I’ve made the crossing to Phi Phi from Phuket more times than I’ve counted. Every single time, without fail, at least one person on the boat leans over the railing as we approach the islands and says some version of “I can’t believe this is real.” I never get tired of hearing that.
Phi Phi is famous for its beaches and its dramatic limestone scenery, and those things absolutely deserve the reputation. But the bit that stays with people long after the photos fade is what’s underwater. The marine life here is extraordinary — diverse, abundant, and because the islands sit inside a protected marine park, genuinely unafraid of humans.
I go out to Phi Phi multiple times a week. I know where the best snorkelling is at different states of the tide, different times of day, different seasons. Let me break it down for you.
Nui Beach is in the north of Phi Phi Don, tucked between two headlands in a small sheltered bay. The water is extraordinarily clear — on a good day you can see the bottom from 10 metres above it — and the reef starts almost immediately from the beach.
We spend time here when the least people are about. We often have the whole bay to ourselves for the best part of an hour. The coral here is healthy and varied, the fish are plentiful, and the bay is sheltered enough that even beginners feel comfortable.
What you’ll typically see: parrotfish in extraordinary colours (turquoise, pink, green, sometimes all three at once), surgeonfish in large schools, moray eels tucked into crevices in the reef, triggerfish, and almost certainly a clownfish or several in their anemones. Keep your eyes on the sandy patches at the bottom and you might spot a flatfish or a ray resting motionlessly.Monkey Bay: snorkelling with a side of wildlife
The Monkeys!
Phi Phi Don has plenty of beaches where there are monkeys. Crab Eating Macaques. They’re bold and curious and frankly very entertaining, especially when there are babies involved. We’ll pass through or stop briefly so you can see them climbing, diving and swimming.
Maya Bay is closed to swimming and snorkelling during certain periods to allow the reef to recover from years of overuse — always worth checking the current status before you visit. But even when the bay itself is restricted, the outer reefs of Phi Phi Leh offer excellent snorkelling.
The wall on the eastern side of Phi Phi Leh drops away into deep water and is home to schools of barracuda, large snappers, and — if you’re in the right place at the right time — the occasional blacktip reef shark following the current along the rock face. This is more advanced snorkelling, better suited to confident swimmers, but for anyone who’s comfortable in the water it’s exceptional.
Bamboo Island sits north of Phi Phi Don and is often missed by tours in a rush to get to the famous spots. That’s their loss. The reef on the northwest corner of Bamboo Island — about 100 metres off the beach — is one of the finest snorkelling spots in the entire Phi Phi archipelago. The coral is varied and healthy, the water is clear, and because it’s slightly off the beaten track, it rarely gets crowded.
The beach itself is also special — long, white, and usually quiet. We include Bamboo Island on some of our Phi Phi trips and it’s consistently one of the stops people remember most.
On our Phi Phi day trips, snorkelling is built into the core of the day — not a rushed add-on, not ten minutes in the water before the boat moves on. We allocate proper time at the good spots, and we go early to make sure those spots are at their best.
All snorkelling gear is included — mask, snorkel, fins. Life jackets for anyone who wants one. My crew is in the water with the group and is happy to help first-timers get comfortable. If you’ve never snorkelled before, read our guide to snorkelling in Phuket for beginners before you come — it covers technique, gear, and what to expect. But honestly? Most people need about five minutes to get the hang of it, and then they don’t want to stop.
Best visibility: November to April. The water is clearest during the dry season, with visibility sometimes exceeding 20 metres. Underwater visibility in the low season (May to October) drops noticeably due to increased plankton and water movement, but the snorkelling is still good at the right spots.
Time of day: morning is almost always better. Better visibility, cooler water, fewer people. The difference between 9am and 1pm at the same spot can be significant.
Sea conditions: Phi Phi is generally well-sheltered from the southwest monsoon, so even in the low season the snorkelling bays are often calm. We always check conditions before departure and will advise if a particular stop looks unsuitable on the day.
For the full picture on what to see and do on Phi Phi beyond the snorkelling, our guide to the must-visit places in Phi Phi is worth reading before you go. And if you’re comparing Phi Phi to other snorkelling spots around Phuket, our guide to the best snorkelling in Phuket covers ten locations across the Andaman.
I’ll see you on the water.
— Captain Mark
Exceptional, uncrowded island day trips from Phuket. Family-owned and operated since 2004.
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