Top 5 scuba diving snorkelling tours in Samui
Koh Samui is home to many snorkelling and dive sites – each spectacular and unique. Its waters are rich in vibrant reefs, coral and marine life, thus offering memorable underwater experiences. Nowadays, these terrains are easier to explore than ever with the help of guided tours. This is why we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 scuba diving and snorkelling tours on the island, listed below.
Scuba diving and snorkelling tour
1. Diving at anything Marine Park with a speedboat
The islands around Ang Thong Marine Park feature spectacular scenery both above and under the water. With some of the greatest biodiversity in the Gulf of Thailand, observe well-preserved corals, schools of fusiliers, razorfish, sea snakes and more. Furthermore, waters are shallow, like the sea caverns that you can venture into.
The operators of this tour are one of the few with access to Koh Wao and Koh Yippon. This means that you’ll often have the whole site to yourself. In addition, guests can choose between 1 or 2 dives, and their 2-deck speed boat is comfortable and fast so there’s no time wasted. Finally, as safety is their no. 1 priority, all their crew are licensed with TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) and members of the SSS Re-compression chamber.
Pricing: From 4,950 Baht/person
Starting Time: Departure is at 9.00am scuba diving snorkelling
What’s Included: Well-maintained and regularly serviced dive equipment (diving gear, mask, fins, oxygen tanks), English-speaking guide, lunch and drinks
Operated By: Dive Point Samui
2. Island hopping & snorkelling with Pig Island visit
On this 4 to 5-hour tour, embark on the Dragon Yacht and head towards the 5 islands. En route, take in the magnificent sights of caves, beaches and limestone formations as you pass them by. Then, stop at the tropical paradise of Koh Taen for the chance to snorkel in a secluded spot. Following a professional snorkeler, discover the tropical reefs beneath you or sunbathe on the white shores.
After, you’ll travel to Pig Island, where you can play, swim and feed the wild pigs. Or, if you prefer go on an optional kayak ride for some more adventure. Throughout the journey, enjoy complimentary fresh fruits, and drinks as well as an on-board lunch. There’s even a jacuzzi on the Yacht for added comfort and relaxation.
Pricing: From 1,450 Baht/person
Starting Time: Hotel pick-up from 8.30 or 1pm, depending on tour time
What’s Included: Round-trip hotel transfer, lunch/ dinner, drinks, fresh fruit, snorkelling equipment, towels, life vest, boat transfers, English-speaking guides, full insurance coverage and free WiFi on GSM network
Operated By: Tours Koh Samui
3. Diving tour for certified divers from Koh Samui
Sail abroad the “Midnight Blue” to the top diving sites at Koh Tao or Sail Rock. There, you’ll mainly see coral reefs, however, fish of all types can also be found. These include Anenome, Angel, Butterfly and Parrot Fish, as well as Moray Eels, Wrasse, Trevally and the occasional turtle and whale shark.
Visibility at these sites varies per time of year but ranges from 5 to 30 metres. In addition, the water temperature is warm (from 27-30 degrees), allowing for more comfortable dives. Due to this, divers prefer to wear the lycra rash vests provided but wet suits are available as well. Finally, each destination caters to all levels of certified divers and is relatively shallow, with a depth of around 18 metres.
On this 7-hour scuba diving tour, groups are small with a maximum of 4 per trip. This allows for a personalised experience, further evident as each trip is customised to your diving experience and the weather conditions. All of their instructors are professionals and will brief you on safety procedures before the trip. Thus, you can be sure to have a safe and fun-filled outing.
Pricing: From 5,370 Baht/person
Starting Time: Departure time is 8.00scuba diving snorkelling
What’s Included: Professional guide, beverages, lunch, diving equipment and roundtrip transportation to and from the hotel
Operated By: The Dive Academy
4. Islands snorkelling trip by longtail boat
For an easy day trip, this snorkelling tour is a must. The excursion is 7 hours long and travels to various locations with crystal-clear waters. These include Koh Tan, a popular island for snorkelling where you can explore giant clams, corals and protected reefs. Other locations include Koh Madsum, a serene spot for a beach picnic; 4 islands (Koh See) and 5 islands (Koh Haa) where magnificent rock formations, hidden coves and birds reside.
Pricing: From 1,449 Baht/person
Starting Time: 14.00
What’s Included: Hotel transfer, lunch, drinks, fresh fruit, life jacket, snorkelling mask and accident insurance
Operated By: Oh-Hoo
5. Diving trip at Koh Tao from Koh Samui
This tour is for certified divers only. However, each trip is tailored to your experience.
On a high-speed catamaran, relax on the journey to Koh Tao and revel in the sights of Phangan and Koh Nang Yuan island. Then, upon arrival, you’ll hop onto a transfer boat and watch a safety briefing by one of the instructors. The first dive is around 40-50 minutes – during which, you can swim amongst the hoards of colourful fish. Lunch is served after this period, followed by a second dive. Like others, tour groups are small so you can be sure to have the diving experience you desire. Finally, this scuba diving tour is a whole-day event with a 10-hour duration.
Pricing: From 3,450 Baht/person
Starting Time: Pick-up time from 6.30 – 6.45
What’s Included: Lunch, diving equipment, professional guide and diving instructor, hotel pick-up and drop-off and boat transfers
Operated By: Scuba Birds scuba diving snorkelling
For more tours in Samui, check out our articles on the top 5 island-hopping and adventure tours on the island.. If you also want to experience the ultimate joys of Scuba diving and visiting beaches, and restaurants nearby, in amazing Thailand, Get your bookings done from Agoda.com, They offer bookings at discounted rates at unimaginable prices that you can’t just skip. Do check it out.
