Explore Phi Phi

The postcard-worthy Phi Phi Islands offer a truly unique diving experience, nestled in the heart of Thailand's Andaman Sea. With its lush, jungle-clad cliffs and ribbons of soft white sand, the islands are as beautiful above the surface as they are below. Divers can expect to be enchanted by vibrant coral reefs, dramatic limestone walls, and an abundance of marine life, all set within the renowned Coral Triangle - known for offering the world's greatest biodiversity. The main island, Phi Phi Don, serves as the hub for local dive centers and resorts, providing a bustling atmosphere amidst stunning natural surroundings.

Diving in the Phi Phi Islands is typically done from boats, with options ranging from large diving boats to traditional Thai longtail boats. Popular dive sites include the King Cruiser Wreck, Shark Point, and Anemone Reef, each teeming with marine life and offering unique underwater landscapes to explore. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, the quieter northern regions of Phi Phi Don, such as Laem Tong Beach, offer slightly more expensive yet serene diving adventures. The waters here average a comfortable 29°C/84°F, making it an inviting destination for divers year-round, with the best conditions from January to April before the rainy season begins.

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    Diving in Phi Phi Islands

    Boat diving is common practice, as there aren’t really any shore dives here. Most divers enjoy colorful, shallow reef diving in this area, such as at sites like Lanna Bay, Bida Nai, Palong/Malong and Viking Cave, along with dramatic wall diving thanks to the islands’ breathtaking underwater topography, like at Bida Nok, Nui Bay and Phi Leh Wall.

    Cave diving is possible in some parts, and many dive sites boast adventurous tunnels and swim-throughs. Wreck diving is another attraction, including such sites like the King Cruiser and Kled Geaow.

    Night diving also promises a memorable experience, when the dive sites are a completely different story in the dark.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in Phi Phi Island

    If you can think of it, it probably lives here. Indo-Pacific species thrive around these islands, from rainbow hard and soft corals and tiny macro cuties like nudibranch, shrimp, seahorses and crabs, to reef sharks and turtles.

    Black tips and hawksbill turtles are common sightings around Palong/Malong and just north of Maya Bay, all while a plethora of colorful reef fish decorate the sites, including batfish, angelfish, lionfish, damselfish, anemonefish, and so many more.

    Eels, sea snakes, octopus and cuttlefish hunt around the reefs, while schools of barracuda and tornadoes of yellow snapper create tornadoes. Blue-spotted stingrays glide along the sandy floor, where lucky divers may spot a resting leopard shark.

    Eagle rays sometimes frequent the area, and the sites of Hin Daeng and Muang offer a chance to see manta rays. The luckiest of divers might encounter a whaleshark, though this is an exceptionally rare occurrence.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    9.1k Sightings
    J
    1.1k
    F
    1.1k
    M
    1k
    A
    765
    M
    435
    J
    363
    J
    625
    A
    728
    S
    344
    O
    587
    N
    953
    D
    1.1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    4.9k Sightings
    J
    563
    F
    642
    M
    633
    A
    438
    M
    305
    J
    233
    J
    292
    A
    428
    S
    181
    O
    237
    N
    414
    D
    524
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    4.1k Sightings
    J
    527
    F
    505
    M
    458
    A
    390
    M
    209
    J
    147
    J
    248
    A
    311
    S
    122
    O
    198
    N
    435
    D
    561
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    2k Sightings
    J
    273
    F
    280
    M
    336
    A
    239
    M
    76
    J
    91
    J
    84
    A
    71
    S
    24
    O
    88
    N
    162
    D
    288

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    104
    F
    103
    M
    251
    A
    189
    M
    106
    J
    112
    J
    98
    A
    102
    S
    25
    O
    36
    N
    76
    D
    100

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    109
    F
    107
    M
    110
    A
    74
    M
    70
    J
    85
    J
    97
    A
    114
    S
    44
    O
    58
    N
    90
    D
    130
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    9k Sightings
    J
    1.2k
    F
    1.3k
    M
    1.3k
    A
    780
    M
    322
    J
    336
    J
    623
    A
    749
    S
    384
    O
    485
    N
    660
    D
    953

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Clownfish

    Clownfish

    8.9k Sightings
    J
    1k
    F
    1k
    M
    1.1k
    A
    772
    M
    456
    J
    404
    J
    581
    A
    703
    S
    354
    O
    563
    N
    893
    D
    1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    7.6k Sightings
    J
    945
    F
    901
    M
    937
    A
    616
    M
    368
    J
    300
    J
    425
    A
    585
    S
    284
    O
    498
    N
    785
    D
    1k

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    6.9k Sightings
    J
    775
    F
    789
    M
    848
    A
    615
    M
    349
    J
    259
    J
    386
    A
    522
    S
    284
    O
    449
    N
    783
    D
    835

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    6.1k Sightings
    J
    717
    F
    703
    M
    713
    A
    535
    M
    329
    J
    329
    J
    405
    A
    508
    S
    247
    O
    363
    N
    540
    D
    721

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    5.8k Sightings
    J
    600
    F
    662
    M
    723
    A
    512
    M
    286
    J
    236
    J
    380
    A
    433
    S
    236
    O
    396
    N
    650
    D
    691

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    5.6k Sightings
    J
    663
    F
    664
    M
    648
    A
    470
    M
    320
    J
    281
    J
    398
    A
    492
    S
    201
    O
    336
    N
    519
    D
    655

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    5.4k Sightings
    J
    562
    F
    640
    M
    680
    A
    513
    M
    329
    J
    273
    J
    334
    A
    472
    S
    214
    O
    343
    N
    505
    D
    536

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    4.8k Sightings
    J
    544
    F
    568
    M
    574
    A
    439
    M
    238
    J
    221
    J
    309
    A
    363
    S
    189
    O
    279
    N
    451
    D
    583

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    3.7k Sightings
    J
    411
    F
    421
    M
    450
    A
    355
    M
    215
    J
    190
    J
    236
    A
    320
    S
    142
    O
    188
    N
    335
    D
    415

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    3.2k Sightings
    J
    314
    F
    304
    M
    371
    A
    240
    M
    182
    J
    143
    J
    241
    A
    324
    S
    157
    O
    228
    N
    358
    D
    341

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    3.1k Sightings
    J
    351
    F
    364
    M
    362
    A
    265
    M
    180
    J
    160
    J
    238
    A
    285
    S
    137
    O
    166
    N
    248
    D
    368

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    3.1k Sightings
    J
    377
    F
    405
    M
    377
    A
    249
    M
    147
    J
    126
    J
    206
    A
    265
    S
    126
    O
    169
    N
    291
    D
    384

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish

    2.7k Sightings
    J
    260
    F
    300
    M
    314
    A
    244
    M
    162
    J
    148
    J
    209
    A
    240
    S
    129
    O
    177
    N
    243
    D
    290

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    2.7k Sightings
    J
    295
    F
    288
    M
    326
    A
    231
    M
    141
    J
    127
    J
    184
    A
    190
    S
    80
    O
    239
    N
    297
    D
    288

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish

    2.6k Sightings
    J
    275
    F
    325
    M
    292
    A
    220
    M
    154
    J
    110
    J
    135
    A
    256
    S
    125
    O
    185
    N
    280
    D
    289

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    2.6k Sightings
    J
    232
    F
    280
    M
    329
    A
    237
    M
    148
    J
    140
    J
    236
    A
    340
    S
    154
    O
    104
    N
    195
    D
    230

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    2.5k Sightings
    J
    201
    F
    242
    M
    285
    A
    242
    M
    205
    J
    167
    J
    187
    A
    274
    S
    130
    O
    180
    N
    205
    D
    224

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    2.4k Sightings
    J
    243
    F
    279
    M
    231
    A
    196
    M
    146
    J
    122
    J
    200
    A
    260
    S
    126
    O
    145
    N
    229
    D
    246

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    225
    F
    231
    M
    252
    A
    157
    M
    102
    J
    106
    J
    161
    A
    247
    S
    105
    O
    190
    N
    214
    D
    244

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Cuttlefish

    Cuttlefish

    2.2k Sightings
    J
    216
    F
    237
    M
    331
    A
    235
    M
    115
    J
    108
    J
    142
    A
    167
    S
    59
    O
    76
    N
    194
    D
    306

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    2.1k Sightings
    J
    164
    F
    212
    M
    264
    A
    193
    M
    115
    J
    118
    J
    178
    A
    237
    S
    84
    O
    177
    N
    143
    D
    190

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Garfish

    Garfish

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    173
    F
    172
    M
    195
    A
    156
    M
    109
    J
    90
    J
    88
    A
    127
    S
    63
    O
    125
    N
    202
    D
    194
    Banded Sea Krait

    Banded Sea Krait

    1.7k Sightings
    J
    182
    F
    213
    M
    218
    A
    206
    M
    87
    J
    64
    J
    101
    A
    129
    S
    85
    O
    70
    N
    163
    D
    169

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Squid

    Squid

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    121
    F
    201
    M
    261
    A
    228
    M
    139
    J
    115
    J
    115
    A
    146
    S
    50
    O
    33
    N
    82
    D
    145

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    1.6k Sightings
    J
    230
    F
    213
    M
    177
    A
    114
    M
    59
    J
    45
    J
    82
    A
    68
    S
    57
    O
    96
    N
    234
    D
    236

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    191
    F
    146
    M
    187
    A
    125
    M
    75
    J
    74
    J
    110
    A
    116
    S
    48
    O
    112
    N
    106
    D
    151

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    1.4k Sightings
    J
    153
    F
    162
    M
    189
    A
    148
    M
    105
    J
    108
    J
    107
    A
    118
    S
    34
    O
    33
    N
    86
    D
    121

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Cornetfish

    Cornetfish

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    141
    F
    185
    M
    175
    A
    147
    M
    76
    J
    102
    J
    110
    A
    139
    S
    40
    O
    69
    N
    82
    D
    80

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster

    1.3k Sightings
    J
    126
    F
    139
    M
    130
    A
    184
    M
    100
    J
    101
    J
    107
    A
    109
    S
    31
    O
    33
    N
    94
    D
    110

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Lobster

    Lobster

    1.1k Sightings
    J
    110
    F
    116
    M
    122
    A
    174
    M
    95
    J
    106
    J
    97
    A
    100
    S
    21
    O
    26
    N
    65
    D
    88

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    Crab

    Crab

    1k Sightings
    J
    77
    F
    102
    M
    113
    A
    147
    M
    107
    J
    100
    J
    95
    A
    120
    S
    21
    O
    23
    N
    66
    D
    73

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    1k Sightings
    J
    143
    F
    122
    M
    106
    A
    71
    M
    31
    J
    16
    J
    44
    A
    86
    S
    42
    O
    91
    N
    125
    D
    147
    Spiny Seahorse

    Spiny Seahorse

    955 Sightings
    J
    129
    F
    164
    M
    173
    A
    101
    M
    37
    J
    19
    J
    40
    A
    39
    S
    16
    O
    22
    N
    107
    D
    108
    Common Seahorse

    Common Seahorse

    917 Sightings
    J
    125
    F
    109
    M
    156
    A
    109
    M
    57
    J
    41
    J
    50
    A
    53
    S
    19
    O
    28
    N
    66
    D
    104
    Zebra Shark

    Zebra Shark

    766 Sightings
    J
    87
    F
    46
    M
    129
    A
    81
    M
    63
    J
    45
    J
    55
    A
    71
    S
    36
    O
    37
    N
    67
    D
    49

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pipefish

    Pipefish

    670 Sightings
    J
    40
    F
    71
    M
    82
    A
    79
    M
    53
    J
    65
    J
    79
    A
    89
    S
    47
    O
    23
    N
    0
    D
    42

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Stonefish

    Stonefish

    641 Sightings
    J
    87
    F
    88
    M
    85
    A
    53
    M
    29
    J
    0
    J
    13
    A
    50
    S
    0
    O
    69
    N
    81
    D
    86

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Snake Eel

    Snake Eel

    632 Sightings
    J
    71
    F
    66
    M
    67
    A
    24
    M
    47
    J
    48
    J
    64
    A
    143
    S
    38
    O
    13
    N
    21
    D
    30

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Emperor

    Emperor

    609 Sightings
    J
    35
    F
    24
    M
    48
    A
    45
    M
    47
    J
    76
    J
    87
    A
    90
    S
    24
    O
    31
    N
    56
    D
    46

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 50

    Frogfish

    Frogfish

    563 Sightings
    J
    92
    F
    65
    M
    84
    A
    43
    M
    38
    J
    51
    J
    58
    A
    60
    S
    17
    O
    0
    N
    10
    D
    45

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Flounder

    Flounder

    542 Sightings
    J
    43
    F
    41
    M
    62
    A
    46
    M
    44
    J
    69
    J
    68
    A
    96
    S
    30
    O
    13
    N
    11
    D
    19

    The best Months to dive in Phi Phi Island

    Thanks to its tropical climate, Phi Phi offers year-round diving, with warm water temperatures ranging between 28°C-31°C (82°F-88°F). The high season from November to April is the best time to dive here in terms of weather and ocean conditions, when there’s less rainfall, better visibility that averages between 10-30 meters, and calmer seas around the best dive sites.

    The low, rainy season from May to October still boasts awesome diving, however the best sites are often too wavy as a result of changed winds. Sites that are sheltered from the winds are just as beautiful, but there’s simply less of them available. Sunny days still occur frequently, and most showers pass quickly and are refreshing. What’s more, you’re likely to grab bargains on diving and accommodation.

    It’s important to note that in any season, the absolute best visibility and mildest currents here happen during the half-moon period of the month, due to lesser tidal variation.

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