Snorkeling Koh Tao: 5 islands, turtles and reef sharks

Five snorkeling stops in one day, from a sandbar between islands to reefs where sharks hunt in a meter of water

A full-day snorkeling trip around Koh Tao and Nang Yuan Island visits five separate reefs and bays, each with different marine life and underwater terrain. The boat picks you up from your hotel, provides all snorkeling gear and lunch, and returns you by late afternoon. An English-speaking guide leads the group to Nang Yuan's Japanese Garden, Mango Bay's turquoise shallows, Hin Wong Bay's coral pinnacles, Aow Luek's deep cove, and Shark Bay where blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles appear daily. The private island entry fee (250 THB for adults, 120 THB for children) is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Nang Yuan Island2h
2. Aow Leuk Beach40m

Snorkelling tour around Koh Tao islands

• Pickup from hotel lobby
• Drive to Mae Haad Pier and meet crew
• Walk on beach linking Koh Nangyuan islands
• Climb to viewpoint on highest island peak
• Snorkel at Japanese Garden and swim areas
• Enjoy Thai style lunch on board
• Snorkel at Mango Bay
• Snorkel at Hin Wong Bay
• Snorkel at Aow Luek Beach
• Swim with sharks and turtles at Shark Bay

The experience

You start the morning with a hotel pickup and arrive at Mae Haad Pier to meet the crew. The boat then heads to Nang Yuan Island, where you walk across the iconic sandbar that connects three islands together and climb to a viewpoint on the highest peak. The Japanese Garden (a separate snorkeling zone with tropical fish) sits in the shallow waters off this beach, and there are calm swimming areas nearby if you want to rest between dives.

From there, the boat moves to Mango Bay, where you eat a Thai lunch on board. The bay's turquoise-green water and sandy seafloor make it ideal for snorkeling, and the shallow depth means you can see fish clearly without going deep. Next is Hin Wong Bay on the east coast, surrounded by large boulders and underwater pinnacles covered in coral and anemones. The water here is exceptionally clear. You might see schools of sardines being chased by trevally in less than a meter of depth. Aow Luek comes next, a deep cove with white sand and water in shades of blue, backed by Shark Island on the horizon.

The final stop is Shark Bay, where blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles swim daily. You'll have time in the water here before the boat returns to the pier. The whole day runs about seven hours. Equipment, lunch with vegetarian options, fresh fruit, water, pineapple cookies, life jackets, and underwater photography are all included. Restrooms are on board. The guide speaks English and leads the group through each site.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• snorkeling equipment and life jackets.
• Thai lunch with vegetarian options.
• fresh fruit, pineapple cookies and water throughout the day.
• underwater photography.
• on-board restroom.
• English-speaking guide for the group.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (16 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 70 years) · Youth (8 to 15 years) · Child (2 to 7 years) · Infant (1 year): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by kohtao sangthong tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to visit five distinct reef zones (from shallow bays to coral pinnacles to shark habitat) in a single day with a guided group that moves through each site without long waits between stops.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 15 years); Child (2 to 7 years); Infant (1 year): 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's the Japanese Garden and why is it the best snorkeling spot at Nang Yuan?

The Japanese Garden is a separate snorkeling zone off Nang Yuan Island's beach, filled with tropical fish in shallow water. It's considered the best spot because the tropical fish are abundant and the depth is manageable for all levels.

Will I actually see sharks and turtles at Shark Bay, or is that just marketing?

Blacktip reef sharks and sea turtles come to Shark Bay each day, so sightings are regular, though wildlife is never guaranteed on any given trip. The bay is named for the sharks that inhabit it.

How deep do I need to go to see the coral and fish?

Hin Wong Bay's underwater pinnacles and Mango Bay's sandy seafloor both sit in very shallow water. At Hin Wong, you can see schools of fish in less than a meter of depth, and Mango Bay's turquoise shallows are designed for snorkeling without deep diving.

Is the Nang Yuan Island entry fee included in the price?

No, entry to the private island of Koh Nang Yuan costs 250 THB for adults and 120 THB for children, and you pay this separately at the pier.

What if I've never snorkeled before?

The trip is suitable for all fitness levels and welcomes first-timers. The guide is English-speaking, all equipment is provided, and life jackets are on board. Children from age one can join.

How long is the whole trip and when do I get back?

The snorkeling day runs about seven hours from hotel pickup to drop-off, so you're back by late afternoon with time to rest before dinner.