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Thailand - Scuba Diving Liveaboard / Dive Site
Similan Islands / Andaman Sea / Thailand
The
islands are universally recognized as some of the best
world-class diving. The word "Similan" is derived from the
Malaysian word "sembilan" which means "Nine" and there are
nine granite islands. For many generations, the only human
visitors were the so-called Sea Gypsies who came to fish on
the teeming reefs. The Similan Islands were formed some
100-150 million years ago. There present formation is
derived from cracked granite rock which has been sculpted
from the winds and waves.
The Nine Islands in the Similan Group / Thailand are:
(running from North to South):
Koh Bangu (No.9), Koh Similan (No.8), Koh Pabu (No.7), Koh
Payu (No.6), Koh Ha (No.5), Koh Miang (No.4), Koh Payan
(No.3), Koh Payang (No.2) and Koh Huyong (No.1).
The Similan / Thailand were designated as a National Park in 1982. The rangers of the Similan National Marine Park take great pride in the conservation of the islands and have closed islands No.1-3. Island No.1 is turtle inhabitation. High season in this area officially begins in November, and ends in May, but the visibility varies all year round, from generally 20 meters to sometimes over 40 meters.
On the west side of the Simialn islands, the granite has been eroded into massive blocks. Scuba diving here, you can explore swim-throughs, avoiding the huge sea fans; you may see a shy white-tip or black-tip shark, as they speed off into the blue. In good visibility, the granite boulders truly can seem like an underwater city. On the east side of the Similan islands, you can drift through coral gardens and streams of fusiliers, watch dozens of feather worms pop closed as you pass, or observe fields of garden eels, swaying in the sand.
Dive sites such as
Boulder City, Baracuda Point, Fantasea Reef, Deep Six,
Beacon Reef, Breakfast Bend, Christmas Point, Deep Six, East
of Eden, Shark Fin Reef, Stonehenge, and Elephant Head are
only some of many fantastic dives sites at the Similan
Islands.
Surin Island
Of
course, no trip to the Similan’s is complete without
visiting the nearby Surin National Park. This is the site of
the Richelieu Rock, world-famous for sightings of the
magnificent, yet gentle, whale shark. Also, Ko Bon and Koh
Tachai are top class dives and are the best places to see
manta rays.
The reefs are home to a multitude of tropical fish of all sizes, shapes and colours, with frequent sightings of turtles, rays and sharks.
Dive sites such as
Hin Rap and Koh Tornilla are only some of many fantastic
dives sites at the Surin Islands.
Koh Bon, Koh Tachai & Richelieu Rock
Further
up north, some extraordinary scuba dive sites invite the
adventurous scuba diver to some unforgettable underwater
excursions. Richelieu Rock is an outstanding scuba dive site
about 10 miles southeast of Surin Island.
The plankton concentration here is often very high and thus, the amount and variety of fish and coral is larger than anywhere else on Thailand's west coast.
Located halfway between Surin and Similan, Koh Tachai and Koh Bon offer fantastic scuba dives with many soft coral and schools of large tuna and barracudas.
The main attraction of Koh Tachai is a huge underwater
reef with big boulders, sea fans, and swim-throughs. Koh Bon
is the ultimate spot for deep dives, as the impressive reefs
and walls drop down to depths of more than 45 meters (150
ft.) in crystal clear, blue water. Also, manta rays are
frequently sighted in this area.
Thailand: Southern Islands
There
are dozens of islands in the south of Phuket / Thailand ,
and many of them are noted as being the best scuba diving
areas in Thailand. There is an excellent variety of dive
sites with reef walls, fringing reefs, and caves to explore
around the offshore islands and rocks. Marine life is
abundant, with a healthy cross-section of reef species, as
well as pelagic. Visibility is typically a respectable 20
meters, with visibility on the dive sites furthest from the
mainland sometimes reaching 30 meters or more.
Dive sites such as
Racha Yai, Racha Noi, Phi Phi Island, Koh Rok, Hin Daeng,
Hin Muang, Ko Ha, Koh Bida Nai, Koh Bida Nok, Hin Bida Nai
and Hin Bida Nok are only some of many fantastic dives sites
you can visit around the southern islands of Phuket.
Tarutao National Marine Park - The Butang Island Group
The
Butang Group of Island’s is part of the Tarutao National
Marine Park, which provides the clearest waters and most
beautiful coral gardens in the area. These granite islands
are completely covered by rain forest and fringed by soft
white deserted power sand beaches, similar to those found in
the Similan Islands.
It is estimated that 25% of the world's tropical fish species can be found in Ko Tarutao Marine National Park / Thailand . Every type of fish, mammal, reptile and bird currently residing in South Thailand can be found within the boundaries of Tarutao National Park. The park is very well known for its four types of sea turtles.
Dive sites such as
Koh Lipe, Koh Butang, and Koh Rawi are only some of many
fantastic dives sites at the Tarutao National Marine Park
and the Butang Islands.
For more detailed information
regarding the various dive sites we visit during our
programs contact:
