Koh Tao snorkeling tour: 5 stops with green turtles

Swim with green turtles in five bays without arranging the boat or the gear

A five-stop snorkeling tour around Koh Tao that departs from Mae Haad Pier in the morning or afternoon, with hotel pickup included. You board the boat, snorkel at Nang Yuan Island (with a hike to the viewpoint), Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Ao Leuk Bay, and Shark Bay, where green turtles swim. Lunch, snorkeling equipment, life jackets, fresh fruit, pineapple cookies, water, and underwater photography are included; the tour runs 6 to 7 hours total. Entry to Nang Yuan Island is a separate fee.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling tour around Koh Tao

• Pickup from hotel lobby
• Briefing at Sangthong Tours
• Board boat at Mae Haad Pier
• Visit Nang Yuan Island and hike viewpoint
• Snorkel and swim at Mango Bay
• Lunch onboard the boat
• Snorkel and swim at Hin Wong Bay
• Snorkel and swim at Ao Leuk Bay
• Swim with turtles at Shark Bay
• Return boat ride to Mae Haad Pier
• Taxi back to hotel

The Experience

Your hotel pickup gets you to Mae Haad Pier, where you'll board the boat and wait for the group to gather before departure. The crew briefs you on the day ahead, and once everyone is on board, the boat heads out to the first stop. No need to arrange transport to the pier or figure out which snorkeling spots are worth the trip — the route is set, the equipment is waiting, and the guide knows where the turtles and the coral are.

Nang Yuan Island is the first major stop: a famous beach that connects three small islands, and the Japanese Garden snorkeling area is considered one of the top spots on Koh Tao. You can hike to the viewpoint on the tallest island for views across the bay, or stay in the water exploring the tropical fish and coral. From there, the boat moves to Mango Bay, where lunch is served onboard — Thai cuisine with vegetarian options — before you snorkel in the clear water. Hin Wong Bay comes next, known for parrotfish, butterflyfish, and vibrant coral gardens. The fourth stop is Ao Leuk Bay, where baby coral reef sharks sometimes appear in the shallow water. The final stop is Shark Bay, where green turtles are the draw: you jump in and swim alongside them in their own habitat.

The return journey takes about 20 minutes on a slow boat, giving you time to rest before a taxi meets you at the pier and takes you back to your hotel. Life jackets, snorkeling equipment, fresh fruit, pineapple cookies, and water are provided throughout the day. If you want underwater photos of the turtles or the coral, the crew can arrange that as well. Choose the morning departure if you want the full day of snorkeling, or the afternoon option if you're arriving later or prefer a shorter window.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return taxi.
• snorkeling equipment (mask, fins, snorkel) and life jacket.
• lunch with Thai cuisine and vegetarian options.
• fresh fruit and pineapple cookies.
• water throughout the day.
• underwater photography service.
• restroom on board.

Good to know

Easy physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by kohtao sangthong tours

Is this one for you?Book the morning tour if you're free for a full day and want to maximize time at all five snorkeling spots; choose the afternoon option if you're arriving in the morning or prefer to spend only the second half of your day on the water. Either way, the boat, the guide, and the route to the turtles are arranged — you show up at your hotel and the rest unfolds.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the morning and afternoon snorkeling tour on Koh Tao?

Both tours visit the same five snorkeling spots and include the same equipment, lunch, and guide service. The morning departure gives you a full 6 to 7 hours on the water starting early; the afternoon tour runs the same route but departs later in the day, so you can book it if you're arriving in the morning or prefer an afternoon schedule.

Will I actually see green turtles at Shark Bay?

Shark Bay is where the tour stops specifically to swim with green turtles, and they are regularly present in the bay. The crew knows where to find them, though sightings depend on the day and the season — the turtles are wild animals and their presence is never guaranteed, but this is the most reliable spot on the tour.

Is the snorkeling equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

Snorkeling equipment — mask, fins, and snorkel — is provided on the boat, along with a life jacket. You don't need to bring your own or rent separately; everything is ready when you board.

What's included in the lunch served on the boat?

Lunch is a mix of Thai cuisine served onboard as the boat travels between snorkeling spots. Vegetarian options are available, and fresh fruit, pineapple cookies, and water are provided throughout the day to keep you hydrated and energized.

Do I need to be an experienced snorkeler to join this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the crew provides a briefing before departure to make sure you're comfortable in the water. Life jackets are included, and the snorkeling spots range from shallow coral gardens to deeper areas, so you can choose where to swim based on your comfort.

How do I get from my hotel to the boat?

Hotel pickup is included in the tour price. A taxi will collect you from your hotel lobby in the morning or afternoon depending on which departure you book, and bring you to Mae Haad Pier. After the tour, a taxi meets you at the pier and takes you back to your hotel.