See Clownfish and Anemone 20 metres off the beach. Perfect if you want a quick snorkel while at Koh Rok Yai, however if you’re on a snorkel trip, Koh Rok Noi and Koh Haa is a better snorkel.
Pros
Cons
Snorkel Video
Snorkel Snaps
Snorkel Review
Highlights
Coral
1-2 Meters Average Depth
Good Visibility
East to Medium Difficulty
No Cafe’s
Tours $40-$60 USD
Sea Urchins Present
Jellyfish unlikely
When:
Who:
Tour Cost:
Star Rating:
Cost:
When visiting Koh Lanta, one of the most popular tours you’ll come across is Koh Rok & Koh Haa. I would say this is one of the more premium tours and a costly than the 5 island trip, although you do get your money’s worth and can have a memorable experience. There are two main islands that you’ll visit in the Koh Lanta National Park, Koh Rok and Koh Haa. They are uninhabited islands that are about a 1.5 hour speedboat journey off the East coast of Koh Lanta.
I booked a tour running from Saladan Pier the North of Koh Lanta, the tour was for a full day (09:00 am-16:00 pm) and included three snorkel spots in total, at Koh Rok and Koh Ha lunch, and beach time included. This tour cost approximately ฿2,100 Baht including the ฿400 national park fee of $70, which I booked through Klook. There were 20 people on the speedboat.
Koh Rok Yai
After snorkeling Koh Rok Noi, we made the 5-minute boat journey across to the neighboring island of Koh Rok Yai, which is where you’ll dock and have lunch, and some beach time. There are toilets, bench tables and a long stretch of beach with a roped area for swimming.
Top Tip:
When booking a snorkel trip to Koh Rok & Koh Haa, double check the boat numbers.
We had time to relax on the sandy beach or snorkel off the beach for about an hour. I did go for a little snorkel around the roped-off square off the beach, it was ok, there was some coral, Anemonefish, and Clownfish. But I wouldn’t stress yourself about going, I’d relax on the beach and get some cool pictures in paradise. There’s enough snorkeling on the trip. Water is provided, but I’d bring a big bottle with you as backup, as in the day it can get very hot.
Snorkel Spot
Safety Tip:
Sounds silly, but the pier can get very hot and you can burn your feet, so be sure to take your flip flops with you, asides from that there were Sea Urchins.
Coral Reef
We had lunch and were visited by a reptile friend, a Monitor lizard who strolled through the eating area. This lizard was BIG at about a meter long. They’re generally harmless to humans but can swing their tail around quickly in defense which can be painful. If you stamp your feet they walk off.
Tour Guide Options
To get to Koh Rok and Koh Haa from the neighboring Koh Lanta island, you’ll need to get a speed boat tour to the islands, as they are about 2 hours to get to the islands. It is not possible to reach the island by Longtail Boat or another mode of transport, but in my opinion, this reduces the tourist levels and makes for a more authentic experience.
I booked a tour running from Saladan Pier at the North of Koh Lanta, the tour was for a full day (09:00 am-16:00 pm) and included two snorkel spots at Koh Rok and Koh Haa, and lunch and beach time included. This tour cost approximately $70, which I booked through Klook.
Best Snorkel Spot
The best snorkel spot was 10 metres from the pier close to the end of the snorkel section where you reach a rope. This spot is shown in the picture I took below, this is where I saw the Oscellaris Clownfish, Nosestripe Anemonefish, Sea Cucumber, and Parrotfish.
Best Time Of Year
If you are visiting, Thailand’s dry season will give you the best weather for snorkeling which runs from October-May.
Popular Marine Life
Clownfish
Nosestripe Anemonefish
Parrotfish
Christmas Tree Worm
Damselfish
Giant Clam
Coral Reef
Boulder Coral
Lettuce Coral
Folded Coral
What We Saw
(Seen on March, 2023)
| Oscellaris Clownfish | Spotted Worm Sea Cucumber |
| Nosestripe Anemonefish | Christmas Tree Worm |
| Golden Rabbitfish | Vermiculated Spinefoot |
| Swarthy Parrotfish | Roving Coral Grouper |
| Giant Clam | Quoy’s Parrotfish |
| Orange Spiked Sea Cucumber | Sergeant Major Damselfish |
| Chinese Demoiselle | Domino Damselfish |
| Brackish Damselfish | Golden Gregory Damselfish |
| Lettuce Coral | Boulder Coral |
| Pink Soft Coral | Staghorn Branch coral |
Where is Koh Rok Yai Beach?
Koh Rok Yai is located off the South West coast of the popular tourist island of Koh Lanta. It takes about 1.5 hours to get to Koh Rok Noi and Yai, from Koh Lanta with options to depart from the Northern Saladan Pier.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to get to Koh Rok Yai is by a speedboat snorkel trip running from Saladan Pier, Koh Lanta. Most snorkel trips will depart to Koh Rok, stopping off for a snorkel at Koh Rok Noi. Then travelling 10 minutes to the neighboring Koh Rok Yai for lunch and time to relax on the beach. At this time, you have a chance to snorkel off of Koh Rok Yai beach.
Snorkel trips from Koh Lanta to Koh Rok & Koh Haa costs from £40-£80 for a 6 hour speedboat trip, including a snorkel at Koh Rok and Koh Haa, as well as lunch.
You have a chance of seeing Clownfish at Koh Rok Yai beach, there are patches of anemone bundles through out the boulder coral reef. The anemone is home to either Oscellaris Clownfish and Anemonefish. I’d say the chance of spotting Clownfish is 50/50.
I went on an organised snorkel tour which ran from Saladan Pier, Koh Lanta. It was a 6 hour speedboat trip with approximately 20x people onboard.
Luke
FOUNDER
Luke is a passionate snorkeler who started Snorkelverse to live his dream of combining his passions for snorkeling, marine life, protecting marine ecosystems, and helping others.
Koh Lanta Snorkel Reviews
