Book snorkeling and sand dunes tours 1-2 days ahead if you're flexible, but aim for 3-5 days if you want a specific date or a private guide. Food tours and car rentals are easier to arrange last-minute. Check before you go with your preferred operator for their booking window.

A guide is genuinely worth it for snorkeling-they know which reefs are calmest and teeming with life on any given tide. For sand dunes and blue lakes, you can self-drive if you're comfortable on island roads, but a guide handles navigation and knows the best vantage points for photos and the floating Buddha statue. Many visitors split the difference: rent a car for flexibility, hire a guide for specific activities.

Dry season (May through September) offers the calmest seas and best snorkeling visibility, though the island is manageable year-round. Check before you go with your tour operator about monsoon weather impacts, as some routes can get choppy.

Sand dunes and blue lake tours usually include transport, a guide, and lunch or dinner; some add firefly spotting or mangrove kayaking. Snorkeling tours cover equipment and usually a light meal. Food tours include tastings and transport. Car rentals are self-drive with fuel at your expense-confirm what's covered before booking.

Most accommodations arrange car rentals or can connect you with drivers for the day. Booking a full tour is the easiest option if you don't want to drive-guides handle all logistics and can tailor stops to your pace. Lagoi itself is small, but reaching sand dunes, blue lakes, and snorkel sites requires transport.

Snorkeling and kayaking work for kids with swimming skills and proper supervision. Sand dunes are fun for older children but can be rough for toddlers. Food tours suit families open to trying local flavors. Check before you go with your specific tour provider about age minimums, particularly for water activities.

Firefly tours typically run in evening hours when they're most active, though the exact season and conditions vary. Some tours combine fireflies with sand dunes and blue lake visits. Ask your operator when they see fireflies most reliably during your travel dates.