One of the two of islands lying south of Phi Phi Ley is called Bida Nok and it is a divers dream the other being Bida Nai.
All the dive sites around Phi Phi are ideal for all PADI Dive Courses: Discover Scuba Diver Open Water Diver, Advanced Diver continue reading…
The bay that faces east has a nice sandy bottom, which is perfect for beginners doing their first dives and those who need to do some scuba skills as part of a course.
In this area, there are several huge boulders and it is always worth a little look around them for small macro stuff. Many times I have found Pretty Nudibranch’s and several Ghost Pipefish here.
There are usually a few Scorpion fish lurking around for a meal too. Further along the reef the sandy bottom leads onto bigger boulders, and as you follow them you may notice that you will be going deeper and deeper.
There is a cut through and here, and is where you will start to feel the current blowing, once around the corner it gets deeper still, dropping down beyond 25 metres in fact. Follow the wall keeping it to your right; here is where the bigger boys play, so keep your eyes out into the deep sometimes too.
Trevallies both Blue Fin and Giant will be hunting just off the reef here, also possible to see Dogtooth Tunas and Spanish Mackerel all out looking for a bit to eat. This site is ideal for most courses, including the Open Water and Advanced courses, even Technical dive course are conducted here frequently.
Keep your eyes open for a huge school of yellow Snapper, you cannot really miss them, every time I dive here their numbers have increased, now there must be over 1500 of them, their colours are beautiful and it almost brings a tear to the eye as they all cruise by, gorgeous.
There are a couple of little caverns etched into the side of the Island, not too deep, maybe 16 metres. They are on the south west side of the island; also it is more than possible to see Black Tip Reef Sharks – just lately they have been very busy.
They are very timid though and a glimpse of these streamlined predators is all you will probably get. You may also see a Giant Barracuda; this massive fellow hangs around here most days, waiting.
On the other side of the island is a little shallower, but equally just as great. The North side of the Island is facing Bida Nai and is only around twenty meters deep, venturing further out from here there is only sand, so you may encounter some sleeping Leopards Sharks though..
So it is in this area where most Leopards Shark sightings are to be had; also waiting on the sand you will find a few Blue Spotted Stingrays, also I have seen many Cuttlefish searching for a mate and also Squid, which are fascinating to watch, they hunt in a long line, with their jet black eyes peering at you, quite daunting.
Also here to spot a couple of resident Hawksbill Turtles, they have been there for at least 15 years and probably much longer.
They are tolerant of divers up to point, but they soon get bored and with a kick and a flip they are off. Black and White Coral Banded Sea Snakes can as well be found, they are poisonous, they will not approach anyone, as they are too busy looking for little morsels to eat to be bothered about daft divers blowing bubbles.
The marine life here is quite diverse in fact and it is not uncommon to spot Leopard Sharks as mentioned, Black Tip Reef Sharks too. Several species of Barracuda, King Mackerel, Dogtooth Tuna, loads of Trevallies, as well as large Groupers, Bearded and Raggy Scorpion Fish and Stone Fish: many Trigger Fish, also Emperor Angel Fish, Lionfish, Morays, Puffer fish and of course plenty of Blennies.
Quick Tip: If you venture around the south side of Bida Nok and if you move slightly away from the wall and out to find the big boulders, hover around 18m and this is where you will see much of the predatory action, King Mackerel, Tuna, Trevallies, Barracudas all use this area to great eefect
DIVE TIPS
- Max depth: 30 meters
- Level of difficulty: Absolute beginner/ upwards
- Visibility: 15 meters
- Current: Weak to moderate.
- Recommended season: All year round is possible
- Highly recommended
Phi Phi Island Sites
- Bida Nai
- Bida Nok
- Coral Garden (aka Palong)
- The Kletkaew (Wreck Dive)
