If you want to see the underwater world in the clear waters of the Gulf of Thailand, snorkeling off the coast of Koh Chang and the surrounding islands is the way to go.
The travel agency offers two types of excursions:
- The Nine Islands excursion will take a full day and can be more tiring;
- The "Five Islands" excursion is more suitable for a snorkeling novice.
We'll detail below what to expect on a trip to the famous Five Islands.
"Five Islands"
The trip is organized on a sightseeing slowboat. It has two decks, on the upper deck you can sunbathe and enjoy the seascapes on wooden benches, on the lower deck you can hide from the scorching sun. In total, it can accommodate approximately 50 people.
Cost of the tour
Ticket prices range from 700-1000 THB. Tickets for the tour are sold at all hotels, tourist offices, and at Bpng Bao Pier.
The tour price includes a transfer from your hotel to Bang Bao fishing village by minibus. The minibus departs at 08:00-08:20 and picks up vacationers along the way.
Tour Program
The Five Islands tour takes about 7 hours in total.
- At 09:00, the tourist barque sails from Bang Bao Pier towards the "Five Islands" - Koh Wai, Koh Kood, Koh Mak, Koh Lao Ya Nai, Koh Lao Ya Nok.
- At around 10:30, the boat stops at the rocks of the island of Koh Lao Ya Nai. Here you will be given life jackets and snorkeling equipment - a special mask and snorkel. You can rent fins for 100 THB, but if you're a first-time diver, it's not necessary.
- The stop lasts about 50 minutes. During this time, you'll have time to admire flocks of tropical fish and live coral in the clear waters of Siam. You can even feed the little striped fish with bread crumbs from the side of the boat.
- The next stop is near the island of Koh Lao Ya Nok, lasts about 40 minutes, and you can snorkel here too.
- The excursion includes lunch on the ship. It will likely be rice and chicken, seafood, corn, and fresh fruit. They sell beer and lemonade on the ship. According to tourists' reviews, the portions are not very large, it is advisable to take a snack with you.
- On the way back, the boat makes a stop on the island Ko Wai and Ko Kud, where you can relax on the beach. On Ko Wai, you'll be interested in visiting a turtle farm and a coral museum.
- Sometimes the boat stops in the southwest of Ko Chang. Little monkeys come running onto the rocky shore, which you can feed with bananas.
- The boat docks at Bang Bao Pier around 17:00. There you can buy souvenirs or fresh seafood at the local market.
Safety
When traveling, follow these simple rules; they will help you get the most out of your tour:
- Avoid encounters with sea urchins and other dangerous underwater wildlife, as they can leave a burn.
- Don't touch coral reefs; their sharp edges are easy to cut yourself on.
- Bring along motion sickness pills.
- Do not bring small children, as such a long trip will be too tiring for them. Plus, they may be scared in the open sea.
Ko Chang is a great place for scuba diving, and its shores have a rich underwater world. But according to tourists, snorkeling on the island is more suitable for beginners.
