Four Island Tour: Snorkeling in Koh Lanta, Thailand

Snorkeling in Koh Lanta, Thailand is one of the best island experiences. We nearly passed on the full-day boat trip, but now realize that would have been a big mistake!

At the beginning of our Koh Lanta trip, we were fairly content to lazily let the days drift by as we squished sand between our toes.

Our site utilizes Affiliate Links. If you use them to make a purchase, we may earn a commission. For more information, read our Disclosure Policy.

After traveling non-stop for six months, we were craving a little R&R – and Koh Lanta is the place to do just that.

We happily spent most of our days enjoying Klong Khong Beach (our favorite on the island). However, when fellow travelers raved about snorkeling on the 4 Island Island Tour, our interest was piqued.

Snorkeling in Koh Lanta, Thailand

The Andaman Sea is regularly touted as the place for the best snorkeling in Thailand. From the coast of Krabi, several large monoliths are scattered across the ocean.

Each of the formations are unique; some feature sheer rock that plunges into the sea, others have small beaches along the edge and a few have navigable caves.

It is on these karst islands that you will find the best places in Koh Lanta for snorkeling. The reef that lies just below the surface is a feasting ground for marine life of all shapes, sizes and colors.

For sea-loving humans, swimming in the fantastic snorkeling spots on a 4 Island Tour is one of the top Koh Lanta things to do!

Four Island Tour Koh Lanta: What To Expect

Snorkeling trips are one of the most popular Koh Lanta activities – and a reason many tourists travel to Koh Lanta.

While there are several sea adventures offered on the island, we opted to join one of the affordable 4 Island Koh Lanta day trips with a group of fellow travelers.

Details of Our 4 Island Snorkeling Tour

These tours utilize traditional Longtail boats to usher you to the best islands near Koh Lanta for snorkeling. They include an English-speaking captain/guide, snorkeling equipment and a prepared lunch.

Our Koh Lanta Island Tour included Koh Maa (no snorkeling), Koh Chuek, Koh Waen, Koh Mook and Koh Ngai. Hotel pick up is provided, as the boats leave from the Koh Lanta Old Town Pier.

The 70-foot, wooden boats are in the shape of a canoe, but much longer and wider and have both an engine and a canopy.

Despite their design, they aren’t known for their speed, as the propeller is quite small. The slow, smooth ride actually allows you to relish the ever-changing seascapes.

Our captain and guide was casual and fun. He wore thick wire-rim glasses, baggy pants, a faded Sex Pistols t-shirt and a straw farmer’s hat.

Our group of 13 – most of whom we recognized from our days on the beach – fit comfortably in the boat.

Snorkeling Koh Lanta Four Island Tour Review

There are multiple daily departures for the four islands and other popular tours. Our boat was one of the last to leave the docks under slightly overcast skies.

Koh Maa

At the edge of Koh Maa, the first karst we approached, was a falling-down shack and the only sign of life was the colony of bats. Trees grew from crevices and bats dangled from the branches.

We didn’t disembark here – instead we bobbed at the base, marveling at the gigantic rock and how it rose straight up from the aqua water.

Snorkeling at Koh Chuek

Our first actual snorkeling spot was Koh Chuek. We glided up to boats already moored there and before we were even anchored, our captain was shouting, “Go! Get in! Swim!”.

We loved the informal approach. No rules or strict guidelines; just get out and play! We grabbed masks and snorkel tubes and were the first ones in the water.

The water was a bit murky – possibly from the morning storms – making it difficult to see the coral that was about 10 feet below us.

However, bright yellow fish were everywhere and they weren’t shy as they swam right alongside of us. We explored further away than most of the group, allowing us to get to clearer water.

We saw heaps of tropical fish and a few large schools that hid on the underside of overhanging rocks. Not bad for stop #1!

Koh Waen Snorkeling

Koh Waen was the next. Once again, as soon as we tied up we were instructed to hop out of the boat.

We noticed immediately that the current was stronger here and we drifted along with entire schools of fish. Hundreds, maybe thousands, swam in unison right alongside us.

An entire school would quickly change direction. Once, they were forced to split up to get around us and then seamlessly reconnected. It was remarkable and like watching an episode of Nat Geo!

Koh Muk: Snorkeling and Thai Cave Exploring

Koh Muk (also Koh Mook) is one of the top Koh Lanta attractions – and we were stoked that it was included in our 4 Island Tour.

First, we hopped out of the boat for snorkeling, but then followed our captain inside the karst. Named Emerald Cave because of how the water glows, we swam through to an interior karst beach!

Nestled in what felt like the bottom of a volcano, the hidden paradise of soft sand, jungle trees and soaring rock felt like an exotic movie set!

Koh Ngai: Lunch and Snorkeling

Koh Ngai was the last island we would visit. Our captain-turned chef assembled lunch on the beach – including rice, curry and pineapple salad. We ate on the sand, watching other boats come and go, in tropical bliss.

The clear, calm water beckoned us for an after-lunch swim. We took in our surroundings, savoring the beauty of it all, but our day wasn’t over yet!

We hopped back into the boat for a short ride to the end of Koh Ngai for one more snorkeling stop. Little did we know that our captain had saved the best snorkeling in Koh Lanta for last!

The reef is only about 3 feet below water and the visibility was much better. We immediately found an anemone with several orange ‘Nemo fish’.

We also saw an enormous puffer fish, a striped snake-like eel, hordes of radiantly colored fish and even unsightly camouflaged fish.

Just like at every other stop, Kris and I were the last ones back in the boat and we wish we could have stayed longer!

Final Thoughts on Our 4 Island Koh Lanta Snorkeling Trip

We really feel we lucked out and got on the best Koh Lanta boat trip! We loved the relaxed style of our captain and the prepared lunch was just different enough to be memorable.

The highlights for us were swimming through the cave to the secluded beach and our last stop where we saw a variety of sea creatures.

It won’t rank as the best snorkeling in Thailand. We had a better experience spotting marine life on our Koh Chang 4 Island Tour (although that boat ride was quite rough).

That being said, we highly recommend this 4 Island Tour as one of the top things to do in Koh Lanta!

Find out more about this Snorkeling Koh Lanta 4 Island Tour and book your excursion!

Koh Lanta Travel Tips

The 4 Islands Snorkeling Tour is just one of many things to do on a Koh Lanta trip! We are sharing a few of our top tips for planning your vacation to Thailand.

What To Bring on Koh Lanta Snorkeling Tours

Before you set off on your Koh Lanta Snorkel Trip, you will want to be sure that you have everything you need for the full day excursion.

Essentials

Don’t forget these essentials when packing for your snorkel trip: Sunscreen, Insect Repellent and Flip Flops!

Action Camera

When we took the 4 Island trip, we didn’t yet have an action camera. We highly recommend buying a GoPro (or similar, less-expensive option) so you can truly capture the sights under the sea!

Waterproof Travel Pouch

A waterproof case is a good idea anytime you are around water. The Sea-to-Summit Case will keep your phone and other devices safe and dry!

Where To Stay on Koh Lanta

Of all the Koh Lanta beaches, we believe Klong Khong ranks supreme for vibe and location. It also features a variety of accommodations that fit a range of budgets.

During our visit, we stayed at the Phutara Lanta Resort. While not directly on the beach, it is situated in lush gardens and has pool.

Before searching for your perfect island abode, read our tips to Booking Top Hotels for Cheap.

More Koh Lanta Tours and Day Trips

Koh Rok Snorkeling Tour – Hop on a speedboat for a day of snorkeling at Koh Rok Island.

Koh Phi Phi Tour – Join a guide for a Koh Phi Phi Day Trip – one of the top tours from Koh Lanta!

Koh Lanta Diving – You for scuba? No problem, there’s diving trips from Koh Lanta, too!

Planning a Trip to Koh Lanta and Thailand

Koh Lanta is often just one destination on a longer Thailand trip, and our free and honest guides can help!

As you begin making plans, organization is key. Stay on top of all the details with our Printable Travel Planner!

Start planning your trip to Thailand! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!

Pin it! See all of our travel pins on our JetSetting Fools Pinterest Board.