It is quite possible that you never thought about packing a mask and snorkel before traveling to Koh Phangan. It is one of the better kept secrets of the island that there are some great local dive sites and snorkel sites. This post will look at a few of the best places to snorkel in Koh Phangan.
Koh Phangan is blessed with over 12 km of coral reefs and an abundance of marine life. The most famous spot is Koh Ma, just off the beach of Mae Haad in the North West. It is a small island connected to the mainland by a sand bank. It has a 30 meter long anemone garden that makes for great snorkeling. You can see Butterfly fish, Great Barracuda and the occasional reef shark.
Another great spot (and much better beach) is Haad Yao. It has a 1 km stretch of corals just off the beach. It is possible to swim out to the corals. The colorful corals are made up of table corals, barrel sponges and brain corrals. You can expect to see Porcupine fish, Squirrel fish and fusiliers. There are a few good dive shops on the beach.
Nearby is the former pirates’ hideout in Koh Phangan called Haad Salad. It is a beach with a very relaxed atmosphere. There is a coral system along the whole bay. At the southern end there is a sandy bottom – it is a great place to see Parrot fish and Damselfish as well as Blue Spotted stingrays.
Off the west coast there are some tiny islets that are great for both diving and snorkeling. They are not on the normal diving itineraries for the big Scuba schools in Koh Tao and so are good spots for undisturbed fish viewing. They are Kong Nui and Kong Nai. These two islets are close together. You can expect to see snappers, fan corals and Scorpion fish.
These are the best snorkeling spots around Koh Phangan. Most of which you can hire a motorbike and visit independently. So pack that mask and snorkel.
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