When I told people I was heading to Thailand for some traveling, the most common advice I got was to check out the marine life. My dad, an avid diver, suggested scuba diving, but once we arrived, it was clear that scuba diving wasn’t feasible for budget travelers with tight schedules. Scuba training costs around 9000 baht (£200) and requires three days of pool training, which we couldn’t spare. So, we opted for snorkeling instead, and it turned out to be a fantastic choice!

We went on several snorkeling trips in Thailand, but my favorite spots were Koh Tao and Ko Phi Phi. We booked the Koh Tao trip through our hotel, Asia Diving Resort, for just 850 baht (£18). The package included transport from the hotel to the boat, making it very convenient. All we needed to bring were sunscreen, sunglasses, and ourselves.

During the day, we visited five different snorkeling spots, ending at Nang Yuan Island. This beautiful location offers a climb to the peak for stunning views. The snorkeling gear provided wasn’t top-notch, but it worked fine. Except for one mishap where a group member lost his snorkel in the sea, we had no issues. If you’re still a kid at heart, the boat’s top deck is great for diving practice whenever it stops.

In the water, we kept our distance from other groups, which was easy since we had at least 45 minutes at each spot and plenty of space to explore. The sea life in Koh Tao was amazing, with vibrant, colorful fish swimming right up to our hands. For those nervous about fish getting too close, the staff added excitement by throwing fish food at us, attracting about 30 fish at a time. Staying calm is key here, as panicking and swallowing seawater isn’t pleasant. A tip for big boat snorkeling trips: sit downstairs in the shade to avoid sunburn, as it’s hard to stay fully sun-creamed when jumping in and out of the water.

Our Ko Phi Phi snorkeling trip was a beautiful sunset tour, booked through a local excursion shop for 400 baht (£10). This half-day trip started at midday and ended at sunset, with lots of extras. We visited Monkey Island, Maya Bay (where “The Beach” was filmed), and some impressive caves inhabited by resilient Thai people. With only ten people on the boat, the trip was relaxed, and the driver let us stop wherever we wanted. Although we saw less marine life in Ko Phi Phi, the fish we did see were larger, brighter, or more intimidating (like razorfish). The quiet spots we visited allowed us plenty of time to explore on our own.

My top advice for anyone planning a snorkeling trip is to get a waterproof phone case. If your phone has a good camera, you can take amazing underwater photos and videos. We used two cases for our iPhones, and the results were incredible!

Laura Howells is part of the Melted Stories travel blog team, where she regularly writes about her travel adventures. Besides exploring the world, Laura loves teaching, reading, and music.