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Our standard circuit
Swim, lunch, swim, monkeys
- Length7 to 8 hours
- Koh Phai90 minutes
- Monkey Island40 minutes
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The 3 islands Pattaya day tour, hour by hour
3 islands catamaran day from Pattaya
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Save a placeHow a day on the Pattaya catamaran runs from hotel pickup to the drop-off: each leg and stop with its timing, what the day includes, and what changes on other circuits.
Editorial team, pattaya3islands.click · Updated November 12, 2026 · Takes 6 min
In brief
- LengthThe catamaran day lasts 7 to 8 hours from hotel pickup in Pattaya to the drop-off.
- IslandsIt stops at Koh Phai for 90 minutes, Koh Rin for 60 and Monkey Island for 40.
- LunchA Thai buffet lunch is served at Koh Phai and runs 40 minutes.
- GearSnorkeling equipment is handed out; alcohol is not part of the day.
- PriceThe day is listed from $83 a person with free cancellation.
Pickup and the road to the marina
The day begins at your hotel, and pickup in Pattaya City is part of the booking, with 2 pickup location options in the listing. A car then covers the stretch to Ocean Marina Jomtien, which takes 60 minutes; the first hour of the day is on the road, not on the water. The whole day is listed at 7 to 8 hours, and the sailing is only part of that.
The marina is in Jomtien, south of the main Pattaya beach, and the catamaran is based there instead of at a town pier. Expect a mixed deck on a 71 foot catamaran that holds up to 60 passengers and crew, not a private charter. Be ready in the lobby early, since a late pickup shortens the schedule for everyone on board.
It helps to know the plan if you have a 3 islands Pattaya day tour booked for an early start: nothing on the listing promises a start time, and the record says to check availability for the pickup details. The operator confirms the time closer to the date, so keep your phone on the evening before. A fuller breakfast than usual is sensible, as the buffet is some hours away. On the Pattaya tour package cost, the catamaran day is listed from $83, with pickup and lunch inside that figure.
Side by side
Island circuits compared
| Circuit | Koh Rin | Monkey Island | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our catamaran day | 60 minutes | 40 minutes | Drop-off in the city |
| Second catamaran | 80 minutes | 40 minutes | Back in the city |
| Sunset catamaran | 70 minutes | 45 minutes | Sunset viewpoint |
| Longer yacht day | 75 minutes | Not visited | Sunset viewpoint |
Minutes as each listing's itinerary gives them; start times are confirmed by the operator.
Under sail to Koh Phai: swimming, snorkeling and lunch
From the marina the catamaran sails for 60 minutes to Koh Phai, the first and longest stop of the day. You get 90 minutes there for free time and swimming, and the snorkeling gear that comes with the day is for exactly this kind of shallow water by the shore. A listing for another operator on the same island puts an admission fee of THB 150 a person on a private trip, so check whether anything is payable on landing.
Lunch follows at the same island and lasts 40 minutes, which is the Thai buffet that gives the day its name in the booking. Snacks and beverages are provided throughout, with the exception of alcohol, and the hours at sea are not a dry spell if you are hungry. That makes a Pattaya 3 islands one day trip on a catamaran with lunch easy to plan around: eat well at Koh Phai, then keep the afternoon light.
Swim near the beach and where the crew can see you, and keep valuables in a dry bag. The Tourism Authority of Thailand advises against swimming after heavy rain or outside buoyed safety zones, and reminds visitors that jellyfish are more common in the monsoon months.1,2 Rash guards, lycra suits or long sleeves help if the water has stingers.3
Leg by leg
Minutes on each part of the day
- Car to the marina60
- Sail to Koh Phai60
- Koh Phai swim90
- Koh Phai lunch40
- Sail to Koh Rin50
- Koh Rin swim60
- Monkey Island40
Minutes as the itinerary lists them for the catamaran day.
Koh Rin and the run to Monkey Island
After lunch the catamaran sails on for 50 minutes to Koh Rin, where you have 60 minutes of free time and swimming. Here you get a second go at snorkeling, and after a full buffet it is better to float than to swim hard. The calm water by the shore suits a relaxed pace, and the crew keeps the schedule.
The next leg takes 40 minutes by catamaran to Monkey Island, where the itinerary lists 40 minutes of wildlife viewing. The island is where the macaques gather, so keep a firm grip on bags, hats and sunglasses while you are ashore. The monkeys come to people looking for food, and closed bags are the sensible rule.
A final leg of 40 minutes returns the boat to the marina, and the day ends with a drop-off in Pattaya City at 2 locations. Seen from the seat, the order is clear: long swim, lunch, shorter swim, monkeys, home. That is a gentle shape for a day with children or older relatives, as nothing in it asks for fitness beyond swimming in a life jacket.
Pick your day
Which circuit fits you best
Pick what you care about most and the matching circuit is shown.
If I want the longest swim at Koh Phai
The standard circuit
A free and swimming stop of 90 minutes at the first island.
If I want the sun to set while I am on the water
The sunset catamaran
Adds a viewpoint stop of 15 minutes at the end.
If I want more time at Koh Rin
The second catamaran
80 minutes at Koh Rin against 60 on our day.
If I want to see the macaques
Any 3-island circuit
Monkey Island is on every 3-island day, for 40 minutes or more.
If I want the most reviewed day
The standard circuit
It carries 805 reviews at 4.8, the largest base we found.
By shape of the day
Standard, long swim or sunset finish
Longer stops
The longer Rin stop
Paddleboarding at the islands
- Length7 hours
- Koh Rin80 minutes
- Monkey Island40 minutes
Sunset
The sunset circuit
Adds a viewpoint at dusk
- Length7.5 hours
- Koh Rin70 minutes
- Sunset stop15 minutes
How other circuits change the clock
The same islands appear on other boats, but the minutes differ. The second catamaran lists 100 minutes of sailing to Koh Phai, a stop of 1.5 hours there with stand up paddleboarding, 80 minutes at Koh Rin and 40 minutes on Monkey Island. Its whole day is shorter, at 7 hours, with the van ride listed at 1 hour.
The sunset catamaran adds a viewpoint stop of 15 minutes at the end of the day, cuts Koh Rin to 70 minutes and gives Monkey Island 45. That puts the day at 7.5 hours, and you finish later than on the standard circuit. A 2-island yacht day skips Monkey Island and stays 3 hours at Koh Phai, then 75 minutes at Koh Rin, before the sunset viewpoint.
If monkeys are the reason you are going, pick a circuit that includes the island, which all of the 3-island days do. If the sunset matters more than the macaques, the 2-island yacht is built around it. The table above sets the island circuits next to each other, to let you compare the stops without opening each listing.
The day
From the hotel lobby to the drop-off
Morning
Hotel pickup in Pattaya
A car takes you to Ocean Marina Jomtien, a ride of 60 minutes.
At sea
Sail to Koh Phai
The catamaran sails for 60 minutes to the first island.
Koh Phai
Swim, snorkel, lunch
Free time and swimming for 90 minutes, then a 40 minute buffet lunch.
Koh Rin
Second swim stop
A sail of 50 minutes, then 60 minutes of free time and swimming.
Monkey Island
Watch the macaques
A 40 minute leg by catamaran, then 40 minutes of wildlife viewing.
Afternoon
Back to the city
A final sail of 40 minutes, then a drop-off in Pattaya City.
What to pack and what is provided
Pack for sun and water: a swimsuit worn under your clothes, a towel, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses, and a light layer for the breeze on deck. Snorkeling equipment is handed out, and you need not bring your own mask unless you prefer it, and a copy of your passport is requested on another catamaran for insurance, so carry a copy in your bag.
Food and drink are easy: a buffet lunch, snacks and soft drinks are provided, while alcohol is not part of our day, and a bottle of water and a small amount of cash for a tip or an island fee cover the rest. Seasickness is a personal matter, and the catamaran's twin hulls make it steadier than a small speedboat, but if you are prone to it take a remedy before you board and sit in the middle of the deck, looking at the horizon.
Leave jewellery in the hotel safe, as boats and beaches are no place for it. Bring a waterproof phone pouch or a camera strap, since a lot of the day happens near water. Closed shoes are unnecessary: sandals that grip a wet deck are all the day needs, and a dry change of clothes for the ride home keeps the van comfortable.
Video
A day in Pattaya: Koh Phai, Monkey Island and Koh Rin
JourneywithJei on YouTube · Until you tap play, no video is loaded.
Vinegar should be poured over the affected area for at least 30 seconds.
Weather, sea state and what happens when it turns rough
Boat days depend on the sea. Other boat listings in Pattaya say plainly that the day is subject to sea and weather conditions, and a plan can change on the morning. Our own listing gives a safety net on the money side: you can cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund, and reserving costs nothing today.
On the calendar, the Chonburi tourism office lists August to October as the rainy season and November to February as the cool months.5,6 The Tourism Authority of Thailand adds that marine hazards such as jellyfish are more common in the monsoon months, and that visitors should follow posted notices and the advice of lifeguards and operators.2
Practically, that points to the cool months for the calmest and clearest days, and to flexibility in the wetter ones. If the forecast turns bad the night before, ask the operator what they plan, as the listing does not say which refund rules apply to a day cancelled by the boat. The guide on whether Pattaya is worth the trip charts the monthly rainfall at the nearest weather station.
FAQ
Brief questions, brief answers.
How long is the 3 islands day tour from Pattaya?
7 to 8 hours.
Allow 7 to 8 hours between hotel pickup and the drop-off back in Pattaya.
Which islands does the catamaran visit?
Koh Phai, Koh Rin, Monkey Island.
The order is Koh Phai first, then Koh Rin, then Monkey Island.
How long is the lunch stop?
40 minutes.
Lunch at Koh Phai lasts 40 minutes and is a Thai buffet, with snacks and soft drinks also part of the day.
How long do you spend with the monkeys?
40 minutes.
Expect 40 minutes ashore on Monkey Island, watching the macaques.
Is snorkeling gear included?
Yes.
Snorkeling equipment is provided; alcohol is the item the listing leaves out.
Is hotel pickup included in Pattaya?
Yes.
Yes, and you can choose from 2 pickup locations before the 60 minute car ride to the marina.
Can I cancel if the weather looks bad?
Yes, up to 24 hours ahead.
A full refund is paid on cancellations made at least a day before the start.
Sources
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Jellyfish Safety Advice in Thailand ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Jellyfish Safety Advice in Thailand ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Jellyfish Safety Advice in Thailand ↩
- Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT Newsroom) · Jellyfish Safety Advice in Thailand
- Chonburi Provincial Tourism and Sports Office (Ministry of Tourism and Sports) · Weather ↩
- Chonburi Provincial Tourism and Sports Office (Ministry of Tourism and Sports) · Weather ↩