Shark Point Koh Phi Phi: How to See Blacktip Reef Sharks

Koh Phi Phi’s Shark Point is one of the best places in Thailand to see blacktip reef sharks without joining a boat tour.

Located just off Long Beach on Phi Phi Don, it’s one of the few spots where you can simply swim out from the beach and snorkel over the reef.

I visited Shark Point while exploring Koh Phi Phi’s beaches and snorkelling spots, and it quickly became one of my favourite underwater experiences on the island.

Unlike many guides that make shark sightings sound guaranteed, this article explains what you can realistically expect, when to visit for the best chance of success, and how to snorkel here safely and responsibly.

Is Shark Point Worth Visiting? (Quick Verdict)

Yes, Shark Point is worth visiting if you want the best shore-access chance of seeing blacktip reef sharks Koh Phi Phi is known for.

The main reason to go is simple: you can snorkel independently from Long Beach and have a good change to spot incredible marine life.

The trade-off is that Shark Point is still an open-water snorkel around rocks, reef, possible current, and boat traffic.

If you are not comfortable swimming away from the beach, use a life jacket or book a guided option.

Quick Information

Important: this is not Phuket Shark Point or Hin Mu Sang, the offshore dive site between Phuket and Phi Phi. In this guide, Shark Point means the Long Beach reef on Koh Phi Phi Don.

Where Is Shark Point in Koh Phi Phi?

Shark Point is located just off Long Beach on Koh Phi Phi Don, the largest and only inhabited island in the Phi Phi archipelago.

The waters surrounding the islands are part of Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park, which protects the area’s coral reefs and marine life.

Long Beach lies southeast of Tonsai Village, about a 30 minute walk from the main pier where ferries arrive.

Rather than a marked attraction, Shark Point is a rocky reef just offshore from the southern end of Long Beach, where blacktip reef sharks are often seen swimming in the shallow water.

Interactive Map of the Shark Point and Best Snorkeling Spots in Koh Phi Phi

Use the map below to find the exact snorkeling location, see the easiest access from Long Beach, and discover a few other snorkeling spots nearby if you have time to explore more of Koh Phi Phi.

Exact Location of Shark Point on Koh Phi Phi

The easiest way to find Shark Point is to walk to the southern end of Long Beach and look out to sea.

You should see dark rocks breaking the surface offshore. The reef sits around those rocks, with sandy patches, coral, sea urchins, and fish nearby.

Use the visible rocks and a map marker rather than relying only on left/right instructions.

📍 See Shark Point on the Map

Coordinates: 7.7280° N, 98.7754° E

How to Get There

You can reach Long Beach from Tonsai Village by walking or by taking a taxi boat.

The walking route takes around 30-45 minutes from Tonsai Pier.

To get there head south past Laem Hin Beach and Hippies Bar, then continue along the coastal path towards Viking Beach and Long Beach.

You can also get a longtail boat from the Tonsai Pier, which usually takes around 5-10 minutes.

Prices vary by season, time of day, and negotiation. If you want to arrive before 7:00 AM, ask your hotel or a boat driver the evening before.

If you want the best shark window between 7:00 and 9:00 AM, a boat can be worth it.

My recommendation: walk one way and take a boat the other way. Walk for the scenic route; take a longtail if you want to be in the water early.

Can You Hire a Boat Just for Shark Point?

Yes, you can sometimes hire a local longtail boat from Long Beach or Tonsai to take you closer and wait nearby.

This is not usually necessary, but it can help with children or weaker swimmers.

Before agreeing, ask whether the boat waits, how long is included, whether gear is provided, and where you will enter.

Make it clear you do not want to be dropped on coral or in the boat channel.

How to Snorkel at Shark Point

When the sea is calm, enter from the Long Beach, swim towards the rocky reef, slow down, and watch the sandy edges.

Do not treat this like a fast swim to a fixed target. The sharks move, so look for quiet passes around the reef.

A good pattern is: swim out gently, pause before the rocks, scan the sandy edges, loop slowly, then return before you feel tired. Splashing makes wildlife more likely to leave.

Where to Enter the Water

The best entry is from the sandy southern section of Long Beach.

Avoid entering directly over rocks or coral. The reef can be shallow, and standing on coral damages it.

Sea urchins are common around rocky areas, so a sandy entry is safer.

Put your fins on while you can still stand on sand, then float and swim out gently.

Do not snorkel through the boat channel, especially later in the morning.

Before you swim out, choose a clear return point on the beach. A resort, tree line, or patch of sand makes it easier to stay oriented once you are looking down through a mask.

How Far Do You Need to Swim?

Expect to swim roughly 100-200 metres from shore to reach the main visible Shark Point rocks, depending on your entry point and the tide.

The rocks are the landmark; the shark-search area is broader. Avoid treating any single number as exact.

The practical rule is better: swim only as far as you can comfortably return from.

Around the reef, you may find shallow sections, sandy patches, and deeper edges. At low tide, parts of the reef can become too shallow, increasing the risk of scrapes, coral contact, and sea urchins.

For most independent travellers, this is an easy to moderate swim in calm conditions. Fins help; without them, even light current can make the return tiring.

If you are not confident, stay closer to Long Beach, wear a life jacket, use a snorkel buoy, or join a guided tour.

How Long Should You Spend Looking?

Give yourself 20-40 minutes in the water if conditions are good.

Some sightings happen quickly. Other times you may need to float quietly and wait. If the current picks up, boats start passing close by, visibility drops, or you feel tired, turn back.

Do not wait until you are tired to return. The swim back is the part that matters.

What to Expect

Shark Point is not only about sharks.

The underwater scene is a mix of rocks, reef patches, sandy areas, sea urchins, and reef fish.

You may see parrotfish, butterflyfish, cuttlefish, and other reef animals. Venomous reef animals can occur too, so do not touch anything underwater.

Visibility changes quickly. On a good dry-season morning, the water can be clear enough for relaxed snorkelling and spotting movement along the reef edge.

After wind, rain, swell, or heavy boat traffic, Shark Point becomes much less rewarding.

This is why timing matters. Early morning usually gives you calmer water, fewer swimmers, fewer boats, and less stirred-up sand.

If you only have one snorkel session on Phi Phi Don, Shark Point is the strongest choice for sharks.

What Sharks Can You See?

The sharks at Long Beach Shark Point are blacktip reef sharks, which is why this has become one of the better places for snorkeling with sharks Thailand offers from shore.

Blacktip Reef Sharks

Blacktip reef sharks are grey-brown above, lighter underneath, and have black markings on the tips of their fins.

They prefer shallow reef, reef flats, sand flats, and reef drop-offs.

In the water, they may pass by quickly, circle at a distance, or disappear before you can get a good look.

Are They Dangerous?

Blacktip reef sharks are not considered a serious danger to snorkellers. Although they have occasionally bitten people, they do not pose a serious threat to humans.

That being said, they are still wild animals.

The safest approach is simple: float calmly, keep your hands to yourself, and let the shark decide how close it wants to come.

Do not chase, dive towards, block, feed, or enter with food.

For most people snorkeling off Long Beach, the bigger practical risks at Shark Point are usually currents, boat traffic, shallow coral, sea urchins, sun exposure, and jellyfish.

What Are Your Chances of Seeing Sharks?

Your chances are better here than at most shore snorkelling spots on Phi Phi Don, but they are not guaranteed.

A no-shark morning does not mean the spot is fake; it usually means the timing, visibility, tide, or disturbance was not in your favour.

The wider Phi Phi Islands have been recognised as an Important Shark and Ray Area, with research identifying regular blacktip reef shark habitat use around the area.

Your chances improve if you go early, aim for calm mid-to-high tide, move quietly, and avoid crowded periods.

If seeing sharks is your main reason for visiting Koh Phi Phi, plan more than one possible attempt.

Best Time to See Sharks at Shark Point Koh Phi Phi

The best time to visit Shark Point Koh Phi Phi is early morning in calm conditions, ideally on a mid-to-high tide.

Best Time of Day

The best time of day is 7:00-9:00 AM.

Early morning works because the sea is often calmer before wind and boat traffic pick up. Fewer people in the water also means less disturbance around the reef.

Later in the morning, boats arrive, swimmers spread out, and visibility can get worse as sand is stirred up.

Late afternoon can be a backup after day boats move on, but only if the sea is calm and you have enough daylight.

If you are staying on Long Beach, go before breakfast. If you are staying in Tonsai Village, start the walk early or take a longtail boat.

Best Tide

The best tide is usually calm mid-to-high tide, not necessarily the highest possible tide.

At higher water levels, there is more space over the reef, which reduces the chance of touching coral or getting too close to sea urchins.

Very low tide is not ideal because the reef can become too shallow.

Use the tide as one part of the decision, not the only rule. Tide tables help, but your eyes matter more.

A calm mid-tide is better than a choppy high tide. If the water looks rough, murky, or full of boat movement, wait or skip it.

Best Season

The best season is generally November to April, when the Andaman Coast has its most reliable dry-season conditions.

December to March is often the most stable period. April can still be good, but it is hotter.

The rainy season, roughly May to October, is quieter and cheaper, but sea conditions are less predictable.

If visiting during monsoon season check Thai Meteorological Department website, where they issue marine warnings during rough periods.

You can still get calm days in rainy season. But visibility is more hit-and-miss, and conditions can change faster.

For snorkelling, judge the day, not just the month. If the water is calm and clear, Shark Point can still be worth trying. If there is swell, wind, or poor visibility, skip it.

Can You Visit Without a Tour?

Yes, you can visit Shark Point without a tour.

Unlike Bamboo Island, Phi Phi Leh, or many offshore reefs, Shark Point can be reached from shore. This is what makes it so convenient for independent travellers.

Independent Snorkelling

Independent snorkelling is best if you are a confident swimmer and can judge conditions yourself.

If you already have a mask and fins, the main expense is getting to Long Beach.

Go independently if the sea is calm, visibility looks decent, and you are comfortable swimming 100-200 metres from shore.

Avoid it if you are a weak swimmer, with young children, there is current or boat traffic, or you do not have fins or flotation.

If this would be your first snorkel, start with an easier Long Beach swim before continuing towards Shark Point.

Snorkelling Tours

A snorkelling tour is worthwhile if you are a beginner, travelling with children, not confident in open water, or want to combine several spots.

But be sure to check the itinerary before booking!

Not every Phi Phi snorkelling tour stops at Shark Point. If a tour advertises “shark watching”, ask whether it means Long Beach Shark Point specifically.

Safety Tips for Shark Point

Shark Point is generally safe in calm conditions, but it deserves more care than a casual beach swim.

Watch for currents. Currents can be stronger around rocks and reef edges, especially when the tide is moving. Turn back before you feel tired.

Avoid the boat channel. Longtails and tour boats move around Long Beach, especially later in the morning. Stay visible and do not assume every driver has seen you.

Use flotation if needed. A life jacket or snorkel buoy helps with confidence and visibility.

Check for jellyfish. Jellyfish can appear unpredictably, especially around monsoon conditions. If locals warn against swimming, listen.

Protect the coral. Do not stand on coral, kick it with fins, or touch the reef. Thailand’s coral-protection guidance is simple: do not touch, collect, or disturb marine life.

Watch for sea urchins and venomous reef animals. Sea urchins are common around the rocks, and other reef animals may sting or bite if handled.

Know your swimming ability. If the swim out looks stressful from the beach, it will feel longer in the water.

Never chase wildlife. Stay calm and quiet. Chasing sharks makes them leave and stresses the animals.

Avoid snorkelling alone. Go with someone if possible, especially early in the morning.

Skip it in bad weather. No shark sighting is worth swimming in choppy, murky water.

Keep your exit simple. Return to the same sandy area you entered from. Avoid climbing out over rocks, coral, or sea urchin areas.

What to Bring for Snorkelling at the Phi Phi Shark Point

You do not need much, but the right gear makes Shark Point safer and more comfortable.

You can rent basic snorkelling gear on or near Long Beach, but quality varies. If snorkelling is a big part of your Thailand trip, bring your own mask.

Only bring what you can manage while swimming or safely leave with someone on the beach. Do not leave valuables unattended on the sand while you snorkel.

Shark Point vs Other Snorkelling Spots in Koh Phi Phi

Snorkeling Spot	Best For	Coral & Fish	Crowds	Access	My Verdict
Shark Point (Long Beach)	Shore snorkeling	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Medium	Swim from shore	Best overall for independent snorkeling.Easy to reach, clear water, and the island’s most reliable snorkeling spot.
Loh Moo Dee Beach	Quiet beach snorkeling	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Low	Walk from Long Beach or boat	Great alternative if you want fewer people and a more relaxed atmosphere.
Viking Beach	Relaxed snorkeling close to Tonsai	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	Low	Coastal hike or boat	A good stop during the coastal hike, with decent snorkeling and kayak rentals.
Nui Beach	Scenic snorkeling	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	Low–Medium	Jungle hike or long-tail boat	One of the most beautiful beaches on Phi Phi, combining clear water with a secluded setting.
Bamboo Island	Boat-trip snorkeling	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Medium	Boat tour	Some of the clearest water around Phi Phi and excellent snorkeling, but only accessible by boat.
Phi Phi Leh (Loh Samah Bay & nearby reefs)	Boat tour snorkeling	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	High	Boat tour only	Fantastic marine life and dramatic scenery, though usually much busier than Long Beach.

Plan the Rest of Your Koh Phi Phi Trip

If Shark Point is on your itinerary, it’s worth planning a little extra time on Koh Phi Phi.

Long Beach is one of the island’s best places for independent snorkelling, but it’s only one of many highlights.

Before your trip, compare the best snorkelling spots to decide whether Shark Point is the right choice for you.

If you’re planning to stay nearby, my guide to the best beaches in Koh Phi Phi will help you choose the right area.

Check my complete Koh Phi Phi travel guide and read also:

Still choosing islands? The Koh Phi Phi vs Koh Lipe comparison is useful if snorkelling is a major priority.