Snorkeling Koh Tao: Five Bays and Nang Yuan Island

Five snorkeling stops in one day: Japanese Garden reef, Yellow-Strip scad swarms, green turtles at Shark Bay

Snorkeling around Koh Tao on a traditional Thai leisure boat that departs from Mae Haad pier and visits five bays plus Nang Yuan Island, with all equipment, a guide in English, Thai lunch and hotel pickup included. The boat carries about forty people and runs on a morning or afternoon schedule. A minimum of ten passengers is required to operate. National Park entry (250 THB per adult, 150 THB per child) is paid separately at the pier.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Aow Leuk Beach40m
2. Nang Yuan Island1h

Snorkeling trip around Koh Tao and Nang Yuan

• Pick up from accommodation in Koh Tao
• Depart from Mae Haad pier to Koh Nang Yuan island
• Explore Nang Yuan Island and snorkel at Japanese Garden
• Lunch served on the boat
• Snorkel at Mango Bay (Ao Muang Beach)
• Snorkel at Ao Hin Wong
• Snorkel at Ao Leuk
• Snorkel at Shark Bay
• Return to Mae Haad pier and drop off at accommodation

The experience

The boat leaves Mae Haad pier at 10am or 12pm depending on which trip you book, and the first stop is Nang Yuan Island, the centerpiece. You can walk the sand bridge that connects three islands or climb to the viewpoint, then drop into the water at the Japanese Garden snorkeling point, a named reef the operator marks as unmissable. The boat carries you back on board for a Thai lunch box, cold water, coffee and tea before moving to the next four stops.

Mango Bay (Ao Muang) comes next, where the corals and fish populations are dense enough that the operator names them as the draw. Ao Hin Wong follows. This one is known for millions of Yellow-Strip scad fish that move as a single mass. Ao Leuk is famous for large corals and variety. The last stop is Shark Bay, where green turtles are regular and blacktip reef sharks appear on lucky days. All snorkeling equipment (mask and snorkel) is provided, and life jackets are available for anyone who wants one. The boat has a roof terrace and toilet on board, and an English-speaking guide is with the group throughout.

The boat returns to Mae Haad pier between 5pm and 6pm, and your hotel pickup and drop-off are included (except for Mango Bay and Lighthouse Beach accommodations). The trip runs on a traditional Thai leisure vessel that seats about forty people, so it is not a small-group experience. The trade-off is that the boat can reach five separate snorkeling sites in a single day and the cost stays low. A minimum of ten passengers is required to run the trip. If the operator must cancel, you get offered an alternative date, a different tour or a full refund.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from your Koh Tao accommodation.
• all snorkeling equipment (mask, snorkel).
• life jackets available for all passengers.
• English-speaking guide.
• Thai lunch box.
• cold water, coffee and tea on board.
• toilet and roof terrace access.
• boat insurance.

Options for this experience

2 options

Afternoon TripGuide in English · 12:00Lasts 6 hours. Departs at 12:00 pm. Pickup between 11:30 am and 12:00 pm, with pickup included.

Morning TripGuide in English · 10:00Duration: 7 hours. Departure at 10:00 am. Pickup window: 9:30 am – 10:00 am. Pickup is included.

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

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (11 to 80 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 120

Live guideEnglish

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 50 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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

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

Operated by Oh-Hoo

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want to snorkel the five bays and Nang Yuan before the afternoon crowds arrive. Choose the afternoon trip if you prefer a later start and don't mind sharing the water with more people. The boat's size means the cost is lower than a small-group alternative, and you reach five separate sites in one day instead of two or three.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 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 is the Japanese Garden snorkeling point at Nang Yuan Island?

The Japanese Garden is a named reef at Nang Yuan Island where the operator marks the snorkeling as a centerpiece of the day. It is the first stop after the boat departs and the place you visit before lunch.

Can I see sharks and turtles on this snorkeling trip?

Shark Bay is the last snorkeling stop, and green turtles are regular there. Blacktip reef sharks appear on some days but are not guaranteed. The other four stops feature different fish populations: Yellow-Strip scad swarms at Ao Hin Wong, and large corals at Ao Leuk.

Is snorkeling equipment included, or do I need to bring my own?

All snorkeling equipment is included: mask and snorkel are provided by the operator. Life jackets are available for all passengers if you want one.

What time does the boat leave and return?

The boat departs Mae Haad pier at either 10am or 12pm depending on whether you book the morning or afternoon trip, and returns between 5pm and 6pm. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in both options (except for Mango Bay and Lighthouse Beach accommodations).

How many people go on the boat, and is there a minimum group size?

The boat seats approximately forty people. A minimum of ten passengers is required to run the trip. If that threshold is not met, the operator offers an alternative date, a different tour or a full refund.

What is included in the lunch and what else is served on board?

A Thai lunch box is served after the Nang Yuan Island stop, along with cold water, coffee and tea throughout the day. The boat has a roof terrace and toilet on board.