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! 

Continuing from our previous post about King Cruiser Wreck, today let’s explore another exciting dive site in Phuket — Shark Point!

? Shark Point – Leopard Sharks & Macro Paradise in Phuket

Shark Point is one of Phuket’s most famous dive sites—and it’s easy to see why!
It gets its name from the frequent sightings of various shark species, especially the leopard shark, a gentle bottom-dweller that’s found in only a few places around the world.

About 20 years ago, white-tip reef sharks were commonly spotted here as well. Although sightings became rare over time due to increased diver traffic, we’ve recently seen them return—possibly thanks to the quieter oceans during the COVID period.

If we’re lucky, we might even spot whale sharks, leopard sharks, white-tip reef sharks, or other exciting shark species during our dives! ?

? Dive Site Structure

As shown on the dive map, Shark Point has two main pinnacles (underwater rock towers):

• Pinnacle 1 (the smaller one at the top)

• Pinnacle 2 (the larger one below)
  There’s actually a third one (Pinnacle 3) located further out, but it’s deeper and rarely visited.

Currents can be strong here, especially around the pinnacles—but don’t worry! If you follow your guide and stay close to the reef, it’s possible to enjoy a calm and scenic dive.
For adventurous divers, reverse currents offer thrilling drift experiences—sometimes even alongside huge schools of yellowfin barracuda!

? Macro Life Galore

Aside from sharks, Shark Point is also a macro lover’s dream. You may encounter rare and adorable species such as:

• Tiger tail seahorses

• Ghost pipefish

• Harlequin shrimp

• Boxer crabs
  …and many other tiny underwater gems hiding in the cracks and soft corals!

If you’re a fan of both big pelagics and tiny critters, this site has it all.

? Check out the photos below—can you spot the tiger tail seahorse and the elusive leopard shark?

? Anemone Reef – Gentle Currents & Colorful Surprises

Anemone Reef is a beautiful pinnacle dive site located between Shark Point and King Cruiser Wreck.
It’s named after the vibrant carpet of anemones that completely covers its shallow areas—dancing in the current like hair in the wind!

This site has a relatively simple topography, making it easy to navigate and perfect for both new and experienced divers.

You’ll often spot:

• ? Leopard sharks

• ? Yellow snappers, trevallies, barracudas

• ? And even tiny gems like seahorses hiding among the soft corals!

? During your safety stop, don’t forget to look around—you might witness a mesmerizing parade of schooling fish!

? Check the map above to see the layout of this incredible site.

? Koh Dok Mai – Vertical Wall Diving & Hidden Caves

Koh Dok Mai means “Flower Island” in Thai—how beautiful is that? ?
This limestone island rises steeply from the sea, and beneath the surface lies a dramatic wall dive full of surprises.

The eastern wall is the highlight, with rich marine life and unique topography.
We often start the dive here depending on the current.

?️ You can explore:

• Big Cave and Small Cave, perfect for peeking inside with your torch ?

• Colorful cup corals and sea fans

• Tiny macro creatures like nudibranchs and shrimp

• And sometimes, even schools of barracuda swimming past you gracefully!

? Visibility can be limited here, so many divers stay close to the wall—but don’t forget to look up, down, and behind you. You’ll often find fish hiding in every direction.

? Check out the photos above—one from inside the Big Cave, and one showing the thriving marine life around the island!

?️ Dive Sites around King Cruiser

Shark Point, Anemone Reef, and Koh Dok Mai are some of the most exciting dive sites on Phuket’s east side.
Each one has its own unique charm—from vibrant soft corals to thrilling caves and pelagic encounters!

? For more information about our fun diving trips, check out our Fun Diving page ?

? Koh Dok Mai, Shark Point, and Anemone Reef are waiting for you in Phuket!

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

? Ready to dive in?

Now that you’ve explored these dive sites, you can plan your trip with more confidence!
Whether you’re a beginner or certified diver, we’ll help you make the most of your underwater adventure.

? Message us on WhatsApp — we’re happy to answer your questions anytime!
? Prefer email? You can also use our contact form below.

We can’t wait to dive with you in Phuket! ?