Similan Islands Diving Guide : dive site information and dive maps
Similan Dive Guide is the information site for the Similan islands and surrounding dive sites : Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu rock.
You find here a description of the dive sites, complete with new diving maps. Check also out the fish guide with photos and vdo's.
The Similan Islands belongs to the beautiful Mu Koh Similan National Marine Park and is approximately 65 km from Khao Lak .The archipelago consists of nine islands called Koh Payan, Ko Bayu, Ko Huyong, Payu Koh, Koh Miang (consisting of 2 adjacent islands), Koh Similan Koh Payang and Koh Bon. On the islands of Koh Miang ( island 4 ) and Koh Similan ( island 8 ) are the only accommodation in the Similan Islands.The center of the national park is also located on the island of Koh Miang.
You find here a description of the dive sites, complete with new diving maps. Check also out the fish guide with photos and vdo's.
The Similan Islands belongs to the beautiful Mu Koh Similan National Marine Park and is approximately 65 km from Khao Lak .The archipelago consists of nine islands called Koh Payan, Ko Bayu, Ko Huyong, Payu Koh, Koh Miang (consisting of 2 adjacent islands), Koh Similan Koh Payang and Koh Bon. On the islands of Koh Miang ( island 4 ) and Koh Similan ( island 8 ) are the only accommodation in the Similan Islands.The center of the national park is also located on the island of Koh Miang.
The Similan islands are closed from 15 May till 15 October
DIVE SITES INFORMATION AND DIVING MAPS
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Similan islands dive sites
Similan islands diving information : Anita's reef
On the east coast of Similan Island 5 (Koh Ha) you can find Anita's Reef. The dive site stretches from the small gap between Island 5 and 6 (Koh Hok) with a depth of only 5 meters to the southern tip of Island 5 with an extended depth of 26-28 meters. This is a gentle sandy sloped reef boasting some stunning coral bommies and areas of both table corals and staghorn corals.
A big stunning bommie located on the south east makes this dive site a must-see and attracts many photographers. From the sandy bottom base at 20 meters to the top of the rock at 12 meters, this fantastic rock is surrounded by various colourful soft and hard corals, gigantic sea fans, and a big amount of marine live. In Thai they call this spectacular rock "Hin Muan Deaw" meaning as much as "Whole roll of film rock’ because on this place alone, you can easily spend an entire roll of film.
On the western side of Similan Island 5 Tuna Wreck lies just beyond the reef edge at 28 meters at top of the wreck. This side of the island is called Hideaway Bay.
Anita's Reef is an easy dive site with gentle currents, making it an ideal check-out dive on a Similan liveaboard cruise. Read more >>
A big stunning bommie located on the south east makes this dive site a must-see and attracts many photographers. From the sandy bottom base at 20 meters to the top of the rock at 12 meters, this fantastic rock is surrounded by various colourful soft and hard corals, gigantic sea fans, and a big amount of marine live. In Thai they call this spectacular rock "Hin Muan Deaw" meaning as much as "Whole roll of film rock’ because on this place alone, you can easily spend an entire roll of film.
On the western side of Similan Island 5 Tuna Wreck lies just beyond the reef edge at 28 meters at top of the wreck. This side of the island is called Hideaway Bay.
Anita's Reef is an easy dive site with gentle currents, making it an ideal check-out dive on a Similan liveaboard cruise. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Beacon bay
Beacon Reef, also known as Beacon Beach, is a fringed coral reef located along the whole eastern side of Island 8 (Koh Similan), the highest and largest island of The Similan Islands. The national marine park office is situated on the north of the island. Some even refer to this reef as Atlantis Wreck, which rests in the middle of the reef. The Atlantis X (Rareung-Chon), a wooden liveaboard, sank in 2002 due to a malfunction of the bilge pump and landed on the reef slope at a depth of 15 meters at the bow and 30 meters at the stern. Luckily there were no casualties under the crew and divers.
Closer to the beach a mainly coral plateau gently ranges from a depth of 5 to 12 meters, which is great for easy-going dives or for night dives. The reef has a steep drop off starting from around 5 meters stretching to 40 meters. Lots of space for training and fish spotting to add to your liveaboard experience. Read more >>
Closer to the beach a mainly coral plateau gently ranges from a depth of 5 to 12 meters, which is great for easy-going dives or for night dives. The reef has a steep drop off starting from around 5 meters stretching to 40 meters. Lots of space for training and fish spotting to add to your liveaboard experience. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Boulder city
Only 1 kilometre southeast of Similan Island 3 (Koh Pa-Yan), and about 400 meters of Shark Fin Reef, hundreds of huge granite boulders and rocks are spread out underwater in such a way, giving the impression of a city layout. Boulder City is a deep and expansive dive site where the shallowest of boulder lie around 12m and the deepest at 40m with gaps of 30-40m between the 3 main pinnacles, stretched out on a sand bottom.
The boulders are generally smooth with few corals although the surface area of the boulders is covered with soft coral like the stunning fluorescent pink Anemone Coral. Golden gorgonian fans and sea whips feed in the currents at the sides and in the cracks of the boulders.
Boulder City is a great searching site, looking in crevices and finding colourful marine life. Read more >>
The boulders are generally smooth with few corals although the surface area of the boulders is covered with soft coral like the stunning fluorescent pink Anemone Coral. Golden gorgonian fans and sea whips feed in the currents at the sides and in the cracks of the boulders.
Boulder City is a great searching site, looking in crevices and finding colourful marine life. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Breakfast bend
Breakfast Bend – one of the best reefs in the Similan Islands, with lots of vibrant colours and fish. Situated east of Island 9 (Koh Ba Ngu) is a long and healthy reef following the shape of the island in a gentle bend from north to south. It is often the first dive of a trip by Similan liveaboard tour groups from Phuket and Khao Lak. The morning sun penetrates the water’s surface and lightens up the reef to brighter colours in clear water. So it got its name from the time of day when it is best to dive and from its shape. Typical of the Eastern side of the Similans, there are gentle slopes from 5-10 meters to a sand bottom at 25-30 meters with an average dive depth at 12 meters. The site is so rich in interesting species and different kinds of hard coral interspersed with sandy patches and sea whips in the north, to make it an enjoyable and safe Similans liveaboard dive.
Its easy depth and gentle currents added up to its diverse marine life makes Breakfast Bend a one hour easy-going reef dive suitable for all divers and even snorkelers. So this is definitively the ideal spot to take photographs and video. Read more >>
Its easy depth and gentle currents added up to its diverse marine life makes Breakfast Bend a one hour easy-going reef dive suitable for all divers and even snorkelers. So this is definitively the ideal spot to take photographs and video. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Christmas point
Christmas Point situated on the very north-western point of Similan island 9 (Hoh Ba-Ngu), just south of Rocky Point, is a great boulder liveaborard dive site and known for its famous swim-through at 24 meters. It consists of a cluster of submerged boulders except for one pinnacle visible from the surface. Underwater, huge granite boulders are stacked in groups on a sandy seabed. The further northwest, the more scattered and deeper they become. Diving depths range from 10-40 meters with most of the really amazing scenery from 20-30 meters around the pinnacle. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Deep six
Deep Six is a V-shaped like extension from the mainland continuing north underwater and consists of small as well as huge rocks and boulders covered with soft coral and sea fans. Situated on the north tip of Island 7 (Koh Pa-Yu), Deep Six‘s depth ranging from 5 - 40 meters and is one of the best boulder sites in the Similan Islands. It’s an exciting deep dive site on the Similans and it was named after Island 6 before the islands were renamed (Elephant Head Rock lost its status as an island), hence the name Deep Six.
At the biggest boulder in the centre, a pile of smaller rocks forms exciting swim-troughs, caverns and tunnels that rise from about 22 meters to about 12 meters. Read more >>
At the biggest boulder in the centre, a pile of smaller rocks forms exciting swim-troughs, caverns and tunnels that rise from about 22 meters to about 12 meters. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Donald duck bay
Donald Duck Bay is one of the most famous and most-recognizable view points of the islands because of its famous duck's head shaped rock that is on show. This well-sheltered bay at the northern end of Similan Island 8 is very popular in the Similans for 'beach breaks' for liveaboard cruise boats. In the evenings, boats moor this bay for night dives or early sunset dives, given it well protected location and mild to no currents. Diving conditions are quite good here, the water is generally quite clear here.
Add a beautiful white sandy beach with the fact that the rock can be easily climbed for a rewarding view over the other islands, and this bay can be quite busy during peak season.
This dive is a ‘one hour easy shallow dive’ with a nice combination of boulders and pinnacles particularly in the northern side and flat sand at a shallow depth about 20 meters maximum. There is a mixture of hard and soft coral bommies and a few sea fans round which add to the dive. Each one has its own little community of reef fish and invertebrates. The boulder section has some nice swim-troughs on the western side. Read more >>
Add a beautiful white sandy beach with the fact that the rock can be easily climbed for a rewarding view over the other islands, and this bay can be quite busy during peak season.
This dive is a ‘one hour easy shallow dive’ with a nice combination of boulders and pinnacles particularly in the northern side and flat sand at a shallow depth about 20 meters maximum. There is a mixture of hard and soft coral bommies and a few sea fans round which add to the dive. Each one has its own little community of reef fish and invertebrates. The boulder section has some nice swim-troughs on the western side. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Elephant head rock
Elephant Head Rock alias Hin Pusa lies 1.5 km located in open water to the south of Similan Island 8 (Koh Similan). It is the biggest and probably the second most-recognizable pinnacle in the Similans. There are three large boulders that emerge above water, with the biggest one located in the west. The Surface rocks look like a bathing elephant when approached from the west, hence the name. The huge boulders that form Elephant Head Rock create a maze of swim-troughs, sheer walls, arches, caverns, gullies and tunnels – great places for marine life to hide, and great places for divers to discover!
The dive site at Elephant Head Rock is surrounded by sand at a maximum depth of 35-40 meters. Being so exposed it offers excellent visibility in its deep waters. You do need to be careful of your decompression time.
Many divers find Elephant Head the best deep boulder dive of the Similan Islands chain. Read more >>
The dive site at Elephant Head Rock is surrounded by sand at a maximum depth of 35-40 meters. Being so exposed it offers excellent visibility in its deep waters. You do need to be careful of your decompression time.
Many divers find Elephant Head the best deep boulder dive of the Similan Islands chain. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Honeymoon bay
Honeymoon Bay is located at the eastern side of Island 4 (Koh Miang) in front of a small beach, they call “Haad-Lek”. This site is not too deep and therefore perfect for liveaboards mooring in the evening to have a night dive.
Hard corals and rock line up in a north to south direction, and there is a gentle slope from 5-10 meters to around 25 meters. Most of the reef coral consists of Staghorn and Pore coral. There are also some small groups of rocks containing soft coral. Read more >>
Hard corals and rock line up in a north to south direction, and there is a gentle slope from 5-10 meters to around 25 meters. Most of the reef coral consists of Staghorn and Pore coral. There are also some small groups of rocks containing soft coral. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Rocky Point
Rocky Point, also known as North Point, lays north of Similan Island 9 (Koh Ba Ngu) the most northern island of the Similan Islands. This wonderful liveaboard dive site consists of a cluster of huge granite boulders stretched around sandy patches. The holes and swim-throughs at around 20 meters offer lots of places to look for interesting marine life. More towards shore channels, shallower reefs and coral gardens run from east to west. Further north the sandy bottom leads you to a fantastic pinnacle in deeper waters, beautifully covered with soft coral and giant sea fans. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Shark fin reef
Shark Fin Reef is located 1 km southeast of Similan Island 3 (Koh Pa-Yan) and extends all the way to Boulder City. It’s the largest dive site of the Similan Island with its approximately 1 kilometre long formation of reef and granite boulders and cliff-like drop offs. This site was named for the shape of its elongated ridge of 3 pinnacles rising above the surface at low tide which reminds many of shark fins.
Most of the northern dive site consists of hard coral, soft coral and gorgonian sea fans with a maximum depth for scuba divers of around 20 meters. In the southern area the boulders make steep walls, a long canyon, platforms, cracks, and small caves to discover. Here depth goes as deep of 40 meters. A large swim-through makes a natural passage way from one side to the other.
It is like 2 different sites in one and it is quite common to dive this site twice; once on the deeper south side, then again on the north. It certainly is worth it! Read more >>
Most of the northern dive site consists of hard coral, soft coral and gorgonian sea fans with a maximum depth for scuba divers of around 20 meters. In the southern area the boulders make steep walls, a long canyon, platforms, cracks, and small caves to discover. Here depth goes as deep of 40 meters. A large swim-through makes a natural passage way from one side to the other.
It is like 2 different sites in one and it is quite common to dive this site twice; once on the deeper south side, then again on the north. It certainly is worth it! Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Turtle rock
Turtle Rock is situated west of Donald Duck Bay, on the north-western side of Similan Island 8 out towards the Andaman Sea. It is named after the turtle shaped rock at the surface that marks the dive site. Coincidently sea turtles are present and seen most days. Just south of this popular liveaboard site lies Waterfall Bay.
Turtle Rock consists of a series of shallow boulders and staghorn coral stretching along the edge of the island. The average depth of the rocky area is 15-20 meters with sand bottoms at 25 meters. All along the dive site, especially on the north side, there are lots of canyons and a few fun swim-troughs. These are mostly between a depth of 8-10 meters and the surface.
Add mild currents, a wide range of healthy and diverse marine life to clear visibility, to make Turtle Rock a very enjoyable dive site for all levels. Read more >>
Turtle Rock consists of a series of shallow boulders and staghorn coral stretching along the edge of the island. The average depth of the rocky area is 15-20 meters with sand bottoms at 25 meters. All along the dive site, especially on the north side, there are lots of canyons and a few fun swim-troughs. These are mostly between a depth of 8-10 meters and the surface.
Add mild currents, a wide range of healthy and diverse marine life to clear visibility, to make Turtle Rock a very enjoyable dive site for all levels. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : Waterfall bay
On the North West side of Koh Similan (Island 8) just south of Turtle Rock, Waterfall Bay is named after the waterfall which runs from the top of the island. When flowing, it allows boats to refill with fresh water.
This reef site is considered an easy dive with its gentle slopes reaching a maximum depth of 20 meters. Hard and soft corals blend amongst some small rocky formations. There are also some nice sandy areas for beginner divers. The further north you head the rock turn into boulders which makes it a more diverse dive. Read more >>
This reef site is considered an easy dive with its gentle slopes reaching a maximum depth of 20 meters. Hard and soft corals blend amongst some small rocky formations. There are also some nice sandy areas for beginner divers. The further north you head the rock turn into boulders which makes it a more diverse dive. Read more >>
Similan islands diving information : West of Eden
Situated on the west side of Island 7 (Koh Pa-Yu) West of Eden is a typical western Similan Island dive site consisting of giant granite boulders that create nice small canyons and crevices. Its walls are encrusted with colourful numerous sea fans, soft corals and sponges. Different marine life dominates this small reef.
Some refer to it also as ‘West of Six’. When East of Eden became too crowded and for the moment, the site is even temporarily closed, liveaboard tour operators started to look for a new dive site nearby and discovered West of Eden. It certainly has enough trumps.
Depths Range from 12 -30 meters with good visibility and it is a great dive for all levels. West of Eden is sometimes classified as a Drift dive and a great place for spotting and diving with Sharks! Read more >>
Some refer to it also as ‘West of Six’. When East of Eden became too crowded and for the moment, the site is even temporarily closed, liveaboard tour operators started to look for a new dive site nearby and discovered West of Eden. It certainly has enough trumps.
Depths Range from 12 -30 meters with good visibility and it is a great dive for all levels. West of Eden is sometimes classified as a Drift dive and a great place for spotting and diving with Sharks! Read more >>
