Snorkeling Beach Ideas Around Phuket

Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist regions, receiving millions of visitors each year. The area is most famous for its beautiful beaches and transparent waters, that, besides being fantastic for sunbathing and swimming, offer good snorkeling too. To be honest, we were not expecting too much from Phuket’s snorkeling spots, so we were pleasantly surprised by how good marine life we found at its easy-to-access shoreline sites and boat-accessible islands. In this guide, we summarized all the information you will need to go snorkeling in Phuket, including where to go, what to see, and the best time to visit the area.

10 Best Phuket Snorkeling Beaches

Phuket has numerous beautiful beaches, but not all offer good conditions for snorkeling. The wide sandy beaches are excellent for sunbathing and chilling out, but you need to seek rocky bays to see corals and sea creatures. Here, we list ten beaches that we think have the best marine life and conditions for snorkeling in Phuket.

Ao Sane

This rocky beach on the southwest coast is one of Phuket’s best places to do shore snorkeling. To get to Ao Sane Beach, you need to drive through the Nai Harn Resort (which is an excellent place to stay if you are looking for a hotel close by) and keep going until you find the Ao Sane sign on your left.

Ao Sane has enough trees to provide shelter from the sun at all times of the day. The beach is rocky, with large boulders buried in the sand. The rocks in the water are home to colorful fish like parrotfish and clownfish, and black spiny sea urchins are also common.

The clear and calm water makes Ao Sane one of the best Phuket snorkeling beaches. Thanks to the bay’s characteristics, Ao Sane is one of the very few Phuket beaches that is suitable for underwater activities (diving as well), even in the rainy season when most beaches get big waves and rough conditions.

The 200-meter-long Ao Sane beach consists of three very small sandy bays. You can walk from one to another through the beach bungalows. The first bay, the largest, has everything you might need during the day. You can get food from the beach restaurant and drinks from the beach bar.

There is also a dive shop where you can rent snorkel gear if you don’t have own equipment. The second and third bays are mostly used by the Baan Krating Resort’s guests, but even non-resort visitors can go there and have a drink or a massage.

Freedom Beach

Do you want to enjoy a secluded beach with excellent marine life? Then add Freedom Beach to your itinerary! This pretty beach is just 4 kilometers away from the well-known Patong Beach but far quieter and more relaxed. With soft white sand and clear water, Freedom Beach offers safe and enjoyable water experience for young and old.

To get there, you need to take a longtail boa; the service is available only in the high season (between December and June). Boats depart from all popular beaches nearby like Patong, Kata or Karon.

Freedom Beach is an excellent choice for spending a day at a beautiful spot away from the crowd, enjoying yourself, and exploring the underwater world while snorkeling. Beach chairs and umbrellas are available to rent, and an on-site small restaurant serves delicious Thai food and chilled drinks.

Ya Nui

This charming beach is another attractive Phuket snorkeling spot that is unfortunately not that quiet anymore but still a pretty place to visit thanks to the amazing scenery and clear waters.

This small bay lies between the Nai Harn Beach and Phromthep Cape on the south of Phuket. The best hotels nearby are the Sense of Yanui and The Nai Harn, both are worth to stay in.

The tsunami in 2004 hit the beach hard and destroyed it completely. After the disaster, the area was abandoned for more than a year, and only a couple of touching memorial plaques indicated that people used to come here. A few years later, the Ya Nui Bungalows re-opened, which operates as a restaurant and small hotel. There is also a dive center where you can sign up for a diving course or rent snorkeling gear.

The emerald-green water, powdery sand, and tall palm trees make Yai Niu Beach truly postcard-perfect. For the best snorkeling, swim around the rock formations that stand out from the water in the middle of the bay. Here, you can observe some nice corals and plenty of fish.

Naithon Beach

The large Nai Thon on the west coast is one of the few under the radar Phuket beaches. Although the beach is just 10 km south of the Phuket International Airport, somehow, it remains a hidden paradise where you can spend the day chilling under coconut trees and discovering Thailand’s marine life with your mask and fins on!

For the best snorkeling, go to the rocky southern corner of the bay, where you can observe various marine species. Expect to see barracudas, butterfly, angel and triggerfish, or even turtles! Should you get hungry or thirsty, there are some places around to buy food and drinks.

Laem Ka

If you wish to enjoy an amazing view in the shades of coconut trees, head to this sheltered beach on the south of Phuket. The 150 m long beach is an ideal place for families. The calm and clear water makes Laem Ka one of the best snorkeling sites in Phuket for beginners. Don’t expect to find fancy restaurants here, but in the high season, there are some vendors selling snacks, drinks, and Thai food.

To get to Laem Ka Beach, head towards Rawai. There will be a small road at the 7-eleven shop. Take that and drive on it until you find the Laem Ka Beach Restaurant sign and a parking area.

Laem Singh

The heavenly Laem Singh Beach lies between Kamala Beach and Surin Beach. The shallow water and numerous bouldering rocks ensure safe snorkeling conditions with many colorful fish to see!

This beach is not only a beautiful place, but has an interesting story. Laem Singh was always known as a hidden paradise. Tourists staying in the busy Surin Beach area came to Laem Singh, where they could spend the day in peace and quiet. But suddenly, the owner of the land decided to close the road that leads to the beach.

Therefore, Laem Singh was inaccessible for a short time, until boats started to operate from Surin Beach. The small boat departs from the left corner of the beach and costs approx. 100 baht per person.

Alternatively, you can walk the way from Surin Beach. The path starts behind the Patcharin Seafood restaurant, but it is rather a hiking trail than a walking way at some point, so only adventurous travelers should consider this option. It is safer and faster to take the boat transfer.

Kata Noi

If you find Kata Beach too busy (I’m sure you will) choose the nearby Kata Noi instead. This long (almost 1 kilometer) bay stretches on the southwestern coast of Phuket. With various amenities (restaurants, bars, convenience shops), this beach is a great choice to visit for a day or even to stay at for a longer time.

Kata Noi is a nice place to do some snorkeling in Phuket, especially the left side of the bay, however you need to be lucky to have calm sea conditions. This is an excellent place to see anemonefish, as well as angelfish and parrotfish, and the lucky ones might even spot turtles and even some small (not dangerous) reef sharks. Don’t get into the water if there are big waves because you might hurt yourself on the rocks.

The best luxurious accommodations at Kata Noi are the Katathani Beach Resort and The Shore at Katathani, both offering amazing views. If you want an affordable option, check out the Katanoi Resort.

Banana Beach

Being one of the last secret beaches around Phuket, Banana Beach is a must-visit spot! Due to its remoteness, not many tourists take the extra effort to go to this picturesque beach; therefore, it remains quiet. The long and wide sandy beach offers top conditions for chilling out, while the clear water is perfect for swimming and snorkeling.

To get to Banana Beach, you need to take the road that goes to Naithon Beach and Andaman White Beach Resort. A few hundred meters after the resort, you should find the Banana Beach sign on the right side. Park your scooter on the side of the road and follow the path to the beach! Don’t miss out on trying out the yummy seafood dishes in the on-site restaurant!

Paradise Beach

Paradise Beach is a typical Thai beach on the western side of Phuket with soft sand, palm trees, and a jungle. It was the top choice of peace-seeking tourists for a long time, but unfortunately, it is not that hidden anymore. This is because a new concrete road was opened that made it easy to get to this spot. Now, Paradise Beach is famous for full-moon parties, but it is still worth spending one day here if you want to do some snorkeling in Phuket.

About 100 meters from the shore, you find a shallow reef, which is suitable for beginners snorkelers. Here, you can observe colorful tropical fish species and various corals, and you might bump into a turtle, too!

Ko Man Island

If you love adventures and want to explore the very best snorkeling spot in Phuket, here is an insider tip: visit Ko Man! This little island opposite Yanui Beach offers some of the best coral reefs and extremely rich marine life. The island’s eastern corner is protected from strong wind and enjoys calm water conditions, creating an ideal place for corals and marine species to thrive.

Since the eastern side of Ko Mah is just about 350 meters from Yanui, confident swimmers might swim there if the sea and weather conditions are fine, but the safest and most comfortable option is renting a boat with a local boatman at Ya Nui or Rawai for 1-2 hours. Like this, you will have time to look around without worrying about how you get back to the beach. Alternatively, you can rent a kayak at Yanui.

Phuket Boat Snorkeling Tours

Besides the many shore-accessible snorkel spots, the region offers several day-trip destinations with fantastic underwater sights.

Longtail boats to the nearby snorkeling islands (Khai Islands, Koh Boan, Koh Hae) are available from as little as 25-30 USD . Visiting faraway destinations (Racha Islands, The Similans, Surin Islands) of course, costs more, usually between 80-120 USD.

Tour prices vary depending on whether it is a group or private excursion. Generally, we think it is worth choosing the latter one as the day trip destinations near Phuket can be crowded, so you have more flexibility and privacy when choosing a private tour when you share the boat with only your family and/or friends.

Most popular Phuket snorkeling day trips:

Similan Islands

This island archipelago, consisting of 11 islands 120 km northwest of Phuket, has been listed as a natural reserve since 1982. With its impressive marine life including many hard and soft coral species, whale sharks, manta rays, sea turtles, eels, rays and many more, the Similan Islands is a must-visit snorkeling spot to visit when in Phuket.

These islands are very trendy and receive lots of visitors. Authorities introduced limits and allow only 3,325 people to enter park daily to preserve the flora and fauna. To be honest, this is still too many; therefore, we recommend going on an early bird tour to beat the crowds.

Surin Islands

Consisting of 5 islands (Koh Surin Nuea, Koh Surin Tai, Koh Kai, Koh Pachumba and Koh Ree) that form the Mu Ko Surin National Park, the Surin Islands are the most pristine islands of Thailand. It is the perfect place to discover Thailand’s natural wonders; you find wonderful flora and fauna here, both above and under the water.

There are several Surin Islands Tours available from Phuket. These are full-day excursions with early departure, as it is the furthest day trip destination from Phuket.

Unlike the Similans, the Surin Islands are open for overnight stays. Do not expect luxury accommodation, though; only simple bungalows and tents are available. Still, spending a night or two at this pristine paradise is an experience you will not regret!

Phi Phi Islands

Known from The Beach movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the Phi Phi Islands are probably Phuket’s most visited day trip destination. A few years back, I would have been suggested not to visit the Phi Phis, especially Maya Bay, because this destination was destroyed badly due to over-tourism, but after the four years long closure between 2018 and 2022, the government restored the beaches and even the reefs by planting corals, so now it offers a surprisingly pleasant experience with vivid waters teeming with exotic marine life.

Although the Phi Phis are extremely popular and busy, it is definitely a place everyone visiting Phuket needs to see. To get the best experience, choose an island-hopping adventure that includes several stops at the most beautiful spots of the Phi Phi archipelago.

Racha Islands

Just 12 kilometers south of Phuket, Koh Racha Yai and Noi (sometimes called Raya Islands) are famous for their shallow, crystalline waters and coral formations full of life, making them a top choice for a snorkeling day trip.

A Raya Islands excursion ensures a full day of fun and adventure: you can discover colorful reefs and swim among tropical fish at some of the best Phuket snorkeling spots, relax at beautiful beaches, and enjoy fantastic views.

Should you stay a few days at this paradise destination, Racha Yai hosts three resorts. Our favorite is The Racha luxurious villa complex, located along Batok Beach, which is a premier island hideaway!

Koh Hae – Coral Island

As its name suggests, Koh Hae has offshore coral reefs with some good snorkeling spots, therefore it is called Coral Island. It is just 20 minutes by boat from Rawai Beach.

Koh Hae (or Koh Hey) has two main beaches: Long Beach, this is where most boats arrive and depart, and Banana Beach, which is the main snorkeling area with shallow reefs suitable for beginners and kids. We found Long Beach very crowded, so we recommend choosing a trip that takes you directly to Banana Beach.

Khai Islands

The small island group of three islands (Khai Nok, Khai Nai, and Khai Nui) is just a short speedboat ride away from Phuket’s east coast. Out of the three islands, Koh Khai Nui is the best for snorkeling, while the other two are famous for their beaches and relaxed bars. Nai offers another exciting attraction, too; the island is home to a big cat population that gathers around the restaurants waiting for food and to be petted.

The Khai Islands might not be the best snorkeling spot around Phuket in terms of marine life, but due to their easy accessibility (even a half-day tour includes visiting all three islands) and calm, shallow waters that make them ideal for kids too, they are very popular.

Koh Bon

The small, deserted Bon Island is only a 15-minute boat ride from Phuket. With its beautiful white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters, it is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a tranquil paradise to escape the Phuket crowds. Most people usually snorkel off the beach where the restaurant is, but we found the beach on the southwest side of the island better. If you are interested in visiting Bon Island, check out this tour.

What To See While Snorkeling In Phuket?

Thailand’s Andaman Sea is rich in marine life. Although the coral reefs are damaged due to intense tourism and coastal development, there is still a lot to see. At the shallow, shore-accessible reefs around Phuket, you can observe a variety of reef fish, including anemonefish, sergeant majors, parrotfish, butterflyfish, bannerfish, tangs, and small blacktip reef sharks.

Other sea creatures, such as sea clams, Christmas tree worms, and sea stars can also be seen. Although they are not that common, it is also possible to encounter sea turtles.

The boat-accessible snorkeling sites feature an even richer marine life (especially the protected national park areas like the Surin and Similan Islands). At the spots, you find more extensive reefs with healthy coral colonies and big shoals of reef fish. Between January and April, when plankton is increasing in the area, you can also meet whale sharks and manta rays.

What Is The Best Time To Go Snorkeling In Phuket?

When planning a Thailand snorkeling vacation, you should be aware of the different climates of its two coastlines, the Andaman Coast and the Gulf of Thailand, as the weather patterns are often the opposite.

The monsoon times are well-predictable on the two coasts of Thailand, so your travel dates determine whether the area of Phuket or Koh Samui and the surrounding islands should be your vacation destination.

Although there is no weather guarantee as the climate changes worldwide, here is a rough guide on the ideal time to come. The best time to visit Phuket for snorkeling is between December and March, the dry season. During these months, the weather is settled and there is little rain, so the conditions are ideal for water activities such as snorkeling with average sea temperatures of 28-29 °C (82.5-84 °F).

Avoid coming between May and October, as it is the wet season on the Andaman Coast. Phuket sees a lot of rain during these months. The nearby popular island groups like the Similans and Surins are closed due to bad weather. Should you travel during this period, choose the islands in the Gulf of Thailand; Koh Tao or Koh Phangan, where the rainy season runs from October to mid-December, with November as the peak.

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