The Bida´s

They are the same distance away from Lanta as Koh Haa, but due to their proximity to The Phi Phi Islands, they tend to be busier than Koh Haa.  The sites, however, never become crowded as the Phi Phi dive centers also use the sites around Phi Phi Lei a lot.

Bida Nok and Bida Nai have vast quantities of fish.  One could be 2 meters off the reef wall and not see the reef for fish!  The predatory fish can be seen hunting here in big numbers, and they’re not scared of divers.

Bida Nok has a small bay with a bottom at around 7-8 meters, ideal for courses.  Bida Nai has a lot of relatively big black tip reef sharks.  Leopard sharks are seen on most dives at any of the Bida’s, as are sting rays.

Bida Nok

This is the larger of the two Bida islands and the one furthest away from Koh Phi Phi Lei. The southwest section of the island’s reef has been formed by large pieces of rock that have fallen from the precipitous cliffs above to form a mountainous terrain, featuring walls that drop to elevated ledges. There is also a bay, ideal for snorkeling, protected by a submerged finger reef.

The fish here are abundant. Massive schools of snapper virtually obscure the steep slopes of the reef from view, and large predatory fish like golden trevally, great barracuda, and rainbow runners are suspended in the blue, watching and waiting. Across the sand at the mouth of the bay, you may find Kuhl’s stingrays, flounder, bent-stick pipefish, cuttlefish, and, if you’re lucky, a zebra shark.

There are also many stunning hard and soft corals, the most noticeable of which are the huge gorgonian sea fans.

Conditions

· Depth:  5m – 30m.

· Visibility:  Between 10m – 30m.

. Current:  Moderate.

· Level:  Suitable for all diving levels.

· Snorkeling:  Yes and so good.

Bida Nai

This is the smaller of the two Bida islands and the one closest to Koh Phi Phi Lei. It is possible to circumnavigate the island in about an hour. There are some nice big crevices and a couple of swim-throughs to explore. The west side of the island has a vertical wall, whilst the east side is a gently sloping reef with large sand patches.

There is a profusion of marine life at Koh Bida Nai. Not only is the reef home to a huge array of fish species, but the soft and hard corals are stunning, especially on the western wall. Zebra sharks are seen resting on the sand, whilst black-tip reef sharks circle the island. Hawksbill and green turtles are common, as are banded sea kraits and octopuses. Macro-life is also excellent with many varieties of shrimp, nudibranch, and crab easily spotted.

Conditions

· Depth:  5m – 26m.

· Visibility:  Between 10m – 30m.

· Current:  Moderate to strong.

· Level:  Suitable for all diving levels.

· Snorkeling:  Yes.

Hin Bida

This is a small rocky outcrop close to, and to the east of, Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai. It usually stands proud of the water by about a meter at one point, however, at high tide it is submerged. It is very easy to navigate, and also has a few big gullies to explore.

It is in these gullies that you may find the dive sites big draw – zebra sharks. They are regularly seen here, either resting on the sand or swimming in the shallows. An encounter with these animals swimming closely around you, whether you are diving or snorkeling, is something you’ll never forget! Also found here are cuttlefish, octopus, spiny lobster, and moray eels. Common reef fish such as snapper and surgeonfish school in their hundreds.

As this site is relatively shallow and exposed to the open seas, feather stars, plume worms, and brittle stars are seen here in huge numbers, feeding on the plankton caught in the currents.

Conditions

· Depth:  2m – 20m.

· Visibility:  Between 10m – 30m.

· Current:  Moderate.

· Level:  Suitable for all diving levels.

· Snorkeling:  Yes.