Donald Duck Bay the best Similan Dive Site for holiday post card quality photos

Similan Island No. 8: Donald Duck Bay the classic Similan Stayover

Donald Duck Bay is beautifully photogenic bay located at the Northern end of Similan Island No. 8. It is complete with pristine beach and unique rock formation that is relatively easy to climb. The dive site is named after a huge strange shaped rock on the Western side of the bay that, not surprisingly, looks like the cartoon character Donald Duck’s Head. It is actually next near to the bizarre boulder that balances precariously at a seemingly impossible angle, known as Sail Rock. In fact it is from here that the “Classic Similan” photos of white sand and crystal blue waters are taken.

Similan Island No. 8 has an official National Park Camping area and during the daytime there are many boats of all kinds here. These include snorkelers, day trippers as well as scuba divers. As such it is the perfect place to moor up for the afternoon or night, and walk around and to climb the famous viewpoint and it’s stunning views across the bay.

Donald Duck Bay is not known for the most exciting diving in The Similan Islands but remains a sure favorite for scuba divers and snorkelers. Diving is mostly shallow, mostly being 5-15m and is protected from currents being in the bay with a collection of large boulders at the entrance. If you dive Phuket or have dived with us on a Phuket Scuba Diving Trip you will see fish similar to what you have already see. However little on Phuket can compare to the viewpoint and stunning scenery.

Donald Duck Bay is perfect for beginner divers, Night Dives and beach excursions ...

Will we go to Donald Duck Bay on our Similan Liveaboard?

Donald Duck Bay, or Ao Guerk as it known in Thai, is a very, very popular Similans dive site. Not only for scuba divers, but also snorkelers, day-trippers, Day Tours and so on.

During the day, you will find the all the usual Similan marine life, although Divers are unlikely to see anything very large or special. However, with so much dive time and air take, take your time, keep your eyes open, and you never know what you will see here.

What Turtles can we see?

Extremely popular visitors and residents here are the very friendly turtles. This is because The Similan Islands are home to both Hawksbill and Green Turtles. Due to the popularity of both these fantastic marine reptiles and Donald Duck Bay itself as a tourist destination, many people decide to feed them.

This is absolutely the WRONG thing to do!

No matter how hungry or happy they may appear, do not feed any turtles! To start with Turtles stomachs are not made for anything other than their natural diet of jellyfish etc. Especially not rice and bananas. Secondly, they also become accustomed to interacting with and being fed by humans. This in turn, can easily lead to boats or people getting too close to them. Which not surprisingly could harm or kill them.

Hopefully your Liveaboard Boat Crew will mention this in their Boat and Dive Briefings. However, if they don’t, at least you know now.

Please Do Not feed the Turtles!

Will we be staying overnight stay at Donald Duck Bay?

If you are moored up here over night and then chances are you will be doing a Night Dive or 2 here. You can expect to see many species of shrimp, crabs and Spiny Lobsters. Although sadly lobsters are quite a rare find now-a-days. There are many sleeping fish in the Hard Corals, particularly Parrot Fish. Lion Fish and Scorpion Fish are numerous and they are active during the night time. Giant Morays are also active at night. Additionally, you also have the chance to see Cuttlefish and Squid who look even more awesome at night as they change colours.

As we have said there are many Turtles in Donald Duck Bay and you may well find one sleeping during a Night Dive. They are normally beneath a rock at a depth of around 5m. If you do see a Turtle try not to disturb it, as if you wake it they can become disorientated and drown. Remember turtles’ breath air like we do, which is why you are very likely to meet one at the surface when you least expect it.

When you are ending the dive be sure to swim away from the rocks, if you are not doing a back to boat dive, so the dinghy can pick you up safely.

Finally: if you are very lucky you may see a White Tip Reef Shark hunting in the deeper waters. Keep an eye out for green eyes, as this can only be a Shark or a Ray ...