Snorkeling Around Phi Phi: Where to Go and With Whom

Pileh Lagoon and Loh Samah Bay deliver the best combination of scenery, fish life and shelter for most travellers. Pileh's vertical limestone walls drop into 6 metres of emerald water with sea fans, sergeant majors and parrotfish; Loh Samah on the back of Maya Bay has healthier reef and frequent blacktip reef shark sightings during early morning slots. Bamboo Island's beach-entry staghorn fields are best for nervous swimmers and children, with knee-deep coral. Mosquito Island has the highest fish density of the four but stronger currents and is only included on small-group tours when sea state allows. Visibility runs 8-12 metres from November to April.

Group speedboat snorkeling tours from Phuket cost $70-110 USD per adult, including hotel transfer, snorkel mask and fins, life vest, lunch (boxed or buffet on Bamboo Island), drinking water and soft drinks. The 400 THB Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park fee is almost always extra and paid in cash on the day. Premium small-group tours with marine biologists run $120-160. Private speedboats for 6 guests cost $400-500 with custom routes. Children under 12 typically get 20-30% off. Avoid resellers offering tours under $60 — they sub-contract to overcrowded 40-pax boats that skip the better sites.

Yes, particularly Bamboo Island and Pileh Lagoon. Bamboo Island has gradual beach entry into knee-to-chest-deep staghorn coral, perfect for first-time snorkelers and children. Pileh Lagoon is fully sheltered with no current and life vests provided by all operators, and the visual drama of the limestone walls compensates for modest fish life. Avoid Mosquito Island if you are a nervous swimmer — it has open-water entry and stronger currents. Most reputable operators include 30-minute pre-snorkel briefings, mask-fitting and a guide in the water. If you cannot swim, life vests are mandatory and free; some boats also provide pool noodles.

Not strictly, but bringing your own mask is strongly recommended. Rental masks at $70-110 group tours have been used dozens of times, fog easily, and the seal often leaks for European face shapes. A basic silicone mask costs 600-1,200 THB at any Phuket dive shop and pays for itself in comfort on the first stop. Fins and life vests provided by operators are fine. If you wear glasses, bring prescription mask inserts or contact lenses — boats do not stock them. A rash guard or UPF 50 long-sleeve shirt is more important than reef shoes; the limestone is smooth at all stops.

Yes, blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) are regularly spotted in shallow water at Loh Samah Bay during the early-morning tour slots, particularly in November-March. They average 1.2-1.6 metres long, are not aggressive towards humans, and feed on small reef fish. Sightings are not guaranteed but occur on roughly 30-40% of sunrise tours. Sharks left during the heavy tourism years before 2018 and returned during the Maya Bay closure of 2018-2021; their continued presence is one of the main success stories of the marine recovery programme. Do not chase or touch — observe from 3+ metres away.