Ko Lanta Snorkel Trip Review: Phi Phi and Bamboo Island Getaway

Dreaming of clear, turquoise waters and vibrant marine life? I’ve got to tell you, the Ko Lanta full-day snorkel excursion to Phi Phi and Bamboo Islands might be just what you’re searching for. That is, assuming you enjoy some time on the water, exploring a bit. I went on it not that long ago, and it really made for an experience I’m eager to break down. I’ll share the highlights, what to expect, and if it’s potentially worth adding to your itinerary if you are in Ko Lanta.

What to Expect on the Ko Lanta Snorkel Trip

The typical excursion begins super early, where they’ll grab you right from your hotel. From there, you get transferred to a speedboat. Expect a bit of a rocking boat for just over an hour headed straight for the Phi Phi Islands. They include spots for swimming, sunbathing, and underwater explorations.

One thing I need to bring up is that most tours try to pack a lot of adventure into one excursion, which is quite normal for the area. Like your average whirlwind, there is not nearly enough time dedicated to each place. Some are fine with this style, whereas others would prefer an extended amount of time somewhere.

Maya Bay and its Current Status

Now, Maya Bay might ring a bell, maybe that perfect beach made iconic, like really famous, by the movie “The Beach.” Word is that after heavy tourism that it took a break for rehabilitation, so what that looks like for trips may vary.

When I was there, they really wouldn’t let anyone actually walk on the beach; that is, it might depend on current preservation and restoration efforts. Still, just to lay eyes on the iconic place from afar it felt, very magical, it did, I gotta say. You see, this place had so much publicity at one time, that it seems like its now become more of a monument than just another Thai landmark.

Snorkeling in Pi Leh Lagoon

Pi Leh Lagoon felt rather special, really. I guess it’s because the lagoon offers up clear waters set against very tall limestone cliffs; honestly, you feel totally shut off. That, in addition to being an incredible location to jump in for some snorkeling. This stop let me watch tons of marine life. This felt like an excellent experience for anyone, not only experts.

Even if you aren’t that interested in the snorkeling stuff, which could be the case, the lagoon’s views alone were honestly really impressive; like worth the trip. You, like your travel partners, will likely enjoy it.

Exploring Bamboo Island

Bamboo Island offers, I suppose, something totally different. I’d have to say the biggest selling point comes down to the fact that it isn’t as populated. This provided such a peaceful area where I really got to loosen up. The beach felt so much better since you aren’t really dodging so many vacationers!

The ocean remains very inviting, if that’s what you’re into, like some people might feel like relaxing, others may want some excitement. What happens when you swim, is that you start to see colorful schools that literally seem to swim all around you. You do get access to rent snorkeling equipment. Even if you decide not to swim or anything, this is definitely, very appealing to someone that likes nice, chill, white-sand areas.

Things to keep in Mind Before Booking

Before signing up, keep a few of these items on your radar so that you aren’t getting surprised later down the line.

• Crowd Levels: Phi Phi Islands get lots of attention all through the entire year. Think about planning things out. Try off-peak to hopefully dodge super thick crowd levels.
• What’s Included: Most packages provide stuff like food, gear for snorkeling, also the costs when visiting any park areas. Always make sure so you won’t have any added expenses.
• The Weather: Thailand weather patterns usually impact, potentially impact, any experiences.
• Seasickness: You need to remember if you tend to get seasick on small ships you probably need some medicine to prevent sickness.

Is This Snorkel Trip for You?

That Ko Lanta excursion to Phi Phi with Bamboo sounds perfect, possibly ideal if, and only if, you’re down for, so okay with, some fast-moving day trips with snorkeling along beautiful views, right?

This might be best for someone who’s down for adventure. They want the ability to experience, as much as possible, the things these islands have to display. Still, the rushed tempo means that it probably doesn’t quite gel for anyone trying to slow down to do heavy relaxation, such as unwinding at just one area. So maybe not as great if, let’s just say, you just like doing your thing and moving on to a schedule of your choice.

So, really what it seems like is what this boils down to when figuring it out: What kind of excursion taker do you imagine yourself being? Knowing where you sit may shape everything to do with your experience in terms of relaxation or time crunch. Either way, consider this a potential vacation memory for sure!

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