Dive Sites in Similan Islands
Perhaps there is no other place in Thailand where you can dive amid impressive undersea boulders and fantastic swimthroughs. See for yourself the stunning arrays of sea fans, corals and sponges, including a wide variety of fishes like manta rays, parrot fish, angelfish, whaleshark, white-tipped shark and other pelagic marine animals. For a length of 25 kilometers (16 miles) in a north-south chain, this underwater vista is repeated so there is almost an inexhaustible means to explore the treasures of Similan Islands.
In total there are 25 dive sites spread over a relatively large area that is so removed from the mainland. These sites can be segmented into four groups: northern sites, central part, southern sites and the outer islands. Among the best selections in the Similans are the northern dive sites where enormous boulders descend into the depths of Christmas Point and long drift dives wind through the Breakfast Bend. Considered as the best spot in the whole Similan archipelago is the Elephant Head Rock, a spot where a huge promontory resembling the head of an elephant marks the site. Go under the surface and marvel at schools of triggerfish, blue-ringed angelfish, bicolor parrotfish, lionfish, goatfish and snappers. Move to the ledges to discover bigger snappers and the endemic Andaman sweetlips. Not to be outdone are the fierce barracudas that are always on the prowl for their next meal. Other dive sites up north are North Point, Batfish Bend, Fantasy Reef, Beacon Beach, Beacon Reef and the famous Donald Duck Bay.
Aboard a fast boat, move to the central parts to dive through the most famous spot in the Similans, East of Eden. Evoking images of paradise, set your sights at the same schools of fish and exciting swimthroughs in the middle of massive boulders. Then be intrigued by the most unique attraction in these parts, an intentionally sunk Chinese fishing boat. Other spots well worth your visions of marine utopia are Honeymoon Bay, Anita’s Reef, Coral Reef, Deep Six, Stonehenge, Hideaway and Chinese Wall.
If you shun the diving crowd, better be transported directly to the southern dive sites marked by bigger boulder sites. Here, the current could get a bit nasty, which could be the reason why dive operators shun these area most of the time. Still the large gorgonian seafans, hard coral and schools of surgeonfish and bannerfish positioned on a series of sloping reefs of stacked boulders will be worth the trouble. Sharkfin Reef, Boulder City and Coral Garden showcase geometric boulder formations on top of smooth sandy floor.
Options to dive outside of the Similans are available. At neighboring Koh Tachai and Koh Bon, technically under the Mu Koh Similan National Park, the pinnacle shoots up from the sea floor and attracts schools of larger fishes such as manta rays, leopard sharks and whale sharks. Richelieu Rock near the border with Myanmar offers equally stunning macro-life within slopes of corals.
The whole longitudinal stretch of Similan Islands can also be bisected into two dive regions, east and west. Gentle slopes of coral reef banks, beautiful coral gardens and occasional boulders characterize the eastern fringes. East of Eden typifies this dive spot where huge bommies rise from the ocean floor with blankets of soft and fan corals interspersed with groups of smaller colorful fishes. On the other hand, the western side is famous for its swirling currents amidst huge boulders, tunnels, arches and lots of opportunities for swimthroughs. Elephant head rock is arguably the most well-known spot in the western side where spin-like currents prevail through a maze of swimthroughs.
Whatever the features, dive spots all throughout Similan Islands pose a fantastic treat to diving aficionados and a visual feast for underwater photographers. When the big tsunami of 2004 hit the islands, a considerable damage to the coral reefs was observed, but today most of them are in excellent state.
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