Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan: Snorkel Tour, Bays & Viewpoint Hike

Summary

Snorkeling Japanese Reef Garden and climbing Koh Nangyuan’s peak with local crew

You’ll ride out from Koh Tao with a friendly local crew, hike up to Koh Nangyuan’s iconic viewpoint, then snorkel among bright fish at Japanese Reef Garden and hidden bays only boats reach. Lunch is served onboard as you dry off in the sun. Expect laughter, saltwater hair—and moments you might replay later when you least expect it.

What’s the experience like?

Someone hands me a cup of instant coffee—sweet and a little gritty—and I’m still half-awake when the Oxygen boat pulls away from Mae Haad Pier. The crew is already laughing about something in Thai, and I catch a few words but mostly just smile back. There’s this salty smell in the air, sunscreen mixing with engine oil, and it hits me that we’re actually leaving solid ground for the day. Our guide points to the map taped near the cooler—Mango Bay, Hin Wong, Ao Leuk—and says we’ll get to spots you can’t even reach by road. That got my attention more than I expected.

The climb up Koh Nangyuan isn’t long but it’s sweaty—fifteen minutes of stone steps and roots, everyone breathing heavier than they admit. At the top, someone (not me) lets out a low whistle. The sandbar connecting three islands looks almost fake from up here. I fumble with my phone for a photo but end up just standing there, wind tugging at my shirt. It’s crowded but somehow quiet too—maybe everyone else feels that weird mix of awe and sunburn setting in.

Lunch comes in a plastic box: rice, chicken curry, something green I still can’t name. Eating on deck with wet hair is oddly satisfying. Then it’s fins on and masks down at Japanese Reef Garden—parrotfish darting around like they own the place, coral shifting colors if you look long enough. At Hin Wong Bay I nearly swallow half the ocean trying to follow a school of tiny yellow fish; our guide grins through his snorkel and gives me a thumbs up anyway.

By Shark Bay—the last stop—I’m tired in that good way you get after swimming all day. The water here is so clear you can see your own shadow moving across the sand below. Someone passes around slices of pineapple while we drip dry on wooden benches. Back at Mae Haad Pier there’s sand everywhere (I gave up trying to keep it out of my shoes), but I don’t really mind. Still thinking about that view from the top—maybe next time I’ll remember to take an actual photo instead of just staring.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Snorkeling and sightseeing around Koh Tao

• Hotel pickup on Koh Tao
• Meet boat crew at Mae Haad Pier
• Depart to Nangyuan Island
• Climb viewpoint and relax at Nangyuan
• Snorkel at Japanese Reef Garden
• Enjoy Thai lunch box onboard
• Snorkel at Mango Bay or Lighthouse Bay
• Snorkel at Hin Wong Bay
• Swim at Ao Leuk
• Last snorkel stop at Shark Bay
• Return to Mae Haad Pier and hotel transfer

Top questions

How long does the Koh Tao & Koh Nangyuan snorkel tour last?

The tour runs from around 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM including hotel pickup and return.

Is lunch included on this snorkeling trip?

Yes, a Thai-style lunch box is served onboard during the cruise between snorkeling stops.

Are hotel transfers part of the tour?

Hotel round-trip transfer is included for most areas on Koh Tao except Mango Bay and Lighthouse Beach.

What are the main snorkeling spots visited?

The tour stops at Japanese Reef Garden (Koh Nangyuan), Mango or Lighthouse Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Ao Leuk, and Shark Bay.

Is this tour suitable for beginners or non-swimmers?

The tour suits all fitness levels but isn’t recommended for those with spinal injuries or certain health conditions.

Do guides speak English on this trip?

Yes, there is a professional English-speaking guide onboard throughout the day trip.

Can children join this snorkeling day trip?

Children over 120cm pay adult price; infants must sit on an adult's lap for safety reasons.

What should I bring for this day trip to Koh Nangyuan?

Bring swimwear, sunscreen, towel, camera/phone (for that viewpoint!), and some cash for entrance fees if needed.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and return (except some remote beaches), all snorkeling gear like life jackets provided by the friendly local crew, Thai-style lunch served onboard between swims, plus drinking water, coffee or tea and fresh fruit along the way before heading back to your hotel in the late afternoon.