Snorkeling Koh Tao: 5 Islands with Shark Bay & Nangyuan

Shark Bay has blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles you can swim alongside every day.

A full-day snorkeling tour around Koh Tao visits five islands (Koh Nangyuan, Mango Bay, Ao Hin Wong, Aow Leuk and Shark Bay) aboard a modified fishing cutter with a live English-speaking guide, snorkeling gear, lunch and hotel transfer. The tour operates as a Classic Day Tour or a Late Riser option, with hotel pickup available from most accommodations (except Mango Bay and Lighthouse Beach areas). Koh Nangyuan entrance fees apply separately.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day snorkeling tour around islands

• Pickup from hotel to Mae Haad Pier
• Health check and board fishing cutter
• Snorkel at Koh Nangyuan
• Walk beach and climb viewpoint at Koh Nangyuan
• Lunch on board en route to Mango Bay
• Snorkel at Mango Bay
• Snorkel at Hin Wong Bay
• Snorkel at Aow Luek
• Swim with sharks and turtles at Shark Bay
• Return to pier

The experience

Hotel pickup starts the day, then you're driven to Mae Haad Pier to board the modified fishing cutter with Sangthong Tours' crew. After a health check, the boat heads to Koh Nangyuan off Koh Tao's northwest coast. You walk the iconic beach that links the three islands together and can climb to the viewpoint on the highest peak, then snorkel in separate swimming areas. The Japanese Garden is the best spot, full of tropical fish and clear water.

From there the route moves to Mango Bay, where you eat a Thai-style lunch on board while the boat cruises. The bay's turquoise water sits shallow with a sandy seafloor that keeps the color vivid, and the marine life is dense enough that snorkeling here is reliable even when other spots are crowded. Next is Hin Wong Bay on Koh Tao's east coast, where big boulders frame underwater pinnacles covered in coral and anemones. The water runs so clear you can watch schools of sardines being chased by trevally in less than a meter of depth.

Aow Leuk comes next, named for its deep concave shape and the water depth that keeps snorkeling good even at low tide: white sand and layered blues of water, with Shark Island visible in the background. The final stop is Shark Bay, where blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles arrive daily and you can swim among them. The boat returns to Mae Haad Pier by late afternoon. Throughout the day you get snorkeling equipment, life jackets, a professional guide, drinking water, coffee, tea and fresh fruit. Underwater photos are free.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment and life jackets.
• professional English-speaking guide.
• Thai-style lunch box.
• drinking water, coffee, tea and fresh fruit.
• free underwater photos.
• basic accident insurance.
• hotel round-trip transfer from most locations on Koh Tao.

Options for this experience

2 options

Classic Day TourGuide in English or Thai · 10:00This is the traditional day excursion around Koh Tao and Nangyuan Island, setting off from the pier at 10 a.m. Pickup is included.

Late Riser TourGuide in English or Thai · 12:00Sangthong's Lazy Day Escape: Relax and go snorkeling at the hidden gems of Koh Tao and Nangyuan on a laid-back late-morning tour, departing from the pier at noon. Includes pickup.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 12:00

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (2 to 4 years): free

GroupUp to 60

Live guideEnglish and Thai

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 8 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 11.23

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Trip Store Krabi

Is this one for you?Book the Classic Day Tour if you want to start early and maximize daylight at each snorkel site. Choose the Late Riser Tour if you prefer a slower morning and still want all five islands in a single day. The modified fishing cutter is built for this route. It reaches shallow bays and tight island passages a standard tour boat cannot, which is what puts you at the Japanese Garden and Shark Bay instead of the crowded mainland beaches.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Thai.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (2 to 4 years): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I book the Late Riser Tour instead of the morning departure?

Yes. The Late Riser Tour is one of two options at checkout. It starts later in the day than the Classic Day Tour, so you choose which fits your schedule.

What is the Japanese Garden at Koh Nangyuan?

The Japanese Garden is the best snorkeling spot at Koh Nangyuan, one of several separate swimming areas on the three-island beach where tropical fish are abundant and the water is clear.

Will I see sharks and sea turtles at Shark Bay?

Shark Bay has blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles that come there each day, so you can swim alongside them, though sightings depend on conditions and timing.

Is hotel pickup included from everywhere on Koh Tao?

Hotel pickup is included from most accommodations. Areas around Mango Bay and Lighthouse Beach are not covered by the transfer, so confirm your location before booking.

What snorkeling gear do I need to bring?

Snorkeling equipment and life jackets are provided. You don't need to bring your own gear.

How long is the full day on the water?

The tour runs seven hours total, including travel time between the five islands, snorkeling stops, lunch and the return to Mae Haad Pier.