Best snorkeling in Koh Phi Phi
For snorkeling in Koh Phi Phi, there are a variety of terrific options. The best snorkeling spot on Koh Phi Phi Don is from Long Beach and Nui Beach. Swim a bit from the Nui beach towards peculiar Camel Rocks, and you will be amazed by the colorful reef and diversity of marine life. On the opposite side of Koh Phi Phi Don, 200m off Long Beach, there is a unique snorkeling spot called the Shark Point. Here, you can enjoy swimming with black-tip sharks, manta rays, and snorkeling with turtles.
Since Koh Phi Phi archipelago features the abundance of limestone islands surrounded by vibrant reefs, there are more snorkeling spots near Koh Phi Phi Don. The best snorkeling amid turquoise waters, excellent visibility, and diversity of marine life are Pileh Lagoon, Loh Samah, and the famous Maya Bay, all around Koh Phi Phi Leh island. Further north, snorkeling around the whitest powder-soft sands of Bamboo Island and nearby reef of Hin Klang will not disappoint either. After all, at Hin Klang, you can even snorkel with whale sharks if you are lucky!
Phi Phi islands tour
From snorkeling pristine Pileh Lagoon, diving Loh Samah, playing on Monkey beach, admiring the Maya Bay, tanning at Nui Beach, hiding on Bamboo island, bird-nesting at Viking Cave, to hiking stunning panorama on Koh Phi Phi Don – you will never run out of options. And, amazingly, you can take a private boat and tour Phi Phi Islands, experiencing all these adventures during 6-8 hours. So what is the most popular itinerary for the Phi Phi Islands tour for travelers staying in either Phuket or Krabi?
Phi Phi island tour from Phuket
A typical Phi Phi island tour from Phuket includes snorkeling amid turquoise waters at Pileh Lagoon, Loh Samah, and the famous Maya Bay (from the boat only). With excellent visibility and diversity of marine life, the best snorkeling spots are around Phi Phi Leh island. Although Phuket offers some great snorkeling, it won’t compare to the experience you get on during the Phi Phi island tour. Further north, snorkeling around the whitest powder-soft sands of Bamboo Island and nearby reef of Hin Klang will not disappoint either. After all, at Hin Klang, you can even snorkel with whale sharks if you are lucky!
Phi Phi island tour from Krabi
Taking the Phi Phi island tour from Krabi takes about 40 minutes, and that is time you will enjoy as well. Here you are most likely to start with a visit to Bamboo Island, followed by snorkeling at Hin Wong (absolute WOW). You will also discover the mini version of Maya Bay at Nui Beach and soak in all the beauty of Koh Phi Phi Don from a different angle. The Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and Pileh Lagoon are all included in the Phi Phi Island tour from Krabi as well. For those who want to see the Phi Phi islands at their own pace, you can hop off at Koh Phi Phi Don and look around before deciding for a specific Phi Phi island tour by speedboat instead.
Best diving in Koh Phi Phi
Koh Phi Phi diving is sublime, to mention the least. With over 20 dive sites, it is worth it staying three nights in Koh Phi Phi Don for the diving experience alone. Diving around Koh Phi Phi Leh, Pileh Lagoon, Bamboo island, and Mosquito island in March-April guarantee crystal clear waters with visibility reaching a whopping 30m and ocean without strong currents.
If you’re an experienced diver looking for deeper water where you can encounter whale sharks and manta rays, take a private boat to Hin Daeng. Diving in Hin Daeng with its iconic red corals, underwater tunnels, and caves – is beyond surreal. Note, however, dive sites in Hin Daeng are prone to strong currents in deep waters.
Shark Point
Hin Musang, locally known as Shark Point, is home to harmless leopard sharks that reside on the vast seafloor opposite Koh Phi Phi Don and its Long Beach. Apart from its resident leopard sharks, Shark Point appears as a small, multi-colored reef, teeming with other marine life. Shark Point is one of the most exciting dive spots and snorkeling on Phi Phi Islands. The average depth here is 5-28 meters.
Hin Musang reef was named after the leopard sharks that lay around the Shark Point below in the sand. The hard and soft corals are fascinating here, while the gorgonians are so numerous that you can hardly believe it. The place has a lot of fish and is also suitable for two dives and plenty of snorkeling. In the macro area, you can find seahorses, ghost fish, and nudibranchs. The reef runs from north to south, so the current here is optimal for a drift dive.
Anemone Reef
Located between Phuket and Koh Phi Phi Leh Island, Anemone Reef is a secluded and beautiful dive site. It is labeled after countless sea anemones living at the pinnacle that starts 5-8 below the surface. Anemone Reef is entirely overgrown with anemones that provide fish a haven. The rock looks alive as they swing gracefully back and forth in the water. With giant tuna fish, barracuda, and mackerel present as well, this is an enchanting place to scuba dive. The slowly sloping sandy bottom around the reef begins at 20m to 25m depth. Anemone Reef is an excellent place to look for sleeping leopard sharks, moray eel, and lionfish. While at the top of the pinnacle, there is an anemone courtyard making it suitable for divers of all levels.
King Cruiser
The wreck of the 85-meter King Cruiser boat, which sank in 1997 after clipping Anemone Reef, is one of the most popular dive sites close to Koh Phi Phi. It has become home to a myriad of intriguing sea creatures, including moray eels and leopard sharks. The King Cruiser is a must for adventurous scuba divers visiting Phuket, Koh Lanta, Krabi, or staying in Koh Phi Phi Don.
The 85 m long steel catamaran ” King Cruiser ” is one of the most massive wrecks in Thailand. The ship was built in Japan about 30 years ago and used as a ferry between Phuket and Koh Phi Phi. On May 4, 1997, a sunny and calm day, the boat rammed the anemone reef, which was well frequented by divers on its way from Phuket to Phi Phi. The impact of the tore gave a large hole in the hull of the ship. After only 17 minutes, the giant boat sank 10 miles off the Phi Phi Islands. Fortunately, all 561 passengers were rescued by two police boats and 4-5 fishing boats. They heard the emergency call over the radio and came to the aid. Today, the King Cruiser is in one piece received 31 feet below the water surface in a horizontal position on sandy soil. It serves as a perfect dive site nearby Koh Phi Phi.
The easiest and safest way to get into the wreck is through the back section, where the loading and car decks are open on all sides. Here, you can still find various machine parts and tires. The coral-covered railing leads through doors up to the slightly flatter passenger deck, where the rows of seats are still recognizable. Of course, the lounges do not look as inviting as before they were “lowered” about 30 meters. The collapsed foredeck is at 16m depth. Here, colorful reef fish frolic in the surrounding warm blue waters of the Andaman Sea. From time to time, leopard sharks also visit King Cruiser wreck, promising a sublime diving experience.
