Snorkeling Koh Tao: 5 bays with guide and lunch

Five snorkeling stops, one boat, lunch between them

This snorkeling activity takes you to five bays around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan with an English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and round-trip transfer included. You'll swim at Japanese Gardens, Shark Bay, Leuk Bay, Hin Wong Bay and Mango Bay, with a viewpoint climb at Koh Nang Yuan and a buffet lunch served on the boat. The activity runs six to seven hours and suits all fitness levels; children from age seven are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling and sightseeing tour

• Swim and see coral at Japanese Gardens
• Climb Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint
• Have lunch on a boat
• Snorkel at Mango Bay
• Swim with tropical fish and corals
• See artificial coral reefs and parrotfish
• Swim with turtles and blacktip sharks at Shark Bay

The Experience

You get picked up from your hotel on Koh Tao and board a large boat with a toilet on board. The guide briefs the group on snorkeling safety, hands out life jackets and equipment, and the boat heads to the first stop: Japanese Gardens, ranked number one in the world for coral. You'll see staghorn coral, sea anemones and hundreds of colorful tropical fish in shallow water. A morning snack and beverage are served on deck between swims.

The boat then moves to Koh Nang Yuan, where you climb to the viewpoint overlooking three separate bays before returning to the water. Shark Bay comes next—the main draw for many travelers, since blacktip sharks live here and guests sometimes spot them close enough for photos. You'll also swim through artificial coral reefs where parrotfish gather. Lunch is a buffet served on the boat, followed by Mango Bay, where you can see sea anemones and more tropical species, and Hin Wong Bay, where turtles and blackfin sharks are found. A daily dessert and fruit round out the day before the return transfer to your hotel.

The boat carries the whole group, so you're never alone in the water, and the guide stays with you at each stop. Snorkeling equipment is provided—you bring only your swimsuit and towel. The six to seven hour timeline means you're back by mid-afternoon, leaving time to rest or explore the island on your own.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and round-trip transfer on Koh Tao.
• English-speaking guide.
• life jacket and snorkeling equipment.
• morning snack, buffet lunch on the boat, daily dessert and beverages.
• large boat with toilet on board.
• insurance.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Oh-Hoo

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to visit five snorkeling spots around Koh Tao in one trip—the boat stops at each location so you see more reef variety than a single-site dive.

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Top questions

What's the difference between the five snorkeling spots on this activity?

Japanese Gardens is a shallow coral garden with staghorn coral and anemones; Shark Bay is where blacktip sharks live and you can swim with them; Leuk Bay and Hin Wong Bay are home to turtles and smaller blackfin sharks; Mango Bay has colorful tropical fish and sea anemones. Koh Nang Yuan includes a viewpoint climb overlooking three bays before you enter the water.

Will I see sharks on this snorkeling activity?

Blacktip sharks live in Shark Bay and blackfin sharks in Hin Wong Bay, so encounters are possible. The guide will be with your group at each stop, and the operator notes that lucky guests sometimes get close enough for photos.

What's included in the lunch on the boat?

A buffet lunch is served on board, along with a morning snack, daily dessert, and beverages and fruit throughout the day.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

No. Life jackets and snorkeling equipment are provided. You'll need your swimsuit, towel and sunscreen; fins are not included but you can request them.

How long is this snorkeling activity and when do I get back?

The activity runs six to seven hours from pickup to drop-off, so you'll return to your hotel by mid-afternoon.

Is this snorkeling activity suitable for children?

Children from age seven are welcome. The operator notes the activity suits all fitness levels, though it is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.