Thailand is a ravishing nation recognized for its gorgeous 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’ll 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 Journey
Koh Lanta Snorkeling
Koh Lanta is a peaceable island positioned within the Krabi province, and it’s recognized 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 website, the place you’ll be able to swim via a darkish cave and emerge right into a hidden lagoon. Koh Rok and Koh Haa are additionally well-liked snorkeling spots, in case you are 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’re 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 12 months 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 Journey
In case you are not snug with swimming at nighttime, 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 gorgeous 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 proper place to mirror in your expertise on the Emerald Cave.
Different gorgeous snorkeling spots on this journey embrace Koh Ma and Koh Cheuk, you’re certain to see azure waters and huge coral reefs with ample marine life and colourful tropical fish!
The place to eat in Koh Lanta
Good friend Home Meals and Drinks was one of many locations we went again to time and again in Koh Lanta, the costs are reasonably priced 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 Good friend Home however the parts are massive, the service is nice and the place is sweet and clear!
The place Else Backyard is one other barely pricier choice than different locations within the space, however the meals, décor, and environment are price it!
The place to remain in Koh Lanta
Funds: Lengthy Seashore Easy Home
Lengthy Seashore Easy Home is an excellent lodging choice positioned within the stunning Ko Lanta. With simply 300 meters away from Lengthy Seashore, it presents visitors an incredible terrace to take pleasure in their keep together with free non-public parking and entry to its restaurant and bar. Moreover, this visitor home offers simple accessibility as Calm down Bay Seashore is simply round 1.2 km away whereas Secret seaside could be reached inside 2.1 km distance – all of which include complimentary WiFi!
Mid-range: Lengthy Seashore Backyard Resort
Lengthy Seashore Backyard Resort is a incredible lodging choice in Ko Lanta, simply 200 meters away from the gorgeous Lengthy Seashore. The resort boasts an inviting backyard and presents free non-public parking for visitors’ comfort. There’s additionally a shared lounge space the place you’ll be able to calm down with different vacationers or take pleasure in some contemporary air on the terrace. This cozy hostel has been rated two stars however offers five-star service together with complimentary WiFi and even options its personal bar!
Luxurious: Lengthy Seashore Chalet – SHA Further Plus
Lengthy Seashore Chalet presents visitors a pleasant keep in Thai-style bungalows and chalets which are elevated on stilts. With the choice of staying by the seaside or amidst lush greenery within the backyard zone, there’s one thing for everybody right here! The property additionally offers complimentary shuttle service to/from Saladan Pier, making it simple so that you can discover close by points of interest at your comfort. Plus, with an onsite restaurant serving up scrumptious meals and free WiFi out there all through the premises, Lengthy Seashore Chalet is really a one-of-a-kind expertise to not be missed!
Tips on how to get to Koh Lanta
Attending to Koh Lanta is definitely fairly simple, regardless of the place you’re coming from. Should you’re coming from Bangkok, you’ll be able to 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 discover tickets right here.
Should you’re coming from Phuket, you’ll be able to take a ferry from Phuket to Koh Lanta. The journey takes about two hours and the associated fee is round THB800-1,200 per individual. You can too take a minivan from Phuket to Koh Lanta, discover ferry and bus tickets right here.
Should you’re coming from Koh Phi Phi, you’ll be able to 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 individual. You should buy ferry tickets right here.
Koh Phi Phi snorkeling
Koh Phi Phi is a small archipelago positioned within the Andaman Sea, and it’s recognized for its gorgeous surroundings and vibrant marine life. Pileh Lagoon is a shallow lagoon the place child blacktip reef sharks could 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 you will discover low-cost eats and extra upmarket locations. There’s a good mixture of western and Thai meals.
There isn’t a lot avenue 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 must be Pa-Noi Thai Meals, it serves a wide range of genuine Thai dishes and presents very cheap costs for vacationers on a finances.
Brett and I ate there 3-4 instances throughout our keep in Koh Phi Phi. I’d extremely advocate 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 notice 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 out there 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 value 200 baht!
Coco Bella Restaurant
Coco Bella Restaurant boasts reasonably priced costs and good service. Their menu is massive and I attempted the fried hen 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). Nevertheless, be cautious that what Thai folks contemplate ‘not spicy’ should still be too spicy for you!
The place to remain in Koh Phi Phi
Phi Phi Don is the principle island you can keep on, there are many motels, hostels, and resorts to select from and one thing to swimsuit all budgets.
I stayed in a beautiful resort known as Blue View Home, we had essentially 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 price 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
Blu Monkey Phi Phi Island is a 3-star property positioned in Phi Phi Don. In-built 2017, this 3-star resort is inside 700 m of Ton Sai Seashore and fewer than 1 km of Laem Hin Seashore.
Funds: Kitty Guesthouse
Kitty Guesthouse is 3.1 km from Lengthy Seashore and 1.3 km from Ton Sai Bay. The property is 1.1 km from Pak Nam Bay.
Upmarket: Phi Phi Villa Resort
Phi Phi Resort is located by the gorgeous Andaman Sea and presents a incredible beachfront setting, removed from the busy Tonsai Bay. The rooms are fairly priced and supply breathtaking views of both the ocean or tropical gardens. You may attain this excellent property inside simply quarter-hour on foot from the pier!
Upmarket: Phi Phi Coco Seashore Resort
Phi Phi CoCo Seashore Resort – SHA Further Plus in Phi Phi Don presents a beautiful backyard, terrace and complimentary WiFi. It’s conveniently located lower than 1 km away from Ton Sai Pier and simply 3.6 km from Ao Poh Bay. Visitors can take pleasure in an outside pool with the added comfort of a round the clock reception desk at this property as effectively! Viking Cave is simply 5.5km away whereas Pirate Island Adventures are inside strolling distance at simply 800m!
Tips on how to get to Koh Phi Phi
You may get to Koh Phi Phi by way of speedboat or ferry from Phuket or Krabi. Brett and I made a decision to go from Phuket and we stopped for 1 evening in Koh Yao Noi, a ravishing little island near Phi Phi. The speedboats are typically slightly costlier however in my view, they’re price the additional value as a result of they’re sooner.
Generally you even have the choice to prepare a taxi switch out of your resort in Phuket or Krabi along with the speedboat ticket. I like this feature since you could be extra sure that you simply received’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 resort.
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 below are simply incredible. I extremely advocate occurring a snorkeling tour throughout your go to to Krabi! Particularly, I counsel the ‘7 Islands Sundown Tour’ which is a full-day island hopping journey by longtail boat. On this tour, you’ll go to the well-known Railay Seashore, view Hen Island from afar, picturesque islands and luxuriate in a scrumptious BBQ dinner as you watch the sundown on the island of Koh Poda.
The subsequent 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. Guide 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 could 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. Study 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 Household Restaurant – An reasonably priced restaurant in Railay with many Thai and seafood choices.
Mangrove Restaurant – They provide each Thai and western meals, seafood, and vegan choices at reasonably priced costs.
Railay Seashore 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 Natural Meals and Drink – Go to BUZZ for wholesome, contemporary dishes in Ao Nang.
Purple Chilli Thai Delicacies – This restaurant has wonderful critiques of its tasty and genuine Thai meals, attentive service, and welcoming environment!
CRU Kitchen Krabi – For a extra upmarket eating expertise you could possibly go to CRU Kitchen for some Western-style delicacies.
The place to remain in Krabi
Krabi presents a spread of lodging choices to swimsuit completely different budgets and preferences. Some well-liked choices embrace:
- Railay Seashore – This can be a well-liked space for vacationers and presents a spread of lodging choices from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious resorts.
Funds – Rapala Rock Wooden Resort- SHA Plus
Come keep on the Rapala Rock Wooden Resort- SHA Plus and expertise cozy lodging that may make you’re feeling proper at dwelling. Not solely can visitors take pleasure in a cushty mattress with mosquito netting, however additionally they have the chance to savor scrumptious Thai delicacies cooked contemporary from our out of doors restaurant.
Mid-range – Avatar Railay
Providing an outside pool and solar terrace, Avatar Railay is about in Railay Seashore, Krabi. It’s only 900 m from Phra Nang Cave. Visitors can take pleasure in delectable meal on the on-site restaurant and bar in addition to free WiFi.
Luxurious – Sand Sea Resort Railay Seashore
The resort boasts rooms with non-public balconies that supply gorgeous views of the seaside. And if you wish to discover different areas close by, it’s only a fast 15-minute boat trip away from Ao Nang Seashore and solely 45 minutes by boat from Krabi City.
- Ao Nang – This space has a spread of motels and guesthouses to swimsuit completely different budgets and is well-liked with backpackers and households.
Funds – Popeye Guesthouse
Popeye Guesthouse is a 30-minute drive from Krabi Airport. Krabi City and Tup Khaek Seashore are a 20-minute drive from Popeye Guesthouse. The visitor home is only a 10-minute stroll from Ao Nang Seashore.
Mid-range – COSI Krabi Ao Nang Seashore
Set in Ao Nang Seashore, 400 m from Ao Nang Seashore, COSI Krabi Ao Nang Seashore – SHA Plus presents lodging with an outside swimming pool, free non-public parking, a health centre and a shared lounge. That includes a terrace, the 3-star resort has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi.
Luxurious – Krabi Tipa Resort – SHA Further Plus
Take pleasure in a seaside getaway at Krabi Tipa Resort – SHA EXTRA PLUS. Nestled amidst lush greenery, it presents snug lodging, pleasant service and is only a stroll away from Ao Nang Seashore.
- Krabi City – That is the principle city in Krabi and presents a spread of lodging choices together with guesthouses, motels, and resorts.
Funds – JP Hometel
A 2-minute stroll from the Evening Market, JP hometel presents clear and comfy rooms. Visitors with drained muscular tissues can take pleasure in a soothing session of massages, organized by the resort’s workers.
Mid-range – Sita Krabi Resort
Situated in Krabi city, inside 1.9 km of Wat Kaew Korawaram and three.4 km of Thara Park, Sita Krabi Resort offers lodging with a terrace and in addition to free non-public parking for visitors who drive. With a shared lounge, the 3-star resort has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, every with a non-public rest room.
Luxurious – Krabi SeaBass Resort
Krabi SeaBass Resort has a backyard, shared lounge, a restaurant and bar in Krabi city. Boasting household rooms, this property additionally offers visitors with an outside pool. The lodging presents a 24-hour entrance desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi all through the property.
* Simply to notice that for those who keep in Krabi City there isn’t an awesome deal to see and do there and you may contemplate hiring a scooter to go to completely different locations close by.
Tips on how 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:
- Flight – Probably the most handy technique to attain Krabi is by air. Krabi Worldwide Airport (KBV) is positioned simply 15km away from the town heart. A one-way flight from Bangkok to Krabi can value anyplace between 1,500 THB – 3,500 THB, relying on the airline and the way far prematurely you e book.
- Bus: Krabi is effectively related by bus with Bangkok and different main cities in Thailand. Buses are an affordable choice, and a number of other firms function every day providers to Krabi from Bangkok. The journey takes round 10-12 hours relying on site visitors and might value anyplace between 500 THB – 1,200 THB.
- Prepare: Krabi doesn’t have a railway station, the closest one is in Surat Thani. From there, you’ll be able to take a bus to Krabi. Trains are a cushty choice to journey to Surat Thani from Bangkok or different main cities. Prepare tickets value between 500 THB – 1,000 THB from Bangkok to Surat Thani, relying on the category of journey you select.
- 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 differ relying on the time of 12 months and the ferry operator.
Seek for methods to get to Krabi beneath:
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!
Tiani Jaffrelot
I hope to encourage folks to assume in another way and notice that residing a life exterior of the standard 9-5 is feasible. My journey ideas may even cowl in depth the perfect issues to see and do within the locations that I’m travelling to, in addition to the dreaded journey errors that may inevitably happen as I discover my toes on this journey! The one factor I do know proper now’s that I’m prepared. Able to take the leap and itching to discover all elements of this stunning Earth we’re fortunate sufficient to name dwelling. New and thrilling cultural, inventive, and eye opening experiences are ready to be found.
