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Scuba Diving in Koh Lanta | Technical & Cave Diving Center
KOH BIDA DIVE SITES
Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai are two limestone islands located south of the Phi Phi Islands and are among the most popular dive sites visited from Koh Lanta. Together known as the Bidas, they offer a mix of shallow reefs, walls, swim-throughs, canyons and deeper sections, making them suitable for both new and experienced divers as well as snorkelers.
Journey time: 35minutes, distance 30km (speed boat)
Suitable: All levels diving & snorkeling
Maximum depth: 30m allowed for recreational divers (depth depending on certification level)
Diving in Koh Bida
Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai offer a variety of underwater landscapes, from sheltered shallow reefs and colourful marine life to walls, swim-throughs and canyons. The different areas around the two islands provide options for beginner divers as well as more experienced divers looking for deeper and more challenging terrain.
Bida Nok
Koh Bida Nok is the larger of the two islands and offers a variety of diving around its coastline. The sheltered bay on the south side has shallow waters that are ideal for beginner divers to practise their skills and is also a popular area for snorkeling.
The island's different sides offer a mix of shallow reefs, walls and underwater formations. Along the west, a finger reef leads into deeper water where octopuses, turtles and stingrays may be seen. The southwest has a vertical swim-through, while the north side features beautiful wall dives and a narrow underwater cave accessible to certified Cavern divers. The shallow reefs on the east side can also be a good place to look for blacktip reef sharks.
Suitable for: All levels of Diving and Snorkeling
Bida Nai
Koh Bida Nai offers diving with steep walls, swim-throughs, canyons and areas rich in smaller marine life. The western wall is covered in soft corals and provides good opportunities to look for nudibranchs, shrimps and other macro life.
On the southeast side, Fantasy Reef offers deeper and more challenging terrain, with steep walls, cracks and canyons that are particularly suited to experienced divers. Towards the east, the reef becomes shallower, with sandy areas where leopard sharks may sometimes be spotted.
Suitable for: All levels of Diving and Snorkeling
Marine Life at Koh Bida
Koh Bida is home to a wide variety of marine life, from colourful reef fish and soft corals to smaller creatures hiding among the rocks and reef. Divers may encounter parrotfish, butterflyfish, crown-of-thorns sea stars, nudibranchs, shrimps and moray eels, while octopuses, turtles and stingrays can sometimes be seen around the reefs and sandy bottoms.
The islands are especially known for encounters with blacktip reef sharks in the shallower areas and especially in the bay of Koh Bida Nok. Leopard sharks can be spotted around the sandy bottoms of Koh Bida Nai.
Who Can Join to Koh Bidas?
Koh Bida sites are suitable for different levels of divers, from beginners and first timers to more experienced divers.
The shallow, sheltered areas of Koh Bida Nok are ideal for beginner divers and can be used during Open Water Diver training to practise essential skills in the sea.
Certified divers can explore the different reefs around Koh Bida, with deeper sections, walls, swim-throughs and varied underwater terrain around both islands.
Koh Bida is also a popular destination for snorkeling, with shallow reefs, clear water and plenty of marine life to explore from the surface. Snorkelers especially join us for this site to spot black tip reef sharks.
A Day Trip to Koh Bida Dive Sites From Koh Lanta
Join us for a day of diving around the Bida islands. Our day trip includes two dives, with equipment, hotel transfers (between Saladan and Klong Nin, with Sri Lanta Resort being the last stop), breakfast, drinks, fruit and lunch provided. After the dives, we return to Koh Lanta around midday.
The exact dive sites are planned according to sea conditions and the experience of the divers on board.
2 dives — from 3,800 THB (certified divers)
National Park fee not included.
Not a Certified Diver Yet?
You don't need to be a certified diver to experience scuba diving in Koh Bida. Try scuba diving with us and make your first dives in the sea.
2 dives — 4,800 THB
National Park fee not included.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Koh Bida suitable for beginner divers?
Yes, the dive site is suitable for all levels of diving, and snorkeling as well.
What is the maximum depth at Koh Bida?
The maximum depth depends on your level of certification. If you are not a certified scuba diver, you can try diving to maximum depth of 12 meters with our discover scuba dive experience.
What is the difference between Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai?
Koh Bida Nok is the larger island and has sheltered shallow areas, reefs, walls and swim-throughs, and is especially known for sightings of black tip reef sharks. Koh Bida Nai is smaller and is known for its canyons, cracks and macro life. There you might also encounter leopard sharks.
What marine life can I see at Koh Bida?
Koh Bida is home to a variety of marine life, including reef fish, turtles, octopuses, stingrays, nudibranchs and moray eels. Blacktip reef sharks and leopard sharks may also be seen, although sightings are never guaranteed.
How deep are the dive sites at Koh Bida?
Koh Bida is mostly a relatively shallow dive site, with plenty of areas to explore at moderate depths, while some sections reach deeper. Most of the marine life can be found above 18 metres.
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Koh Haa - Build Your Diving Skills
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Starting your scuba journey? Koh Haa is an ideal place to begin your Open Water Diver course, with shallow areas such as the Lagoon providing a comfortable environment to practise essential skills before progressing into deeper water.
Kled Kaew Wreck - Take Your Diving Further
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Hin Daeng & Hin Muang - Go Deeper
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Ready to take your diving to the next level? Explore our Technical Diving courses to develop new skills, work with specialised equipment configurations and learn techniques for deeper and more advanced dives.