Group snorkel boats around Koh Tao are cheap — and crowded, rushed, and locked to someone else’s schedule. The alternative: a private longtail boat tour around Koh Tao with your own boat, captain, and route for up to four people at ฿6,999 total. We looked at The Islander’s tropical-styled longtail charter — the route, what is actually included, and whether it beats the group-tour price per person.
What Is the Private Longtail Tour?
Run by The Islander Koh Tao, this is a 4-hour private charter on a traditional Thai longtail boat — restyled with cushioned seating and tropical touches rather than the bare wooden benches of a fisherman’s boat. You get the whole boat to yourselves (1–4 people; extra guests ฿999 each), a captain who knows the bays, and a route circling Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan with 2–3 snorkeling stops chosen for conditions on the day.
Price 2026
| Option | Standard | Online Price |
|---|---|---|
| Private longtail, 1–4 people (4 hours) | ฿7,500 | ฿6,999 |
| Extra person (5th+) | — | ฿999 each |
For a full boat of four, that works out to ฿1,750 per person — only slightly above a typical group-tour ticket, for a completely private experience. Two daily rounds: 09:30–13:30 (best visibility for snorkeling) and 14:30–18:30, which ends with sunset on the water.
What’s Included
- Round-trip transfer from your Koh Tao resort
- Snorkel mask, fins, and life jackets
- Fresh fruit, snacks, and soft drinks on board — including Koh Tao fish sashimi, the operator’s signature touch
- Towels and accident insurance
- Underwater photos taken by the crew, sent to you after the trip
That last point matters: group tours typically sell photos as a ฿500+ add-on. Here they are part of the package.
The Route: Koh Tao & Koh Nang Yuan
The 4-hour loop adapts to sea conditions, but a typical run covers 2–3 of Koh Tao’s best snorkel bays — think Shark Bay for blacktip reef sharks, Aow Leuk or Hin Wong for coral and reef fish — plus a pass by Koh Nang Yuan, the triple-island sandbar that is the postcard shot of the Gulf of Thailand. Because the boat is yours, you can linger where the snorkeling is good and skip what does not interest you — the single biggest advantage over fixed-route group boats.
Morning or Sunset Round?
- 09:30 round — calmer seas, better underwater visibility, cooler hours. Pick this if snorkeling is your priority.
- 14:30 round — the last hour runs into golden hour and ends with sunset on the water. Pick this for couples and photographers.
Good to Know Before Booking
- This package is non-refundable — book when your Koh Tao dates are fixed, and note that longtails do not sail in rough weather (the operator reschedules).
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a hat, and a dry bag for phones.
- Koh Nang Yuan landing (if you choose to go ashore) charges a separate ฿250 island entrance fee — ask your captain.
- New to the island? Start with our Discover Koh Tao guide, and end your boat day with sunset drinks at 1/1 Bar & Restaurant — our top-rated Koh Tao review.
Is the Private Longtail Worth It?
If there are three or four of you — absolutely. At ฿1,750 per person you trade a crowded 30-person catamaran for your own boat, your own pace, included photos, and fish sashimi served on deck. For couples (฿3,500 each) it is a splurge, but one that turns a standard snorkel trip into the highlight of a Koh Tao stay. Combining it with a Phuket leg? See our Phuket Travel Guide 2026 for the other side of your Thailand itinerary.
Book the Koh Tao Private Longtail
฿6,999 for up to 4 people (standard ฿7,500) — 4 hours, resort transfer, snorkel gear, snacks & sashimi, underwater photos included.
FAQ: Koh Tao Private Longtail Tour
How much does a private longtail boat cost on Koh Tao?
The Islander’s 4-hour private charter is ฿6,999 online for up to 4 people (standard ฿7,500), plus ฿999 per extra person.
Can we choose where to snorkel?
Yes, within sea conditions — the captain suggests 2–3 of the day’s best spots around Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan, and you set the pace.
Is it suitable for non-swimmers or kids?
Yes — life jackets are provided, the boat stays in calm bays, and a private boat is far easier with children than a group tour’s fixed schedule.
What happens if the weather is bad?
Longtails do not go out in rough seas; the operator moves your booking to the next available round. The package itself is non-refundable, so keep a flexible day in your plans.