Koh Rok and Koh Haa Snorkelling Tour with Lunch

Saladan Pier and the speedboat ride

The day starts at Saladan, the small port town at the northern tip of Koh Lanta Yai, where ferries, fishing boats and island tours share a busy waterfront. Our driver brings you from your hotel, and the crew welcomes you at the pier for check-in and a short briefing before the speedboat sets out into the Andaman Sea.

Speedboats make this Koh Rok day trip from Koh Lanta possible, because the islands lie far out to the south-west, well beyond the reach of slower longtails. The ride passes the long western beaches of Koh Lanta and the forested hills of its national park before open sea stretches ahead. On calm days the crossing is smooth and fast; on windy days it can be bumpy, so sit towards the back of the boat if you are sensitive to motion.

Koh Haa: snorkelling among limestone islets

Koh Haa is a cluster of small limestone islands rising steeply from deep blue water; its Thai name simply means 'five islands'. Between the islets lie sheltered shallows where hard and soft corals grow on white sand, and the visibility is often excellent. Shoals of fusiliers, angelfish, parrotfish and sergeant majors swirl around the rocks, and turtles are sometimes seen.

The boat anchors in the calmest spot of the day, and you have about 40 minutes to snorkel with the mask provided while your guide watches the group. Divers know Koh Haa for its caves and swim-throughs, but snorkellers see plenty from the surface. This is a great place to get comfortable in the water before the deeper reefs of Koh Rok, and the scenery of cliffs and turquoise lagoons is just as impressive above the water.

Koh Rok: white beaches and the beach buffet

Koh Rok is made up of two forested islands separated by a narrow channel of bright turquoise water, with some of the finest white sand beaches in southern Thailand. The islands are protected as part of the Mu Ko Lanta National Park, so there are no hotels or shops, only a small ranger station, tall trees and large monitor lizards that wander along the edge of the forest.

At noon, everyone gathers on the beach of Koh Rok Yai for an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch of Thai dishes, with vegetarian and halal choices; tell us your needs when booking. Afterwards you have about an hour and a half to swim in the shallow water, walk along the shore and rest in the shade. Many travellers ask, is Koh Rok worth visiting? This quiet, unspoilt beach is the answer.

Koh Rok Noi: the coral gardens

The final snorkelling stop at Koh Rok Noi is usually the most impressive of the day. Here the reef slopes gently from the shore, with large hard coral formations, giant clams and sea anemones where clownfish hide among the tentacles. Parrotfish, butterflyfish and blue-spotted rays are common, and the water is so clear that you see the bottom from the surface.

You spend about 40 minutes in the water with your guide nearby. Remember never to touch the coral or the anemones, and to keep fins and feet off the reef. Reef-safe sunscreen helps protect this fragile environment. For anyone searching for the best snorkelling near Koh Lanta, this reef is the place, and it is why Koh Rok remains the most popular snorkelling destination in the area.

Best time to visit Koh Rok and practical tips

The best time to visit Koh Rok and Koh Haa is from November to April, when the Andaman Sea is calm and the water is at its clearest. From May to October the south-west monsoon brings stronger waves; tours run whenever conditions are safe, but the crossing is rougher and the national park authorities can close some areas at times.

The national park entrance fee is not included and is paid in cash on the day, so bring Thai baht with you. Pack swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and take seasickness medicine if you have a sensitive stomach. The boat arrives back at Saladan Pier around 4 pm, and our driver takes you to your hotel in good time for a sunset on Koh Lanta's west coast.