Koh Lipe 7 Islands by Private Longtailboat Free Go Pro Camera

Koh Lipe’s outer islands are the reason to leave the beach for a day: clear water, coral gardens, and the striking black stones of Koh Hin-ngam. This private longtail boat trip gives your group its own boat and a flexible pace, rather than asking you to follow a large shared group from stop to stop.

I like two things especially: the chance to snorkel at several separate reef sites, and the freedom to linger or move on when your group wants. A GoPro camera is included, and the crew may take underwater photos for you, though it is wise to ask how you will receive them before setting off.

The main trade-off is the boat itself. Longtails are open, can be noisy at speed, and offer limited back support. Currents and weather can also change the route, shorten a stop, or rule out an island.

At a glance

• Your group gets a private boat: Options are priced for groups of two, three to four, five to six, or seven to eight.
• Snorkeling is the main event: The advertised reef stops include Koh Dong, Koh Pai, and Koh Phungon.
• Koh Hin-ngam has an unusual shoreline: Its black stones make it a memorable photo stop, but conditions and capacity can affect whether it is visited.
• Lunch is served on Koh Rokloy: The included box lunch comes with free time on the island.
• GoPro use is included, but clarify the photos: Some crews take underwater pictures, but how and when files are delivered may vary.
• The National Park fee is extra: Budget 400 THB per person for Koh Tarutao National Park admission.

A private boat changes the pace

The appeal here is not simply covering a list of islands. It is having a longtail boat for your own party, with room to shape the day around your comfort and interest. If you want another few minutes in a calm snorkeling spot, or would rather spend less time in a crowded one, a private outing gives you more say than a fixed group excursion.

That flexibility has limits. The captain still has to work around sea conditions, current, time, and access rules. The tour notes that some attractions may be skipped because of capacity or weather, so treat the named stops as a plan rather than a guarantee.

The boat carries groups from two to eight. The smaller your party, the higher the per-person price tends to be; a larger group can spread the cost across more people. It is a useful format for families and friends who prefer to stay together, and for anyone who dislikes being hurried along by a larger boat party.

The longtail ride is part of the day

Pickup is arranged from your Koh Lipe hotel, with the stated collection time around 09:00 and a listed departure at 09:30. Those times are not quite the same, so wait for the operator to confirm your pickup and be ready a little early. The transfer is shared, which means the vehicle may arrive ahead of or behind the expected time.

A longtail is a simple wooden boat, not a quiet cabin cruiser. One account describes a narrow seating area with little back support and an exposed, loud engine. If you have not ridden in one before, expect wind, engine noise, and a less cushioned trip than you would get on a larger boat.

The ride is part of the charm for some people: you are close to the water and moving between islands in an open boat. But if you are sensitive to noise, have trouble sitting for long stretches, or need extra support, think carefully before booking. The operator also advises against this activity for people with high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, asthma, other serious medical conditions, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.

Snorkeling brings the day into focus

The advertised snorkeling areas include Koh Dong, Koh Pai, and Koh Phungon, where the aim is to see coral and fish in clear water. The quality of the experience depends on conditions at each site. Some participants have found strong currents and reduced visibility, while others describe colorful coral, abundant fish, and unusually shallow reef areas.

That variation matters. A beautiful reef is not necessarily a comfortable place to snorkel if the current is running hard. Tell the crew if you feel uneasy, and make sure you understand how to signal that you want to return to the boat or stay in a calmer area. English ability may be limited, so simple, clear communication is sensible.

A snorkel mask and life jacket are included. Families may appreciate that crew members have helped children with equipment and guided younger swimmers, but do not assume this replaces close parental supervision. If you are not a confident swimmer, use the life jacket and stay within your comfort zone.

The private format can be especially useful here. When the water is calm and your group is enjoying a reef, you may be able to stay longer. If a site is crowded or the current is uncomfortable, you can ask about moving on. The captain makes the final call based on conditions and the day’s schedule.

Koh Hin-ngam and the island stops

Koh Hin-ngam is the tour’s most distinctive land stop. Its shoreline is covered in smooth black stones, a sharp contrast to the pale sand beaches that many people picture when they think of a tropical island. It is a photo stop as much as a place to stretch your legs, so bring a camera and take time to look closely at the stones and the water around them.

The boat may also visit other small islands or snorkeling locations, but the exact route can vary. Koh Dong, Koh Pai, and Koh Phungon are specifically named as snorkeling areas. Other places mentioned in accounts of the trip include Koh Ra Ba and Javan Trench, but you should not count on a particular sequence or every named stop.

Some areas can be busy. Javan Trench, for example, has been described as crowded, with people crossing paths in the water. A private boat gives you more control over how long you stay, but it cannot make a popular site empty. If privacy matters more than ticking off every famous spot, ask the captain which locations are quieter that day.

The schedule has self-guided time in the morning and again after lunch. In practice, that means you can explore at your own pace at stops, rather than being led through every minute of the day. It also means you should keep track of the agreed return time and stay within sight or reach of your boat.

Lunch at Koh Rokloy offers a welcome pause

Around noon, the boat is scheduled to stop at Koh Rokloy for an included box lunch and free time. After a morning of sun, salt water, and boat rides, an hour to eat and rest is more than a convenience. It breaks up the day and gives you a chance to sit in the shade before heading back to the water.

The lunch is a box set, not a restaurant meal. Bring a snack if you tend to get hungry, along with plenty of drinking water; refreshments are included, but personal preferences vary. A towel and change of clothes can also make the return ride more comfortable after swimming.

One account describes taking a quiet rest under the trees during lunch. That sort of downtime is part of the value of a private trip: you do not have to spend every minute chasing the next stop. If the weather is hot, use the break to reapply sunscreen and drink water.

GoPro service is useful, with one detail to confirm

The tour includes a GoPro camera, and crew members may take photos or video while you snorkel. Several people have valued having someone capture underwater moments, particularly when they were busy swimming or helping children. It can be a nice extra, especially if you do not own a waterproof camera.

But the service is not something to leave vague. Some people have returned unsure how to get their files, and at least one account describes a camera being included without anyone taking pictures. Before leaving shore, ask who will operate the camera, whether your group can request photos, and how the files will be sent or collected. Bring your own waterproof camera or phone case if getting your own images is important.

The crew’s help is one of the strongest parts of the experience when communication is working well. Some have helped fit children’s snorkel gear, suggested quieter spots, and taken photos in the water. English skills can vary, though, so do not rely on a detailed spoken briefing. Confirm the basics: where to meet the boat, how long you have at each stop, and what to do if you want to return early.

What the price buys, and what it does not

The displayed starting price is from US$43.65, while the listed group options show different per-person rates: from US$79.35 for two, US$63.49 for three to four, US$47.65 for five to six, and US$39.69 for seven to eight. Prices can change, so check the amount for your exact group and date before paying.

For a couple, a private boat costs more per person than it does for a larger party. In return, you get privacy, greater control over time at stops, round-trip hotel transfers, lunch, refreshments, insurance, snorkel equipment, life jackets, and GoPro service. If you are traveling with friends or family, the larger group rates make the private format better value.

The 400 THB per-person Koh Tarutao National Park fee is not included. You will also need to cover personal expenses and any gratuities you choose to give. Factor the park fee into your budget rather than treating the advertised fare as the full cost.

The tour runs roughly from morning pickup to a 16:00 return, though weather, sea conditions, and traffic can shift the schedule. Some outings have returned early when currents made the last stop uncomfortable. That is a sensible safety call, but it is worth knowing that a full day on the calendar does not promise a fixed number of hours in the water.

Who will enjoy this trip most

I would choose this trip if my priority were snorkeling and having a boat for my own group, not polished onboard narration or a guaranteed checklist of islands. It suits couples willing to pay extra for privacy, families who want room to move at their own pace, and groups of friends who can share the cost.

It is less suitable if you need quiet transport, firm accessibility arrangements, or a highly structured guided tour. The crew may be kind and helpful, but communication can be basic, and the itinerary is deliberately flexible. Bring cash, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, swimwear, a towel, a change of clothes, and a light sweater or jacket.

Keep expectations flexible and confirm the GoPro arrangements before departure. If the sea is calm, the combination of reefs, small islands, and time to linger can make this a rewarding day. If conditions are rough, the route may be shorter or less comfortable than you hoped.

Should you book it?

Book this private longtail trip if you want snorkeling to be the center of your Koh Lipe day and value having your own boat more than having a fixed, narrated route. The best reasons to go are the coral stops, the black-stone shore at Koh Hin-ngam, and the freedom to adjust your pace.

Consider a five-island option instead if you are comparing tours and want to keep costs down. One person who took this seven-island trip felt the extra two stops did not justify the added budget. If you do book this outing, think of the extra stops as a bonus, not the main measure of value. The private boat and the time in the water are the stronger reasons to choose it.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The day is scheduled to run from a morning pickup, around 09:00, to a return at about 16:00. The exact schedule can change with weather and traffic, and the shared pickup may arrive early or late.

Which islands are included?

The advertised snorkeling areas are Koh Dong, Koh Pai, and Koh Phungon. The trip also highlights Koh Hin-ngam and lunch at Koh Rokloy, but weather, capacity, or other conditions may lead to changes.

Is the boat private?

Yes. The package options are for groups of two, three to four, five to six, or seven to eight people. The hotel transfer is shared.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A box lunch is included, with a lunch stop and free time at Koh Rokloy. Refreshments are also included.

What equipment is provided?

A snorkel mask, life jacket, and GoPro camera are included. Ask the crew before departure how GoPro photos or videos will be provided.

Is the national park fee included?

No. Admission to Koh Tarutao National Park costs 400 THB per person and is not included in the tour price.