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: turquoise water, a stop on a small sandy island, Thai food served under the palms, and of course plenty of fish watching. After lunch, one of the guides offered to take anyone brave enough a bit further out to spot reef sharks. Naturally, I joined.
Say hello to the highly venomous Banded Sea Krait also known as Yellow-lipped Sea Krait. This is a female. Banded Sea Krait can be different colors such as black/yellow, black/white or black/blue-is. Photo: Diego Delso, delso.photo, License CC BY-SA
The sea was choppier than expected, and soon I realized I was farther out than comfortable. I had lost sight of the group, the waves felt heavier by the minute, and fatigue started to creep in. Time to head back.
With my fins paddling and my head angled downward, I stared through the mask into the dark Andaman depths. A few colorful fish flickered past. Then it happened.
One of the scariest — and yes, most beautiful — moments of my life.
A striped sea snake appeared below me, gliding through the water with hypnotic grace. Black and white bands rippled across its long body. For a split second, I admired it. Then reality hit: it was close. Very close. About three meters under me, moving with that unnervingly calm efficiency that only snakes possess.
I remember thinking, “Mister, keep calm. Very calm.” All those wildlife documentaries suddenly became relevant: quick movements = bad idea. Remember, at this point I knew nothing about the snake other than that it looked extremely dangerous. With those bold stripes, it was like a swimming warning sign. For all I knew, it might have seen me as a potential meal for its kids. And since this happened around Christmas, 80 kilos of farang could easily have been considered a festive feast.
It swam up, passing just a meter below me on my right side, curious but not aggressive. We shared a few surreal seconds together — me, half-naked and vulnerable in a world that wasn’t mine, and it, a master of this element. Then it angled down, disappearing into the blue. Relief washed over me, though my heartbeat didn’t slow until I touched sand again.
Back on land, I googled. And that’s when I realized what I had just met.
Meet the Banded Sea Krait, One of the Most Beautiful and Deadly Snakes on the Planet
Caption: This striking snake is known for its paddle-like tail, a perfect adaptation for swimming. It spends most of its life at sea, but still returns to land to lay its eggs. Photo: Frank Hansen / AI”
The creature was a banded sea krait (Laticauda colubrina), perhaps the most iconic of the sea snakes. They’re common across Southeast Asia, instantly recognizable with their bold zebra stripes. Unlike fully marine snakes, kraits still need to breathe air and sometimes come ashore to rest or lay eggs.
But what really sets them apart? Their venom.
According to Forskning.no:
“Many sea snakes have extremely powerful venom, and are annually linked to a number of deaths. If you get bitten by a sea snake, you’re in trouble, because there is no antivenom. Some sea snakes are ten to twelve times more venomous than a cobra. Yet we know very little about their physiology and ecology,” says Rasmussen.
The banded sea krait is one of these snakes with extremely powerful venom.
How Dangerous Are Banded Sea Krait?
The banded sea krait is highly venomous, but it rarely bites humans. Fishermen who accidentally catch them in nets are at greatest risk. For the casual snorkeler, bites are exceedingly rare — the snake is usually shy or curious rather than aggressive.
Still, let’s be clear: a bite would be catastrophic. Symptoms can include muscle paralysis, respiratory failure, and death if untreated. With no antivenom available, the only option is immediate hospital care with supportive treatment, such as assisted breathing.
What to Do If You Meet One
I am not a snake expert, but here is what I found on internet:
Stay calm. Don’t thrash or chase it.
Keep your distance. Admire from afar, they’re stunning creatures.
If bitten: Get out of the water immediately. Immobilize the affected limb, call emergency services, and get to a hospital as fast as possible. Time matters.
Even though banded sea kraits are not considered aggressive, sea kraits can be unpredictable — especially if they’re protecting young or feeling stressed. In busy tourist spots with lots of noise and people, the chance of agitation is higher. And just like humans, some individuals may simply be a little more temperamental than others.
7 Fun Facts About Banded Sea Krait (Laticauda Colubrina):
Dual lifestyle: Unlike most sea snakes, banded sea kraits can live both in water and on land. They hunt eels and fish in the sea but come ashore to digest, rest, and lay eggs.
Built-in flippers: Their flat, paddle-like tails work like natural fins, making them excellent swimmers.
Deadly venom: The venom of a banded sea krait is among the most potent in the world. Just a single dose could kill several adult humans — some sea snakes are said to be 10–12 times more venomous than a cobra.
Not usually aggressive: Despite their power, they are shy and rarely attack humans. Most bites occur when fishermen accidentally catch them in nets.
Super breath-holders: They can dive for long periods, sometimes up to an hour, before needing to surface for air.
Deep divers: Banded sea kraits have been recorded diving as deep as 60 meters in search of food.
Egg-layers: Unlike many fully aquatic sea snakes, kraits still come to land to lay eggs, making beaches and rocky shorelines essential for their survival.
Final Thoughts
The banded sea krait is a paradox: mesmerizingly beautiful, lethally equipped, yet rarely a threat unless provoked. My encounter was a humbling reminder of how small we are out there in the ocean — and how much of our survival relies on keeping a cool head when panic seems like the only option. I have a soft spot for all animals, and after my research I am really thankful for meeting the snake. It was a curious soul that shared a moment with me.
Would I snorkel again? Absolutely. Would I hope to meet another sea krait? Let’s just say once was enough.