Also known as Sama Bay, Loh Samah Bay is one of the most popular and astonishingly beautiful destinations of Koh Phi Phi Leh. Lying on the eastern side of the southern tip of the island, Loh Samah Bay features a small islet in the middle and a small beach on its northern part.
Loh Samah Bay is separated from the Maya Bay by a limestone cliff and there is a tiny hole offering visitors access to the bay during low tide. A wooden staircase constructed on the side-facing Maya Bay offers unobstructed mesmerizing views of the bay and the islet.
The picturesque Loh Samah Bay makes for an excellent diving and snorkeling destination for tourists on a trip to Thailand. The bay features a depth between 5 and 20 meters and offers an amazing visibility ranging from 5 to 15 meters. Diving is primarily done on the small island lying at the entrance of this bay.
The islet is flanked by 8 to 20 meters tall walls that are shrouded completely with shellfish and soft and hard corals. This is the place where you can find a host of colourful fish, parrots, and scorpions. With a number of yellow and blue fish living a little below the surface of the water, Loh Samah Bay offers an unmatched snorkelling opportunity.
Packed with light reflecting crustaceans on the seabed, Loh Samah Bay also makes for one of the top-rated night snorkeling sites in Phi Phi. Visitors can rent a long-tail boat and tour the bay, jumping off into the water to snorkel and dive at the most suitable places.
There are also a myriad of amazing places to stay and eat near Loh Samah Bay, letting globetrotters enjoy a comfortable and convenient day out to the bay.
• Head for a super thrilling and fun-filled day out to the postcard-perfect Loh Samah Bay.
• Go snorkelling in the shallow crystal-clear waters of the bay, between the islet and Koh Phi Phi Leh and get a chance to spot a host of colourful fish living on the surface.
• Dive down 20 meters and experience swimming with the fish
• Head for an exhilarating night diving trip and soak in the enchanting view of gorgonian sea fans, soft corals, and thousands of crustaceans on the seabed.
• Capture stunning pictures of the towering limestone cliffs and lush environs.
Places to visit near Loh Samah Bay
1. Ko Phi Phi Lee: Ko Phi Phi Lee happens to be a beautiful uninhabited island lying 1.5 kilometers away from the southernmost tip of Phi Phi Don. The island is home to spectacular lush green vertical cliffs, pristine tropical coral seas, and small sandy beaches. Ko Phi Phi Lee offers good snorkeling and diving opportunities to water sports enthusiasts.
2. Ton Sai Beach: Nestled between two lofty limestone cliffs, Ton Sai Beach is an unexplored beach of Railay peninsula. Offering a quiet and calm atmosphere, Ton Sai Beach has a few decent restaurants and bars offering delicious snacks and beverages. Surrounded by lofty limestone cliffs, Ton Sai Beach offers unparalleled rock climbing experiences. Visitors on Ton Sai Beach will also have the opportunity to engage in scuba diving and sea kayaking.
3. Ko Bida Nok: The southernmost islet of the Phi Phi Islands, Ko Bida Nok is encompassed by breathtaking limestone rocks rising from the Andaman Sea. This islet lacks land access and is known popularly for its excellent diving opportunities. On your diving trip, you can spot umpteen varieties of marine creatures, including stingrays and zebra sharks. There is also a cave here that can be explored by people who have experience in cave diving.
4. Phi Le Lagoon: Nicknamed as Pi Ley Cove and Ao Pileh, the pristine Phi Le Lagoon is one of the most enchanting destinations on Koh Phi Phi Leh. Almost separating Koh Phi Phi Leh into two halves, Phi Le Lagoon is like a canyon. Surrounded by 100 meters high limestone cliffs, this 600 meters long lagoon offers unmatched snorkelling experiences. The western side of the Phi Le Lagoon has some beautiful small beaches offering excellent swimming opportunities.
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5. Ko Mai Phai: Located in the north of Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Mai Phai has breathtaking coral reefs and pristine beaches on its eastern and northern sides. Ko Mai Phai is one of the most popular snorkeling destinations in the country. There is also a shallow area here, offering you the chance to spot small sharks.
6. Bamboo Island: One of the six islands of the phi phi island group, Bamboo Island is surrounded by clean white beaches and packed with a thick bamboo growth. Offering a breathtaking amalgamation of beaches and jungles, Bamboo Island is the perfect day trip destination. This 700 meters long and 600 meters wide island is in the shape of a heart. There is a bar serving delicious snacks and drinks on the north-eastern side of the island.
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7. Maya Bay: Encompassed by tall cliffs on three sides, Maya Bay happens to be a part of the Hat Noppharat Thara–Mu Ko Phi Phi National Park. Packed with a plethora of picturesque beaches, the entire beach is a huge stunning coral reef. Offering crystal clear waters and vibrant and colourful ocean life, Maya Bay makes for an excellent snorkeling destination. Other adrenaline-pumping activities to enjoy in Maya Bay include cliff jumping, banana boat ride, and parasailing.
8. Viking Cave: Known locally as Tham Phaya Nak, Viking Cave is a breathtaking natural site on Koh Phi Phi Leh. This cave lies on the northeastern side of the island, beneath a magnificent limestone cliff. The southern and eastern walls of the cave feature paintings that depict different kinds of boats. As per popular beliefs, these paintings must have been done by the sailors, who took shelter here during storms.
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1. Restaurant Knock Out: Flaunting a cozy, laid-back atmosphere, Restaurant Knock Out offers all-day dining opportunities. The restaurant also offers a well-stocked bar serving delicious cocktails. It also offers outdoor seating facilities for guests seeking an open-air dining experience.
2. Efe Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant: Efe Mediterranean Cuisine Restaurant is known to serve Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, European, and Turkish cuisines. This restaurant welcomes guests for brunch, lunch, dinner, and drinks. Some of the recommended items to try here include chicken burger, bbq platters and hummus.
3. Monster Burger: As its name suggests, Monster Burger is known for its super delicious and freshly prepared burgers. This small restaurant offers a laid-back atmosphere and quick service. Guests can choose their open toppings for their burgers and get their meals at budget-friendly prices.
4. P.P. Wang Ta Fu: P.P. Wang Ta Fu is known to serve tasteful Sushi, Japanese, Asian, and Thai delicacies. This place is also known to offer good skewers, steaks, and seafood preparations. California roll and gyoza are some of the most recommended delicacies to try at P.P. Wang Ta Fu.
5. Dow Restaurant: Dow Restaurant serves Asian and Thai cuisines and invites guests for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. This place also offers Healthy, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan, and Gluten Free options.
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Places to Stay Near Loh Samah Bay
1. Phi Phi The Beach Resort: A calm hillside resort, Phi Phi The Beach Resort offers breathtaking ocean views to soak in. This resort allows its guests to indulge in a number of adrenaline-pumping activities, such as snorkeling, canoeing, fishing, and diving.
2. P.P. Blue Sky Resort: P.P. Blue Sky Resort is a small romantic hotel offering excellent AC rooms with refrigerators. This resort is equipped with an on-site convenience store, shops, and restaurants. The resort also arranges fishing and snorkeling experiences for its guests.
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3. SAii Phi Phi Island Village: Sprawled across a 70 acres coconut palm plantation, SAii Phi Phi Island Village happens to be a dreamy boutique resort. This resort is packed with 12 private Hillside Pool Villas and 189 traditional Thai style bungalows.
4. Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort: Phi Phi CoCo Beach Resort happens to be a swanky tropical resort packed with stunning bamboo villas. Set amidst a beautiful lush green garden, the resort offers a laid-back tropical vibe. The poolside restaurant of the resort serves fresh seafood and tropical cocktails.
5. Phi Phi Banyan Villa: Phi Phi Banyan Villa is a 2 storey building that has received a good renovation as recently as in 2009. The villa has a well-equipped fitness center that can be accessed free of cost by the guests staying here.
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Loh Samah Bay makes for one of the most recommended night diving destinations of the country. There is a narrow canyon, which is shrouded with fascinating gorgonian sea fans and soft coral to offer a stunning night scenery, with light reflecting from a myriad of crustaceans.
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The depth of Loh Samah Bay ranges from 5 to 20 meters, offering a visibility between 5 to 15 meters. This makes the Loh Samah Bay an excellent scuba diving destination. On your scuba diving tour in this bay, you can spot a variety of marine creatures, including parrots, fish, and scorpions.
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You can take your own longtail boat on rent and head for a serene long-tail boat ride tour of the Loh Samah Bay and soak in the enthralling views of the lush green environs. You can see the breathtaking lofty limestone cliffs offering a contrasting sight to behold against the pristine clear blue waters.
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The crystal-clear shallow waters of the channel between the islet and Koh Phi Phi Leh offer excellent snorkeling experience. As you snorkel here, you can experience swimming with fish and spot a number of colourful fishing, primarily blue and yellow.
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Yes, it is absolutely safe to visit Loh Samah Bay. During the high season, there is low tide and the water remains calm and safe for visitors to access.
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As you take a long-tail boat tour of the Loh Samah Bay, you can soak in the lush green environs surrounding you. You can see colourful yellow and blue fish staying on the surface, without having to dive deep. The towering rugged cliffs also offer a stunning sight to marvel at.
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