Koh Rok & Koh Ha

December 10, 2024

There are three main island excursions from Koh Lanta that are on offer at every single tour company on the island.  One is to the world famous party island Koh Phi Phi, another is to the four island trip to Koh Chuek, Koh Mook, Koh Kradan and Koh Maa and the third is to Koh Rok and Koh Ha. 

We decided on the full day trip to Koh Ha and Koh Rok as it had some of the better snorkeling and involved less time in the boat - a cramped speedboat - for the kids. Despite some recent rains, we lucked out with fantastic weather for the trip and we enjoyed our time with our new friends, the Budia-Pineros from Spain.  

We bonded with this family from the first day we met playing ultimate frisbee on our first day in Koh Lanta.  Their daughter Naiara (15) is the closest in age to Ryan and they bonded over a session of Roblox during the BLISS Worldschoolers "Games Day".  Naiara also took on a sort of big sister role for Austen and Finley and Ryan a big brother role for Naiara's little brother Aiden (10).   

The snorkeling was okay - not spectacular if I'm being honest as the coral was quite bleached and the aquatic life, while semi-abundant, was not of the spectacular variety.  Still for the kids first snorkeling experience (except Ryan who had done some in Tahiti) it wasn't bad.  But the beach where we stopped for lunch was idyllic - white powdered sugar for sand - and we enjoyed relaxing in the warm waters after a satisfying lunch. We all wished we could have wallowed there a bit longer. 

Below is a video I put together of our trip to Koh Ha and Koh Rok. 

There are countless companies and kiosks all over Koh Lanta offering tour packages to Koh Rok, Koh Ha and the other islands, but only four companies that actually run the tours so it really doesn't matter which kiosk you purchase from.  We just liked our rep Chang at Good Luck Lanta Tour - she had a fun sense of humor and worked with us on the price - but probably any of these tour resllers would be fine.  The Tour Company we went with was Sinthongchai Speedboat Travel & Tours, which were fine, but there are three others (that we know of) - Queen of Andaman, Opal Travel and Tin Adventure Sea Tour.

NOTE: Depending on what time of year you go these snorkel areas can be super crowded.  All four tour companies were out at the same islands that we were (and more than 4 boats so likely more than one boat per company and/or some private tours) so it was chock a block with snorkelers.  The first dive was a bit ridiculous - we looked like the survivors of the USS Indianapolis all floating around like chum in the waters.  But by the 3rd dive, the crowds had thinned out and it was enjoyable.  If you don't like crowds and you have the means, you can also book a private tour.  We know a group of families from the BLISS Worldschool hub who arranged a private snorkel near Phi Phi to see the black tip reef sharks and had a blast.