Diving at Similan National Marine Park
Diving at the Similan Islands
We started to dive at the Similan Islands about 15 years ago and since then we have been diving there regularly during our dive tours. The Mu Koh Similan National Marine Park is suitable for beginning and advanced divers.
Giant boulders and powdered white beaches
The Mu Koh Similan National Marine Park is situated about 90 km south of the Surin National Marine Park in Thailand and covers an area of 128 square km. "Similan" in Malay means 9, recounted that this world-renowned National Marine Park occupies 9 main islands, which are situated in north-south direction.
The whole area is uninhabited by humans with exception of the two National Park offices on island no 4, Koh Miang, and island no 8, Koh Similan.
The lush rainforests are filled with rare wildlife and are offset by huge and bizarrely sculpted granite boulders that make up the mountains and become a divers wonderland beneath the sea. Far from shipping lanes and the mainland, water clarity is excellent with visibility of up to 40m +.
Dive with manta rays at the Similan Islands
The dramatic underwater terrain is highlighted by awesome geological formations, thriving reefs with an abundance of soft corals and a diverse collection of marine life, particular fish species and frequent visits of pelagics like manta rays and sometimes whale sharks.
Although the dive site Koh Bon is the most frequently visited site by manta rays, you can also have a good chance to dive with manta rays at Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. During rare occasions we also dive with them at other dive sites like Elephant Head or Gorgonian Valley.
Dive sites at the eastern shores
Dive sites along the eastern shores of the Similan's feature gently sloping reefs and drop-offs with impressive fields of sea anemones, teeming fish population and flourishing hard corals and soft corals.
With gentle currents and mostly moderate depths, these sites are suitable for any level of diving skill and are also perfect for snorkeling.
Dive sites at the western shores
The western dive sites are quite the opposite. Giant boulders meet up with the seabed at 30 meters or more. The gaps between these boulders, channel the open ocean through, creating moderate to strong currents.
The water is very clear, yet nutrient rich; there is no sedimentation or sand build up, and the water action has created massive networks of arches and swim through's that provide extremely exciting diving. The high availability of nutrients in the water also provide the raw materials for the food chain, with masses of gorgonian's, crinoids, sea fans and soft corals filtering the plank tonic bounty.