About this tour
When Sarah from our BugBitten team booked this private speedboat trip out of Pattaya's Jomtien pier, she wasn't expecting to have three small islands essentially to herself. The tour bounces between Kram Noi, Kram Yai, and Rin — quiet spots with decent snorkelling and shallow turquoise water. You're looking at 4–8 hours depending on the package, with lunch served on board for the longer option. It's the kind of thing that works best if you've got a group to split costs, but even as a smaller party, the freedom to kayak, paddleboard, and laze around at your own pace beats fighting crowds on the standard tourist boats.
Highlights
- Private speedboat means no cattle-car vibe or set itinerary pressure
- Clear kayak lets you watch fish without getting wet
- Snorkel gear and paddleboards included; gear's actually decent quality
- On-board lunch and fresh water — meals aren't an afterthought
- Onboard loo and shower facilities; proper comfort for a boat trip
- Kram Noi and Kram Yai stay relatively quiet and shallow for swimming
- Flexible pacing — hang longer at islands you prefer
What to expect
Sarah's day started with a 7am pickup from Jomtien pier and a confident blast across calm Gulf waters. The first island stop came within 15 minutes; she was in the water with snorkel gear and paddleboard options immediately. Water temp was warm, visibility decent though not crystal-clear — you'll see small reef fish and the occasional larger school, but don't expect the drama of deeper coral dives. The pace is genuinely relaxed. There's no rushed itinerary; you can stay on an island for 90 minutes if you want, or zip to the next one after 45. Lunch arrived mid-morning on board — nothing fancy, but proper Thai fare that actually tasted fresh. The boat crew know the quieter spots and can point out what's worth swimming toward.
Physically, it's low-intensity. You're not hiking or paddling far; the boat does the travel leg, and water activities are optional. The main thing is sun exposure — the deck's got umbrellas and beach chairs, but SPF 50+ is non-negotiable. Morning swells can pick up by mid-afternoon, so earlier departures are smoother.
What travellers say
- Private boat eliminates crowds and fixed itineraries entirely
- Gear quality decent — clear kayak, snorkel set, paddleboards all useable
- Onboard lunch and fresh water included on full-day trips
- Convenience features like toilet and shower rare on speedboat tours
- Shallow, calm waters suit nervous swimmers and families
- Per-person cost climbs steeply unless you're a bigger group
- Not suitable if you have spinal or pregnancy considerations
- Snorkelling visibility modest; don't expect dramatic coral gardens
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This suits small groups, couples, or anyone who's over the standard tour-boat experience. You get flexibility, privacy, and decent kit without paying resort prices. The onboard loo and fresh water make a real difference on a hot day. Snorkelling here is accessible — shallow, calm, no currents — so it's fine for first-timers and families with older kids.
The trip isn't cheap on a per-person basis unless you're six people splitting it; solo travellers should budget carefully. Spinal or pregnancy considerations mean it's worth a medical chat first — speedboats bounce. Kids under five need to sit on your lap the whole time, which works for short trips but gets annoying over eight hours. Peak season (Nov–Feb) means even 'quiet' islands can have other boats nearby. Pick-up costs 1,000 THB extra if you're not self-driving to Jomtien pier. Bring: reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard or shirt, and seasickness tablets if you're prone — the journey out is smooth but the boat does move.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.