Snorkeling in Koh Tao: 5 bays and reef sharks

You'll swim alongside reef sharks in their natural habitat

Full-day snorkeling activity in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan aboard a big boat with hotel pickup, professional guide, lunch and all equipment included. The itinerary covers five snorkeling bays (Mango Bay, Hin Wong Bay, Aow Leuk Bay and Shark Bay) plus a hike to Koh Nang Yuan's viewpoint. Pregnant guests are not permitted. All other fitness levels are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day snorkeling tour in Koh Tao

• Pickup from hotel
• Snorkel at Koh Nang Yuan beach
• Hike to Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint
• Snorkel at Mango Bay
• Snorkel at Hin Wong Bay
• Snorkel at Aow Leuk Bay
• Snorkel at Shark Bay
• Return to hotel

The experience

Seven hours aboard a comfortable big boat takes you to five separate snorkeling sites around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan. Hotel pickup is included (except from Mango Bay itself), and the guide speaks English and Thai. You'll spend time in the water at each stop: Mango Bay for parrotfish and soft coral gardens in crystal-clear shallows, Hin Wong Bay among mushroom corals and reef fish, Aow Leuk Bay where baby blacktip reef sharks sometimes appear, and Shark Bay where encounters with these graceful creatures are more frequent. Between water time, there's a short hike to Koh Nang Yuan's viewpoint, which overlooks the three connected islands and the turquoise waters below.

Snorkeling equipment, life jacket and a water slider are all provided. Lunch is a buffet served onboard, along with snacks and drinking water throughout the day. The boat has a toilet onboard. A professional guide stays with the group and points out marine life. The pace is set by the boat's schedule between bays rather than by individual swimmers, so you move as a group. Times are approximate and may shift depending on travel between pickup points and transit between sites.

Accident insurance is included in the price. Children from age one are welcome, though infants must sit on an adult's lap. The itinerary can change on rare occasions due to weather or sea conditions. If cancellation occurs, the operator offers an alternative date, a different tour or a full refund.

What’s included

• Hotel transfer from Koh Tao (except Mango Bay).
• snorkeling equipment, life jacket and water slider.
• professional guide in English and Thai.
• buffet lunch onboard.
• snacks and drinking water.
• accident insurance.
• onboard toilet.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 to 70 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupUp to 45

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Siam Scape Journeys

Is this one for you?The full day and boat-based pace mean you're moving between five bays on the operator's schedule rather than setting your own timing in the water, so this suits snorkelers who want guided stops and a structured itinerary over a single immersive session at one site.

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Thai.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 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's the difference between Mango Bay and Hin Wong Bay on this snorkeling trip?

Mango Bay is known for its crystal-clear waters and soft coral beds in a secluded northern bay, where you'll spot parrotfish and butterflyfish in calm tropical waters. Hin Wong Bay offers a serene setting with mushroom corals and vibrant reef fish, and tends to be less crowded than other snorkeling spots on Koh Tao.

Will I definitely see reef sharks at Shark Bay?

Shark Bay is a top snorkeling spot in Koh Tao known for calm waters and encounters with blacktip reef sharks, though sightings depend on conditions on the day. Aow Leuk Bay also offers chances to spot baby blacktip reef sharks if you're lucky, while Shark Bay is where encounters are more likely.

What's included in the lunch served onboard?

Lunch is a buffet served aboard the boat, along with snacks and drinking water throughout the full day. The boat also has a toilet onboard for guest use.

How much time do I spend actually snorkeling versus traveling between sites?

The full day is seven hours total, with time allocated across five snorkeling bays, a hike to the Koh Nang Yuan viewpoint, and travel time between pickup, each site and drop-off. The itinerary is subject to change, and times shown are approximate and may vary based on transit between activities.