Koh Bida Nok
Dive sites of the Phi Phi archipelago: Koh Bida Nok rock island
Koh Bida Nok is a small rock island located about two kilometers south of Phi Phi Island. The island is no more than 100 meters in diameter. It is not suitable for living, but it is one of the most beautiful dive sites in the area.
If you are going on a one-day trip from Phuket to dive around the Phi Phi Islands, there is a high chance this will be your first dive site.
This site is rarely chosen for people who have never dived before and do not have at least an Open Water certification. At the same time, the average depth is around 6 meters - but it is absolutely worth it.
The dive usually starts in a small bay at Bida Nok. Depth in the bay ranges from 1 to 5 meters, and divers often spend a lot of time there. The bottom is covered with coral reefs where many different fish swim --- from small clownfish to large barracudas. The main attraction of this bay, however, is the reef sharks that live here.
Reef sharks are not dangerous to humans. I would even say they are more afraid of us than we are of them. They can grow up to 2.5 meters, although such individuals are considered very large. On average, they are around 1 meter long.
They are fast and shy, so you need to constantly look around to spot them. As mentioned earlier, they usually do not pose a threat to people. However, that does not mean you should try to touch them. Sharks have sharp teeth, and if they feel threatened, they can bite.
If you swim to the left side of the bay, you can reach depths of over 30 meters. Descending along the wall, you will often see large schools of fish moving in perfect synchrony. This phenomenon is called murmurations --- synchronized movement of fish or birds.
Swimming next to or even inside these schools, you can easily lose track of time - just don't forget to check your air pressure.
As you go deeper, you may find a resting leopard shark or a ray, and sometimes even octopuses.
Coral lovers will definitely enjoy this dive site. In addition to the common gorgonians, acropora, and other hard corals of the Andaman Sea, you can also see soft corals, bubble corals, and sea anemones.
This dive site is one of my personal favorites. No matter the conditions --- calm and clear water on a sunny day or low visibility with strong current - there is always something new and interesting to see.
