Pattaya: 2 Islands one day trip on Catamaran with Lunch

The best part of this Pattaya boat trip is that the catamaran is the main attraction, not just a ride between beaches. You get a full day on the water with snorkeling, fishing, paddleboarding, a flybridge slide, lunch, and time around two islands.

I like the all-inclusive setup, especially the Thai buffet, fruit, drinks, towels, and water sports equipment. I also like the easy hotel pickup within Pattaya, which saves you from arranging transport to the marina. The main consideration is the long time on the boat, plus the fact that access to Koh Rin beach is closed during sea turtle nesting season.

Key points to know before booking

• Two island stops: Visit Koh Phai for lunch, swimming, and snorkeling, then spend time around Koh Rin.
• The yacht has plenty to do: Try fishing, paddleboarding, snorkeling, or the slide from the flybridge.
• A proper onboard meal: Thai buffet lunch, tropical fruit, snacks, hot drinks, soft drinks, and bottled water are included.
• Beach access can change: During sea turtle nesting season, the beach at Koh Rin is closed until the current period ends on September 30.
• Pickup is simple: Hotel pickup and drop-off are included within Pattaya city, with a scheduled lobby pickup.
• The age rules are strict: The trip is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or people over 60.

A full day at sea from Pattaya

This is an eight-hour outing in Chonburi Province, built around two offshore islands and a luxury catamaran. The schedule includes about an hour in a van, several boat transfers, and active time in the water.

That timing matters. You are not getting a quick speedboat ride with a short photo stop. The catamaran spends a large part of the day at sea, giving you room to eat, sit in the shade, move around the boat, and use the onboard gear between island visits.

The tour is led by a professional captain and experienced crew, with an English-speaking instructor and guide included. The group fee, island entrance fees, insurance, and equipment are also covered, so the advertised $124 price needs to be judged as a package rather than as a simple boat ticket.

Starting with Pattaya hotel pickup

Pickup is available from accommodation within Pattaya city. You should be in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled time, and the operator contacts you one day before the trip to arrange the exact pickup slot.

The van ride to Ocean Marina Yacht Club takes about an hour. That transfer is not glamorous, but it is useful. You avoid finding a taxi before sunrise or working out how to reach the marina on your own. The return follows the same basic pattern, with a van bringing you back to Pattaya after the boat docks.

The personal information needed for the reservation includes your full name, passport number, Thai phone contact, email address, and date of birth. A child also needs a scanned copy of the first passport page. Have these details ready so the booking process does not slow you down.

At Ocean Marina Yacht Club, there is a 15-minute visit before boarding. Treat this as a short marina stop rather than a sightseeing visit. The main event begins when you step onto the catamaran.

What the 105-minute catamaran ride feels like

The first long boat ride takes about 105 minutes. This is when the character of the trip becomes clear. The yacht is designed for more than simple transport, with a flybridge, a slide, a dinghy, paddleboards, fishing equipment, snorkeling gear, and space for meals.

You can use the ride to settle in, take in the sea views, or find a comfortable place before the first island stop. If you are prone to seasickness, this is the time to take your usual motion sickness prevention. Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat if you use one, and a change of clothes will make the day easier.

The boat ride is also the least active part of the tour. If you need constant sightseeing or dislike spending long periods on open water, eight hours may feel like too much. If you enjoy being on a yacht and want several water activities in one day, the slower pace works well.

Koh Phai: lunch, swimming, and snorkeling

The first island stop is Koh Phai, with about 45 minutes for a break, lunch, swimming, and snorkeling. That is not a long beach stay, so you will want to decide quickly how to use your time.

The Thai buffet lunch is served onboard, with fresh tropical fruit, snacks, hot coffee and tea, soft drinks, ice, and individual bottles of water available. Food is included in the price, and the portion is intended to cover the main meal rather than leave you searching for a restaurant on the island.

You can eat before swimming, or fit in a short session in the water first. Snorkeling equipment is supplied, so you do not need to bring your own mask and fins. The crew also provides towels, which is a small but useful detail when you are moving between the boat and the sea.

Forty-five minutes passes quickly once you combine eating, changing, swimming, and snorkeling. I would not treat Koh Phai as a long, quiet beach afternoon. It is better understood as the first active stop and lunch break in a day that keeps moving.

The second boat ride and time around Koh Rin

After Koh Phai, the catamaran continues for about an hour to Koh Rin. The second island stop lasts around 75 minutes and includes swimming and snorkeling around the island.

Koh Rin is also where the current sea turtle nesting restriction matters. During the nesting period, estimated to last until September 30, access to the beach is strictly prohibited. The tour still operates, but the activities take place around the island on the water.

This means you should not book the trip expecting two beach landings. The Koh Rin portion can still include snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding, but beach access is not available during the restriction. The rule protects nesting turtles, and the operator has kept the water-based part of the program in place.

The island stop is long enough to enjoy the water without feeling as rushed as Koh Phai. Still, conditions at sea can affect how much time you spend in each activity. Follow the crew’s instructions, especially when switching between swimming, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and the dinghy.

Snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding

This trip works best for people who want choices. You are not limited to lying on a beach or taking photographs from the boat.

Snorkeling gear is included, and snorkeling is scheduled around both Koh Phai and Koh Rin. The information provided does not promise a particular marine species or visibility level, so set your expectations around being in the water rather than guaranteeing a specific underwater sight.

Fishing gear is available on the yacht. It gives you something to do during the boat rides or while waiting for other members of your group to finish swimming. Fishing can be a good fit if you want a quieter activity, though the trip does not state what fish you may catch or whether a catch is guaranteed.

Paddleboarding adds another option. You can stand up and work your balance, or simply use the board at a slower pace if conditions allow. The dinghy is also included, adding another way to move around the boat and water.

The slide from the flybridge is the most playful feature. It changes the mood from sightseeing cruise to floating water park. You should bring swimwear and a dry change of clothes, since several activities are designed to get you wet.

The Thai buffet and included drinks

Food is one of the strongest practical reasons to consider this tour. A Thai buffet lunch is included, along with tropical fruit and snacks. You also receive a free flow of individual bottled water, soft drinks, ice, coffee, and tea.

That arrangement makes the $124 cost easier to assess. You are paying for hotel transfers, a crewed yacht, island fees, a meal, drinks, equipment, a towel, insurance, a guide, and group fees. Buying each item separately would take time and could add up quickly.

The food is described as good and sufficient, but this is still a boat buffet rather than a carefully chosen restaurant meal. If you have strict dietary needs, the supplied details do not list special menu options. You should ask the operator before booking if this matters to you.

A buffet also lets you eat at your own pace. You can take a proper lunch after the first water activities, then have fruit or a snack later. Bring no alcohol, since alcohol and drugs are not allowed on the activity.

Returning through Ocean Marina

After Koh Rin, the catamaran spends another hour returning to Ocean Marina Yacht Club. There is a second 15-minute marina visit before the van transfer back to Pattaya.

By this point, you will probably be ready for a towel, dry clothes, and a quiet ride. The return van takes about an hour, so the eight-hour duration includes both the road transfers and the time on the yacht.

The schedule is efficient, but it is also full. From hotel pickup to final drop-off, you should think of this as a complete day rather than a short morning excursion. Pack lightly, but include everything you need for a wet day: sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, beachwear, and dry clothes.

What the $124 price gets you

At $124 per person, this is not the cheapest way to reach islands near Pattaya. It offers better value if you plan to use the boat’s activities and eat onboard rather than simply ride to a beach.

The price includes:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off within Pattaya city
• Crewed catamaran transport
• Professional captain, crew, guide, and English instruction
• Island entrance fees
• Thai buffet lunch
• Tropical fruit and snacks
• Bottled water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, ice
• Snorkeling and fishing gear
• Paddleboard and dinghy
• Flybridge slide
• Towels and insurance

That is a long list of included services. Personal expenses are not included, but the activity does not list any required extra charge. Reserve and pay later is available, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund.

The value is strongest for couples, friends, or families who want several activities in one booking. It is less compelling if your only aim is to sit on a beach, especially during the period when Koh Rin beach cannot be entered.

Who should book this Pattaya catamaran trip

I would recommend this experience to you if you enjoy active days, open water, and a mix of organized activities. It suits people who want snorkeling, fishing, paddleboarding, swimming, and a slide without arranging each activity separately.

It can also work well for a small group with different interests. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and someone else can sit on the yacht with a drink or snack. The boat gives you more choice than a basic island transfer.

The tour is not suitable for children under two, pregnant women, or people over 60, according to the stated restrictions. That removes it from consideration for some families and older couples, even if they are comfortable at sea.

You should also think carefully about seasickness. The tour includes several long boat rides, with the first lasting 105 minutes and later journeys lasting about an hour. Motion sickness prevention is specifically recommended in the preparation advice.

Small details that make the day easier

Arrive in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before pickup. Since the operator confirms the time the day before, keep your phone available and check your messages.

Wear swimwear under your clothes and carry a dry change of clothes. Use sunscreen before boarding, then reapply during the day. Sunglasses will help on the open water, where glare can be strong.

Pack only what you need. The included towel, water, food, and equipment reduce the amount you must carry, but you still need your personal items and any medication you use for motion sickness.

Do not count on landing at Koh Rin during the turtle nesting period. The tour continues with snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding around the island, but the beach itself is off limits until the restriction ends.

Final decision: is this tour worth booking?

Book this Pattaya catamaran trip if you want a full day of water activities with transport, lunch, drinks, equipment, and a crew handled in one package. The yacht slide, paddleboards, fishing gear, and buffet give the day more variety than a simple island cruise.

Think twice if you want long, peaceful beach time or a guaranteed landing on both islands. Koh Phai allows a short stop, while Koh Rin beach access is currently closed during sea turtle nesting season.

For the right kind of day, $124 is a fair package price. You are paying for comfort, convenience, food, and a broad range of activities, not only for the ride to two islands.

FAQ

How long is the Pattaya catamaran tour?

The activity lasts eight hours, including hotel transfers, marina time, catamaran travel, and the two island stops.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from accommodations within Pattaya city. You should wait in your hotel lobby 10 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.

Which islands does the tour visit?

The tour visits Koh Phai and Koh Rin in Chonburi Province.

Is lunch included?

Yes. A Thai buffet lunch is included, along with fresh tropical fruit and snacks.

Are drinks included?

Yes. The package includes individual bottles of water, soft drinks, ice, coffee, and tea.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling gear and fishing gear are included. A paddleboard, dinghy, towel, and slide are also provided.

Can you go onto Koh Rin beach?

During the current sea turtle nesting season, estimated to last until September 30, access to Koh Rin beach is strictly prohibited. The tour still includes snorkeling, fishing, and paddleboarding around the island.

Who cannot join this activity?

The tour is not suitable for children under two years, pregnant women, or people over 60 years.