Where to snorkel in and around Phuket: islands, bays, season and rules

Where to snorkel: three levels

Snorkelling in southern Thailand divides by distance and difficulty. The further you go from Phuket, the richer the reef and the longer the day.

The beaches of southern Phuket. Phuket Tour names the sea off Ao Sane and Nai Harn, where coral reefs lie near the shore, and the beaches of Kata and Kata Noi. You do not need a boat, but these are reefs near the shore and water quality depends on the swell.

Near islands, 15-60 minutes away.

• Racha Yai. Rawai Municipality describes the bays of Ao Siam and Ao Khon Khae on the far side of the island: branching, plate and bushy corals, and small fish such as butterflyfish and groupers. Simba Sea Trips reports 15-20 m visibility on calm water. See the Racha page
• Coral Island (Ko He). Simba Sea Trips says snorkelling is from the beach: you wade into shallow water over coral, with visibility often over 15 m in calm weather. Phuket Tour takes guests to Hin Dam bay on the far side of the island. The reefs are simple. See Coral Island
• The Khai Islands. Thai Holiday Guide calls the reef at Khai Nui “fine but not spectacular”. See Khai
• Maiton Island. Phuket Tour includes snorkelling beside the island with a look at the reef. A landing is not confirmed, see Koh Mai Thon

Parks on a full day. Phi Phi, Bamboo, the Similans and Surin offer richer water, but the day is longer and a park fee applies. See the pages on Phi Phi, the Similans and Surin.

What is closed on 18 October 2026

On DNP’s national park status page, Ko Pling (เกาะปลิง) and the surrounding reefs in Sirinat National Park (in Phuket) are closed from 8 May 2026, diving off the west side of Ko Khai in the Phi Phi park is closed (from 16 May 2026), and several dive points in the Similans are closed. The dates on the portal use the Buddhist calendar (69 = 2569) and the page itself is undated. Closures protect recovering reefs, so check the status before you go.

How a snorkelling day goes

A typical day on the near islands runs like this:

1. Transfer to the pier, a briefing from the guide, masks, snorkels and life jackets handed out
2. A 15-60 minute crossing by speedboat or catamaran
3. A first stop at a reef or on a beach
4. Lunch and a rest ashore
5. A second stop at another part of the reef
6. Back to the pier and transfer to the hotel

For specific programmes see the Racha, Coral and Khai pages: operators differ in timing and order of stops.

Season and visibility

Simba Sea Trips divides the year into a dry season from November to February, a shoulder March-May and a rainy June-October with afternoon showers and a choppy sea. By the same source visibility at Racha is 15-20 m on calm days and often over 15 m at Coral Island.

More in Phuket climate by month.

Getting there and how far it is

You reach the southern beaches by land: Ao Sane lies by Nai Harn and Kata Noi is next to Kata. Boats go from the piers at Chalong, Ao Makham, Ao Po and Rassada, which one depends on the operator and the island. Time on the boat: Coral about 15 minutes (Rawai Municipality), Khai about 20 minutes, Racha 45-60 minutes by speedboat (Simba Sea Trips).

National park fee and what is included

For the near islands (Coral, Khai, Racha, Maiton) there is no DNP fee because they are not in the table. The parks do charge (DNP table, edition of 02.06.2023):

Some operators include the ticket in the tour price (Phuket Tour, Simba Sea Trips) and others collect it on the day. Ask before you pay. The price usually covers insurance, a guide and a hired mask, snorkel and jacket, with fins sometimes extra.

Options: shore, island, park

Simba Sea Trips caps Coral Island at 12 guests and recommends groups of 12 or fewer for Racha.

What to do in rain and swell

Wind and rain raise swell and cloud the water. Phuket Tour and Simba Sea Trips do not give cancellation rules on their snorkelling pages, so ask separately. Simba says beach snorkelling at Coral Island is possible on calmer days even in the rainy season. Khai lies on the east side of Phuket, where it is usually calmer than on the west coast (TMD, our reading of the map). In a storm the boats do not go, so move the day.

Safety

• Life jacket. Wear one, especially children and uncertain swimmers. Simba Sea Trips hands out jackets and offers flotation support
• Jellyfish. Box jellyfish are likelier in the monsoon months, and for Phuket TAT names Nam Bo Bay. Do not swim after heavy rain, at night or outside the buoys. For a sting use vinegar for at least 30 seconds, do not rub, and call 1669
• Clothing. A rash guard or lycra protects against sun and jellyfish (TAT)
• Coral. Do not touch or stand on it, and keep two metres away (DNP)
• Seasickness. Take the tablet before you leave and sit near the stern and the middle of the boat
• Current. Swim along the shore, and near a reef stay close to the guide and group

Coral rules and sunscreen

On 16 October 2025 the DNP reminded visitors that marine national parks ban products with four substances: oxybenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and butylparaben. The fine is up to 100,000 baht under Sections 20 and 47 of the 2019 National Park Act (The Thaiger). The ban has applied since 4 August 2021 (LexBangkok). Phuket’s near islands are not parks, but the same reef rules make sense there: a rash guard and a reef-safe product without those substances. Do not take shells or coral with you.

Who it suits and who should skip it

Suits:

• Beginners and children. Coral and Khai: a short crossing and shallow water
• Anyone who values visibility. Racha in November-April

Skip it if:

• You cannot swim. You need a jacket and a guide beside you
• You want rich reefs on a half day. They are in the parks on a full day
• You are pregnant and the sea is rough. Operators do not recommend a speedboat

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