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Loh Samah Bay Dive and Snorkel Sites

Diving and snorkeling at Loh Samah Bay in Phi Phi takes place near the southern coastline at the base of towering limestone walls and pinnacles.

The sandy areas inside the shallow turquoise cove are popular with snorkelers and novice divers who want to see colourful tropical fishes - while avoiding strong water currents and choppy seas.

When is the Best Season to Dive at Phi Phi?

Koh Phi Phi is an archipelago of six islands in Krabi Province, southern Thailand. The top locations for scuba diving and snorkeling are:

They are all first-rate destinations for divers. But, Phi Phi Don is the only inhabited island in the group, and it has a total land mass of twelve (12) square kilometres.

A combination of stunning scenery, pristine white sand beaches, and cobalt blue water has transformed Koh Phi Phi Islands into one of the top landing places for diving holidays in Thailand.

Here's the thing:

Koh Phi Phi dive sites get around three hundred days of sunshine per year and the water temperature rarely drops below 29° Celsius (84° Fahrenheit).

As a consequence of that, it's fair to say diving in Phi Phi is an annual activity. But, divers need to be mindful that the southwest monsoons usually arrive towards the end of May and continue through to the end of October.

At certain times of the year, the Andaman Sea can produce thirty (30) metres of underwater visibility. So, the best months for divers to enjoy clear water dives are January, February, and March.

Pro Tip: Check out our sea life section for interesting facts about whale sharks and manta rays that often make an appearance around the islands during the plankton-rich months between June and October.

Sea Life at Loh Samah Bay

Imagine a topside characterised by breathtaking landscapes and rugged limestone walls. Then, the combination of huge rock formations and a variety of soft corals create an amazing backdrop for taking underwater photographs.

Phi Phi diving spots are great places to see big fishes (e.g. pelagics). Plus, divers should expect to catch sightings of macro marine life as well, including:

Some of the southern islands have become key breeding grounds for large marine reptiles (e.g. turtles). In fact, there are regular events to reintroduce juvenile turtles back into the vibrant ecosystems and help stimulate the growth of colourful coral reefs.

Loh Samah Bay Snorkeling Tips

One of the less known facts about snorkeling is that you don't need to be a strong swimmer to enjoy it. Plus, the shallow bay located at the south of Phi Phi Leh is beginner-friendly because it's calm, it has clear water (up to 15 metres visibility), and it's only two (2) metres deep in places.

Furthermore, a ten-minute trip in a longtail boat, either from Maya Bay or the blue lagoon at Pi Leh Bay, will drop you right on top of the coral reef gardens.

The calmness and clarity of the turquoise blue water at Loh Samah Bay also attracts orgiastic reef fish (e.g. blenny fish species), seahorses, and various species of "harmless" baby sharks.

Pro Tip: Head out into the deeper water (around 20 metres below the surface) and you should find an underwater gorge that splits the rocks. This sheltered dive spot is a popular destination for night diver scuba training courses run by local scuba operators and for experiencing the underwater glow of bioluminescent algae.

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