If you have made it this far, it is because you have taken the bold (& incredible) choice to swim with our local blacktip reef sharks on Shark Point and want to know if there is a high probability of getting eaten alive by these magnificent creatures. Spoiler alert! You will not be eaten by the sharks, however, there are a few things to have in mind to ensure your safety and above all to increase the chance of seeing our black tipped, fined friends on the house reef.

WHERE IS SHARK POINT?

Shark point, the best place to snorkel with sharks on phi phi is situated in front of Blacktip Scuba which is on the southern part of Long Beach southeast of Tonsai Pier. It is just a 5-minute longtail taxi boat ride (100 THB/ person during the day (past 18:30) and 150 THB during the night or a smooth 30-minute trek by the coastline. You can also walk the main ”road” from town, but it is a steep 45-minute trek up the mountain (you will need decent shoes and drinking water for trek up). The entrance to viewpoint 3 can be taken from this road too.

HOW TO GET TO SHARK POINT?

OPTION ONE: FOLLOW THE COAST LINE

Ask for Bayview Resort and follow the cement path that borders the coastline. This path will eventually take you to Viking Nature Resort. From Viking Nature Resort, it’s just a quick yet steep climb down a 20m jungly path and voila, You have amid it to Long Beach. All you need to do is walk to the opposite side of the Beach where Shark Point is!

OPTION TWO: TAXI BOAT

You can take a taxi boat from anywhere on Phi Phi. Mind you if you are in the Tonsai Area it is better to take the long tail taxi boat from the pier or at least in the Tonsai Bay area as the cost will be 100 THB / person during the day and past 18:30 150/ THB per person.
If you find yourself on the north face of the island the price will be a lot higher for a taxi boat directly to Shark Point. It will be worth talking to your hotel and taking a taxi boat or shuttle boat to Tonsai and either walking or taking a taxi boat from the pier.

OPTION THREE: THE ROAD. AKA “THE LONG WAY”

Between JJ Bungalow & Chunut House start the “long trek” up the mountain. This is the only main “road” on the island and is subject to motorbike & car traffic (yes there are approximately 5 – 6 cars on the island) and the occasional truck if there is any construction. Keep an eye out for fast-moving vehicles! This road takes you to the beginning of the path to viewpoints 2 and 3 & Loh Ba Gao Bay as well as the main Thai village, the Mountain Beach Resort and water park and finally to Long Beach through Phi Phi The Beach Resort. At the end of the road, you will finally arrive at Blacktip Scuba which is right in front of Shark Point. If open pop by and ask for the most updated information regain where the sharks are and any special creatures to look out for.

BEST TIME TO SNORKEL SHARK POINT

These are the 4 factors in order of importance that make a magnificent Shark Point experience. However, don’t worry if all 4 points do not coincide. it is quite difficult as there are natural factor and human factors to take into consideration.

TIME

Early Morning. 6:00am- 8:00 am is the best time with less boat traffic. During the afternoon around 17:00, most boat tours are gone or doing the sunset segment of their tour.

NUMBER OF BOATS

If getting up early is not your thing, the next important thing is to make sure there are not too many boats around the area. Shark Point can get excessively full, but during the day there are breaks where the number of snorkelers and boats is not too excessive.

TIDES & CURRENTS

The more water there is the easier it is to see the sharks, however, if the tide is very high, this can cause strong currents making the experience slightly harder than usual.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS

BOAT TRAFFIC

The biggest hazard by far is the boat traffic you can get between the shore and the actual rocks where the sharks are normally found. Local longtail boats are normally aware of the presence of snorkelers. However other long tail boats or even speed boats that do not work directly in Long Beach may pass rather quickly. To avoid any major accidents we always advise not to snorkel betting the shore and the first rocks, where the boat channel is found.

SEA URCHINS

They are very present along the entire reef on both Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lee. If you have a mask & snorkel you will easily see them, however, to avoid getting stung, make sure you are careful when stepping on the bottom. Look for sandy areas and above all, AVOID stepping on the coral reef.

CONE SHELLS

Cone shells are beautiful shellfish with an invertebrate living inside. As much as it looks like a beautiful souvenir, take note that the animal living inside has a highly toxic neurotoxin and does not hesitate to use it if disturbed and picked up. To avoid any issues with aquatic life injuries. Do not touch anything on the reef.

OTHER POISONOUS SEA LIFE

Yes, there are a few animals in the ocean that are also venomous. These include lionfish, scorpion fish, devil scorpion fish and sea snakes just to name a few. As much as being a very poisonous animal, they are normally inoffensive if left alone. You can always observe these animals quite closely but please maintain your distance and avoid touching them. In case you do get stung, make sure to get in contact with medical services ASAP and contact your insurance. If close by, you can talk to any of the Blacktip Scuba staff for assistance. All the staff members are trained in oxygen & first aid treatment for aquatic animal injuries.

EQUIPMENT RENTAL & BOAT RENTAL

Rental equipment can be easily found and bought along the beach. Every hotel rents & sells its set of masks & snorkels, however, quality and prices may vary.

Very close to Shark Point you will find the “Let’s Sea Bar”. Rental prices are:

• Deposit per person 1000 THB
• 50 THB Mask & Snorkel
• 50 THB Fins
• 50 THB Lifejacket

If you want to reach shark point hassle free, you can rent a longtail boat from the bar. At the time of this article, they were charging 500 THB for 2 people for a boat ride out. The boat will wait for you for an our and take you back to the bar. This ideal if you are planning on snokeling with children or weak swimmers

Mountain Beach Resort (meeting point)

• Deposit 500 THB
• 100 THB Mask & Snorkel
• NO FINS
• 100 THB Lifejacket

Blacktip Scuba

• Snorkel Buoy: 300 THB
• New PSI Snorkel Set for sale: 1400 THB

WHAT CAN I SEE WHILE SNORKELING

While this spot may not be the best to see all the marine fauna Phi Phi has to offer, it still has a lot of marine biodiversity and interesting animals. It is also interesting to point out that scuba diving and snorkeling on Shark Point are two completely different experiences and are worth taking into account if you have the time. Talk to the Blacktip Scuba staff for more information.

Here is a list of the top sea creatures seen up to date.

For more up to date information, pass by the dive center. Our staff will be happy to inform you of the latest animal sightings and where they can be found.

WHERE ARE THE SHARKS?

The sharks are generally found on the southern side of Shark Point. To make it easier: face the sea, and swim on the left side of the rocks. Still not clear? Here is a quick map to help you get a better idea.

You will have to cross the boat channel swimming, DON NOT SNORKEL IN THIS CHANAL! Once you are close to the middle rock (on a super hide tide, this rock is barely visible) you should be ok from boat traffic.
We like to personally say to start in the channel between the large & middle rock and swim very slowly towards the left keeping an eye out for sharks 180º around you. Once you see one DO NOT CHASE THE SHARKS as they will only get scared and swim away. And, as mentioned earlier, AVOID STANDING ON THE CORAL REEF where sea urchins and other animals live.

TOP TIP: If you want them to get very close, swim very slow and once you see one stop and stay still. They will normally come back. Note that these sharks are very scared of the noise and our presence, so the less you move, and the less noise you make the closer they will get and the better Go-Pro footage you will have!

If you really enjoy sharks, you can always see them scuba diving in the marine park with us. Get in touch to find out how! Not a diver yet? Try it first with our half day, PADI Discover Scuba Diving program?