Similan & Surin Islands
INCLUDING KOH BON, KOH TACHAI AND RICHELIEU ROCK
DIVING THE SIMILAN ISLANDS
Diving the Similan Islands in Thailand is an adventure not to be missed, Believed to have inherited their name from the Malaysian word sembelan meaning “nine” as the Similans consist of a group of nine granite boulder islands.
All the islands have Thai names but even your Captain will refer to them by number, starting with Island #1 in the south and finishing ten nautical miles in the north with Island #9.
Above the water the topography is stunning, lush vegetation tops the islands giving way to granite boulders or white sandy beaches, surrounded by crystal clear water. But it is what lies beneath the water that allows the Similans to lay claim to being one of Thailand and Asia’s top scuba diving liveaboard destinations.
Diving the Similan Islands – Itineraries
The Junk and The Phinisi
4 AND 6 NIGHTS
The Junk
4 & 6 NIGHTS
Departs / Returns: Tap Lamu Pier, Khao Lak
We dive the following sites*:
Similan & Surin Islands
Koh Bon
Koh Tachai
Richelieu Rock
Surin Islands
The Phinisi
6 NIGHTS
Departs: Chalong Pier, Phuket
Returns: Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak or v.v.
We dive the following sites*:
Similan & Surin Islands
Koh Bon
Koh Tachai
Richelieu Rock
Surin Islands
*Trip itinerary subject to change without prior notice.
Pro tip – The Phinisi
Combine the Similan & Surin Islands – 6 nights, and the Southern Thailand (incl Koh Lipe) – 4 nights itineraries to make the ULTIMATE diving tour, The Best of Thailand – 10 nights
Diving the Similan Islands
EASTWARD SITES
Sites on the eastern side of the islands tend to be sand covered fringing reefs predominantly made up of hard coral. The reef plateau’s are around 5-10 metres deep and from here you have gentle slopes heading down to the reef edge at around 20-25m. The Eastern sides of the Similans also tend to have more gentle currents. This makes the Eastern dive sites ideal for both divers of all levels and snorkelers too. On Eastern sites you can expect to see a huge variety of coral reef fish. On sand passes look out for garden eels, blue-spot mask rays and the endemic blue-spot jaw fish. Specials include harlequin and robust ghost pipefish, short pouch pygmy pipehorses and hawksbill turtles.
Diving the Similan Islands
WESTWARD SITES
Sites on the west side of the islands are a little different. Here giant granite boulders tumble to the sea bed easily reaching depths of 40m. The more exposed side of the Similans can be prone to stronger and more unpredictable currents. The currents have kept the boulders free from a build up of sand, leading to boulder dive sites with a variety of canyons, tunnels, swimthroughs, archways and caverns. It can be more challenging diving but hopefully the increased chance of larger pelagics makes up for that. Also keep an eye out for andaman sweetlips, dogtooth tuna and anglerfish.
WESTWARD SITES
Sites on the west side of the islands are a little different. Here giant granite boulders tumble to the sea bed easily reaching depths of 40m. The more exposed side of the Similans can be prone to stronger and more unpredictable currents. The currents have kept the boulders free from a build up of sand, leading to boulder dive sites with a variety of canyons, tunnels, swimthroughs, archways and caverns. It can be more challenging diving but hopefully the increased chance of larger pelagics makes up for that. Also keep an eye out for andaman sweetlips, dogtooth tuna and anglerfish.