The coral reef is in the middle of the bay, it is incredibly diverse, this area isn’t very touristy, but not always accessible due to sea conditions. The snorkel spot is a short boat ride from Nui Beach, and on the way to Bamboo Island.
Pros
Cons
Snorkel Video
Snorkel Snaps
Snorkel Review
Highlights
Coral
2-3 Meters Average Depth
Good Visibility
Medium Difficulty
No Cafe’s
Tours and boat hire from $30-$40 USD
Sea Urchins Present
Jellyfish unlikely
When:
Who:
Tour Cost:
Star Rating:
Cost:
One of the less-known snorkeling spots at the Phi Phi Islands is the large bay of Loh Lana Bay. The bay is a short 10-minute boat ride from the North side beach Loh Dalum beach to the North of Phi Phi Don, passing Nui Beach. My friend and I had planned to go to Bamboo Island, however, we were stopped by a one-hour rainfall and we had to change our plan. Due to higher waves, a local longtail boat captain recommended going to the sheltered bays of Nui Beach and Loh Lana Bay.
We negotiated a price for the local longtail boat to take us to two snorkel spots of Nui Beach and Loh Lana Bay which are next to each other, for 3-4 hours. My friend and I paid ฿1,400 Thai Baht which is about $40.00 US Dollars between us and we set off!
Snorkel Spot
We docked up in the middle of the bay, the coral is very far out from the beach, probably 100m-150m out from shore. We were the only boat docked in the bay, there is a boat passageway that runs slightly further out from the bay with boats going to and from Bamboo Island. As you dock, you can swim in a straight line across the bay.
Coral Reef
I jumped into the water and was greeted with many, many Sergeant Major Damselfish, with one giving me a little nip as they hope to be fed. The sea depth was surprisingly shallow, at 1.5m sea bottom. There was immediately Boulder coral and also many Black Sea Urchins, be careful as they were in clusters and can cause injury if they are stepped on as the spines break off. You can protect your feet with boat shoes or by wearing flippers to cover your feet.
Top Tip:
Loh Lana Bay is en route to Bamboo Island and a great addition to your trip if you’re hiring a longtail boat.
I swam away from the boat across the cove and the sea bed started to get slightly deeper with mounds of coral including stunning large Table coral with small Blue-Green Chromis fish grazing above, Brain coral, etc.
Loh Lana Bay felt like an underwater rainforest, it was packed with life, and the visibility was good towards the start as the water was calm, with little waves or currents. But the visibility did start to get cloudier/murky as the waves picked up. It was at this point as I was on my own that I saw a fin underwater just off the reef.
It can be a bit daunting in cloudy water to see a fin, but I recognised the shape and saw the distinctive spotted pattern along the shark’s head. It was a large 2-meter leopard shark that was checking me out. These species are generally shy and are rare to see while snorkeling, so this was an incredible experience. Leopard Shark’s (Zebra Shark’s) are ranked as Endangered by ICUN, which makes them rare to see. Within 10 seconds this beautiful creature turned and swam into the deeper water. I wasn’t quick enough to get a picture, but I think we saw the shark because there weren’t any other snorkelers and the tide was coming in.
Safety Tip:
Be careful with sea urchins in the shallow water, watch/listen for passing boats, be aware of changing sea conditions, and make your way back to the boat.
In my opinion, Loh Lana Bay is one of the undiscovered snorkeling spots of the Phi Phi Islands. I never saw it advertised, and I think it was truly stunning and a great stop-off on the way to Bamboo Island if you choose to hire a longboat.
Another popular snorkel spot close by is Nui Beach, just around the corner, and then Mosquito Island and Bamboo Island 15 minutes further North.
Tour Guide Options
Certain tours run from Phi Phi Don’s main island which is pretty cost-effective, you can hire private long boats on the main beach to take you out to the islands and you can decide where you go and negotiate the price, we paid approx $45.00 for 2 people, 3-4hrs. If you are staying in Krabi or Phuket there are Fast boat day trips to the Phi Phi islands to Pileh Lagoon/Bay, as well as Maya Bay just around the corner and Shark Point on Phi Phi Don.
Best Snorkel Spot
In the center of the bay where there is an anchoring rope for the boats. Then snorkel horizontally across the bay, along the coral reef in the direction away from the docked boat.
Popular Marine Life
Parrotfish
Moorish Idol
Giant Clam
Butterflyfish
Sergeant Major Damselfish
Golden Gregory
Rare Marine Life
Leopard Shark
Coral Reef
Boulder Coral
Table Coral
Acroporidae Stoney Coral
Lettuce Coral
Slipper Coral
Mushroom Coral
Fan Coral
Brain Coral
Blue Ridged Coral
What I Saw
(Seen on March, 2023)
| Leopard Shark | Crescent Wrasse |
| Red Squirrelfish | Lined Butterflyfish |
| Blackeye Rabbitfish | Java Rabbitfish |
| Beaked Butterflyfish | Needlefish |
| Eastern Triangle Butterflyfish | Blue-Green Chromis |
| Behn’s Damsel | Neon Damsel |
| Giant Clam | Pinstripe Wrasse |
| Sergeant Major Damsel Fish | Golden Gregory Damselfish |
| Double Spined Sea Urchin | Chinese Demoiselle |
| Two-Spotted Snapper | Black Sea Urchin |
| Moorish Idol | Greenthroat Parrot Fish |
| Featherstar Clingfish | Black Sea Urchin |
| Soft Coral | Slipper coral |
| Table Coral | Boulder Coral |
| Stoney Acroporidae Coral | Red Fan Coral |
| Brain Coral | Lettuce Coral |
| Staghorn Branch Coral | Pink Soft Coral |
| Honeycomb Coral | Mushroom Coral |
Where is the Phi Phi Islands?
The Phi Phi Islands are located in the Adaman sea, in the South of Thailand. The Phi Phi Islands are made up of six islands, Koh Phi Phi Don is the largest and most developed island.
Loh Lana Bay
Frequently Asked Questions
The large bay is accessible only by a longtail boat or speedboat. The snorkel spot is well over 100 meters from the beach in the cove.
It was approximately $40-$45 to hire a longtail boat for three hours and snorkel three spots around the Phi Phi Islands.
The best time to snorkel at Loh Lana Bay is Thailand’s dry season, which is between October and May.
Luke
FOUNDER
Luke is a passionate snorkeler who started Snorkelverse and live his dream of combining his passions for snorkeling, marine life, protecting marine ecosystems, and helping others.
Phi Phi Islands Snorkel Reviews
