Full-day snorkeling tour with the speed catamaran by Seestar Andaman to three islands in the Andaman Sea. White sandy beaches on Koh Rok, the impressive limestone rocks of Koh Haa and, with a bit of luck, dolphins at Maiton Island.
The appeal of this tour is not about ticking off as many islands as possible in one day. Koh Rok and Koh Haa are far enough from Phuket that the journey alone takes up an important part of the day. In return, you get two very different landscapes – both with first-class snorkeling areas. If you prefer something closer, you will find a much shorter alternative with the Racha Island Tour. For ambitious snorkelers with more time, the Similan Islands are also worthwhile.
Koh Rok stands for white sand, clear water and coral reefs that are great for snorkeling. Koh Haa, on the other hand, looks much more rocky and pristine. Between the five islands there are interesting snorkeling spots, while Koh Haa Yai, as the largest of the five islands, impresses with its dramatic limestone rocks.
On the way back, the route passes Maiton Island. With a bit of luck, you may be able to observe dolphins there. However, there is no guarantee – the animals move freely in the sea and decide for themselves where they go.
Koh Rok consists of two main islands: Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai. Both lie close together and, together with the surrounding waters, belong to the protected area of the Mu Ko Lanta National Park.
The interplay of beach and underwater world is particularly interesting. In the shallower areas, you can already get a good impression of the clear water and the corals from the boat. When snorkeling, you get closer to the reefs, where you can observe tropical fish and various types of coral depending on the conditions.
Underwater visibility can be very good during the high season. Nevertheless, you should not be misled by blanket statements such as “always 20 metres visibility”. Visibility depends, among other things, on the weather, wave conditions, current and the conditions of the respective day. The beaches of Koh Rok Nai are among the most beautiful in the region – if you would like a comparison with the famous Similan Islands, you can find the details in our Similan Islands Tour Guide.
| Island | Character | Main activity |
|---|---|---|
| Koh Rok Nai | Long white sandy beach, shallow water | Swimming, snorkelling, lunch on the beach |
| Koh Rok Nok | Rockier, denser vegetation, rocky coastline | Snorkelling on the reef, photography |
The name Koh Haa means “five islands” in Thai. The small island group is also located in the Mu Ko Lanta National Park and consists of dramatic limestone rocks, small bays and interesting snorkeling spots. For divers who want to go even deeper here, the dive centres on Koh Lanta are a good starting point (cf. Racha Island Tour for the snorkeling comparison).
Underwater, you will find corals, tropical fish and, depending on conditions, good visibility. In terms of landscape, Koh Haa differs significantly from Koh Rok: instead of long sandy beaches, rocks, steep island walls and the open sea between the individual islands dominate. If you want to combine both island worlds, you can combine this tour well with a Phi Phi Islands trip – both destinations are easily accessible from Phuket.
The most famous island is Koh Haa Yai, the largest of the five islands in the group.
Koh Haa Yai is the largest and most famous island in the Koh Haa group. It consists of imposing limestone rocks that rise vertically from the sea. Around the island, there are numerous snorkeling spots with healthy coral reefs, tropical fish and, depending on conditions, also larger marine animals.
The underwater landscape around Koh Haa Yai is one of the most varied in the region. The guides from Seestar Andaman know the different spots and choose the best areas for the snorkeling stop depending on the weather, current and visibility.
Note: The Cathedral Cave known to divers on Koh Haa Yai is a dive spot (depth approx. 18-20 m) and is not part of this snorkeling tour. For experienced divers, the cave is approached by specialised dive centres from Koh Lanta.
The exact times may vary depending on the pick-up location, weather and daily conditions. If you are looking for a similar tour with a slightly longer travel time and impressive granite rocks, you can find a detailed alternative in the Similan Islands Tour Guide. The typical itinerary looks approximately like this:
The day starts early with pick-up at the hotel. You will then be taken to the pier, where the crew will welcome the participants and distribute the snorkeling equipment. After a short briefing, the speedboat departs towards Koh Haa. The journey takes considerably longer than for closer Phuket destinations.
After arriving at Koh Haa, the first snorkeling stop is on the programme. The guides know the various snorkeling spots around the five islands and can decide, depending on the weather, current and visibility, which areas to head for on the day.
After Koh Haa, the journey continues to Koh Rok Nai. Lunch is served on the white sandy beach here. After the long transfer and the first snorkeling session, this break is more than just a programme item: you can eat, swim, rest in the shade or simply enjoy the landscape.
In the afternoon, the coral reefs around Koh Rok Nai and Koh Rok Nok are on the programme. Depending on the sea conditions, the guide decides which spots to head for.
On the way back to Phuket, the route passes Maiton Island. The waters around the island are known for possible dolphin sightings. Dolphins are wild animals – a sighting cannot be guaranteed. When the crew spots animals, the boat slows down and attempts to observe the dolphins from an appropriate distance.
In the late afternoon, we reach the pier. The transfer takes you back to your hotel. Depending on traffic and the pick-up area, the return is between 17:30 and 19:00.
Seasonal surcharge: During the high season (December to March), a seasonal surcharge may apply. For current prices and availability, see the booking page.
We offer the Koh Rok & Koh Haa tour in two variants. Both variants visit the same islands and snorkeling spots – the main difference is in the comfort during the crossing.
| Variant | Boat | Adults | Children 4–11 yrs | Infants 1–3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speedboat | Classic speedboat | 3,499 THB | 2,999 THB | free |
| Speed Catamaran | 2-deck speed catamaran | 3,799 THB | 3,299 THB | free |
Included in the price: National park fee, snorkeling equipment, lunch, water and hotel transfer. Speed Catamaran: + 300 THB surcharge per person. For the current valid price, see the booking page.
The tour is particularly suitable for holidaymakers who want to spend a whole day on the sea and consider snorkeling more important than ticking off as many different islands as possible. If you are looking for a shorter alternative with a similar experience, the Racha Island Tour is a good choice – the island is only about 30-45 minutes from Phuket. Beginners can also take part – the snorkeling equipment is provided and the guides explain how to use it. Anyone who feels insecure in the water can wear a life jacket.
Nevertheless, you should be realistic: this is a long speedboat tour on the open sea. In stronger wave conditions, the ride can be quite bumpy. If you get seasick quickly or do not tolerate longer boat transfers well, you should take this into account when choosing the tour.
Our tip: If snorkeling is particularly important to you, it is worth considering the sea conditions for your desired travel day. In calm seas, the tour is much more fun than in strong waves.
Both destinations are among the well-known snorkeling spots in the Andaman Sea, but they are not identical. The following table helps with the decision:
| Criterion | Koh Rok & Koh Haa | Similan Islands |
|---|---|---|
| Distance from Phuket | Medium (approx. 90 min) | Far (approx. 75–90 min + land transfer) |
| Landscape | White sandy beaches + limestone rocks | Granite rocks, Sail Rock, Donald Duck Bay |
| Top highlight | Limestone rocks & snorkelling reefs at Koh Haa Yai | Sail Rock viewpoint on Island 8 |
| Dolphin bonus | Yes, at Maiton Island | No |
| National park | Mu Ko Lanta | Mu Ko Similan |
| Day duration | 9–11 hours | 10–13 hours |
| Ideal for | Snorkellers & beach lovers | Nature fans & ambitious snorkellers |
Which destination is better depends on what you are looking for. Anyone spending several days in Phuket and who particularly enjoys snorkeling can well combine both tours. You can read more about the Similan Islands Tour in our detailed guide. An even closer alternative is our Racha Island Tour overview – perfect for travellers with little time.
Koh Rok and Koh Haa are not available all year round. The visit is tied to the seasonal opening of the Mu Ko Lanta National Park. The following overview shows the assessment per period:
| Period | Assessment | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| November | Good season start | Open, conditions can be changeable at the beginning |
| December – March | Best time to visit | Often calm sea, good visibility, stable weather |
| April | Good time to visit | Warm and sunny, increasingly hot towards the end |
| May – October | Not possible | National park closed, monsoon season |
Demand is correspondingly higher, especially in the high season. If Koh Rok and Koh Haa are among the fixed points of your Phuket trip, you should therefore not wait until shortly before departure to book.
In principle, families can take the tour. For older children who like to swim and snorkel, the excursion can be a great experience. For small children, however, I would think twice: the day starts early, the journey is long, and the ride on the open Andaman Sea can be strenuous in stronger sea conditions.
The age regulations of the respective tour are also important. These may vary depending on the provider and tour and should be checked before booking.
For both the speedboat and the speed catamaran, the following services are included in the price:
The exact services may vary depending on the provider and season. The information on the current booking offer is therefore always decisive.
A few little things make a clear difference on this long day trip. You can find more general tips on snorkeling in Phuket in our island tours from Phuket in our overview, which also contains notes on equipment and behaviour in the water.
Koh Rok and Koh Haa are located in the Andaman Sea, south of Phuket and west of Koh Lanta. Both island groups belong to the Mu Ko Lanta National Park. Koh Rok consists of two main islands (Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai), Koh Haa is a group of five small islands around Koh Haa Yai.
Koh Rok is known for its long white sandy beaches, shallow coral reefs and relaxed atmosphere. Koh Haa impresses with dramatic limestone rocks, five small islands and a diverse underwater world around the rock formations. Both island groups are excellent for snorkeling.
The best time to visit is between November and April. During these months, sea conditions are usually calm, underwater visibility is excellent, and the Mu Ko Lanta National Park is open for day tours. Outside the season, there may be restrictions.
Koh Rok has simple national park accommodation and camping options. Most visitors, however, explore the islands as part of a day trip from Phuket, Krabi or Koh Lanta. The easiest and most comfortable way to get there is by speedboat or speed catamaran.
Around the five islands of Koh Haa, there are several interesting snorkeling spots with healthy coral reefs and a diverse underwater world. The Cathedral Cave, well known among divers, is a popular dive spot at 18-20 m depth, but is not visited on this snorkeling tour. Specialised dive centres on Koh Lanta offer dives to the Cathedral Cave.
Common sightings while snorkeling include clownfish, parrotfish, angelfish, butterflyfish, moray eels, coral formations and occasionally sea turtles. With a bit of luck, dolphins can also be seen around Maiton Island. However, conditions are not guaranteed.
Yes, both island groups belong to the Mu Ko Lanta National Park and are under special protection. Visitors must follow the applicable national park rules, especially with regard to corals, marine life and taking rubbish with them.
The day tour from Phuket takes about 9 to 11 hours in total including hotel transfer. Pick-up usually takes place in the early morning, return in the evening. The pure boat journey to the islands takes about 90 to 120 minutes each way.
Both destinations have their own character. The Similan Islands are known for their granite rocks and the famous Sail Rock (cf. Similan Islands Tour). Koh Rok impresses with white sandy beaches and a relaxed atmosphere. Which island is more beautiful depends on your personal preferences.
The waters around Maiton Island are known for occasional dolphin sightings. There is no guarantee – dolphins are wild animals and decide for themselves where they go. When the crew spots animals, the boat slows down and the dolphins are observed from an appropriate distance. If you would like to increase your chances of seeing dolphins, you can also look out for whale sharks on the Similan Islands Tour.
The price for adults is 3,499 THB with the speedboat or 3,799 THB with the 2-deck speed catamaran (+ 300 THB surcharge). Children aged 4-11 pay 2,999 THB, infants aged 1-3 are free. Included in the price are hotel transfer, snorkeling equipment, lunch, water and national park fee.
The Koh Rok & Koh Haa tour only takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The season starts in early November and ends in early May, depending on the regulations of the Mu Ko Lanta National Park. Outside the season, no tours are operated.
Yes, the tour is also generally suitable for beginners and families with older children. Snorkeling equipment, life jackets and professional supervision are part of the programme. For infants, the age regulations of the respective tour should be observed.
© Montakarn Longsoh (Lee) – Your Travel Companion in Phuket· TAT-Lizenz Nr. 33/11345