Phi Phi Islands Dive Sites
Koh Phi Phi (pronounced Pee Pee) is located about 45km East of Phuket and offers some excellent dive sites for all levels of diver. Phi Phi Islands diving day trips are available from Phuket by speedboat or slower dive boats, but the area is best experienced on the 7 dive Phi Phi special. In many places you find shallow hard coral gardens, making Phi Phi a good spot for snorkeling as well as scuba diving. Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai, at the South end of the Phi Phi island chain are among the best sites in the region.
Koh Bida Nok & Koh Bida Nai
Colourful soft corals are mixed with hard coral reefs where moray eels and scorpionfish hide. At Koh Bida Nai there is a beautiful archway filled with tiny baitfish which leads to a shallow hard coral garden. Bida Nok has several swimthroughs of the West side where you find a complex jumble of giant boulders. Turtles are occasionally seen on this reef.
Leopard sharks are quite common in this area, especially on the eastern side of the island. Blacktip reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks have been known to make appearances in the area and be sure not to startle bamboo sharks which may be hiding under rocks or cracks.
Schools of barracuda and trevally are often sighted near the east pinnacle as are snappers, mackerel and other pelagic species. Divers may also see seasnakes, cuttlefich and Kuhl’s stingrays.
Loh Samah Bay
Loh Samah Bay is on the East of Koh Phi Phi Le and is a great shallow dive, often used for night dives. Inside the bay is an extensive hard coral garden featuring lots of anemones at depths of 2-12m, which is also ideal for snorkeling. The dive usually follows a small limestone island which lies within the bay. The steep walls of this rock are mirrored underwater, creating a perfect place for soft corals, sea whips and fan corals. On the East side is a long canyon filled with delicate marine life. Seahorses are sometimes found here.
Hin Bida
Located some 6km from Koh Bida, this spot has been called “Phi Phi Shark Point” as leopard sharks are often seen here. The rock breaks the surface at low tide and drops to 18-22m, surrounded by boulders, staghorn corals and sand. Large rays are also sometimes encountered here. The soft corals at the Southern end of the site are particularly beautiful.
Maya Bay – The Beach
The famous setting for “The Beach” movie can be crowded on the surface, but offers some decent diving including a large cavern. The North side of the bay has a sloping reef, some dramatic rock formations and a good chance to find a turtle. Often called “Maya Corner”, the best area is found at about 16 – 18m on the NW point, where there is a great swimthrough and a steep wall. The cavern is found at the SW point, and is one of the largest in the area. Remember not to penetrate caves without special training and equipment.