Diving & Snorkeling From Rawai & Nai Harn
Whether you’re looking to escape the sweltering heat, relax away from Phuket’s bustling streets, or you just love to dive or snorkel, Phuket has plenty of options to get you into the cooling water with some colorful and mesmerizing marine life. And with some beautiful beaches and bays close at hand, in addition to being close to Chalong Pier, the Rawai and Nai Harn areas are the perfect places to enjoy Phuket’s best diving and snorkeling sites.
From relaxed snorkeling sessions straight from the beach to day trips to farther-flung islands like Phi Phi and Racha, there are plenty of options for beginners and seasoned scuba divers alike. So, without further ado, let’s dive on in and see where you can go to find the best diving and snorkeling from Rawai and Nai Harn at the southern tip of Phuket Island…
Diving & Snorkeling Sites From Shore
There’s no need for long boat trips and fancy dive equipment; Rawai and Nai Harn offer stunning snorkeling adventures right from the shore! You can simply grab your mask, fins, and some reef-safe sunscreen and head to one of these beautiful beaches in and around the Rawai and Nai Harn areas to snorkel. If you do want to scuba dive rather than snorkel from shore, you can also head to Kata Beach, a short drive north of Rawai and Nai Harn.
Nai Harn Beach
Nai Harn Beach is one of the best beaches in the south of Phuket. It’s soft, golden sand is perfect for soaking up the sun in relative peace, and if you take your mask, snorkel, and fins, you can also enjoy some nice, relaxed snorkeling among plenty of colorful reef fish. Keep your eyes open for butterflyfish, angelfish, and clownfish, and there’s always the chance of a turtle cruising by too.
During high season, the sea is flat and calm, and the conditions are ideal for relaxed snorkeling. As you stand on the beach facing the ocean, the left side of the bay is the best place to start. By following the contour of the shore, you can stay where the water is at a comfortable depth for you, and you’ll see plenty of fish darting in and amongst the cracks and crevices in the rocks.
You can also explore the right side of the bay, although you can also head to Ao Sane Beach, located on that side of the bay, to explore that side more easily.
Ao Sane Beach
While you can snorkel to Ao Sane Beach from Nai Harn Beach, it’s easier to snorkel on this side of the bay from Ao Sane itself. To get to the beach, follow the road through the Nai Harn Resort, and the beach will be on your left. It’s a smaller beach than Nai Harn, and its golden sand is interspersed with a few rocks and boulders. The rocks and boulders continue into the sea and provide shelter for the many resident reef fish.
Snorkeling above the rocks, keep an eye out for moray eels poking their heads out from nooks and crannies, and you should also see plenty of the same colorful reef fish as you can see at Nai Harn. Pairs of butterflyfish flit to and fro, vibrant parrotfish and angelfish munch on algae and coral, and you can see some clownfish hiding among the tentacles of their host anemones.
Yanui Beach
On the other side of Nai Harn Beach, you can find another small, hidden gem beach: Yanui Beach. The small, tree-lined sandy beach is split in two by a rock formation, and you can snorkel around it, peering into the dark cracks as you go. The sea is usually nice and flat in high season and, in addition to being good for snorkeling, is also a good spot to hire a sea kayak or an SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard).
Looking out to sea from the beach, you will notice a small island – Koh Man – and you can snorkel across to it or paddle across with your snorkel equipment on a kayak. The water tends to be nice and calm here too, but the less experienced snorkelers may be better off staying around the rocky sections of Yanui Beach itself. You can expect to see the same marine life as at nearby Nai Harn and Ao Sane beaches, and if you head here for a late afternoon snorkel, you can then also take in the sunset from either the Windmill Viewpoint or the busier Promthep Cape.
Kata Beach
A short drive north along the coast from Rawai and Nai Harn will bring you to Kata, where you can find another great beach for snorkeling, Kata Beach. The beach at Kata is bigger than Nai Harn, Ao Sane, and Yanui beaches, but is still much quieter than bustling Patong Beach. In addition to offering good snorkeling, the beach has also become known as Phuket’s best shore dive beach, with lots of cool and bizarre critters to be found.
The northern end of the beach is best for marine life. If you head to this end of the beach, you will see an area that is roped off and free from longtail boats. This area is home to a shallow reef that you can snorkel above, or you can don some scuba equipment and explore at closer quarters. In addition to the regular, colorful reef fish that you can see on the other beaches, you have a good chance of seeing a few rarer critters such as seahorses, octopuses, and even well-camoflauged frogfish and scorpionfish blending into the reef.
Snorkeling Sites By Longtail Boat
If you fancy snorkeling a little farther afield but don’t want to commit to a full day on a dive boat out to Phi Phi or Racha, you can also hire a private longtail to take you to some of the islands close to Rawai, such as Koh Bon and Koh Lon. Hiring a private longtail gives you the freedom to go where you want and to explore at your own pace, on your own schedule..
Koh Bon
If you stand on Rawai Beach and look out to sea, you will notice an island directly in front of you. This is Koh Bon. To manage your expectations, if you search for Koh Bon on the internet, be sure you’re looking at the correct island. There is also a Koh Bon in the Similan Islands that is famous for visits from manta rays. This Koh Bon is different, and although there will be no mantas, there will be plenty of the usual tropical reef fish going about their day.
As well as the relaxed snorkeling away from the crowds, the tiny island also has a couple of nice beaches, and with very few tourists on the island, it’s a peaceful haven for a day or half-day trip. You can plan the day with the longtail driver, letting him know which beach you want to go to first and when you want to eat. For lunch, you can head to the Bon Island Restaurant for a fruit shake and a pad thai before heading back or on to the next snorkel spot.
Koh Lon
A little farther out, to the north-east of Koh Bon, is the island of Koh Lon. It will cost a little more to head here by longtail from Rawai Beach, but the idyllic, peaceful island has some nice powder-soft sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, and plenty to see below the waves. The island has a few beautiful and unspoiled beaches, and your longtail driver can advise you which will have the best conditions for snorkeling on the day of your trip.
You can also choose between just exploring the snorkeling at Koh Lon or combining it with Koh Bon on the way back to Rawai. After enjoying your morning snorkel on Koh Lon, you can decide which island looks best to you for lunch, and then snorkel at Koh Bon in the afternoon before returning to Phuket.
Diving & Snorkeling Sites By Daytrip Boat
While there is some great snorkeling in and around Rawai and Nai Harn, for the best marine life encounters, a day trip out to the Phi Phi Islands or the Racha Islands is worth considering. The dive boats head out from Chalong Pier at 8:00 a.m. each morning, with the bigger boats returning at around 5:00 p.m. and the speedboats reaching home a little earlier. Stop by one of the dive centers in Rawai, such as Aloha Dive, to see their boat schedule and which islands they are headed to on which days…
Phi Phi Islands
Perhaps Thailand’s most famous island group, the Phi Phi Islands feature two main islands – Phi Phi Ley and Phi Phi Don – and a number of smaller islands close by. Two of the smaller islands (Bida Nok and Bida Nai) offer the best diving and snorkeling and are where most dive boats head for the first two dives. On the way back to Phuket, the boats then usually stop at Shark Point or Koh Doc Mai on the way home for a third dive or snorkel.
At the Bidas, both snorkelers and divers will have a very good chance of seeing black-tipped reef sharks cruising the shallows, turtles munching on bubble corals, and a veritable plethora of tropical reef fish swimming among the colorful soft and hard corals. There’s also a reasonable chance of a huge whale shark popping by for a visit. You’ll need a little luck to see whale sharks, but swimming alongside these harmless giants is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience that you will never forget!
Racha Islands
The twin islands of Koh Racha Yai and Koh Racha Noi are known as the Racha Islands and are found about 20 kilometers south of Rawai Beach. The travel time is a little shorter than to Phi Phi, and the diving and snorkeling are also very good. Boats usually head to Racha Noi, the farthest island, first, and then head back to Racha Yai for the final dive or snorkel of the day.
Banana Bay is a common and gentle first dive site, and the area has nice, clear water and a variety of marine life to see. The shallow areas are perfect for less experienced divers and snorkelers, while more experienced divers can venture a little deeper and maybe even get a glimpse of an eagle or manta ray cruising by in the blue. There are also plenty of turtles to look out for, and you will definitely be able to find some clownfish here, peering out from the shelter of their anemones.
The day’s final dive is usually at the bay on Racha Yai, where there are, in addition to lots of marine life, a couple of small wrecks and even an upright motorbike that makes for great underwater photos.
What To Bring With You
Whether you opt for a day trip, a longtail trip, or just an afternoon of snorkeling at the beach, here are a few useful items that you can take with you to make your day run a little smoother:
Reef-safe sunscreen: Not all sunscreens are created equally, especially when it comes to ocean-based activities. Thailand has been looking to protect its underwater treasures more and more in recent years, and you should be aware that some sunscreens are now banned from its marine parks. To be protected from the law and from the sun’s rays, make sure you choose a reef-safe sunscreen that contains no ingredients that can harm the delicate marine ecosystem.
Rash guard: For even better protection from the sun, you can also use a rash guard. Rash guards are made from materials that offer UV protection, and they are a great way to keep your back and shoulders from burning while snorkeling. Be careful to apply sunscreen to areas not covered by the rash guard too, such as the back of the legs and neck.
Dry bag: Dry bags are especially useful in low season, when they can protect your belongings from sudden rain showers, but they are also perfect for hitting the beach in high season. They are commonly available in Phuket, and you will see them hanging in front of many shops in Rawai and Nai Harn.
Towel: It’s nice to dry off when you get out of the water, although the sun will also help in this respect. Quick-dry towels are a great option as they take up much less space than a beach towel, and, true to their name, they dry off much more quickly too.
GoPro: If you have a GoPro or similar camera, be sure to take it with you, but don’t forget to charge it beforehand too. If you plan to take lots of videos or photos, it could also be a good idea to take a second, spare battery.
Cash: Don’t forget to take some cash with you too. For beach or longtail trips, you may want to get some lunch or drinks along the way, or tip your driver if you have a great day. If heading out on a dive boat, lunch and soft drinks will usually be included, but check with your tour operator first to be sure.
In conclusion, if you’re excited about discovering the amazing underwater world around Rawai and Nai Harn, there’s still so much more to explore! Whether you like snorkeling close to the shore or want to venture out on a day trip to other islands, there are tons of cool options waiting for you.
To find out about more awesome snorkeling and diving trips, just check out the tours on the Phuket South website. Click on this link: Phuket South – Activities
Get ready for some incredible experiences as you dive into the clear blue waters of the Andaman Sea. Let these tour guides lead the way as you discover new underwater wonders and create memories that will last a lifetime!