The Best Snorkelling Spots in Southern Thailand

Thailand is known for its stunning beaches and crystal-clear waters, making it a popular destination for snorkelling and scuba diving. Southern Thailand, in particular, has some of the best snorkelling spots in the continent! The region has plenty of gorgeous islands, reefs, and bays that offer incredible places for backpackers to explore on a budget.

Koh Phi Phi

Koh Phi Phi is a small island located in the Andaman Sea and is known not only for its stunning beaches but its crazy nightlife! The oceans surrounding Phi Phi has so much marine life, including colourful fish, sea turtles, and even reef sharks. It is one of the best snorkelling spots in Southern Thailand if you want to see the most vibrant sea life. The best snorkelling spots on Koh Phi Phi are Maya Bay and Shark Point, where you can see all of these fish up close without having to buy a boat trip or swim out too far. These snorkelling trips can be about £30 so if you are really on a budget its so good to be able to do yourself!

Maya Bay is a beautiful bay surrounded by cliffs. It is a sheltered beach that you can only access by boat and so it provides excellent snorkelling opportunities. You can see a variety of fish and coral, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot a reef shark. Shark Point, as the name suggests, is a popular spot for sighting leopard sharks. As always watch out for jellyfish!

Koh Lanta

Koh Lanta is also in the Andaman Sea and has some stunning beaches and laid-back atmosphere. The best snorkelling spots on Koh Lanta are located at Koh Rok and Koh Haa, where you can see a variety of marine life, including colourful fish, sea turtles, and occasionally manta rays!

Koh Rok is a small island located off the coast of Koh Lanta and is a protected marine park. The island has two main snorkelling spots, one on the eastern side and the other on the western side. You can see a variety of fish, including parrotfish and angelfish, as well as coral and sea anemones. Koh Haa, which means “five islands” in Thai, is a group of five small islands located south of Koh Lanta. The area is known for its crystal-clear waters and marine life.

Koh Tao

Koh Tao is a small island located in the Gulf of Thailand and is known for its PADI scuba diving courses. It is the most popular island for backpackers to get their qualification as its cheaper and has some amazing sea life. The island is home to a variety of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even whale sharks. The best snorkelling spots on Koh Tao are located at Shark Bay and Sai Nuan Beach.

Shark Bay is a popular spot for seeing blacktip reef sharks, which are not dangerous to humans, however the water is shallow and the coral is high so it can be hard to swim in places. The area is also home to a variety of fish, including barracuda and parrotfish. Sai Nuan Beach is a small, secluded beach that is home to a variety of marine life, including sea turtles and colorful fish.

Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are a group of nine islands located in the Andaman Sea and are a very popular snorkelling and diving location. At these islands you can find colorful fish, sea turtles, and even manta rays and whale sharks! The best snorkelling spots on the Similan Islands are located at Donald Duck Bay and Christmas Point.

Donald Duck Bay is a protected bay that is home to lots of marine life. The area is known for its clear waters and vibrant corals. Christmas Point is a popular spot for sighting manta rays. The area is also home to a variety of fish, including barracuda and trevally.

Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is a small island located in the Andaman Sea which is often missed by backpackers due to less hostels and tourism than other islands. But the island has a lovely vibe and the lack of tourists gives a real laid back, authentic experience. This island also has a variety of marine life, including sea turtles and blacktip reef sharks. The best snorkelling spots on Koh Lipe are located at Sunrise Beach and Pattaya Beach.

Sunrise Beach is a long stretch of white sand beach and Pattaya Beach is a popular spot for sighting blacktip reef sharks. The area is also home to a variety of fish, including butterflyfish and angelfish.

Southern Thailand is home to some of the best snorkelling spots in the world. Whether you’re exploring the stunning beaches of Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta or Koh Lipe, or the crystal-clear waters of the Similan Islands, there is something for every type of backpacker to enjoy. With its vibrant marine life, stunning underwater landscapes and plethora of beach parties Southern Thailand will definitely leave you with some memories!

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