Scrolling Page - All in Long Description

Similans Over view

Located 70 kilometres West of Phang Nga Province (or approximately 100 kilometres from Phuket) the Similan Islands is an Archipelago of 9 Islands. The name Similan was derived from the Malaysian word for the number nine, “Sembilan / Sembelan”. The Similans were designated as the 43rd National Park of Thailand in 1982 covering an area of 128 square kilometres. The park also includes Koh Bon. In 1998 Koh Tachai was also added to the park making the total area 140 square kilometres. Of this total area only 15 square kilometres is land.

All of the islands have names (see later text) but they are generally referred to by their numbers (1-9) running from South to North.

The islands are generally uninhabited (with the exception of Islands 4 and 8 which have fully staffed National Park Offices).

The diving here is universally considered the best in Thailand and amongst the Top 10 in the world at the time of writing (according to Wikipedia/National Geographic Society).

The topography of the Similans differs between the Eastern and Western Sides of the Islands. The Eastern side is generally white sandy ocean floor with many large fields of hard and soft corals down to depths between 25 metres and 40 metres.

The Western side (which gets the worst of the weather in monsoon season) is large stacked granite boulders creating some amazing topography. Swim throughs, tunnels, archways and generally beautiful seascapes. There are also large fields of hard corals but the sand is more “rough / rubbly”. Currents can be more unpredictable on the Western side making the diving a little more challenging, especially around full and new moon .

The water temperature is generally between 27 and 29 centigrade as visibility is normally between 20 metres and 40+ metres (excellent !).

The National Park is officially open from the 1st November – 15th May. The monsoon season is between May and October when the weather can be very unpredictable.

Day trips are available to the Similans with boats leaving from Thap Lamu (you would normally get 2 dives but you spend most of your day traveling), but the best way to experience the Similans is by liveaboard boat. Trips normally last 4 days/4 nights and offer between 14 and 16 dives. There are many operators to chose from to fit all budgets.

There is limited accommodation in the National Park at Island 4 and Island 8. The maximum number of visitors is limited to 340 who can stay overnight but there is no limitation on the number of dive boats. There are also many mosquitos on the Islands (zero on the dive boats) and accommodation is very basic.

Being a National Park there are fees to pay when you enter the park.

This is normally NOT included in the price of your dive trip and fees would be collected on the boat, HOWEVER we will explain all such policies in the pricing of our advertised trips.

At the time of writing National Park Entrance Fees are as follows:

Similan Islands – Koh Bon – Koh Tachai                                       400 THB

Richelieu Rock – Surin Islands                                                      400 THB

Additional daily diving fee per day in these areas                          200 THB

(Similan Islands/Richelieu Rock/Surin Islands)

On a 4 day 4 night trip (3 days in Similans and 1 day at Surin (Richelieu Rock) you would expect to pay 1600 baht.

Island 1 – Koh Hu-Yong

This is the 2nd largest Island and is roughly 8 kilometres south of Island 4. It has a beautiful white sandy beach on the North West side of the Island but this Island is CLOSED to all visitors and divers. It is a turtle breeding/protection area.

Island 2 & 3 – Koh Pa-Yang and Koh Pa Yan

These 2 Islands are also closed to visitors and divers. The Islands are made up of granite cliffs and boulders and there is no beach. At the time of writing Islands 1-3 are closed in an effort to protect the underwater environment. However to the South West of Island 3 there are two excellent dive sites (Shark Fin Reef and Boulder City)

Island 4 – Koh Miang

A National Park office is located on this Island. On the Eastern side of the Island (Honeymoon Bay) there is a beach that visitors can visit. A path runs through the Island to another beach on the Western Side (Princess Bay). On this path there is also a trail up to a view point. This is quite a hard walk (steep and you will need shoes, but perhaps only 15 minutes) but you will be rewarded with some excellent views of the Eastern side of the Similans. This Island is also famous for Nicobar Pigeons and Hairy Legged Mountain Crabs. There is limited accommodation available on Island 4 (basic bungalows or tents).

Island 5 and 6 – Koh Ha and Koh Hok

These 2 Islands are to the East of Island 4. There are no beaches just granite rocks. The diving is excellent to the East of the Islands (Anita’s Reef) and the “Tuna Wreck” is located on the South-West corner. The islands are small and they are uninhabited.

Island 7 – Koh Pa-Yu

This island has a combination of granite boulders, cliffs and Sandy beaches. The Eastern side (East of Eden) is currently closed to divers and snorkellers. The Western Side (West of Eden) and Northern Tip (Deep 6) offer excellent diving opportunities and beautiful topography. The island is uninhabited.

Hin Pusa - Elephant Head Rock

Located between Islands 7 and 8 (approximately 1 kilometre South of Island 8) these boulders are also known as Elephant Head Rock. The most Easterly rock is siad to resemble an Elephants head. This is arguably the best dive site in the Similan Islands but is not recommended for snorkelling as it is too deep.


Island 8 – Koh Similan

This island is the largest in the Similans and the main National Park office is located here (this is where the park fees are paid). On the North West corner of the Island is a large bay and sandy beach known as Ao Geurk or Donald Duck Bay (the rock shaped like Donald Ducks Head). You can dive or snorkel here and there is a very good chance to see a Turtle from your diving boat. The famous “Sail Rock” is also located here and you can climb up here with great views out over the bay and to the West of the Similan Islands. There is very basic accommodation (tents) on Island 8 and a restaurant.

There is no actual resort anywhere within the Similan Islands.

Island 9 – Koh Ba Ngu

This island is the most Northerly of the Archipelago, there is no beach and it is uninhabited. The diving around the Island is excellent  and varies widely (Eastern side, sloping sandy reefs,  Western Side is huge granite boulders and in the South a bay which is excellent for snorkelling). Mantas can be around Christmas Point.
 

1. North Point - Island No 9
2. Breakfast Bend - Island No 9
3. Christmas Point - Island No 9
4. Donald Duck Bay - Island No 8
5. Turtle Rock - Island No 8
6. Beacon Reef/Point - Island No 8
7. Elephant Head Rock - Island No's 7 / 8
8. Deep Six - Island No 7
9. East of Eden- Island No 7
10. West of Eden- Island No 7
11. Anita's Reef- Island No 5
12. Honey Moon Bay/Hide Away Bay - Island No 4
13. Chinese Wall/Bird Rock - Island No 4
14. Sharkfin Reef- Island No 3
15. Boulder City- Island No 3
16. Boonsong/Bon Soong Wreck Khao Lak