SIMILAN ISLANDS

🌴 Similan Islands National Park – Thailand’s Premier Diving Destination

The Similan Islands National Park is one of Thailand’s most stunning island destinations, located in the Andaman Sea off the west coast of Phang-Nga Province. This world-famous archipelago includes eleven islands: Koh Bangu, Koh Bon, Koh Ha, Koh Hin Pousar, Koh Huyong, Koh Meang, Koh Payan, Koh Payang, Koh Payu, Koh Similan, and Koh Tachai, all part of Mu Koh Similan National Park, covering over 140 square kilometers of pristine marine and terrestrial wilderness.

With white sandy beaches, lush tropical jungles, and crystal-clear waters, the Similan Islands are a must-visit for divers, snorkelers, and nature enthusiasts. These islands offer some of the best diving in Thailand, featuring untouched coral reefs, abundant marine life, and spectacular underwater landscapes.

🐠 Diving in the Similan Islands – Thailand’s Top Dive Sites

The waters surrounding the Similan Islands are renowned for world-class diving. Divers and snorkelers can explore:

• Vibrant coral reefs with stunning soft and hard corals.
  
  

• Granite rock formations creating dramatic underwater scenery.
  
  

• Diverse marine life, including reef sharks, manta rays, barracudas, triggerfish, and colorful anemonefish.
  
  

The Similan Islands diving experience is often listed among the top diving destinations in the world, thanks to exceptional underwater visibility and rich biodiversity in the Andaman Sea.

🌿 Conservation & Wildlife Protection

The Similan Islands became a protected National Park in 1982, ensuring the preservation of Thailand’s unique marine and island ecosystems. Key conservation measures include:

• 🚫 No commercial or sport fishing in restricted areas.
  
  

• 🚫 Controlled island access to protect wildlife and nesting sites.
  
  

• 🛡️ 2014 park expansion, including Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, enhancing protection efforts.
  
  

Visitors can encounter tropical birds, reptiles, rare wildlife, and countless marine species, making the islands a biodiversity hotspot in the Andaman Sea.

🏝️ History & Meaning of the Name

The name “Similan” comes from the Yawi language, meaning “Nine Islands.” Although the park now includes more islands, the Similan Islands remain one of Thailand’s most iconic marine destinations, celebrated for their pristine beaches, crystal waters, and unforgettable diving experiences.

Diving the Similan Islands

Key Facts:

• Access: Only by boat from Phuket or Khao Lak
  
  

• Depth: 10 – 40 m
  
  

• Currents: Mild to strong
  
  

• Water Temperature: 26 – 30°C
  
  

• Visibility: Up to 30 m
  
  

• Dive Type: Reef dives (boulder and wall)
  
  

• Best Diving Season: November to April
  
  

The Similans are world-renowned for coral reefs rich with marine life, including:

• Manta rays and whale sharks
  
  

• Sea turtles and sea snakes
  
  

• Reef fish, pelagic species, and macro creatures
  
  

Note: To protect the islands, visitor numbers are limited to 3,325 per day, and a permit is required in advance. Tour operators handle applications using your passport information.

Favorite Dive Sites in Similan National Park

1. West of Eden – Koh Hua Kalok

• Depth: 28 m
  
  

• Difficulty: Beginner
  
  

• Start over a coral nursery (10–12 m) with schools of angelfish and snappers
  
  

• Zigzag through rock channels (25–28 m) with gorgonian seafans
  
  

• Spot mantis shrimps, moray eels, pipefish, and Durban shrimps
  
  

• Look out for barracudas and sea turtles overhead
  
  

2. Elephant Head Rock – Koh Hua Kalok & Koh Similan

• Depth: 12 – 30 m
  
  

• Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
  
  

• Explore granite boulders, swim-throughs, and valleys
  
  

• Observe lionfish, giant seafans, moray eels, blue-spotted stingrays, seamoths, and reef sharks
  
  

3. Koh Bon

• Depth: Up to 30 m
  
  

• Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
  
  

• Best site in Thailand to see manta rays
  
  

• Features cleaning stations and pinnacles with zebra sharks
  
  

• Rich in pipefish, nudibranchs, and banded coral shrimp
  
  

4. Koh Tachai Pinnacle

• Depth: 30 m
  
  

• Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced
  
  

• Offshore dive only (island closed to visitors)
  
  

• Dive along coral gardens with trevallies, barracudas, giant mantas, and whale sharks
  
  

• Two northern pinnacles offer exceptional soft coral diversity
  
  

Why Dive the Similan Islands?

The Similans offer some of the most spectacular diving in Thailand, suitable for all levels:

• Beginners: Shallow reefs with calm currents
  
  

• Advanced divers: Pinnacles, drift dives, and strong currents
  
  

• Photographers: Stunning soft and hard corals, abundant marine life
  
  

• Macro divers: Nudibranchs, pipefish, and shrimps abound
  
  

Despite past coral bleaching and tsunamis, the islands remain a paradise for divers and snorkelers, with vibrant underwater landscapes and abundant marine species.