Best snorkeling in Koh Lanta
Despite having its fair share of beautiful beaches, Koh Lanta is not a snorkeling destination per se. When in Koh Lanta, there are few places where you can get some snorkeling from the beach – on Long Beach and Nui Bay. You will find some exotic fish species and corals at these locations to make the experience fun for you. But if you want to make the most from your snorkeling in Koh Lanta, pack your snorkeling gear and take a boat trip to nearby islands.
Koh Lanta snorkeling tours
Even though Koh Lanta is not home to top snorkeling locations, it excels in being near some of these. Koh Lanta snorkeling tours promise travelers the opportunity of not only getting their fair share of underwater experiences but also seeing other islands in the process. Simply pick a snorkeling tour among the three most popular Koh Lanta snorkeling tour destinations – Koh Rok, Koh Haa, and Koh Phi Phi islands.
Koh Rok
On top of the list for the best snorkeling tours in Koh Lanta, Koh Rok is so prepared for you. This single location is home to two other smaller islands. The waters in this area are exceptionally pristine, and you can almost start seeing the beautiful coral reef before entering the water at all. When you start snorkeling, you also start seeing those corals in all their vibrant colors and beauty.
Koh Haa
Known as a diver’s haven, Koh Haa also promises spectacular snorkeling tours near Koh Lanta. Snorkeling mainly takes place in the waters between the 5 islands that compose Koh Haa archipelago, where the water is as crystal clear and full of vibrant corals as you can possibly imagine. A boat trip to the area is tailored such that you get to see all the surrounding five islands as well as the biodiversity that makes it worth going underwater in the first place.
Koh Phi Phi
If you are looking for celebrity snorkeling tours in Koh Lanta, then nearby Phi Phi islands is a place you should not miss. Koh Phi Phi has to be one of the islands that you must hop on if you are at Koh Lanta, even if you are not interested in snorkeling. For those going with their snorkeling gear, you will find out that there are only a few locations that can beat what Koh Phi Phi brings to the table. Make sure to visit Pileh Lagoon, Nui Beach, Loh Samah, and Maya Bay, among others.
Best diving near Koh Lanta
While Koh Lanta is excellent for beachcombing along its shallow coastline, with somewhat decent snorkeling and water sports, there is not much for memorable diving. Luckily, besides terrific snorkeling tours, a few world-class diving spots are just 30 minutes away from Koh Lanta, and these are Koh Phi Phi, Koh Bida, Koh Haa, and Hin Daeng.
Koh Haa
Koh Haa spans a tiny archipelago of five islands filled with hidden caves, sandy lagoons, colorful reefs, and shallow waters perfect for snorkeling, too. It’s an ideal diving spot for beginners or first-timers as the waters reach 30m depth mixed with 20m visibility.
Koh Phi Phi
The waters around Koh Phi Phi features a way more biodiversity, and it’s not strange to encounter leopard sharks or gigantic turtles floating through green waters. Again, the seas don’t exceed 30 m depth and match with visibility up to 20m. The wrecks of King Cruiser are located just a bit north from Koh Phi Phi, and it features a vast diversity in marine life, which is a popular diving spot.
Hin Daeng
Finally, the last and most demanding diving spot is called Hin Daeng. The depth reaches up to 60 m with a visibility of 25 m. The coral life is very diverse, but the most dominant color is red and purple. Since this diving spot is a deeper one, it’s common to cross the way with manta rays or whale sharks.
