Phi Phi Diving – A Complete Guide

Phi Phi Island, located east of Phuket, actually belongs to Krabi Province, not Phuket.
As a designated national park, divers are required to pay a 600 THB entrance fee.
To learn more about the national park, visit the [official Thailand National Parks page](https://www.thainationalparks.com/phi-phi-islands).

Because Phi Phi is farther than other dive sites, the boat ride in the morning takes a bit longer—around 2 hours. But don’t worry! You can relax, enjoy your breakfast, and even get some rest along the way. 

Check the map above to see the location of Phi Phi Island relative to Phuket.

On a typical Phi Phi day trip, we head directly to Phi Phi first and do two dives there. After that, we return toward Phuket, with the third dive usually at Shark Point or Koh Dok Mai.

If the sea conditions are rough in the morning, we may reverse the order—starting with Shark Point or Koh Dok Mai, then heading to Phi Phi afterward.

During my dive briefings, I always describe Phi Phi diving as a “treasure chest of surprises.”
This amazing dive site features:

• Vibrant coral reefs

• Dramatic underwater landscapes

• An abundance of tropical fish

• Occasional encounters with big marine life like sharks

On clear days, the visibility at Phi Phi is fantastic—you can enjoy a wide-open view filled with fish and coral beautifully lit by sunlight streaming through the water. It’s one of those dive spots where you never know what magical moment might happen!

(1) Bida Nok – Shark Encounters & Snapper Swarms

Bida Nok is one of the most exciting dive sites in Phi Phi! On calm days, we usually begin the dive in the bay shown on the map. In shallow waters, it’s common to spot blacktip reef sharks—sometimes even multiple at once if you’re lucky.

As you explore the reef looking for sharks, you’ll encounter schools of yellow snappers. These are the most famous sight in Phi Phi diving, and the view is absolutely mesmerizing. Every diver is left in awe, surrounded by fish on all sides—an experience you can’t truly describe without diving into it.

Let me give you an idea of what it’s like—completely immersed in this underwater world.

You might even spot a leopard shark or, if you’re really lucky, a whale shark!

One unforgettable moment was encountering a whale shark at Bida Nok. A diver who had just finished their Open Water course and was starting Advanced training had the chance to see it. Such great memories!

Trivia Question: How many blacktip reef sharks can you spot here? The answer is four!

(2) Bida Nai – Swim-Thrus & Sandy Surprises

Located right next to Bida Nok, Bida Nai is often called “Boot Island” due to its shape resembling a boot. It has a slightly different underwater landscape, with a wider sandy bottom that gives it a unique charm—though the overall vibe is quite similar to Bida Nok.

At this site, divers can enjoy exciting swim-thrus—navigating through gaps between the rocks adds a playful and adventurous twist to the dive! 

The sandy bottom is a perfect resting place for leopard sharks, so keep an eye out as you glide over the area. With a bit of luck, you might spot one lying peacefully on the sand!

Check out the dive site map above to get a feel for the layout before you go under.

(3) Maya Bay & Turtle Rock – Breathtaking Views & Magical Light

1) Maya Bay

To the right of Phi Phi Leh Island lies Maya Bay, world-famous for being the filming location of The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
In the past, this iconic bay was often packed with speedboats and snorkelers, but it’s been closed to the public in recent years for environmental restoration 
Thanks to this, the water clarity has improved dramatically, and the area has become a haven for marine life—including sharks! 

2) Turtle Rock

To the left of Maya Bay stretches Turtle Rock, one of my favorite dive sites in Phi Phi. The depth here is around 15 meters, with a mix of sandy and rocky areas, making it a fantastic spot for stingray sightings and underwater photography. 

One of the highlights
The sunlight filtering through rock formations, creating magical beams of light—almost like diving through an underwater cathedral. 

You’ll also encounter schools of yellow snappers weaving through the coral. No matter how many times you visit Turtle Rock, the scenery is always breathtaking!

Dive Sites around Phi Phi Island

Phi Phi offers some of the most dramatic underwater landscapes in the area—home to vibrant coral reefs, swim-throughs, and exciting marine life.

Whether you’re diving at Bida Nok, Bida Nai, or exploring hidden gems like Turtle Rock, there’s something for every diver—no matter your certification level.

We choose the dive site each day based on:

• Weather and sea conditions

• Water current and visibility

• Diver certification level and experience

For more information on our daily fun diving trips, check our Fun Diving page

https://bluedivecenter.com/fun-diving/

Ready to dive in?

Now that you’ve learned how the Phi Phi diving trip works, you can plan your adventure with confidence!

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, Phuket offers something for everyone—from wrecks and walls to colorful reefs and swim-throughs.

Message us on WhatsApp — we’re happy to answer your questions anytime!
✉️ Prefer email? Use our contact form below.

We’ll help you make the most of your diving adventure in Phuket! 

Phuket is well known for its scuba diving sites, but many travelers come here without knowing much about how diving works in Phuket. I’ve met quite a few people who didn’t even realize diving was possible here! So today, I’d like to explain the Phuket diving system—how it works, and what makes it a little different from other places. ?

In Phuket, all diving day trips depart from Chalong Pier, instead of directly from individual dive shops.
In some other countries, it’s common to board a boat right in front of the dive shop—but Phuket uses a centralized system.
Dive shops here take care of booking and arrangements, but all trips begin from the pier.

(1) Diving – Reservation

Most divers make a reservation with a dive shop before they arrive in Phuket, or after they arrive but before their diving day.
The shop helps arrange everything—your equipment, dive site plan, boat schedule, and even pickup if available.

(2) Hotel or Resort

You can book your accommodation through the dive shop if they offer packages, or you can simply choose a hotel that fits your preference.
Many divers prefer to stay near the Chalong area for convenience, but it’s totally up to you!

(3) Meals

Breakfast and lunch are usually freshly prepared and served on the boat.
After diving, most guests enjoy dinner on their own—there are plenty of great restaurants around Phuket, so you’ll have no trouble finding something that suits your taste.
You’re free to plan your meals and schedule however you like—just like independent travel.

So unlike in some places where diving, meals, and lodging are all handled at the same resort, diving in Phuket is more like a custom trip—you plan your experience the way you want it.
Still, dive shops here are always happy to help if you need guidance!

In Phuket, many dive shops—including ours—use large day-trip boats instead of smaller vessels.
These boats can usually accommodate up to 60 divers and staff, offering a stable and comfortable ride even when the sea gets a little rough.
It feels a bit like being on a mini liveaboard—just without sleeping onboard!

(1) Advantages of Phuket’s dive boats

1. Unless the waves are over 3 meters, the boat stays stable and easy to move around on.

2. There’s plenty of space to relax. Many people nap on the way to or from the dive site ?

3. Most boats have 2–3 toilets that also serve as changing rooms.

4. You can rinse off with fresh water after the dive (just no shampoo ?).

5. A cook on board prepares breakfast and lunch fresh on the boat.

6. There’s a warm, indoor area—so you won’t need a windbreaker, even on a windy day.

(2) Disadvantages

1. It takes time to reach the dive sites—about 1 hour and 20 minutes for the closest locations.

2. You won’t stop at islands or beaches—everything takes place on the boat.
   But don’t worry! We carry Thai motion sickness pills onboard, and if you take one in advance, you’ll be just fine.

Phuket offers a wide variety of dive sites, each with its own unique beauty and marine life.
We usually visit dive spots like Racha Islands, Phi Phi Islands, and local sites such as King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point, Anemone Reef, and Koh Doc Mai.

The dive site is chosen each day based on several factors:

• Weather and sea conditions

• Water current and visibility

• Diver certification level and experience

You can find more detailed descriptions of each site on our Fun Diving page. ?

https://bluedivecenter.com/fun-diving/

? Ready to dive in?

Now that you know how the scuba diving system in Phuket works, you can plan your trip with more confidence!
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced diver, Phuket offers something for everyone—from stable, comfortable boats to beautiful underwater scenery.

? Message us on WhatsApp — we’re happy to answer your questions anytime!

✉️ Prefer email? You can Use our contact form below 
We’ll help you make the most of your diving adventure in Phuket! ?