Hin Bida

Hin Bida is a beginner-friendly submerged pinnacle in the Andaman Sea south of the Phi Phi Islands, a rocky formation rising from the sandy seabed that attracts an impressive concentration of marine life in the open water. This site is particularly famous for its population of blacktip reef sharks and leopard sharks, making it one of the most exciting beginner-accessible shark diving sites in Thailand. The pinnacle breaks the surface slightly at low tide, its rocky peak surrounded by the blue Andaman water. Beneath the surface, the rock slopes down in all directions, with coral-covered reef extending to a moderate depth before meeting the sandy bottom. The dive profile is friendly to less experienced divers, with the most interesting features concentrated at comfortable depths where bottom time is generous. Shark encounters are the headline attraction at Hin Bida. Leopard sharks, also known as zebra sharks, are frequently found resting on the sandy patches at the base of the pinnacle. These docile, spotted sharks allow careful approach for observation and photography, and finding one during a dive is a genuinely thrilling moment for any diver. Blacktip reef sharks patrol the reef edges, their distinctive dark-tipped fins visible as they cruise past with the controlled power typical of their species. Beyond the sharks, Hin Bida supports a rich reef community. The pinnacle's surfaces are covered with hard and soft corals that provide the structural foundation for the ecosystem. Sea fans extend from the steeper sections, and barrel sponges dot the reef at various depths. Schools of fusiliers and snappers create moving clouds of silver in the water column, while butterflyfish and angelfish add color to the coral-covered rocks. The macro life is excellent for those who can tear their attention away from shark watching. Nudibranchs of various species inhabit the reef, and cleaning stations where shrimp service their fish clients are found at several points around the pinnacle. Moray eels occupy the deeper crevices, and octopus may be spotted changing color as they move across the reef. The site's open-water location means current can develop, but it is generally manageable and often brings improved visibility as clean oceanic water replaces any nearshore turbidity. The current also delivers the plankton that sustains the food chain from filter feeders up to the sharks that have made Hin Bida famous. Hin Bida proves that world-class shark encounters need not require advanced certification or extreme conditions. This accessible pinnacle delivers genuine excitement and outstanding marine biodiversity in a setting that welcomes divers of all experience levels, making it one of the must-dive sites in the Phi Phi archipelago.