Phi Phi's done. Packed boats. Overpriced everything. Snorkel spots picked clean.

Coral Island (Koh He): Twenty-five minutes from Chalong Pier. Long Beach delivers proper hard coral formations that haven't been trampled by a million flippers. Water clarity's consistently better than Phi Phi — We're talking 15-20m visibility on good days. Day trips run 900 baht including lunch and gear, but skip the tour groups and catch the 9am direct ferry for 200 baht return.

Koh Maiton: This is where you go when you want that private island feeling without the private island prices. Pristine reefs, calm conditions perfect for first-timers. Most operators charge 1,200-1,500 baht including transfers and snorkel gear, but the coral gardens here are untouched compared to the tourist traps.

Racha Islands (the real deal): Racha Yai's decent but gets busy midday. Racha Noi is where serious snorkelers head — Deeper water, bigger marine life, occasional manta ray sightings if the diving gods smile on you. Advanced swimmers only due to currents that'll drag you to Malaysia if you're not careful.

Insider booking tricks: Use operators at Rassada Pier — Sea Star and Love Andaman consistently undercut the beach touts by 30-40%. Morning departures (8-9am) get you calmer seas and better visibility before the afternoon wind kicks up. During monsoon season, boats cancel frequently, so book flexible tours or prepare for disappointment.

Bottom line: Phi Phi's Instagram famous. These spots are actually good for snorkeling.