Snorkeling Koh Tao: Ko Nangyuan & Hidden Bays with Lunch

Blacktip reef sharks over 6 feet long cruise the same bay where you're snorkeling.

This snorkeling activity takes you from Koh Tao to Ko Nangyuan, a group of three small islets off the northwest coast, where you explore five named bays (Nang Yuan Island, Shark Bay, Leuk Bay, Hin Wong Bay and Freedom Bay) in 6.5 hours. A guide leads the boat, equipment is provided, and lunch with seasonal fruit and tea comes onboard. The defining trait is the shallow-water access to blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles, which you reach by descending 4 to 10 feet.

The experience

Hotel pickup on Koh Tao starts the morning, then you board a traditional wooden boat heading northwest to Ko Nangyuan. The five snorkeling stops are spread across the islets and the surrounding water: each one targets a different part of the reef system or a specific marine encounter. Colorful fish, corals and clear water are the baseline. The sharks and turtles are what set this route apart from other snorkeling days in the region.

Shark Bay is the centerpiece. You enter the water in a group, descend to 4 to 10 feet, and watch blacktip reef sharks, some longer than six feet, move across the seabed alongside sea turtles. The sharks are accustomed to snorkelers and swim past without aggression. The depth keeps you close enough to see detail without needing to dive. After Shark Bay, the other four bays offer different reef structures and fish populations, so the underwater landscape changes as the morning progresses.

A Thai-style lunch box arrives onboard between snorkeling sessions, with seasonal fresh fruit, coffee and tea included. The boat becomes a floating rest point. You eat, dry off and prepare for the next set of stops. A guide speaks English and Thai throughout, and underwater photography services are free if you want images from the day. The return to Koh Tao happens in the afternoon, with drop-off at your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off on Koh Tao.
• snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel, wetsuit).
• a Thai-style lunch box with seasonal fruit.
• coffee and tea.
• free underwater photography services.
• a guide in English and Thai.
• drinking water throughout the day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (4 to 13 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 50

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.

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$ 7.59

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Royal Mariblue

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to snorkel multiple bays in one morning-and-afternoon trip with a guide handling logistics and timing, plus a meal included rather than stopping to arrange food separately.

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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 (4 to 13 years); Infant (1 to 3 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.

What are the five snorkeling bays on this tour around Ko Nangyuan?

The five stops are Nang Yuan Island, Shark Bay, Leuk Bay, Hin Wong Bay and Freedom Bay. Shark Bay is where the blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles congregate. The other four offer different reef structures and fish species.

How deep do I need to go to see the sharks and sea turtles?

You descend 4 to 10 feet to reach the seabed where the blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles swim. That depth keeps you in contact with the marine life without requiring a dive certification.

What's included in the lunch on the boat?

Lunch is a Thai-style box set served onboard, with seasonal fresh fruit, coffee and tea included. It arrives between snorkeling sessions so you can rest and refuel before the next stops.

Do I need to bring my own snorkeling fins?

Snorkeling equipment is provided, including mask, snorkel and wetsuit. Fins are not included, so bring your own or plan to purchase them on Koh Tao before the tour.

How long is the full snorkeling tour from Koh Tao?

The tour runs 6.5 hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, including all five snorkeling stops, the boat ride to and from Ko Nangyuan, and the lunch break onboard.

Is the guide fluent in English?

Yes, the guide speaks both English and Thai throughout the day, so you can ask questions about the reefs, the marine life and the snorkeling technique.