Hi,

I've just bought the snorkels and fins and seem to be OK in the swimming pool - so what's next? How do I get to do some real snorkling in Pattaya? Anyone know a good tour company with safe boats and good guides/instructors?

Easy. Just go to one of the local dive centres and tell them you want to go along on a day trip as a snorkeler. You'll find that it's not just divers on the boat. They'll spend most of the day moored at the best coral reefs out at the islands and the divers will point out the best parts of the reef for snorkeling. I'd recommend an operator with one of the bigger boats because there's more people on board, the crack is good and you'll get lunch.

And you can find out what scuba is all about while you're on board too.

I'd follow what the other poster said, and also include a Koh Larn day trip. It's not the best snorkling, but it's cheap and you can do it on your own until you get the idea. There are a few tropical fish around. I started a topic on Koh Larn a while ago and a search will find it.