Similan
Islands Marine National Park - nine uninhabited tropical islands in the Andaman
Sea offer you first class diving in one of the worlds top dive areas. Located
65km off the coast of Phang Nga province, here you will find the best and most
diverse diving in Thailand. Famous for their white sand beaches, fringed by extensive
coral reefs in crystal clear blue water with a rich variety of fish life, the
Similan Islands are covered by tropical rainforest with large granite boulders
creating unusual rock formations. Underwater, the granite boulders continue, now
covered with hard and soft corals, offering numerous swim-throughs, gullies and
canyons.
The
reefs are home to a multitude of tropical fish of all sizes, shapes and colours,
with frequent sightings of turtles, rays and sharks. Visibility averages 30m and
the sea temperature is 27-29C. Back onshore, take a short walk through the rainforest
to visit the National Park headquarters on Koh Miang, or climb to the top of the
famous rock formation at Ao Guerk for beautiful views over the bay - a perfect
place to watch the amazing tropical sunsets.
To fully appreciate
the beauty of these islands, both above and beneath the water, we strongly recommend
you join a liveaboard trip. However, if you
are very short on time, then it is also possible to take a one
day/two dive day trip - just to get a taste!
From the Similan
Islands head north, first stopping at Koh Bon, an unusual island for this area
due to its basaltic rock composition. No beaches to be found here, but a beautiful
submerged coral ridge makes this island definitely worth a visit. This near-vertical
slope makes this the only true wall dive in the area, and manta rays are frequently
spotted playing here.
North
again to Koh Tachai, an isolated island with a beautiful beach, but famous for
its dive site of three underwater plateaux at varying depths, with probably the
most colourful coral gardens in the area, where again there is a good chance to
see larger fish life. Finally the Surin Islands, also a Marine National Park,
located on the border with Burma and home to a village of Chao Leh - the traditional
sea gypsies of the Andaman Sea. The two main islands offer good jungle walks surrounded
by white sand beaches. Known for its shallow water coral gardens and great snorkelling,
the Surins also have a great variety of dive sites to choose from. Visibility
is usually a little less than at the Similans but the greater density of fish
life more than makes up for this.
Only one and a half hours from
the coast and Khuraburi harbour, south-east of the Surins, Richelieu Rock is a
collection of submerged pinnacles and is renowned for its visiting whale sharks
from February to May. But even without the whale sharks, this is an outstanding
dive site, with large schools of different fish, including barracuda, jackfish,
snapper and many others. As the only rock formation in this area, rising up from
the seabed and breaking the surface at low tide, Richelieu is a natural magnet
for all fish life seeking protection from their predators. This is also a good
place to see seahorses - if you look closely!
Similan
Islands Marine National Park - nine uninhabited tropical islands in the Andaman
Sea offer you first class diving in one of the worlds top dive areas. Located
65km off the coast of Phang Nga province, here you will find the best and most
diverse diving in Thailand. Famous for their white sand beaches, fringed by extensive
coral reefs in crystal clear blue water with a rich variety of fish life, the
Similan Islands are covered by tropical rainforest with large granite boulders
creating unusual rock formations. Underwater, the granite boulders continue, now
covered with hard and soft corals, offering numerous swim-throughs, gullies and
canyons. 
The
reefs are home to a multitude of tropical fish of all sizes, shapes and colours,
with frequent sightings of turtles, rays and sharks. Visibility averages 30m and
the sea temperature is 27-29C. Back onshore, take a short walk through the rainforest
to visit the National Park headquarters on Koh Miang, or climb to the top of the
famous rock formation at Ao Guerk for beautiful views over the bay - a perfect
place to watch the amazing tropical sunsets.
North
again to Koh Tachai, an isolated island with a beautiful beach, but famous for
its dive site of three underwater plateaux at varying depths, with probably the
most colourful coral gardens in the area, where again there is a good chance to
see larger fish life. Finally the Surin Islands, also a Marine National Park,
located on the border with Burma and home to a village of Chao Leh - the traditional
sea gypsies of the Andaman Sea. The two main islands offer good jungle walks surrounded
by white sand beaches. Known for its shallow water coral gardens and great snorkelling,
the Surins also have a great variety of dive sites to choose from. Visibility
is usually a little less than at the Similans but the greater density of fish
life more than makes up for this.
