The Sharks of Thailand
By Lars Bindholt

THE FRIENDLY SHARKS OF PHI PHI

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Phi Phi Islands. The Island in the bottom of the photo is Bamboo Island.

Phi Phi seen from a satelite www.GoogleEarth.com

  Google map

For me Phi Phi Islands is a very special place. Because of the dramatic beauty of the place but especially because of the easy access to a healthy and thriving population of blacktip reefsharks.

If you are visiting Thailand as a diver or snorkeler, this is something you should not miss. Only a few places in the world, is it possible to swim with real sharks, totally free of charge and with a minimum of trouble.
At the little rocky inslet Hin Phae at the eastern end of Long Beach, only a hundred meters from the beach, is a healthy population of Blacktip Reefsharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus). This little strong shark which grows to max 1,8 meters, is what one could call a classic shark. The dorsal fin with the black tip makes it easy to recognise from other shark species. This shark loves shallow water and can be found near Hin Phae at depths between 0,5 and 5 meters.

I have for many years spend weeks every year monitoring and photographing these sharks. It is an ongoing research. See Photo ID.

Some Blacktip Reefsharks near Hin Phae, Phi Phi.

This is how you do, if you want to enjoy the sharks yourself: Put on your snorkel equipment and swim towards Hin Phae. Swim around on the inside of the inslet where the depth is arund 1-2 meters. Don't look straight down at the bottom but look up and ahead of you towards the limit of visibility. Don't splash around too much but swim quietly and watch out. A shark or two or possible more will appear if you have a bit of luck. If you keep quiet you can be lucky to have them come within 2-3 meters of distance. Enjoy the sight and remember that this shark, like 99 % of all shark species, are completely harmless.
The Blacktip Reefshark is so shy that you never see them while you are scuba diving. The bubbles from the tank makes far too much noise. Snorkeling is the way.

If you want some guidance there are 3-4 dive companies in the village who offers morning snorkel trips with the blacktips for 600 - 800 B. One of the best is The Adventure Club

There is one thing you really have to watch out for, and that  goes for all of Thailand: Watch out for boat traffic while swimming. This area around Hin Phae has a heavy traffic of longtail boats and speed boats and even though they make a terribly noise, they can be hard to hear under water. Therefore keep an eye on the boat traffic within short intervals.

Hin Phae seen from Long Beach. Phi Phi Leh in the background.

Remember: Sharks are endangered. Please tell the locals that you appreciate the beautiful animals, and that they are one of the reasons for your Phi Phi visit. Never buy baby-shark (normally new-born blacktips) or sharkfin soup at the restaurants or for that matter any other shark product.

Please let me know if you have visited Phi Phi Islands recently and seen blacktips. Go to Observations

The coral growth around Phi Phi Islands was before 1989 very dense and diverse. Especially Long Beach, with big areas of long branched staghorn corals was fantastic. The corals here were in 1989 exposed to heavy coral bleaching. Even though many corals returned, the forests af staghorns in the shallows was gone forever. Later years had minor cases of coral bleecing setting back the coral growth, but in 2009 it looked like the corals, especially at the east side of Hin Phae, had regained their beauty. Unfortunately the very hot weather of May 2010 had as a result a massive coral bleeching in many parts of The Andaman Sea and Phi Phi Islands were hit very hard. At long Beach 99 % of all staghorns and 80 % of the bummie corals are now dead. How this will affect the rich fish life and the sharks remains to be seen. 

The terrible tsunami 26'th of December 2004 which hit Phi Phi hard has had a destruktive effect on the under water environment only in the western side of Ton Sai Bay where a lot of debris from buildings and other man made things were flushed out to sea. The mid and western part of the village of Ton Sai was hit really hard. Long Beach and Hin Phae was almost untouched and the corals were fine. The blacktipped reefsharks around here are still there and are doing really well.