Joanna James
Tipped to be one of Thailand's top snorkelling hotspots, Phi Phi Island is home to its fair share of breathtaking snorkelling hubs. With its underwater landscapes teeming with marine species, here are some snorkelling spots every traveller should explore during a peek beneath the waves in Phi Phi.
This submerged reef which is also called a coral mountain is arguably the best snorkelling site on Phi Phi Island. Easily accessible from Laem Tong Beach, Hin Klang lies just 2km off the coast and is 90m in length and nearly 60m wide. You will not fail to be impressed by the sheer scale of this reef which is hardly visible from the surface as it is home to schools of fish that occupy colourful corals. The visibility of Hin Klang is equally ideal.
While Pi Leh Bay may not be easy to reach unless one hired a longtail boat, the snorkelling opportunities are well worth the effort. The water is placid and calm all day long while colourful parrotfish and curious sergeant majors can be spotted right off the coast fishing for food from boats passing by. The best time to go snorkelling in Pi Leh Bay is during the morning hours or in the afternoon as the midday sun can be hard to endure in this largely exposed bay.
The clarity of Maya Bay is hard to match among Phi Phi Island's main snorkelling spots as the conditions are simply perfect for coral exploration from November to April. Some of the most frequently spotted fish species include octopuses and other reef fish which occupy the coast in the dozens. The best time to go snorkelling in Maya Bay is during the wee hours of the morning or the late afternoon hours.
Situated on the northernmost tip of Phi Phi Don lies Bamboo Island, a snorkelling Mecca measuring 500m across. Surrounded by stunning beaches, most holidaymakers based at SAii Phi Phi Island Village, or any similar luxury hotel in Phi Phi Island consider it the perfect day trip destination. The shallow water and the massive reef are what make Bamboo Island a prime snorkelling hotspot.
Located on Tonsai Bay, Monkey Beach is a white, sandy piece of paradise fringed by green waters. Although the beach is famed for its cheeky and furry inhabitants, the main draw for snorkelers remains the lush underwater landscapes off the coast of the beach. Snorkelling in Monkey Beach has often been compared to swimming inside a manmade aquarium due to just how spacious and well-structured the submerged habitats happen to be.
Also known as Sama Bay is one of the best-known snorkelling sites on Koh Phi Phi Leh. Occupying pride of place on the southern edge of the island, the bay and the small beach offer snorkellers the chance to not only enjoy a snorkelling tour but also scuba diving expeditions.
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