The Closest I’ve Been to Death: My Encounter with a Sea Snake off Phuket (Thailand)

A dream day of snorkeling in paradise quickly turned into a heart-pounding encounter — face to face with death. I was on a snorkeling trip off the coast of Phuket, one of those classic island-hopping adventures. After lunch, one of the guides offered to take anyone brave enough a bit further out to spot reef sharks. Naturally, I joined.