Best Snorkelling Spots in Thailand: A Diver's and Snorkeller's Guide

Thailand's waters are home to over 400 species of coral and 2,000 species of fish, making it one of the world's most rewarding destinations for snorkelling. The Andaman Sea on the west coast generally offers better visibility and more dramatic underwater scenery; the Gulf of Thailand on the east coast has its own excellent spots, particularly around Koh Tao. Visibility conditions depend significantly on season — the Andaman is best from November to April, the Gulf is best from March to September.

The Similan Islands National Park (accessible from Khao Lak) is widely considered Thailand's finest snorkelling and diving destination — crystal water, enormous boulders covered in soft coral, sea turtles, and frequent manta ray sightings in season. The park is open from mid-October to mid-May. Koh Phi Phi's waters — particularly around Bamboo Island and the bays of Phi Phi Don — offer outstanding snorkelling with colourful reef fish and reasonable visibility. Koh Lipe in the far south, near the Malaysian border, has some of the clearest water in Thailand and excellent reef snorkelling directly off the beach at Sunrise Beach. The waters around Koh Tao (Gulf of Thailand) are remarkable for their accessibility — you can walk into good snorkelling off Sairee Beach — and for the extraordinary concentration of marine life including whale sharks (seasonal). Koh Lanta and the islands around Krabi (Koh Poda, Koh Kai, the Four Islands) offer excellent day-trip snorkelling. Rental equipment is available everywhere and guided snorkelling tours are cheap and well-run. Always snorkel with a buddy, avoid standing on coral, and apply reef-safe sunscreen.