The WORLD RENOWNDED…
SIMILAN & SURIN ISLANDS
INCLUDING KOH BON, KOH TACHAI AND RICHELIEU ROCK
4 & 6 nights
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.
The WORLD RENOWNDED…
SIMILAN & SURIN ISLANDS
INCLUDING KOH BON, KOH TACHAI AND RICHELIEU ROCK
4 & 6 nights
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.
The WORLD RENOWNDED…
SIMILAN & SURIN ISLANDS
INCLUDING KOH BON, KOH TACHAI AND RICHELIEU ROCK
4 & 6 nights
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.
aboard THE JUNK & THE PHINISI
Diving the Similan Islands: An Unforgettable Adventure
The Similan Islands, nestled off Thailand’s western coast, are a diver’s dream come true. Known for their crystal-clear waters, thriving coral reefs, and incredible marine biodiversity, these islands captivate diving enthusiasts from all over the world.
If you’re eager to explore one of the most awe-inspiring underwater destinations, the Similan Islands deserve the top spot on your bucket list.
WHAT DO OUR GUESTS SAY?
I’ve been on several other liveaboard boats to the Similan Islands and The Junk was my best experience by far.
Tom C
The people on the other boats looked at us with envy!
Maggie
Describing the experience as mind blowing would be an understatement.
Nico
Top Dive Sites in the Similan Islands
Elephant Head Rock
Renowned for its intriguing swim-throughs and caverns, Elephant Head Rock offers an adventurous dive. Unique rock formations attract schools of fish, along with occasional sightings of leopard sharks.
Richelieu Rock
This site is a teeming with life. Schools of inquisitive barracuda, batfish, and trevally make it the most famous of all dive sites in Thailand. It is also home to colorful nudibranchs, seahorses, and cuttlefish. Divers may also encounter whale sharks and oceanic mantas.
Christmas Point
Famous for its impressive granite formations, Christmas Point is teeming with life. Barracudas, groupers, and vibrant coral reefs provide a visual spectacle for divers.
East of Eden
Perfect for both beginners and seasoned divers, East of Eden showcases vibrant soft corals, anemones, and diverse reef fish. Its beauty makes it a favorite for underwater photographers.
aboard THE JUNK & THE PHINISI
“June Hong Chian Lee”
The Junk is completely renovated and comfortably welcomes 18 divers. We have 2 private cabins with double beds, 2 three berths cabins (which can be sold as so-called Shared Twins and can also be turned into a Private Double Bed) and 2 four berths cabins (which are all bunks but can also be sold as Shared Twin). All our cabins are fully air-conditioned and have their own hot water shower and en-suite toilet.
“Cheng I Sao”
Purpose-built by divers for divers, The Phinisi is a traditional Indonesian-style sailing yacht. Her official name is ‘Cheng I Sao’ and she is fully equipped to accommodate 18 divers. The Phinisi is constructed using only the best Asian teak and ironwood and she has been equipped with all on board facilities; no expense has been spared to meet the requests of even the most demanding underwater photographers and divers.
What You’ll Discover Underwater
The Similan Islands boast a vibrant underwater world filled with marine treasures:
Large Pelagics: Manta rays, whale sharks, and reef sharks patrol the waters.
Tropical Fish: Expect parrotfish, angelfish, and clownfish among the reefs.
Macro Life: Nudibranchs, ghost pipefish, and pygmy seahorses enchant keen-eyed divers.
Corals: Soft corals, sea fans, and barrel sponges create a colorful underwater tapestry.
Every dive is a new opportunity to witness this thriving marine ecosystem.
Liveaboard Diving: A Top Choice
Liveaboards are the most popular way to explore the Similan Islands.
Multi-day liveaboard excursions allow divers to access remote sites, maximize their underwater time, and immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the islands. Additionally, liveaboards foster camaraderie among diving enthusiasts, offering a community feel to your adventure. When spending time amongst other divers, useful knowledge is shared, along with epic tales of dives past!
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
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

The Junk
4 & 6 NIGHTS
Departs: Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak or Chalong Pier, Phuket
Returns: Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak or Chalong Pier, Phuket
We dive the following sites*:
Similan & Surin Islands
Koh Bon
Koh Tachai
Richelieu Rock
Surin Islands
The Phinisi
4 & 6 NIGHTS
Departs: Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak or Chalong Pier, Phuket
Returns: Tab Lamu Pier, Khao Lak or Chalong Pier, Phuket
We dive the following sites*:
Similan & Surin Islands
Koh Bon
Koh Tachai
Richelieu Rock
Surin Islands
ITINERARY &
TRIP INFORMATION
For the FULL information please view/download the PDFs below
Similan & Surin Islands - 4 nights
Trip Information | Thailand
Similan & Surin Islands - 6 nights
It is a mandatory requirement for all divers to have insurance which covers scuba diving activities equivalent to their diving qualification, including emergency evacuation and recompression chamber costs. Please check our Insurance page for possible suitable options.
Although Marijuana has had a change in status recently here in Thailand, we don’t permit its use on board.
epic! DIVE SITES
SIMILAN ISLANDS
SIMILAN ISLANDS
The above water scenery will provide stunningly beautiful white sandy beaches with small forested areas. Dive some of the following sites; Boulder City, Sharkfin Reef, Anita’s Reef, and Three Trees.
Under the surface, you may see Leopard (zebra) shark, blue spotted stingrays, clown triggerfish, rabbit fish, scorpion fish, snappers, emperor fish, giant trevally and angelfish. The coral gardens, bommies, and boulder formations are wonderful to dive.
Elephant Head Rock, visible from the surface, is the biggest pinnacle in the Similans and has some fantastic swim-throughs. Whitetip reef sharks, batfish, trevally and barracuda can often be seen on the perimeter of the boulders. If you look closely in the cracks and in the rubble you can see smashing mantis shrimp, porcelain crab, moray eels and cleaner shrimp.
There are also sites dominated by huge granite boulders such as Deep Six, Christmas Point, and North Point where you can see white tip reef sharks, schooling giant trevally, and schools of neon fusiliers.
KOH BON
This is generally the most likely place to see manta rays on our Similans itinerary. You are also likely to see Napoleon wrasse, sweetlips, octopus, bluefin trevally, giant moray eels, great barracudas, fire dart goby, spiny lobster, and nudibranchs of many types. The dive sites vary from wall diving to gently sloping reefs and from submerged boulders to coral gardens.
Diving on the West Ridge can be an adrenaline-filled drift, with amazing views, while the North Reef is a gentler experience over a hard coral garden.
KOH TACHAI
This island is famous for its pinnacle dive site, known by many as Twin Peaks, as well as more relaxed reef diving on the North Reef and South Reef. Normally, turtles, barracuda, pipefish, and nudibranchs can be found here. There is also a chance to see bigger species in this area like manta rays and whale sharks, especially from late January until April.
SURIN ISLANDS
SURIN ISLANDS
The topside scenery of Koh Surin, with evergreen forests, mangroves, and small beaches, surpasses even that of the picturesque Similan Islands.Underwater the reefs of Surin offer some of the greatest hard coral diversity in Thailand.
Across sites like Torinla Pinnacle, Hin Kong, and Turtle Ledges you are likely to see Napoleon wrasse, yellow-masked angelfish, bumphead parrotfish, tomato anemonefish and barramundi, as well as lots of turtles that still come ashore in this area to lay their eggs.
Due to the remoteness, not many liveaboard boats visit these islands and you will be able to enjoy the dive sites without sharing them with tourist hordes.
RICHELIEU ROCK
This limestone pinnacle was named after former Danish Naval Officer, Andreas Richelieu, who eventually became the only foreign born commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Navy to date, appointed by King Chulalongkorn. One of Richelieu’s tasks was to modernise the outdated Navy charts, and as he had become such an influential and important figure, this potentially hazardous-to-ships rock that poked out from sea at low tide, east of the Surin Islands, was eventually named after him.
Barely breaking the surface at low tide, this horseshoe-shaped outcropping slopes steeply to a sandy bottom at 18 to 35 meters (60-120 Ft). This site offers great diversity for such a small and isolated spot. It also offers excellent multi-level diving and, because it’s a high-profile reef, there are always sheltered areas to hide from the current.
The marine life is prolific and includes amongst, many other things; pharaoh cuttlefish, large octopuses, all 5 varieties of anemone fish of the Andaman Sea, a variety of moray eels, ornate ghost pipefish, smashing mantis shrimps, harlequin shrimps, tigertail seahorses, Spanish mackerel, frogfish, many schooling snappers and occasional sightings of manta rays and whale sharks.
KHAO LAK
KHAO LAK WRECKS (4 night only)
Before disembarking in Khao Lak, if conditions and timing are favourable, there is a choice of easily diveable wrecks between the Similan Islands and the port of Tap Lamu.
The Boonsung and The Premchai are old tin miners that were sunk in the 1990’s and are a treat for underwater photographers as well as lovers of life of all kinds!
Only in 18m of water they are covered in nudibranchs and various kinds of shrimps. Many quite unusual honeycomb morays also made these wrecks home. There are also huge numbers of schooling fish as well as rays and sharks that can occasionally be seen.
Diving the Similan Islands
Diving the Similan Islands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Whether you’re an experienced diver or a certified novice, the islands’ vibrant marine life, crystal-clear waters, and breathtaking dive sites promise an unforgettable adventure.
Immerse yourself in one of the world’s most spectacular underwater destinations.
Upcoming cruises…
THE JUNK
The JUNK – NOTE – If you are looking for a Twin/Double and both are taken, we can convert a Triple Cabin into a Twin/Double for you, if available.
THE PHINISI
The PHINISI – NOTE – 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