Phi Phi Bamboo Island Snorkelling Guide: Best Spots, Gear Tips & Marine Life to Look For
Planning a Phuket day trip and wondering whether Phi Phi Island, Bamboo Island or both are worth your time in the water? You’re not alone. The Phi Phi archipelago is one of the most iconic snorkelling destinations in Southeast Asia, and for good reason: crystal-clear Andaman water, healthy coral reefs, and an extraordinary range of marine life await just below the surface.
This guide covers the best snorkelling spots across both Phi Phi and Bamboo Island, what to look for underwater, practical gear tips, and how to make the most of your day on the water.
Why Phi Phi and Bamboo Island Are Thailand’s Top Snorkelling Destinations
Situated in the Andaman Sea about 45 kilometres southeast of Phuket, the Phi Phi archipelago is made up of six islands protected under Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. The two most visited Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh are framed by dramatic limestone cliffs and fringed with reefs that have been recovering strongly since Maya Bay’s conservation closure period.
Bamboo Island (Ko Mai Phai), sitting roughly 5 kilometres northeast of Phi Phi Don, is a different experience entirely: flat, low-lying, and ringed with powdery white sand and shallow turquoise water. Together, these two destinations offer complementary snorkelling in Phi Phi for dramatic topography and diverse marine encounters, and Bamboo Island for calm, accessible reef snorkelling in crystal-clear conditions.
Water temperatures remain warm year-round at 27–30°C, making conditions ideal at any time of year. The best visiting window is November to April, during the dry season, when seas are calm, and visibility is at its peak.
The Best Snorkelling Spots
1. Bamboo Island Reef
Bamboo Island consistently ranks as one of the top snorkelling spots in the entire Phi Phi area. The sea here teems with fish, and the crystal-clear water delivers outstanding visibility among the best you’ll find anywhere in the archipelago.
Species to look for include clownfish in their anemone homes, pufferfish, moray eels, and sea snakes. The reefs sit close to shore in shallow, calm water, making this an excellent choice for beginners, families, and anyone not confident in deeper water. Coral reefs extend up to 500 metres from shore, so there’s plenty to explore at your own pace.
One note of caution: jellyfish can be present at Bamboo Island, so keep an eye out while you’re in the water.
2. Loh Samah Bay (Phi Phi Leh)
Tucked just around the corner from the famous Maya Bay, Loh Samah Bay offers some of the best snorkelling in the entire archipelago. A shallow bay sheltered by towering limestone cliffs, it’s home to blacktip reef sharks, parrotfish, and schools of snapper. The surrounding scenery gives this spot an almost theatrical quality snorkelling here feels like swimming through a natural aquarium.
3. Maya Bay Area
Maya Bay itself features a shallow reef near its sandy beach, home to sergeant majors, butterflyfish, and occasional squid. While the beach (made globally famous by the 2000 film The Beach) is the primary draw for most visitors, the reef edge is well worth spending time in the water. Note that Maya Bay is scheduled to close from 1 August to 30 September 2026 for the ecological restoration plan accordingly.
4. Monkey Beach (Yong Kasem Bay)
A quick stop between major landmarks, Monkey Beach combines wildlife and snorkelling. The coral reefs here are sheltered and calm, and the long-tailed macaques watching from the shoreline make for an unforgettable backdrop. Keeping a safe distance from the monkeys and never offering food to feed them has led to aggressive encounters with tourists.
5. Shark Point (Long Beach, Phi Phi Don)
If blacktip reef sharks are on your bucket list, Shark Point is the dedicated stop. Sharks here are seen regularly in shallow water and are harmless to swimmers. Patient snorkellers are also rewarded with cuttlefish, lionfish, and sea snakes. This spot features more on premium or custom tour itineraries than standard group day trips.
Marine Life to Look For: Quick Reference
The Phi Phi reefs support a rich diversity of tropical species. Here’s a guide to what you can realistically expect to encounter:
| Species | Best Spot | Frequency | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clownfish | All reef spots | Common | Anemones are very easy to spot |
| Butterflyfish & angelfish | Bamboo Island, Loh Samah Bay | Common | Bright colours, reef edges |
| Pufferfish | Bamboo Island | Common | Slow-moving, easy to approach |
| Blacktip reef sharks | Shark Point, deeper reefs | Occasional | Harmless stay calm |
| Moray eels | Bamboo Island reef | Occasional | Tucked into coral crevices |
| Parrotfish | Loh Samah Bay, Shark Point | Occasional | Loud crunching on coral |
| Sea turtles | Quieter reef spots, morning | Rare | Best chance early AM |
| Cuttlefish | Phi Phi Don reef areas | Rare | Masters of camouflage |
| Sea snakes | Bamboo Island, reefs | Occasional | Non-aggressive keep distance |
The best time of day to snorkel is in the morning, when the water is calm, visibility is highest, and marine life is most active. By midday, increased boat traffic can stir up sediment and reduce clarity.
Snorkelling Gear Tips
Most Phuket day tours include standard snorkel gear, mask, snorkel, and fins. Here’s how to get the most from it:
- Mask fit is everything. Before entering the water, press the mask against your face without the strap. If it stays put from suction alone, it’s a good fit. Clear any fog with a small rinse of ocean water.
- Use a life jacket if you need one. Reputable tours provide them. Floating effortlessly lets you focus entirely on what’s below, regardless of your swimming ability.
- Wear reef-safe sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate damage coral. Choose mineral-based products with zinc oxide.
- Don’t touch the coral. Even accidental contact can destroy decades of slow growth. Look, don’t touch and watch your fins around reef structures.
- Bring a dry bag. Speedboats generate spray. A small waterproof bag protects your phone, wallet, and room key throughout the day.
- Carry cash (Thai baht). National park fees at Maya Bay and Bamboo Island are paid in cash on arrival, currently 400 THB per person for foreigners. Check whether your tour includes this fee or requires a separate payment.
Bamboo Island vs Phi Phi: Which Is Better for Snorkelling?
The honest answer: they offer genuinely different experiences, and the best choice depends on what you want from your time in the water.
| Bamboo Island | Phi Phi (Loh Samah / Shark Point) | |
|---|---|---|
| Water depth | Shallow ideal for beginners | Mixed: shallow to moderate |
| Visibility | Excellent, consistently clear | Very good, varies with boat traffic |
| Marine life | Clownfish, pufferfish, eels, sea snakes | Blacktip reef sharks, parrotfish, and turtles |
| Crowd levels | Lower than Phi Phi main beaches | Higher at peak times |
| Beach quality | Powder-white sand stunning | Variable by location |
| Accessibility | Easy, calm, flat entry | Easy to moderate |
| Best for | Families, beginners, relaxed snorkelling | Wildlife seekers, adventurous snorkellers |
Bamboo Island’s waters are often less disturbed than crowded sites like Maya Bay or Tonsai Beach, a good call if you want calm, relaxed snorkelling. Phi Phi Leh’s dramatic scenery and the chance of a shark sighting at Shark Point make it the more adventurous option. The ideal answer? Do both and that’s exactly what Oh-Hoo’s full-day tours are designed for.
How to Book a Phi Phi Bamboo Island Snorkelling Tour from Phuket
Oh-Hoo offers two ways to experience Phi Phi and Bamboo Island from Phuket:
Bamboo Island & Phi Phi Island Full Day Tour from Phuket
The classic full-day itinerary covers Bamboo Island, Maya Bay, Pileh Lagoon, Viking Cave, Monkey Beach, and a lunch stop on Phi Phi Don. Snorkelling equipment is included, and hotel transfers from Phuket are available. Perfect for travellers who want to see the full breadth of the archipelago in a single day.
Premium Phi Phi & Bamboo Island Tour by Seastar Andaman from Phuket
The upgraded experience for smaller groups on a higher-spec vessel. Seastar Andaman is one of the most respected operators in Phuket waters, known for well-maintained boats and attentive guides. More space, more time at each stop, and a more personal experience overall.
Both tours include return hotel transfers from Phuket. Booking in advance is strongly recommended during peak season (December–February).
Book Your Phi Phi Bamboo Island Tour from Phuket
- Bamboo Island & Phi Phi Island Full Day Tour from Phuket
- Premium Phi Phi & Bamboo Island Tour by Seastar Andaman from Phuket
Practical Tips Before You Go
- Arrive at the marina early, do not leave it to the last minute or turn up late. Morning departures reach every major stop ahead of the crowds, especially Bamboo Island, far more enjoyable with fewer boats around. Missing the departure time means missing the trip entirely.
- Eat a light breakfast. The speedboat crossing can be choppy, particularly on the return. A heavy meal beforehand is a reliable recipe for motion sickness.
- Pack: reef-safe sunscreen, a rash guard or UV shirt, towel, sunglasses, hat, dry bag, and cash for national park fees.
- Leave behind: single-use plastics, chemical sunscreen, and the temptation to take shells or coral from the beach.
- Do not feed any wildlife, monkeys or marine life and do not remove shells or coral, living or dead.
Ready to Go?
Phi Phi Bamboo Island snorkelling is one of those experiences that lives up to — and often exceeds the photos you’ve seen. Whether you’re floating above a garden of clownfish at Bamboo Island, drifting through the turquoise stillness of Pileh Lagoon, or watching a blacktip reef shark cruise past at Shark Point, this stretch of the Andaman Sea is genuinely world-class.
Oh-Hoo makes it easy to get there from Phuket, with TAT-licensed tours, experienced guides, and full hotel transfer service. Browse the available tours and book your spot below.
Book Your Phi Phi Bamboo Island Tour from Phuket