An incredible lagoon with turquoise waters in the heart of the Phi Phi Islands, the snorkel spot is on the right hand side of the entrance, before the turquoise water shown above. Crystal clear waters, and a healthy coral reef. Very touristy, MANY boats, but worth a stop to see the lagoon and stop off for a snorkel.
Pros
Cons
Snorkel Video
Snorkel Snaps
Snorkel Review
Highlights
Coral
1-2 Meters Average Depth
Very Good Visibility
Easy to Medium Difficulty
No cafe’s nearby
Tours and boat hire approx $40-$100
Sea Urchins Present
Jellyfish unlikely
When:
Who:
Tour Cost:
Star Rating:
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Our second snorkel on our snorkel trip to the Phi Phi islands was to the popular tourist attraction of Pileh Lagoon (Bay), on the neighbouring island of Phi Phi Leh. We hired a local longtail boat to take us out to 3x snorkel spots for 3-4 hours. My friend and I paid ฿1,500 Thai Baht, about $45.00 US Dollars between us. Leaving from the South beach of Koh Phi Phi Don (Main Island), it took about 15-20 minutes to get to Pileh Lagoon on Koh Phi Phi Leh, following our first stop off at Viking Cave.
Upon entrance, you are greeted by crystal clear waters and a stunning island backdrop. Within Pileh Lagoon the turquoise water makes for an unreal view. There isn’t any snorkel opportunity in the lagoon, but a cool experience if you are visiting.
Snorkel Spot
Pileh Lagoon Scenery
A truly stunning lagoon, the crystal clear waters that lead into the turquoise cove with a towering contoured, jagged rock backdrop, makes you feel like you’re on another planet. Before entering the lagoon, we docked up at the entrance to the cove on the right-hand side. This area can get very crowded with docked longboats and larger speed boats, the passageway for other boats entering Pileh Lagoon.
We got into the water on the right-hand side of the entrance, this area wasn’t busy and at a depth of about 2-3 meters. In direct sunlight, the water’s visibility is crystal clear drawing out the colours in the coral reef which covers the sea bed. This part in my opinion was the best part of the snorkel. As you jump in the water you are greeted by tens of Sargeant Major Fish which hover around the shade of boats. I also think they are fed which causes them to linger around snorkelers and boats.
Top Tip:
The water visibility is best in the direct sunlight, on the right hand side of the entrance. This is where you will see the beige, yellow coral reef spread across the sea bed.
Notably, we saw intricate boulder coral, Anemone with a ball beneath with Nosestripe Anemonefish, Giant Clams, Parrotfish, Kneedlefish (more noted below). As we started to swim through to the inside of the entrance on the right hand side I spotted a Giant Moray Eel darting through the coral, many Parrotfish, Moorish Idol, etc. Through the entrance the sea bed is mainly made up of Boulder coral and some Brain coral.
Coral Reef
Be careful of Black Sea Urchins as they are dotted between the coral, if you’re not wearing flippers, we’d recommend wearing water shoes to reduce risk of injury. (Checkout our recommendations).
Safety Tip:
Be very careful of docked boats and passing boats as this is a very busy spot. There is shallow water with Sea Urchins, be respectful of the corals.
As you swim along the right side of the entrance into Pileh Bay, you’ll see the coral reef which fills the sea bed, a colourful orange and browns. This area is quite shallow (1 meter) and there isn’t anywhere to stand up so you’l need to float. There were many fish swimming between the corals, although they were very timid, and would dart away. There was no current or wave and 100% visibility.
What I would say is, it is definitely worth it going to Pileh Lagoon if you’re visiting the Phi Phi Islands for the stunning lagoon and the snorkelling is a plus. But you can beat some of the crowds if you go earlier in the morning, as the bigger boats leaving from Phuket and Krabi get there late morning/midday.
Following the snorkel, we got back on the longtail boat and entered Pileh Bay for a circle. You can dock and stop here for a swim in the tranquil waters which I’d recommend if it’s your first time visiting, it’s the best lagoon/bay I’ve been to and perfect for an instagram picture or for the mantel piece. But we were on a snorkeling mission and ready to head off to Maya Bay.
It is also popular for tourists who want to walk on the popular Maya Beach, the stairway runs from Pileh Lagoon, meaning there are docked boats in the cove.
Tour Guide Options
There are tours that run from Phi Phi Don main island which are 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 (฿1,500 Thai Baht). 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
On the entrance to the cove on the right-hand side as shown in picture below, you’ll see the crystal clear waters.
Best Time Of Year
Thailand’s dry season is between October-April and will likely provide better snorkel conditions.
Popular Marine Life
Moorish Idol
Parrotfish
Giant Clam
Butterflyfish
Sergeant Major Damselfish
Rare Marine Life
Anemonefish
Giant Moray Eel
Blackspotted Pufferfish
Coral Reef
Boulder Coral
Brain Coral
Lettuce Coral
Boulder Star Coral
Mushroom Coral
Acroporidae Stoney Coral
What I Saw
(Seen on March, 2023)
| Singular Bannerfish | Giant Moray Eel |
| Nosestripe Anemonefish | Threadfin Butterflyfish |
| Blackedge Thicklip Wrasse | Golden Rabbitfish |
| Java Rabbitfish | Quoy’s Parrotfish |
| Moorish Idol | Giant Clam |
| Threadfin Butterflyfish | Blackspotted Pufferfish |
| Three-Blueline Wrasse | Greenthroat Parrotfish |
| Russel’s Parrotfish | Redlip Parrotfish |
| Bar Jack Fish | Swarthy Parrotfish |
| Needlefish | Black-And-White Spinecheek |
| Sergeant Major Damselfish | Neon Damsel |
| Chinese Demoiselle | Crescent Wrasse |
| Honeycomb Coral | Branch Coral |
| Stoney Acroporidae Coral | Mushroom Coral |
| Boulder Coral | Lettuce Coral |
| Brain Coral | Boulder Star 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.
Pileh Lagoon Map
Frequently Asked Questions
The only way to get to Pileh Lagoon is by boat, the populat lagoon is located on the uninhabited island of Koh Phi Phi Leh. You can either hire a longtail boat from the main island of Koh Phi Phi Don, or book onto a snorkel trip from Phuket or Krabi, and visit by speedboat.
There are tours from both the Phi Phi Islands themselves, and from the neighbouring cities of Krabi and Phuket. The tours range in cost from $80-$100 from the cities, and $25-$45 from the Phi Phi Islands. I hired a longtail boat from Phi Phi, and paid $45 US dollars for three snorkels over 3-4 hours (฿1,500 Thai Baht).
The best time to visit Pileh Lagoon is during Thailand’s dry season which runs from October to May.
Pileh Lagoon is not closed. The neighboring Maya Bay and Maya Beach was closed for a number of years, but recently reopened following the global pandemic in 2022. It was closed due to the bay being a breeding ground for the ‘near threatened’ Blacktip Reef Shark.
It does not cost to enter Pileh Bay and snorkel within the waters. However it will cost to join a snorkel trip or hire a longtail boat from Koh Phi Phi Don.
Pileh Lagoon is a large bay located on the West side of Koh Phi Phi Leh, which is an island situated in the Phi Phi Islands, in Thailand’s Souther Adaman sea.
The easiest way to get to Pileh Lagoon from Koh Phi Phi Don is by longtail boat, which you can either hire on Konsai Beach, or book onto trips that run from the island.
Yes, you can swim in the turquoise water’s Pileh Lagoon.
Luke
FOUNDER
Luke is a passionate snorkeler who started Snorkelverse to live his dream of combining his passions for snorkeling, marine life, protecting marine ecosystems, and helping others.
Phi Phi Islands Snorkel Reviews
