Snorkeling Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: six reef stops

Snorkel six reefs in one day and see blacktip reef sharks, sea turtles, and coral gardens

A full-day snorkeling trip around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan takes you to six reef sites on a big boat with three decks, a professional English-speaking guide, and all snorkeling gear included. The boat leaves from your hotel with pickup and returns the same day; the itinerary covers Koh Nang Yuan's Japanese Garden reef, Lighthouse Pinnacle's coral walls, Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Ao Leuk Bay, and Shark Bay. Lunch, fresh fruit, water, coffee and tea are on board; you choose between a morning or afternoon departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snorkeling tour around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan

• Travel by big boat to Koh Nang Yuan
• Explore Koh Nang Yuan and Japanese Garden reef
• Snorkel at Lighthouse Pinnacle coral walls
• Swim in Mango Bay’s calm waters
• Snorkel at Hin Wong Bay coral reefs
• Explore Ao Leuk Bay marine life
• Snorkel at Shark Bay with reef sharks

The Experience

The boat picks you up from your resort and heads out to Koh Nang Yuan first, where three islands connected by twin sandbars create one of Thailand's most recognizable shapes. You snorkel the Japanese Garden reef here, a site known for vibrant marine life and the shallow, colorful corals that give it its name. From there the boat moves to Lighthouse Pinnacle, where the underwater landscape shifts to deeper coral walls and anemone gardens — the water is clear enough to see the structure of the reef itself, not just the fish moving through it.

Mango Bay comes next, and it's built for snorkelers new to the activity: the water stays calm and shallow, the corals are bright, and the fish are used to visitors. After lunch on the boat — a Thai-style buffet with fresh fruit, water, coffee and tea — you head to Hin Wong Bay, where soft corals, hard corals, and mushroom corals fill a cove that stays protected from the open water. Ao Leuk Bay follows, a quiet spot where parrotfish and tropical fish move through crystal-clear water and colorful coral gardens. The last stop is Shark Bay, where blacktip reef sharks hunt in the shallows and sea turtles feed — the sharks are small and not aggressive, but the moment of seeing them in their own water is the reason many snorkelers book this trip.

The boat has a sun deck, three levels to move between, and life jackets for everyone. Your guide speaks English and Thai, and all equipment — mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket — is provided. The trip runs seven hours total, with the remaining time split between boat travel between sites and the time spent in the water at each one. You can book either a morning or afternoon departure depending on your schedule.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transfer.
• snorkeling gear (mask, snorkel, fins, life jacket).
• Thai-style lunch buffet with fresh fruit.
• cold water, coffee and tea on board.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• accident insurance.
• access to the sun deck and three-deck boat.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Siam Scape Journeys

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want the reefs before the afternoon crowds build, or choose the afternoon trip if you prefer a later start — either way, the six-stop route and the guide's knowledge of where the sharks and turtles are most active stays the same.

Top questions

What is Koh Nang Yuan's Japanese Garden reef like?

The Japanese Garden is a shallow reef site at Koh Nang Yuan known for vibrant marine life and colorful corals in clear water — it's one of the first stops on the day and sets the tone for the snorkeling ahead.

Will I see sharks and sea turtles on this snorkeling trip?

Shark Bay, the final stop, offers a chance to swim with blacktip reef sharks and spot sea turtles feeding in the shallows — sightings are common but not guaranteed, and the sharks are small and not aggressive toward snorkelers.

Is this snorkeling trip suitable for beginners?

Mango Bay is specifically designed for snorkelers new to the activity, with calm shallow water and colorful corals; the guide is with you throughout, and life jackets are provided for everyone on the boat.

What's included in the lunch on the boat?

Lunch is a Thai-style buffet served on board, with fresh fruit, cold water, coffee and tea included — the meal happens between the morning and afternoon reef stops.

How long is the full snorkeling day?

The trip runs seven hours total, with time split between boat travel to the six reef sites, snorkeling at each location, and the lunch break on board.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling gear?

All snorkeling equipment is included — mask, snorkel, fins and life jacket are provided; you just need to bring a swimsuit and a towel.