To the uninitiated, Phi Phi's snorkelling is like being on a fantasy
planet. Even the experienced agree - it's good. Really good. With
one of the world's most abundant coral reef systems, the locations
and sights are both plentiful and astounding.
When the tide is right, places like Monkey Bay are just about as
accessible as physics allows. The coral is just below the surface
and brightly coloured fish dart here and there, inches from your
mask. Hin Klang is in the middle of the sea, though it isn't nearly
as deep as expected; you don't have to impersonate an island native
on the hunt to enjoy the views - floating on the surface is fine.
Phi Phi Lei has a few more snorkelling locations, as does Phi Phi
Don, Bamboo Island, the list goes on.
Tour operators will supply equipment - i.e., fins and a mask -
if you book a package trip, or you can rent them from dive operators
if you choose to strike out on your own via foot or longtail boat.
The serious may want to bring their own gear, or inspect before
booking, as quality and available sizes will vary between shops.
Maya Bay
Maya Bay has exceptionally clear water, although you can only enter
by boat from November to April. I've only been there once and saw
an octopus after just 10 minutes, a first for me!
Stunning coral and fish are seen by thousands who arrive on various
daytrips, so yes it's busy. The side closest to the entrance is
best as there are many boats close to the beach.
Maya Bay is best visited on an organised tour, and preferably early
in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Pi Leh Bay
Pi Leh is situated on the opposite side of Phi Phi Leh to Maya
Bay. It's a long thin bay with 100m high cliffs on all sides, at
the entrance there's a shelf, the top of which is too shallow for
anthing other than speedboat or longtail, this stops it from getting
too busy.
Flat calm water awaits inside with some excellent snorkeling, bright
parrot fish and sergeant majors rush the boats coming in hoping
for some bread, pinapple or banana even. High tide is the best time
to visit Pi Leh Bay.
Alternatively, at the entrance to the bay there's some great snorkeling
to be found, morning is the best time as the area is in the shade
in the afternoons.
Bamboo Island
Stunning Bamboo Island is 5km from the northern tip of Phi Phi
Don. The small island is only 500m across and has beautiful beaches
virtually all the way around that give way to coral underwater.
Many daytrips go to Bamboo each day but it's not too crowded. Dive
boats also go there too. The reefs are extensive and fairly shallow,
but the beach is always there for a rest. Another excellent place
to snorkel.
Mosquito Island
Mosquito Island is next to Bamboo but it's less visited because
there aren't really any beaches. Snorkeling is best along the east
side however the majority of the coral is a bit deeper here so it's
more of a scuba diving spot.
Hin Klang
Hin Klang is an underwater reef, or coral mountain (as some call
it) that doesn't break the surface. Located 2km offshore right in
front of Laem Tong Beach in the north of Phi Phi, it's 90m long
and 60m wide. As you approach you don't know that it's coming but
wow, it's there all right.
Crystal-clear water, lots of fish and colourful coral, this is
one of the best places to snorkel in Southern Thailand and probably
the best place in Phi Phi.
Shark Point & Longbeach
The snorkeling from Long Beach is possibly best direct from the
beach in Phi Phi. You don't have to go very far to see the colourful
fish and underwater habitat. Additionally around 200m from the beach
there's a rock that just breaks the surface called Shark Point.
No prizes for guessing why, although these are little fellas.
Here you'll find black-tip reef sharks from 40cm to to 1.2m swimming
around the reef. During the day when there's lots of boats around
they're hard to find but before 9am and after 5pm they're easily
spotted.
The swells from May to October can make Shark Point dangerous so
you should only go there on very calm days during that time. All
year round you should be vigilant as currents can be strong, especially
at mid tide. Novice snorkelers would be better to go with an organised
tour.
Tonsai Bay West Side
There's coral and lots of fish all along the west edge of the bay
at the foot of the cliffs. A great way to explore is with a sea
kayak, there are several small beaches to leave the kayak on while
you snorkel, one of the better known ones is Monkey Beach about
500m out from Tonsai Beach.
Phi Phi Don East Coast
There's a good reef that runs the entire length of the east coast
of Phi Phi about 100m out from the shore. In the shallower water
coral and fish can be seen in clear water, a little further out
at the drop off larger fish and coral can be seen in deeper water.
Often the best places to snorkel are at the northern and southern
points of the beaches. |
