Thailand is a wonderful nation identified 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 widespread 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 benefit 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 identified 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 web site, the place you’ll be able to swim by way of a darkish cave and emerge right into a hidden lagoon. Koh Rok and Koh Haa are additionally widespread snorkeling spots, in case you are fortunate, you would possibly even spot some sea turtles!
Emerald Cave
The Emerald Cave will possible 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 by way of a slender and darkish passage of about 80 meters in size. When you emerge on the different finish of the passage, you might be rewarded with a surprising sight of the emerald-colored waters and white sandy seaside.
It’s a distinctive expertise that isn’t to be missed! Relying on the time of 12 months you go, the swell is variable. After we went, it was fairly robust, so it was tiring to swim again by way of the passage after visiting the emerald cave.
Associated tour: 4 Islands and Emerald Cave Snorkeling Journey
If you’re not snug with swimming at the hours of darkness, 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.Â
In your snorkeling journey, you might also cease on the paradise island of Koh Ngai for some lunch. This island is so peaceable and it’s the right place to replicate in your expertise on the Emerald Cave.
Different gorgeous snorkeling spots on this journey embrace Koh Ma and Koh Cheuk, you might be certain to see azure waters and enormous coral reefs with ample marine life and colourful tropical fish!
The place to eat in Koh Lanta
Pal 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 possibility, it is a bit more costly than Pal Home however the parts are massive, the service is nice and the place is good and clear!
The place Else Backyard is one other barely pricier possibility than different locations within the space, however the meals, décor, and environment are price it!
The place to remain in Koh Lanta
Finances: Lengthy Seashore Easy Home
Lengthy Seashore Easy Home is a superb lodging possibility positioned within the lovely Ko Lanta. With simply 300 meters away from Lengthy Seashore, it presents friends a tremendous terrace to get pleasure from their keep together with free non-public parking and entry to its restaurant and bar. Moreover, this visitor home offers simple accessibility as Chill out Bay Seashore is just 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 implausible lodging possibility 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 friends’ comfort. There’s additionally a shared lounge space the place you’ll be able to calm down with different vacationers or get pleasure from 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 friends a pleasant keep in Thai-style bungalows and chalets which might be 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 accessible all through the premises, Lengthy Seashore Chalet is actually a one-of-a-kind expertise to not be missed!
How one can get to Koh Lanta
Attending to Koh Lanta is definitely fairly simple, irrespective of the place you’re coming from. In case 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 could find tickets right here.
In case 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 fee is round THB800-1,200 per individual. It’s also possible to take a minivan from Phuket to Koh Lanta, discover ferry and bus tickets right here.
In case 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 fee is round THB600-900 per individual. You should purchase ferry tickets right here.
Koh Phi Phi snorkeling
Koh Phi Phi is a small archipelago positioned within the Andaman Sea, and it’s identified for its gorgeous surroundings and vibrant marine life. Pileh Lagoon is a shallow lagoon the place child blacktip reef sharks could be noticed. It is a thrilling expertise for individuals 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 possible go to Maya Bay in your tour (like this one), it wasn’t my private favourite cease as a result of variety of individuals there once I went, nevertheless it was lovely nonetheless.
The place to eat in Koh Phi Phi
In Koh Phi Phi you’ll find 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 quite a lot of genuine Thai dishes and presents very affordable costs for vacationers on a price range.
Brett and I ate there 3-4 occasions throughout our keep in Koh Phi Phi. I’d extremely advocate their Yellow Rooster 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 everywhere in the island. I attempted the Panang curry with rice and it was scrumptious. The restaurant additionally sells its personal Garlic 1992 merchandise which is obtainable to buy on-site. Right here in addition they serve cocktail buckets which had been tried and examined on my own, I can verify they’re robust, tasty, and price 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 in the event you’re not a fan of spicy meals, ask for ‘mai pet’ (not spicy). Nonetheless, be cautious that what Thai individuals contemplate ‘not spicy’ should be too spicy for you!
The place to remain in Koh Phi Phi
Phi Phi Don is the primary island that you could keep on, there are many resorts, hostels, and resorts to select from and one thing to go well with all budgets.
I stayed in a beautiful lodge known as Blue View Home, we had probably the most implausible 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 in the event you can face climbing up the mountain to get there!
Different Lodging Choices:
Finances: Blu Monkey Phi Phi Island
Blu Monkey Phi Phi Island is a 3-star property positioned in Phi Phi Don. Inbuilt 2017, this 3-star lodge is inside 700 m of Ton Sai Seashore and fewer than 1 km of Laem Hin Seashore.
Finances: 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 implausible beachfront setting, removed from the busy Tonsai Bay. The rooms are moderately priced and supply breathtaking views of both the ocean or tropical gardens. You’ll be able to 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 get pleasure from an outside pool with the added comfort of a round the clock reception desk at this property as nicely! Viking Cave is just 5.5km away whereas Pirate Island Adventures are inside strolling distance at simply 800m!
How one can get to Koh Phi Phi
You may get to Koh Phi Phi through 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 wonderful little island near Phi Phi. The speedboats are typically a little bit costlier however for my part, 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 lodge in Phuket or Krabi along with the speedboat ticket. I like this feature since you could be extra sure that you simply gained’t miss the boat!
I choose to make use of 12GoAsia to ebook transport like this in Thailand. One other good possibility is to prepare the switch by way of your lodge.
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 various lovely points of interest to go to in Krabi, however the snorkeling experiences listed below are simply implausible. 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 Rooster Island from afar, picturesque islands and luxuriate in a scrumptious BBQ dinner as you watch the sundown on the island of Koh Poda.
The following cease is at Koh Tub for some seaside time or (at low tide) a stroll throughout the spectacular sandbank that connects it to Rooster 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. E-book 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 individuals, whereas speedboat excursions are sooner, extra snug, and normally take fewer individuals at a time. Be taught from my mistake and don’t sit behind 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 glorious costs!
Eating places in Ao Nang
BUZZ Natural Meals and Drink – Go to BUZZ for wholesome, contemporary dishes in Ao Nang.
Crimson Chilli Thai Delicacies – This restaurant has glorious critiques of its tasty and genuine Thai meals, attentive service, and welcoming environment!
CRU Kitchen Krabi – For a extra upmarket eating expertise you can go to CRU Kitchen for some Western-style delicacies.
The place to remain in Krabi
Krabi presents a variety of lodging choices to go well with totally different budgets and preferences. Some widespread choices embrace:
Railay Seashore – It is a widespread space for vacationers and presents a variety of lodging choices from budget-friendly guesthouses to luxurious resorts.
Finances – Rapala Rock Wooden Resort- SHA Plus
Come keep on the Rapala Rock Wooden Resort- SHA Plus and expertise cozy lodging that may make you are feeling proper at house. Not solely can friends get pleasure from a snug mattress with mosquito netting, however in addition they have the chance to savor scrumptious Thai delicacies cooked contemporary from our outside 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 get pleasure from delectable meal on the on-site restaurant and bar in addition to free WiFi.
Luxurious – Sand Sea Resort Railay SeashoreÂ
The resort boasts rooms with non-public balconies that provide 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 variety of resorts and guesthouses to go well with totally different budgets and is widespread with backpackers and households.
Finances – 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 lodge 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 primary city in Krabi and presents a variety of lodging choices together with guesthouses, resorts, and resorts.
Finances – JP Hometel
A 2-minute stroll from the Night time Market, JP hometel presents clear and comfy rooms. Visitors with drained muscle groups can get pleasure from a soothing session of massages, organized by the lodge’s employees.
Mid-range – Sita Krabi Lodge
Positioned in Krabi city, inside 1.9 km of Wat Kaew Korawaram and three.4 km of Thara Park, Sita Krabi Lodge offers lodging with a terrace and in addition to free non-public parking for friends who drive. With a shared lounge, the 3-star lodge has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, every with a personal toilet.
Luxurious – Krabi SeaBass Lodge
Krabi SeaBass Lodge has a backyard, shared lounge, a restaurant and bar in Krabi city. Boasting household rooms, this property additionally offers friends 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 in the event you keep in Krabi City there isn’t an important deal to see and do there and you’ll contemplate hiring a scooter to go to totally different locations close by.
How one can 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 – Essentially the most handy strategy 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 wherever between 1,500 THB – 3,500 THB, relying on the airline and the way far upfront you ebook.
Bus: Krabi is nicely related by bus with Bangkok and different main cities in Thailand. Buses are an affordable possibility, and a number of other firms function each day companies to Krabi from Bangkok. The journey takes round 10-12 hours relying on site visitors and may value wherever 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 snug 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 be accessible by sea, and there are common ferries from close by islands like Phuket, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. You’ll be able to 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 could differ relying on the time of 12 months and the ferry operator.
Seek for methods to get to Krabi under:
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 individuals to assume in another way and notice that dwelling a life exterior of the same old 9-5 is feasible. My journey ideas may even cowl in depth the most effective 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 lovely Earth we’re fortunate sufficient to name house. New and thrilling cultural, artistic, and eye opening experiences are ready to be found.
