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Phi Phi Islands , Thailand Scuba Diving Guide
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Phi Phi Island group consists of 4 islands, Koh Phi Phi Don, Koh Phi Phi
Ley, Koh Yung and Koh Mai Pai. These islands lie 45km east of Phuket and are
part of Krabi province. Together with some rocky outcrops and the surrounding
water, this place formed the Had Nopparat Marine National Park. Koh Phi Phi
Ley, Koh Yung and Koh Mai Pai are uninhabitated. On Koh Phi Phi Don however,
there are at least 10 diving centers and a wide variety of accomodations, from
expensive international hotels to cheap bungalows and guest houses.
As compared to other parts of Thailand, Phi Phi Island group do not offers
world class divings as such most of the people do not come here solely for
divings and serious divers give this place a miss. However, those who do come,
mixed diving with other activities and would still enjoy their stay or visit.
Some of the things you can do here include exploring huge cave with nests of
swift and climbing steep vertical peaks.
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Dive Sites around Koh Phi Phi
 
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Koh Bida Nok
This is a rocky outcrop lying just south of Koh Phi Phi Ley, a popular dive
site among the local diving centers. The outcrop is shallow on the eastern
side, water depth is about 10 meters, which make it suitable for beginner
divers and snorkellers. Here, the growths of staghorn and star corals are vast
and healthy. There are also lots of anemones and anemone fish.
Toward the southwestern part, the water depth increases to about 27 meters.
Divers will get to see large sea fans with pink and purple corals. There are
lots of common tropical fish, octopuses and giant moray eels. There is also
also has a small cavern for divers to explore. Water visibility here at best is
only about 15 meters.
Overall Koh Bida Nok offers divers a pleasant experience.
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Ao Nui
This site is located right in a bay, northeast of Koh Phi Phi Don. It is
another rocky outcrop with shallow water. The water depth is only about 10
meters on the average. This make it a very good snorkelling site. As with Koh
Bida Nok, the water visibility is only about 15 meters.
There are many coral and patches of sponges. Reef fish are common and you will
many many lionfish, Bluering and Emperor Angelfish.
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Hin Phae and Hin Dot
Just south of Koh Phi Phi Don are Hin Phae and Hin Dot. You can find in these
areas Painted Rock Lobsters and reef crabs. There are many cleaner shrimps and
invertebrates around. Oyster and clams can be seen embedded to rocky surfaces,
which are good food sources for the many reef octopuses found here. All these
residents are good subjects for underwater photography.
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Hin Bida(Phi Phi Shark Point)
Not to be confused with the Shark Point of Shark Point Marine Sanctuary just
west of Phi Phi island group, this is Phi Phi very own underwater stage for
leopard sharks to put on a good show for the divers. While sighting of the
gentle creatures has decreased slightly over the years, chances of an encounter
is still quite good. Divers will also be entertains by a supporting casts of
octopuses, cuttlefish, spiny lobsters and the moray eels.
This site is 8 km southeast of Koh Phi Phi Ley. Water visibility is about 20
meters and depth ranges from 12 to 18 meters.
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Best Time to Dive in Koh Phi Phi
The best time to visit Koh Phi Phi is during the dry season which starts from
October to May, however diving is possible year round.
Where to Stay in Koh Phi Phi
We would recommend travellers going to Phi Phi islands to base themselves in
Phuket. In Phuket, there are daily excursions and dives trips to Phi Phi
islands on a daily and regular basis. By staying in Phuket, you will get the
best of both worlds. You will be spolit for choices when it come to
accomodations. There are many luxurious resorts, decent hotels and budget
accomodations to cater different travellers. In addition, there are much more
fun filled activities in Phuket.
But for travellers who want to stay away from the crowd, we also have great
bargains for you.
We have more than 30 hotels in Phuket and 1 hotel in Phi Phi island offering
you rooms with great discount.
For Last Minute Reservation (Lowest Rate Guarantee)
For Hotel Reservation (Best Rate Guarantee for Hot Rate Offers)
See a complete listing of Phuket and Phi Phi Hotels and Accommodations
How to Get to Koh Phi Phi
As shown in our map in Phuket diving
guide, Phuket International Airport sit in the northern part of Phuket
Island. The trip from the airport to major tourist beaches takes about 45
minutes. There are taxi and official airport limousine taxi to bring your from
the airport to your hotel. Cost of the trip for taxi is about 500 bahts and for
the limousine taxi is about 650 bahts. Otherwise, travellers can also take
minibuses which will take tourist from airport to the major beaches. Cost of
the ride is about 180 bahts per person.
From Phuket, you will have no trouble finding tour operators visiting Phi Phi
islands.
There are direct flights to Phuket International Airport from Singapore,
Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Osaka. Major airlines offering daily
flights to Phuket include
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