Koh Phangan

[CindyJay]

We want to spend a few days snorkeling at Koh Phangan. I was hoping to get some advice on the best areas to snorkel from the shore. I have read that the best spots are in the NW area, BUT I also have read a lot about the tides being a problem during certain times of the year. If someone could explain the tide thing to me?? I live by the ocean and we have hi/lo but apparently there's something special about the tides around Phangan. We will be there in June.

Also any input on accomadations would be nice. Looking for quiet, beachfront, restaurants nearby, not fancy but would like our own bathroom.

thanks!

[Tomissan]

We want to spend a few days snorkeling at Koh Phangan. I was hoping to get some advice on the best areas to snorkel from the shore. I have read that the best spots are in the NW area, BUT I also have read a lot about the tides being a problem during certain times of the year. If someone could explain the tide thing to me?? I live by the ocean and we have hi/lo but apparently there's something special about the tides around Phangan. We will be there in June.

Also any input on accomadations would be nice. Looking for quiet, beachfront, restaurants nearby, not fancy but would like our own bathroom.

thanks!

Best to go to Koh Tao. The snorkeling there is (or used to be) fantastic. The problem on Koh Phangan is that the reef is quite far from shore and in low tide you'll have a long and uncomfortable walk in very shallow water not deep enough to swim through. I haven't been to Koh Tao for many years so don't know the situation now, but I'm sure others on this site could verify or comment on current conditions...

[sbk]

Koh Mah off of Mae Haad has the best, most easily accessible snorkelling on Koh Phangan. Regardless of the tides, it is possible to reach the reef without having to walk or swim large distances.

Tides on Koh Phangan, which translates as Sand Bar Island btw, from Sept-Mar the tides are quite high along the SW and South sides of the island and are low in the evening, from Apr-Sept the tides are quite low in the daytime and only come in the evening. It has more to do with the wind than normal tidal activity.

[t.s]

Koh Mah off of Mae Haad has the best, most easily accessible snorkelling on Koh Phangan. Regardless of the tides, it is possible to reach the reef without having to walk or swim large distances.

Tides on Koh Phangan, which translates as Sand Bar Island btw, from Sept-Mar the tides are quite high along the SW and South sides of the island and are low in the evening, from Apr-Sept the tides are quite low in the daytime and only come in the evening. It has more to do with the wind than normal tidal activity.

haad salad, koh mah and the areas along that coast can be very good for snorkelling. low tides actually do you a favour by bringing the reef closr to the surface and increasing visibility. it is a bit of a hump to get to deep water, but the snorkeling benefits from it

[CindyJay]

Thanks ya'll! That's exactly what I wanted to know!