Phi Phi Dives: Koh Bida Nok

Koh Bida Nok (or Outer Father Island) is located 2km south of Phi Phi Ley within the Phi Phi National Park, and is widely thought of as the best dive in the area. Dives typically start or finish in the bay in the south of the island. Here is a shallow coral garden full of reef fish, but you can often see special things like devil scorpionfish, banded sea kraits, octopus and cuttlefish, and schools of squid. You then have two choices which direction to go - east or west.

The west side of the island is a wall covered in amazing soft corals and sea fans. You can spot many macro things here such as nudibranc's, seahorses, ornate ghost pipefish, an array of shrimps and moray eels. There are plenty of overhangs and even a cave (enter with experience only) which are home to painted spiny lobster, large groupers and if you are lucky...harlequin shrimp!

The east side is a shallow reef and a sloping sandy bottom - look out for leopard sharks, Kuhl's stingrays, bent stick pipefish, peacock mantis shrimps, peacock flounder and a multitude of shrimps and gobies. The shallow reef is a good place to hang out and try to spot the black tip reef sharks that patrol around this island, or maybe one of the turtles munching on some coral.

There are huge schools of fish all around the site - plenty of snapper, fusiliers, trevally, tuna and some big barracuda. If the currents are running you can often see a lot of feeding action. Although not regular visitors, we have seen whale sharks here so make sure to keep one eye out in the blue!

This is an amazing dive site which is accessible year round and is suitable for all levels of divers. It is a fixed site on our famous Phi Phi Overnight trip so contact us if you would like to explore further: info@calypsophuket.com :)