The Similan Islands, located approximately 100 km northwest of Phuket in the Andaman sea, form an area of great natural beauty and were declared a Marine National Park in 1982. Consisting of nine, densely wooded islands fringed with rocky outcrops and gorgeous beaches with fine talcum powder-like sand, the islands still remain the province of the locals and divers. Diving is the main attraction of these islands. Huge granite boulders, caverns and swim-throughs produce a fascinating underwater landscape which attracts a huge variety of marine life, from tiny creatures to great Manta Rays. Water clarity is excellent and the scenery varies with each island. Ranked as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, every trip to the Similans provides a new diving experience.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Similan Islands - Diving the Similans


Similan Islands - Diving the Similans

Similan liveaboards remain the best choice to dive at these islands. There are well over 25 dive sites here, spread over quite a large area and far from the mainland. So, to truly experience all that they have to offer at a relaxed pace, we strongly recommend you choose a liveaboard.

If you are short of time or prefer land based diving, then there are many day trips packages, with and without accommodation, to choose from. Check out the options in the blue box on the right hand side of this page.

As a final alternative, there are a number of overnight trips that offer Similan Islands diving opportunities. These operate with daily speedboats from the mainland that run you out to a main diving boat that you can sleep on. You can disembark whenever you like. These trips are cheap and very popular with budget travelers, but have constant disruptions for re-fueling and passenger transfers, and are therefore not always the most pleasant way to experience the Similans.

Similan Islands Diving SeasonScuba day trips and overnight trips run from October through to May, with the very best conditions existing from November to April. Outside of these months, surface swells can adversely affect conditions. From May to August, the weather is often better in the Gulf of Thailand, so you might consider day trip diving in Koh Samui, although local diving around Phuket and Phi Phi continues year round too.

The Similan Island liveaboard season runs from early October to mid May, but there are a limited number of cruises all year round.

Similans Reef BasicsGreat for: Small animals, underwater photography, snorkeling, visibility, dive value-for-money and advanced divers
Not so Great for: Non-diving activities
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 20 - 40m
Currents: Moderate
Surface Conditions: Calm
Water Temperature: 26 - 29°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: >25
Distance: ~90 km northwest of Phuket (5 hours), 65 km west of Khao Lak (3 hours, or 1½ hours by speed boat)
Access: Similan islands diving liveaboards and day trips from Phuket
Recommended length of stay: 4 - 6 days
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