Hop on a longtail boat and snorkel Koh Lipe's inner islands — Jabang Channel, Hin Ngam's black stone beach, and colorful coral gardens — with free underwater photos taken by your local captain.

At $22 per person, this might be the best value day out in all of southern Thailand. Koh Lipe sits inside Tarutao National Marine Park near the Malaysian border, and the snorkeling around its inner islands is genuinely world-class — soft coral gardens, crystal visibility, and barely any crowds compared to the big-name spots up north.

This is a shared longtail boat tour, which means you’re joining other travellers rather than chartering a private vessel. The boats are classic Thai longtails — narrow, wooden, loud, and perfect. There’s no air conditioning and the ride is bumpy when it’s choppy, but that’s all part of it.

**Where you’ll go:**

**Jabang Channel** is the star of the show. It’s the most famous snorkeling spot around Koh Lipe — a channel between islands packed with colorful soft corals and schools of tropical fish. The visibility here can be exceptional, especially in the morning. You’ll want more time here than you get.

**Hin Ngam Island** is fascinating for completely different reasons. Its beach is covered entirely in smooth black volcanic stones that shine like obsidian when wet. It’s weird, beautiful, and completely unlike any beach you’ve seen before. Snorkeling the reef behind the island reveals a rich coral garden with plenty of marine life.

The bonus that makes this tour stand out: your local captain takes **free underwater photos** throughout the day. You get them on a memory card at the end. On most tours you’d pay extra for this — here it’s just included.

**Practical stuff:** National park entry fee (200 THB per person, about $6) is NOT included and is paid at the pier — it’s a surprise nobody needs, so budget for it. Snorkeling mask, fins, life jacket, and English-speaking guide are all included. Lunch is also included. The tour is wheelchair accessible and family-friendly. Departs around 9 AM.