Island day trips built around photography: an operator’s drone pilot shoots aerial photos of you on quiet beaches near Pattaya, with clear kayaks and paddleboards as props. The Koh Larn version runs around ฿2,100 (from $58.71 on GetYourGuide, 4.3★, 360 reviews); a pricier Nemo Island version with underwater shots is around ฿4,060 (from $112.69, 4.6★, 99 reviews). Both depart Bangkok.
Tour Highlights
- Professional drone photos of you on the beach and in the water — included
- Quieter island beaches rather than the main Tawaen strip
- Clear kayaks and paddleboards for the photo sessions
- Nemo Island variant adds snorkeling with clownfish and underwater shots
- Pickup from Bangkok hotels (both anchor tours are Bangkok departures)
Itinerary
- 106:30Pickup from your Bangkok hotel (Pattaya-based travellers can often join at the pier — confirm with the operator).
- 209:00Arrive Pattaya, board the speedboat to the island.
- 310:00Beach setup on a quieter stretch — the listing names Hardtien (Tien) Beach; briefing on the photo flow.
- 410:30Drone sessions in rotation: clear kayak, paddleboard, beach and swim shots while the pilot flies.
- 512:30Lunch and free beach time.
- 614:30Final shots and file review — check your photos before leaving the island.
- 715:30Speedboat back; transfer to Bangkok, arriving early evening.
What's included
- Hotel pickup & drop-off (Bangkok)
- Speedboat transfers
- Drone photo session with pilot
- Clear kayak and paddleboard use
- Lunch on most departures — check the option you book
- Life vests
Not included
- Beach chair rental
- Extra edited photos beyond the included set
- Personal expenses
Who is this tour best for?
- Couples and friends who want holiday photos that are not selfies
- Instagram-first travellers — this is honestly the product’s design brief
- Bangkok-based visitors doing Pattaya’s islands as a single long day
- Not for: anyone who resents posing on schedule — bring patience for the rotation
Where to book & compare
| Provider | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pattaya island trip with drone photos | around ฿2,100 (from $58.71 on GetYourGuide) | 4.3★ from 360 reviews — 11 hours from Bangkok, paddleboard and clear-kayak photo sessions on a quiet beach. |
| Nemo Island + drone & underwater photos | around ฿4,060 (from $112.69 on GetYourGuide) | 4.6★ from 99 reviews — adds snorkeling with clownfish, underwater shots and a Big Buddha stop. |
| DIY: hire a freelance drone shoot | — | Possible but fiddly — drone rules in Thailand require registration, and beach permissions vary. For one day, the packaged version is simpler than it sounds. |
Frequently asked questions
Do I actually get the drone photos, and how many?
Yes — the drone session is the product, not an upsell. Photo counts and delivery (AirDrop, LINE or a download link, usually same day) vary by operator and option booked, so check the listing details. Review your shots before leaving the island; reshoots are easy there and impossible later.
Can I fly my own drone instead?
Thailand requires drone registration with the NBTC and CAAT, and fines for unregistered flying are real. Beaches near flight paths add further restrictions. Unless you have registered your drone in Thailand, letting the operator’s pilot fly is the legal, zero-hassle route.
I’m staying in Pattaya, not Bangkok — can I join?
Both anchor products are Bangkok departures with hotel pickup. Pattaya-based travellers can sometimes meet at the pier at the speedboat stage — message the operator through the platform before booking rather than assuming. If they say no, a standard Koh Larn trip plus the Nemo Island snorkel tour covers similar ground.
Which beach is used for the shoot?
The Koh Larn version lists “Hardtien” beach — Tien Beach on the island’s quieter side — chosen because empty sand photographs better than the Tawaen crowds. Exact spots shift with season and sea state; the constant is that operators avoid busy beaches for cleaner frames.
What about weather and photo quality?
Drones do not fly in rain or strong wind, and flat grey light makes flat grey photos. November to February gives the best odds of blue-water shots. If weather kills the session, operators reschedule or the platform’s cancellation terms apply — check them before booking in monsoon months.