Snorkelling in Phuket

If you don’t fancy diving or simply haven’t got the time to do a dive course, snorkeling is an enjoyable way to view Phuket’s underwater beauty. An added bonus to snorkelling is that you have a better chance of seeing fish, as the bubbles from aqua lungs can frighten them away.

Snorkeling can be enjoyed by simply hiring a mask, snorkel and fins from a nearby dive shop and swimming out to one of the reefs on Phuket’s west coast, (not recommended during the rainy season). The area between Koh Pu and Kata Beach is one of the best snorkeling spots that you can get to without a boat. Other beaches with good reefs include: Kata Noi and Laem Singh. Paradise Beach and Freedom Beach are also worth considering, and are only a short longtail boat ride from Patong.

For healthier coral, charter a longtail boat from Rawai to one of the offshore reefs and islands, such as Coral Island (Koh Hae). Alternatively, most tour companies provide day trips that include snorkeling at some of the neighbouring islands such as Phi Phi. If you are staying on Phi Phi Don, boats can be chartered from Ton Sai beach to the nearby spots such as Maya Bay or Bamboo Island.

Most dive trips and liveaboards have space for non-divers, meaning you can go along as a snorkelling. Prices are often half for non-divers.