were beautiful but not very different from each other, so set your expectations accordingly.

You get variety in the setting, fish, and coral formations, but this is still a reef-hopping trip. If you want one long, uninterrupted snorkeling session, the repeated boat stops may feel a little structured. If you like short swims with new scenery, the rhythm works well.

Rawi Island and the lunch break

Rawi provides the classic island pause: white sand, clean clear water, and time to eat, walk, swim, and take photographs. Most people stop here for lunch and a bathroom break, making it the practical center of the day.

Lunch is included, along with seasonal fruit and drinking water. Egg fried rice has been served, and several people found the meal filling and tasty. Watermelon is a common treat. If you need vegetarian food, ask in advance, since one person specifically wished for a vegetarian option and the available information does not promise a set vegetarian meal.

Watch your food around the monkeys. One person lost lunch to a monkey at the beach, which is funny afterward but not while you are hungry. Keep food packed away when you are not eating and do not approach the animals.

Rawi is also where you get a genuine chance to slow down. The snorkeling stops are active, with people climbing in and out of the water and moving around the reef. At Rawi, you can walk the beach or swim without feeling that every minute must be spent looking for fish.

Adang Island and the final reef

The route finishes at Adang Island, where the reef includes staghorn, brain, big star, and orange cup corals. Sea anemones add color, and you may see at least two types of clownfish, along with clams, rock gourami, blue starfish, and lionfish.

This is a strong final stop because it combines coral variety with a good chance of seeing familiar reef species. Lionfish deserve extra care. Look, but do not touch, and follow the captain’s instructions around coral and marine life.

The official route lists six places, but several are connected to the same island area. In practical terms, you should think of the day as a series of reef stops plus Hin Ngam and Rawi, rather than six completely separate island visits. Some recent accounts describe five main snorkeling points, which fits the way the route is usually experienced.

What the $19 price really covers

At $19, the price is unusually low for a six-hour island and snorkeling trip. The value comes from the bundle: boat transport between sites, mask and snorkel, fins, life jacket, lunch, fruit, water, accident insurance, and free underwater photos and videos.

The images may be the biggest bonus. The captain or crew member enters the water with a GoPro and takes pictures as you swim. Files have been shared by WhatsApp, Google Drive, or another download link, sometimes the next day. Ask at the counter how your group will receive them, especially if you want to keep the photos before leaving Koh Lipe.

This is not a polished luxury cruise. You are paying for a practical longtail boat, simple food, and a hands-on crew. That is exactly why the price works. You receive the important parts of the day without paying for a large boat, private service, or fancy meal.

Boat comfort, safety, and sea conditions

The sea can be calm and easy or wet and rough. A longtail boat has open sides, and spray can reach you during the ride. Bring a towel and keep electronics in a waterproof bag. Sunscreen is essential because there is little escape from the tropical sun.

The crew supplies life jackets and accident insurance. The captain can assist you in the water if you cannot swim, but this does not turn the outing into a beginner swimming lesson. You should be comfortable with the idea of entering the sea, even if you use a life jacket and stay near the guide.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, people with mobility impairments, or people prone to seasickness. It is described as wheelchair accessible, but the separate warning about mobility impairments matters because a longtail boat involves boarding and wet transfers. If you use a wheelchair or need physical help, confirm the exact arrangements with Wichittour before paying.

Meeting point and simple preparation

Meet at the Wichittour counter on Koh Lipe’s Walking Street and check in at least 20 minutes before departure. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so plan your own route to the counter.

Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• A waterproof pouch for valuables
• Your national park entry ticket

The national park ticket is paid separately from the activity and must be shown at the checkpoint. It is valid for five days from the date of purchase. If you join the trip after those five days and an officer checks your ticket, you may need to buy another one.

Drones, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed. The operator decides if heavy rain makes the trip unsafe. If the outing cannot go ahead, the balance is returned, but weather can still affect the route, comfort, and visibility even when the boat operates.

Who will enjoy this snorkeling trip most

I would choose this outing if you want a low-cost way to see several islands and reefs in one day. It suits couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and anyone who values scenery and fish more than onboard comfort.

It is especially useful for a first snorkeling trip because equipment is included and the captain can help in the water. The small group also makes it easier to ask for assistance than on a large boat.

I would think twice if you get seasick, have back trouble, dislike wet boat rides, or need a fully dry and sheltered seat. You should also avoid booking it for a quiet beach day. The program has a clear rhythm: boat ride, water stop, boat ride, beach stop, and repeat.

The overall rating is 4.8 from 552 ratings, and the most consistent strengths are clear snorkeling sites, friendly guidance, underwater photos, lunch, and low cost. The practical weaknesses are shared timing at popular reefs, limited shade and cover, and occasional gaps in spoken instructions.

Should you book Program A?

Yes, if you want the best value for a full day around Koh Lipe’s inner islands. The coral, fish, white beach at Rawi, black stones at Hin Ngam, and free underwater images make this much more than a basic boat transfer.

Book it early in your stay if possible, so you have time to reschedule if weather stops the trip. Bring your park ticket, protect yourself from the sun, and do not expect an uncrowded reef at every stop. For $19, a small group, lunch, gear, and six hours on the water make this an easy choice for most confident swimmers.

FAQ

How long does the Koh Lipe Program A snorkeling trip last?

The trip lasts six hours. Check the available departure times when booking.

How much does the snorkeling trip cost?

The price is $19 per person.

Where do I meet the group?

Meet at the Wichittour counter on Walking Street in Koh Lipe. Check in at least 20 minutes before departure.

What islands and snorkeling sites does the trip visit?

The route includes Jabung Island, Hin Ngam Island, the snorkeling site behind Hin Ngam, Koh Yang, Rawi Island, and Adang Island.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch, seasonal fruit, and drinking water are included. Egg fried rice has been served, but a vegetarian meal is not guaranteed, so ask ahead.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. The tour provides a mask, snorkel, fins, and life jacket.

Are underwater photos and videos included?

Yes. The crew provides a free underwater photo and video service using a GoPro. Files may be shared through WhatsApp, Google Drive, or a download link.

Do I need a national park ticket?

Yes. Bring your national park entry ticket to show at the checkpoint. The ticket is valid for five days from its purchase date.

Can I cancel the booking?

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