The
Similan Islands are a group of nine virtually uninhabited tropic
islands lying approximately 80 km (50 miles) northwest of Phuket.
The group has been declared a marine national park, and increasing
efforts are being made to keep them in their currently pristine
condition. The islands include some of the best dive sites in
Thailand.
The possibilities range from touring coral gardens to adventurous
drift diving in strong currents. In the judgment of Asia Magazine
(October 18-20, 1991): "Every diver has particular favorites,
but few would dispute that the Similans... are one of the best.
The visibility tops 100 ft between the November-April peak season,
revealing a wonder world among the giant granite coral-coated
boulders stacked one atop the other to depths of 90 ft and more."
Koh Huyong, the southernmost island of the Similan group offers
a magnificent coral garden in 7-14m (23-46ft) of clear waters.
This site frequently has over 30m (98ft) visibility, only slight
currents and is considered a very safe site.
An
extensive reef runs off another of the southern islands and provides
at least four different dive sites. One bottoms out at 25m (82ft)
and has many large rocks which provide a most interesting contour;
many large schools of fish inhabit the area. Another part of the
reef has an excellent 20m (65ft) dive, with a lot of small lava
type rocks which provide a home for colorful anemones, hydroids
and soft coral as well as moray eels and red grouper. The visibility
is seldom less than 30m (98ft) and frequently better. There is
often a strong current, providing an ideal site for drift dives.
The central island of the group, Koh Miang, is the only inhabited
island. There is also a number of excellent dive sites around
this and the small adjoining island, including one that features
a jumble of huge boulders with many interesting swim-throughs
and caves. This dive often has a strong surge, which attracts
a large variety of marine life. Small whitetip sharks, rays, snappers
and turtles are just some of the species of marine life encountered
at this site.
An excellent night-dive site lies just around the corner and
close to a safe overnight anchorage and beautiful white-sand beach.
The coral drops off to 10m-20m (33-66ft), and the almost complete
absence of currents makes it ideal for night dives. Lobster and
large red crabs are commonly seen here.
Hin
Pousar, or Elephant Rock, is one of the best-known dive locations
in the area. It offers at least three excellent sites and, again,
the dramatic and varied underwater topography makes for great
diving. Anemones and coral provide a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows,
blues and browns. Large rays, tuna and barracuda are commonly
encountered.
Farther to the north lies an off-shore reef that comes up to
within 8m (26ft) of the surface and drops off to over 35m (114ft).
More passages, overhangs and chimneys provide a site that will
appeal to even the most experienced diver. Two large sea cod and
a huge resident moray eel add are among the many attractions of
this site. Seldom is the visibility less than 25m (82ft) and it's
usually even better. These are only a few of the many dive sites
available in the Similan archipelago. Each island features its
own special sites and there is something to be found to interest
both the novice diver and the much travelled diver.
Diving tours of the Similans generally range from 3-5 days, though
these islands are also a standard feature of 7- to 10-day cruises
that include other attractions such as the Burma Banks, the Surin
Islands, Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai and Koh Bon.
Note: With new fast boats in the area, one-day Similan dive trips
from Phuket are now also possible.
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