Snorkeling in Thailand: A Guide to Koh Phi Phi, Krabi & Koh Lanta

Thailand is a ravishing nation identified for its beautiful seashores, crystal-clear waters, and ample marine life. One of many must-do actions when in Thailand is snorkeling, and with its wealthy underwater world, there are many locations to take action.

On this weblog publish, we are going to deal with three well-liked locations for snorkeling in Thailand – Koh Phi Phi, Krabi, and Koh Lanta and supply suggestions on the place to remain and eat, in addition to tricks to profit from your snorkeling journey.

Associated learn: Scuba Diving in Thailand: An Epic Solo Adventure

Koh Lanta Snorkeling

Koh Lanta is a peaceable island positioned within the Krabi province, and it’s identified for having a number of the healthiest coral reefs and numerous marine life in Thailand. The well-known Emerald Cave is a must-visit snorkeling web site, the place you possibly can swim via a darkish cave and emerge right into a hidden lagoon. Koh Rok and Koh Haa are additionally well-liked snorkeling spots, if you’re fortunate, you may even spot some sea turtles!

Emerald Cave

The Emerald Cave will probably be the spotlight of your snorkeling journey in Koh Lanta! This cave is positioned on the west coast of Ko Muk island and is accessible solely by boat and requires a swim via a slender and darkish passage of about 80 meters in size. When you emerge on the different finish of the passage, you might be rewarded with a shocking sight of the emerald-colored waters and white sandy seaside.

It’s a distinctive expertise that’s not to be missed! Relying on the time of yr you go, the swell is variable. Once we went, it was fairly sturdy, so it was tiring to swim again via the passage after visiting the emerald cave.

Associated tour: 4 Islands and Emerald Cave Snorkeling Trip

If you’re not snug with swimming at the hours of darkness, there are different actions that you are able to do in Koh Lanta. Spend time on the seaside, absorb the solar, and benefit from the beautiful surroundings. 

In your snorkeling journey, you may additionally cease on the paradise island of Koh Ngai for some lunch. This island is so peaceable and it’s the right place to replicate in your expertise on the Emerald Cave.

Different beautiful snorkeling spots on this journey embody Koh Ma and Koh Cheuk, you might be certain to see azure waters and enormous coral reefs with ample marine life and colourful tropical fish!

The place to eat in Koh Lanta

Friend House Food and Drinks was one of many locations we went again to time and again in Koh Lanta, the costs are inexpensive and the menu has each Western and Thai choices to select from.

Three Sisters Restaurant is one other good choice, it is a bit more costly than Pal Home however the parts are giant, the service is nice and the place is sweet and clear!

Where Else Garden is one other barely pricier choice than different locations within the space, however the meals, décor, and ambiance are value it!

The place to remain in Koh Lanta

Funds: Lengthy Seaside Easy Home

Mid-range: Lengthy Seaside Backyard Resort

Luxurious: Lengthy Seaside Chalet – SHA Additional Plus

The right way to get to Koh Lanta

Attending to Koh Lanta is definitely fairly straightforward, irrespective of the place you’re coming from. When you’re coming from Bangkok, you possibly can take a flight to Krabi Airport (KBV) after which take a taxi or minibus from there. The journey will take about two hours. You may find tickets here.

When you’re coming from Phuket, you possibly can take a ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta. The journey takes about two hours and the associated fee is round THB800-1,200 per particular person. It’s also possible to take a minivan from Phuket to Koh Lanta, discover ferry and bus tickets here.

When you’re coming from Koh Phi Phi, you possibly can take a ferry from Koh Phi Phi to Koh Lanta. The journey takes about two hours and the associated fee is round THB600-900 per particular person. You should buy ferry tickets here.

Koh Phi Phi snorkeling

Koh Phi Phi is a small archipelago positioned within the Andaman Sea, and it’s identified for its beautiful surroundings and vibrant marine life. Pileh Lagoon is a shallow lagoon the place child blacktip reef sharks might be noticed. This can be a thrilling expertise for many who love sharks.

Bamboo Island is one other must-visit snorkeling spot, with crystal-clear waters and an abundance of colourful fish.  It’s best to do analysis on excursions earlier than reserving to make sure a extremely rated one. You’ll probably go to Maya Bay in your tour (like this one), it wasn’t my private favourite cease as a result of variety of folks there once I went, nevertheless it was stunning nonetheless.

The place to eat in Koh Phi Phi

In Koh Phi Phi yow will discover low-cost eats and extra upmarket locations. There’s a good mixture of western and Thai meals.
There isn’t a lot road meals as a result of the place is so small and the streets are slender, there are mainly solely eating places.

Pa-Noi Thai Meals

My favourite restaurant in Koh Phi Phi needs to be Pa-Noi Thai Meals, it serves quite a lot of genuine Thai dishes and presents very cheap costs for vacationers on a finances.

Brett and I ate there 3-4 occasions throughout our keep in Koh Phi Phi. I’d extremely suggest their Yellow Hen Curry with Rice paired with a refreshing watermelon shake!

Garlic 1992 Restaurant

One other agency favourite of mine is the Garlic 1992 Restaurant. This restaurant is legendary and all the time busy, you will note indicators promoting it all around the island. I attempted the Panang curry with rice and it was scrumptious. The restaurant additionally sells its personal Garlic 1992 merchandise which is accessible to buy on-site. Right here additionally they serve cocktail buckets which had been tried and examined on my own, I can verify they’re sturdy, tasty, and price 200 baht!

Coco Bella Restaurant

Coco Bella Restaurant boasts inexpensive costs and good service. Their menu is giant and I attempted the fried rooster with chips and the loaded nachos which had been each scrumptious! It was a pleasant deal with to seek out Mexican-style meals in Koh Phi Phi!

Is consuming out costly?

How a lot you’ll spend on consuming out will rely upon the place you select to dine. Thai meals is all the time cheaper than western meals, as goes for the entire of Thailand. Thai meals is to die for, and for those who’re not a fan of spicy meals, ask for ‘mai pet’ (not spicy). Nonetheless, be cautious that what Thai folks think about ‘not spicy’ should still be too spicy for you!

The place to remain in Koh Phi Phi

Phi Phi Don is the primary island you could keep on, there are many lodges, hostels, and resorts to select from and one thing to go well with all budgets.

I stayed in a beautiful lodge known as Blue View House, we had probably the most incredible view of the island, however we needed to stroll up so many stairs to get to and from the room.

It’s positively value getting a nicer room with a view, it simply relies upon for those who can face climbing up the mountain to get there!

Different Lodging Choices:

Funds: Blu Monkey Phi Phi Island

Funds: Kitty Guesthouse

Upmarket: Phi Phi Villa Resort

Upmarket: Phi Phi Coco Seaside Resort

The right way to get to Koh Phi Phi

You will get to Koh Phi Phi through speedboat or ferry from Phuket or Krabi. Brett and I made a decision to go from Phuket and we stopped for 1 night time in Koh Yao Noi, a ravishing little island near Phi Phi. The speedboats are usually a bit of costlier however in my view, they’re value the additional price as a result of they’re sooner.

Generally you even have the choice to prepare a taxi switch out of your lodge in Phuket or Krabi along with the speedboat ticket. I like this feature since you might be extra sure that you just gained’t miss the boat!

I choose to make use of 12GoAsia to e book transport like this in Thailand. One other good choice is to prepare the switch via your lodge.

Krabi snorkeling

Krabi is a province positioned within the south of Thailand, and it’s well-known for its limestone cliffs, secluded seashores, and emerald waters. There are lots of stunning points of interest to go to in Krabi, however the snorkeling experiences listed here are simply incredible. I extremely suggest occurring a snorkeling tour throughout your go to to Krabi! Particularly, I recommend the ‘7 Islands Sunset Tour’ which is a full-day island hopping journey by longtail boat. On this tour, you’ll go to the well-known Railay Seaside, view Hen Island from afar, picturesque islands and revel in a scrumptious BBQ dinner as you watch the sundown on the island of Koh Poda.

The following cease is at Koh Tub for some seaside time or (at low tide) a stroll throughout the spectacular sandbank that connects it to Hen and Mor Islands close by. Swim within the crystal-clear water at Koh Tan Ming, a small rock islet in entrance of Koh Poda.

However the spotlight of any snorkeling journey in Krabi is the bioluminescent plankton. E book a tour that features a nighttime snorkeling session to witness the magical glow of plankton within the water.

Full the night with a brief swim amidst the bio-luminescent plankton within the surrounding ocean of Koe Raeng earlier than returning to the pier in Ao Nang.

One factor to notice is that snorkeling excursions might be on longtail boats or speedboats. Longtail excursions are cheaper, much less snug, and have extra folks, whereas speedboat excursions are sooner, extra snug, and often take fewer folks at a time. Be taught from my mistake and don’t sit in the back of the longtail boat proper subsequent to the engine, it’s extremely loud and uncomfortable over the course of the day.

The place to eat in Krabi

Eating places in Railay

Railay Family Restaurant – An inexpensive restaurant in Railay with many Thai and seafood choices.

Mangrove Restaurant – They provide each Thai and western meals, seafood, and vegan choices at inexpensive costs.

Railay Beach Cafe Thai Noodles – This restaurant could be very extremely reviewed by vacationers having fun with scrumptious noodles at wonderful costs!

Eating places in Ao Nang

BUZZ Organic Food and Drink – Go to BUZZ for wholesome, recent dishes in Ao Nang.

Red Chilli Thai Cuisine – This restaurant has wonderful evaluations of its tasty and genuine Thai meals, attentive service, and welcoming ambiance!

CRU Kitchen Krabi – For a extra upmarket eating expertise you may go to CRU Kitchen for some Western-style delicacies.

The place to remain in Krabi

Krabi presents a variety of lodging choices to go well with totally different budgets and preferences. Some well-liked choices embody:

1. Railay Seaside – This can be a well-liked space for vacationers and presents a variety of lodging choices from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious resorts.

Funds – Rapala Rock Wooden Resort- SHA Plus

Mid-range – Avatar Railay

Luxurious – Sand Sea Resort Railay Seaside 

2. Ao Nang – This space has a variety of lodges and guesthouses to go well with totally different budgets and is well-liked with backpackers and households.

Funds – Popeye Guesthouse

Mid-range – COSI Krabi Ao Nang Seaside

Luxurious – Krabi Tipa Resort – SHA Additional Plus

3. Krabi City – That is the primary city in Krabi and presents a variety of lodging choices together with guesthouses, lodges, and resorts.

Funds – JP Hometel

Mid-range – Sita Krabi Lodge

Luxurious – Krabi SeaBass Lodge

* Simply to notice that for those who keep in Krabi City there isn’t an amazing deal to see and do there and you’ll think about hiring a scooter to go to totally different locations close by.

The right way to get to Krabi

Krabi is a well-liked vacationer vacation spot in Thailand and there are a number of methods to get there, together with:

1. Flight – Essentially the most handy method to attain Krabi is by air. Krabi Worldwide Airport (KBV) is positioned simply 15km away from town middle. A one-way flight from Bangkok to Krabi can price wherever between 1,500 THB – 3,500 THB, relying on the airline and the way far upfront you e book.
2. Bus: Krabi is properly related by bus with Bangkok and different main cities in Thailand. Buses are an affordable choice, and several other firms function each day companies to Krabi from Bangkok. The journey takes round 10-12 hours relying on site visitors and might price wherever between 500 THB – 1,200 THB.
3. Practice: Krabi doesn’t have a railway station, the closest one is in Surat Thani. From there, you possibly can take a bus to Krabi. Trains are a cushty choice to journey to Surat Thani from Bangkok or different main cities. Practice tickets price between 500 THB – 1,000 THB from Bangkok to Surat Thani, relying on the category of journey you select.
4. Ferry: Krabi can also be accessible by sea, and there are common ferries from close by islands like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. You may catch a ferry from any of those islands to Krabi and the journey takes round 2-3 hour relying on the place you’re departing from. A one-way ticket from Phuket to Krabi prices round 500 THB, whereas a ferry from Koh Phi Phi prices round 350 THB. Costs might fluctuate relying on the time of yr and the ferry operator.

Seek for methods to get to Krabi under:

Let’s go snorkeling in Thailand

Are you able to go snorkeling Thailand? There are such a lot of unbelievable snorkeling spots across the islands in Thailand – so begin planning your journey now!