The Similan Islands National Marine Park (Mu Ko Similan) is probably the most famous and offers some of the best diving in Thailand. It is officially part of Phang Nga province and is situated on the south-west coast of Thailand, out in the Andaman Sea. There are nine main islands in a north-south line which make up what most people know as the Similan Islands. A little way north, there are also a couple of other remote and uninhabited islands officially in the National Marine Park, but listed here separately as Koh Bon & Koh Tachai.
Diving at the Similan Islands is something that anyone who enjoys diving should try at least once in their lives. The turquoise waters are crystal clear and often allow divers to descend to 50 metres or more. Most of the islands' diving sites are made of granite boulders and offer lots of exciting diving opportunities and interesting marine life. Whale Sharks and Manta Rays are seen regularly, as well as predatory sharks and other rays. The sea conditions, such as visibility and currents are ideal for wonderful, but occasionally challenging scuba diving. Most of our liveaboard boat instructors can teach PADI courses to students while on Similan cruises.
As its name suggests, North Point is the most northerly dive site in the Similan Islands. It is a deep dive site and sometimes suffers medium to strong currents. The water is very clear here which helps those looking for the regularly sighted Manta Rays.
Christmas Point is one of the easiest dive sites on the west side of the Similan Islands. The visibility is excellent and there are several swimthroughs, including a very popular one at 24 metres. Ribbon Eels and sharks are seen regularly.
Breakfast Bend on the east side of Island 9 is a great dive site for all divers, morning dives, and night dives. It's not too deep and the currents are mild. In the mornings, the rising sun adds wonderful colours to the reef.
Snapper Alley is just south of Breakfast Bend and home to lots of fish, including snapper. This is not a deep or difficult dive site, and therefore used for night diving, too. There is plenty of life on the sandy seabed, as well as around the corals.
Donald Duck Bay is The Similan Islands' postcard beach. Underwater the diving is easy and not too deep. There are turtles and reef fish and lots of crustaceans. It is a popular night diving spot, too.
While there are turtles at Turtle Rock, that's not how it got its name. This dive site has plenty of fish swimming around, but most of the interesting creatures are on the shallow sandy seabed. It's suitable for all levels of diver and night diving.
Beacon Reef is one of the longest reefs in The Similan Islands. It is easy enough for almost all divers and even has its own wreck. There are plenty of fish and the currents aren't too strong.
Beacon Point is located at the southern tip of Island 8 and can lead up either to the west, or to the east and Beacon Reef. It is a deep dive and has lots of large fish, but benefits from more protection from sea and weather conditions than most western dive sites do.
Elephant Head Rock is the most recognizeable Similan Island dive site, with its archway-shaped rocks which break the surface. Under the water there are swimthroughs, great visibility, and several swimthroughs.
Deep Six is one of The Similan Islands' most-exciting dive sites. It is located off the north of Island 7 (previously known as Island 6) and divers experienced enough to get down to this V-shaped dive site will enjoy exploring the boulders and the life they shelter.
East of Eden is the showpiece of Similan diving sites. Although it was closed for two years, it is open once more. This sloping reef is home to dozens of coral bommies, one of which is big enough to spend a whole dive on. Colours, life and visibility are all as good as anyone could ask for.
West of Eden is a good dive site on the west shore of Island 7. Surprisingly, it is not visited by some groups, which makes it better for those who do go. The gentle north-south currents can make it a good drift dive. There are lots of places to find interesting fish and invertebrates.
Hideaway (Bay) is a very nice dive site situated between Islands 4 & 5. Known by some as Barracuda Point, it offers healthy reef in the shallows, large rocks in the deep, and The Tuna Wreck at a depth most recreational divers won't reach. Barracuda and stingrays are common.
Honeymoon Bay is a shallow and easy dive site between Islands 4 & 5. It is often used for inexperienced divers and night diving. There are lots of colourful reef fish and almost no currents.
Stonehenge is a deep dive on the northwestern corner of Island 4. It starts at 24 metres and currents there are often quite strong, so it's not ideal for inexperienced divers or 'air pigs.' There are lots of schooling fish and the chance of seeing a large pelagic shark or ray.
Anita's Reef is extremely popular because it offers a gently sloping coral reef as well as granite boulders to the south and in its deeper waters. The centrepoint here is a huge coral bommie which is teeming with life. Currents aren't strong and visibility is excellent.
Chinese Wall (aka. Bird Rock) is one of The Similan Islands' best kept secrets. Not many dive tours visit this site where a wall of rocks leads down into the deep. It is generally quiet and the currents can be managed.
Sharkfin Reef is a very long granite dive site in the southern Similan Islands. It is big enough to be dived twice and has two different sides, with a canyon and swimthroughs.
Boulder City is a deep granite dive site at the far south of the Similan Islands chain. It is deep, has strong currents from time to time, and probably the best visibility in the area.
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