Whale Shark
(Rhincodon typus)
Koh Phi Phi Liveaboard Diving
Koh Phi Phi is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Thailand. It started to become famous in the 1990s, and its popularity rose sharply due to the Hollywood movie The Beach. It’s located almost exactly halfway between Phuket and Krabi but is technically within Krabi Province. The only ways to get to Phi Phi are by public ferry or speedboat, and once on the island, there are no vehicles at all. Not everyone goes to Koh Phi Phi to scuba dive. There is accommodation for all budgets, dozens of restaurants and bars, and other water sports available. However, the majority of tourism on Koh Phi Phi is based around scuba diving.
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What kinds of diving trips are available at Koh Phi Phi?
For tourists already staying on Koh Phi Phi, there is no shortage of dive centres looking for a slice of the ‘customer care.’ Most of them practice ‘price-fixing’ which means they work together to maintain a fair price for diving and courses instead of an unpleasant price war like there is on Koh Tao. Daytrip diving from Koh Phi Phi usually involves two-dive day trips on slow but comfortable boats. Sometimes it's possible to join a three-dive day trip as well. Phi Phi diving day trips typically start around 7.30 am and return mid-afternoon. Probably the best way to enjoy scuba diving at Koh Phi Phi is on a liveaboard diving cruise starting in Phuket and sailing around the best dive spots for 2-3 days. Liveaboard diving at Koh Phi Phi is better than day-trip diving because staying on a larger boat that cruises to different dive spots during surface intervals is more pleasant than going out and back on a day trip boat. The Junk & Giamani are the best Koh Phi Phi liveaboard boats. During the high season, they normally spend most of the time at The Similans, but during the low season, there are 2-3 trips per week.
How many dive sites are there and what are they like?
It’s impossible to confirm an exact number of dive sites because it’s a matter of opinion. Some divers count a long or large reef as two separate dive sites while others may combine them. In any case, there are at least 10 very good dive sites at Koh Phi Phi. Without doubt, the most popular dive sites are around the two tiny islets off of the southern tip of the Phi Phi mini-archipelago. These are Bida Nai & Bida Nok, and their location in deeper water enables marine life to flourish. Although snorkelling is good there, almost every boat that visits these islets is there for scuba diving. The snorkel boats tend to focus on other parts of Koh Phi Phi Lei (the second-largest Phi Phi island). In 2014 the Thai government provided Koh Phi Phi with its own diving wreck by sinking the 48-metre long naval gunship HTMS Kled Grow at a depth that is perfect for AOW divers, or anyone certified to go deeper than 25 metres. This wreck is already very popular with the marine life species that have made the new wreck their home.
How do I find and book the best diving trip at Koh Phi Phi?
For liveaboard diving at Koh Phi Phi, contacting us is the best way. We can help you choose a liveaboard trip that best suits your schedule, needs & budget. There are not as many choices when compared to liveaboard diving at The Similan Islands, but most weeks of the year we can offer a Koh Phi Phi liveaboard. Divers who want to stay on Koh Phi Phi and join a day trip or course can easily choose and book after arriving on the island. Due to the fierce competition, a wide choice of dive centres and the price-fixing agreement, it’s best to arrive first and choose the dive centre which is most convenient for you.
Conditions at Koh Phi Phi
Depths
5 - 30 metres
16.4 - 98.4 ft
Currents
Medium
Visibility
8 - 20+ metres
26.2 - 65.6+ ft
Surface
Usually calm
When to dive at Koh Phi Phi
Best Times:November to April
The island is open all year round and diving possible on any day that the weather permits. Although from May to October is the monsoon season, the weather can be nice for lots of the time, and there are far fewer other tourists on the island and divers in the water. The natural conditions are best from December to March, but the area can become very busy.
What type of dive site is Koh Phi Phi
Reef, Coral reef, Wreck Diving, Snorkeling
Most of Koh Phi Phi's dive sites are coral reefs that are no deeper than 35 metres. However, there is a wreck that was deliberately sunk in 2014.
Where is Koh Phi Phi?
Koh Phi Phi is halfway between Krabi and Phuket in southern Thailand's Andaman Sea. It's officially part of Krabi Province.
How to get to Koh Phi Phi
Liveaboard Boat, Day Trip Boat
Tourists travelling to Koh Phi Phi do so by public ferries that sail from Phuket, Krabi, Koh Lanta and Ao Nang. Once you're on the island, you can go diving by day trip boat. For the best experience, join a short liveaboard cruise from Phuket
Who can dive at Koh Phi Phi
All levels.
Anyone can dive at Koh Phi Phi. This includes you doing a 'try dive' if you have never dived before, as well as learning to dive or doing an Advanced course. If you're a certified, experienced or even professional diver, you will also have plenty of dive sites and opportunities to choose from.
What marine life can you see at Koh Phi Phi?
Koh Phi Phi has abundant, healthy and diverse marine life. This includes from the smallest to the largest species. From time to time a small Whale Shark or even a Manta Ray may pass by, but these are special occasions. There's lots of life around Phi Phi's dive sites
You can also see
Summary of Koh Phi Phi
Phi Phi is hugely popular with tourists from all over the world, and many come for scuba diving. This includes experienced divers, plus those who have never dived before. Koh Phi Phi has something for everyone. There are plenty of dive sites, so enough space for everyone, and the corals and marine life is healthy and diverse. You can dive there all year round. Some prefer to go when the conditions are best, but the dive sites busy. Others choose to go in the low season, to take advantage of fewer tourists above and below the surface of the water.
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Liveaboard Dive Boats That Visit Koh Phi Phi
Latest Reviews Average Rating 9.1/10 Based on 27 Diver Reviews for Liveaboards - Koh Phi Phi
Mip
Australian
Review score: 6/10
Dived: 01 Apr 2024
Food - excellent
Accommodation 2 star suitable for a back packer
Crew - fantastic
Diving- good dives for divers with basic to intermediate skills...
aurelien mery
French
Review score: 9/10
Dived: 08 Mar 2024
great boat, convenient departure time. good equipment, great to have nitrox onboard. food was ok.
nice crew, briefing can be improved...
Manon
French
Review score: 9/10
Dived: 29 Dec 2023
We had a superb trip aboard the Merdeka, a beautiful an authentic boat experience for our families' first time in Thailand. The crew was lovely and th...
Helen & Tomas
Swedish
Review score: 9/10
Dived: 01 Dec 2023
Boat with à lot of space. Some cabins with space for your stuff as well so all in all the boat is a good choice for liveaboard.
Staff was great and...
KC
American
Review score: 9/10
Dived: 13 Nov 2023
Tour leader and divemasters were excellent.
I had toured much of this before, but the diving seemed much better. I’ think much of that was due to ...
Dani
American
Review score: 10/10
Dived: 22 May 2023
My husband and I did the 5 day trip on Merdeka 3. Our dive master Conner, Captain Addy, Chet, Fah and Bah were all wonderful. The room was comfortable...
Trish
New Zealander
Review score: 9/10
Dived: 10 Apr 2023
Great dives and snorkelling…..saw sharks, turtle, moray, etc. People were wonderful, food very yummy! Had a fun evening on Phi Phi amongst the Songk...
Jon
American
Review score: 10/10
Dived: 10 Mar 2023
Absolutely amazing experience with the friendly boat crew and amazing dive teams. This was my 1st Liveaboard and didn’t 6nts and couldn’t have as...
erskine
Hong Kongese
Review score: 10/10
Dived: 22 Feb 2023
Well maintained dive boat with experience dive guide, many awesome dive site, luckiest, saw the leoshark 😍😍, 4 meal per day cooked by the great ...
Ren
Malaysian
Review score: 9/10
Dived: 11 Feb 2023
Had a very good LOB experience on the Phinisi. Very nice, good sized clean rooms, well equipped and comfortable dive platform, and just wonderful guid...
HelenandTomas
Swedish
Review score: 9/10
Dived: 25 Nov 2022
Great trip. Nice boat.
Food was intresting ⭐️lokal food the way it should be done and the strange local dishes you don’t dare to try . You won...
Tomas
Swedish
Review score: 10/10
Dived: 25 Nov 2022
This was a really nice trip. The best diving in the west coast of Thailand. Richelui-HinDaeng. The food was great....
