You only live once but if you do it right, once is enough

Some days carry a rhythm all of their own, and this was one of them. On our recent family vacation to Koh Tao Island in Thailand, we set off with Oxygen Tours for a day long snorkeling adventure. The tour departed from Mae Haad Pier, and the the three of us were full of anticipation. The weather slightly overcast but with good visibility, sunlight bouncing off the waves, and the promise of five different snorkeling stops ahead of us.

As the boat left the pier, the staff immediately set the tone, calm, cheerful and endlessly attentive. They took extra care with Sharmain, who carries a deep fear of open water, staying by her side and gently guiding her so that by the end of the day she had completed four of the five snorkel sites. That in itself felt like a victory.

Aaira, excited with her second snorkeling trip experience after Havelock Islands, managed three sites before deciding the boat was her happy place for the afternoon. She still had her amazing glimpses of reef life with bright schools of fish and corals below while gaining more comfort in the water with her life jacket. Seeing her relax, even if not every stop was explored, was special.

For me, it was about soaking it all in the rhythm of travel between the bays, swimming with the marine life and the life unfolding beneath the waves. Here’s how the day unfolded:

Stop 1: Jansom Bay – 30 mins

Just minutes from Mae Haad, Jansom Bay was our soft entry into the day. Clear water, reefs tucked close to shore, and schools of reef fish weaving around boulders. It felt safe, contained, and perfect for warming up. Even here the variety was dazzling parrotfish, butterflyfish darting between rocks, and the occasional curious wrasse zipping past.

Stop 2: Japanese Gardens, Nangyuan Island – 90 mins

The boat ride to Koh Nangyuan alone was worth the day. Three tiny islands linked by a sandbar, straight out of a postcard it’s the kind of place that makes you pause before even slipping into the water.

Japanese Gardens is a shallow reef alive with movement and color. Here we drifted over clouds of fusiliers who created quite a show that made me smile, I was able to capture this on my go pro with a couple of small barracuda and sergeant majors buzzing about in their striped uniforms. For Aaira, this was the most magical stop she could float calmly in her life jacket and watch the reef unfold below. Ninety minutes passed without us even noticing.

Stop 3: Lighthouse Bay – 30 mins

Smaller, quieter, and as intimate as the first two. Lighthouse Bay had a rocky outcrops, corals tucked between sandy stretches, and cloud of different marine life. I followed a cloud of juvenile golden trevallies and blue lined groupers through part of the reef. This was a shorter stop, but lovely for spotting the small details.

Stop 4: Aow Leuk Bay – 30 mins

By now, we were ready for a bit of drama. Aow Leuk, translating to “Deep Bay,” is known for its calm water and gentle slopes. It didn’t disappoint reef fish everywhere, and the thrill of spotting baby blacktip reef sharks gliding gracefully near the edges.

Stop 5: Shark Bay (Thian Og Bay) – 45 mins

The name carries a certain weight, but this is the place to look for turtles. Sharmain, by now far more confident, slipped in here and swam with a serenity she didn’t think she’d find at the start of the day. We were not disappointed as a large turtle swam beneath us grazing on the coral reef.

In Between the Water

The day wasn’t only about what we saw beneath the surface. Between stops, the staff served us a simple, delicious Thai lunch, rice, fried chicken, stir-fried vegetables, tofu, and fresh fruit. The boat had its own rhythm: snorkeling, drifting, sharing stories, resting. Each time we moved on, the crew carefully counted everyone back on board, checked gear, and made sure no one was left behind. Safety and care were clearly at the center of everything.

Reflections

For Sharmain, overcoming fear and being in the water was the true highlight. For Aaira, the joy came in her first snorkeling experience with turtles, even if short the life she saw was enough to spark her curiosity further. For me, it was about watching both of them find their own ways of connecting with the sea, recreating my love for the water and its wonders.

Koh Tao is often called the jewel of Thai islands, and this trip with Oxygen showed us why. Not just for the reefs and fish, but for the care, patience, and quiet joys that made it a family memory worth carrying.