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The Similan Islands are a group of nine virtually uninhabited tropic
islands lying approximately 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Phuket.
The group has been declared a marine national park, and increasing
efforts are being made to keep them in their currently pristine
condition.
The islands include some of the best dive sites in Thailand. The
possibilities range from touring coral gardens to adventurous drift
diving in strong currents.
In the judgment of the highly respected Rodale's Scuba Diving
Magazine (December 2004): "...it's hard to beat the Andaman
Sea for clear seas, spectacular reefs and animal encounters."
The visibility tops out at over 40 metres (130 feet) during the
November to April peak season, revealing a wonder world among the
giant coral encrusted granite boulders, which are piled on top of
each other from depths of 25 metres (90 feet) and more. Koh Huyong,
the southernmost island of the Similan group offers a magnificent
coral garden in 7 to 14 metres (23 to 46 feet) of clear waters.
This site frequently has over 30metre (100 foot) visibility, only
slight currents and is considered a very safe site.
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An extensive reef runs off another of the southern islands and
provides at least four different dive sites. One bottoms out at
25metres (82 feet) and has many large rocks which provide a fascniating
backdrop for the many large schools of fish which inhabit the area.
Another part of the reef has an excellent 20metre (65 foot) dive,
with a lot of small lava type rocks which provide a home for colorful
anemones, hydroids and soft coral as well as moray eels and red
grouper. The visibility is seldom less than 30 metres (100 feet)
and frequently better. There is often a strong current, providing
an ideal site for drift dives.
The central island of the group, Koh Miang, is the only inhabited
island. There is also a number of excellent dive sites around this
and the small adjoining island, including one that features a jumble
of huge boulders with many interesting swim-throughs and caves.
This dive often has a strong surge, which attracts a large variety
of marine life. Small whitetip sharks, rays, snappers and turtles
are just some of the species of marine life encountered at this
site.
An excellent night dive site lies just around the corner and close
to a safe overnight anchorage and beautiful white sand beach. The
coral drops off to a depth of 10 to 20 metres (33 to 66 feet), and
the almost complete absence of currents makes it ideal for night
dives. Lobster and large red crabs are commonly seen here.
Hin Pousar, or Elephant Rock, is one of the best known dive locations
in the area. It offers at least three excellent sites and, again,
the dramatic and varied underwater topography makes for great diving.
Anemones and coral provide a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows, blues
and browns. Large rays, tuna and barracuda are commonly encountered.
Farther to the north lies an offshore reef that comes up to within
8 metres (26 feet) of the surface and drops off to over 35 metres
(114 feet). More passages, overhangs and chimneys provide a site
that will appeal to even the most experienced diver. Two large sea
cod and a huge resident moray eel are among the many attractions
of this site. Seldom is the visibility less than 25 metres (80 feet)
and it's usually even better. These are only a few of the many dive
sites available in the Similan archipelago. Each island features
its own special sites and there is something to be found to interest
both the novice diver and the much travelled diver.
Diving tours of the Similans generally range from 3 to 5 days,
though these islands are also a standard feature of 7- and 10-day
cruises that include other attractions such as the Burma Banks,
the Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai and Koh Bon.
Note: With new fast boats in the area, one day Similan dive trips
from Phuket are now also possible.
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