Phi Phi Diving Sites
Koh Phi Phi Islands
Actually two Islands - Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh - these two awesome sisters languish in the sea like a pair of emerald jewels studding the aquamarine waters of Phang Nga Bay.
It's one of the most picturesque islands in the world. You'll marvel at the stunning movie-set desert-island scenery both above and below the waterline.
Koh Phi Phi scuba diving ranks amongst the top five dive destinations in Thailand. Limestone cliffs rise dramatically out of the sea and plunge straight back down underwater, forming the colourful soft coral walls for which Phi Phi is famous. There are more than 15 different dive sites with many rugged walls, interesting caves and cavern penetrations. Swim-through entrances are often obscured by dazzling clouds of glassfish and gorgonians. Sea fans harbour pipefish, seahorses and shrimpfish, keeping even the most experienced divers entertained for days.
The islands lie in a National Marine Park in Krabi Province, so the sea life is substantially different to our other Thailand scuba destinations. In many places, the islands are fringed with shallow coral gardens, where hard and soft corals and sponges prosper harmoniously amongst the myriad marine life. Here's your best opportunity to happen across green and hawksbill turtles munching on bubble corals, black and white banded sea snakes, squid, angelfish, crocodile long-toms, black-tip reef sharks and leopard (zebra) sharks.
The diving in Phi Phi, along with its beautiful movie-set beaches, seemingly endless number of coves and bays, and laid-back life style appeals to holidaymakers from all walks of life. Travellers, young backpackers, tropical island paradise seekers, and those simply looking for a few days of fun, easy living in the sun, are all delighted by the wide range of diving adventures that these islands have to offer.
• Phi Phi Island tourist information
• Map of Koh Phi Phi Islands
Diving Season
You can dive Phi Phi all year round, but the best conditions exist from February to May. The waters are at their warmest and clearest during this time.
November to January sees prevailing north westerlies bringing waves to the eastern shores, and cooler waters. Most diving consequently takes place on the sheltered western side of the islands.
Late May to October brings south westerly monsoon winds and surface swells to the islands, lowering visibility by about 25%, but it's pretty rare that diving trips are cancelled due to bad weather. October also brings with it some heavy rains to the Andaman Sea.
The Thailand liveaboard season runs all year round here too.
Reef Basics
Great for: Wall dives, dive value-for-money, snorkelling and non-diving activities
Not so Great for: Wrecks and advanced divers
Depth: 5 - 30m
Visibility: 5 - 20m
Currents: Gentle
Surface Conditions: Can be choppy
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Beginner - intermediate
Number of dive sites: ~15
Distance: ~45 km east of Phuket (3 hours), 30 km southwest of Krabi (2½ hours)
Access: Day trips and liveaboards
Recommended length of stay: 5 - 7 days
Dive Sites
More detailed information on the Phi Phi dive sites:
Dive The World Recommendations: Bida Nok and Bida Nai.
Other nearby sites that can be visited together with Phi Phi Islands on liveaboards and day trips:
Other nearby sites that can only be dived on extended Phi Phi liveaboard cruises:
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• Thailand scuba diving enquiries
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