Koh Similan Archipelago, Phang Nga Province

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Koh Similan Archipelago is a group of islands to the northwest of Phuket. It has some of the best dive sites in the world.

The name Similan originated from the Malay sea gypsies, who called it "Sembilan" meaning "nine" in Malay, as there are originally nine islands in the Similan archipelago. The Similan Marine National Park was established in 1982 to cover an area of 128 square kilometers of the nine islands. In 1998, two northern islands, namely Koh Bon and Koh Ta Chai, were added to the group. This expanded the national park to eleven islands covering 140 square kilometers.

Today each of the Similan Islands are identified by a Thai name and a number. As the islands hold national park status, they are protected by Thai law. The largest island in the group is also called Koh Similan, and is Island No. 8 in the group. The National Park Authority maintains their presence on Koh Similan and Koh Miang (Island 4). The islands, numbered from south to north, are listed as follows:

Koh Huyong - with the longest and widest beach
Koh Payang
Koh Payan
Koh Miang
Koh Ha
Koh Hok
Koh Payu
Koh Similan - biggest island
Koh Bangu
Koh Bon
Koh Ta Chai

Similan Islands are not accessible throughout the year. Open season for Similan is only from mid November till mid May. You can go there by speed boat or slow boat from Lab Lamu pier in Phang Nga, about 70 km from Phuket. To keep the islands pristine, only a limited number of bungalows are available, on Koh Si (@ Koh Miang, Island 4).

By drawing an imaginary line from north to south, we can divide the national park into two separate environments. The eastern side has powdery beaches featuring hard coral gardens that slope dramatically from the surface to approximately 30-40 meters. On this side, the most popular activity is drift diving along healthy coral gardens while watching the reef inhabitants go about their business.

The western side offers a more exhilarating diving experience with strong currents swirling around huge granite boulders, some larger than the largest of houses. These smooth, rounded boulders make dramatic formations, holes, and overhanging swim-throughs where divers can enjoy swimming with the current through the openings. The drama of just looking up through the clear water at these huge rocks is satisfaction enough for many, as there are very few places like this on earth. Growing on these boulders are some of the most colorful soft corals imaginable.

Divers who enjoy watching and photographing small fish will find Similan Islands hard to beat for their sheer numbers and varieties, especially lionfish and anemone fish (clown fish, among others). Large fish, however, are not that common in Similan Islands. Nevertheless, Similan Islands do get their occasional whale shark, while large cow tail rays are fairly common.

Similan Islands, as a diving destination, should be enjoyed for what they are famous for; wild, unspoiled beaches, magnificent coral growth, prolific fish life, crystalline blue water and sensational underwater rock formations.

Recent mooring and other environmentally protective measures were introduced in Similan Islands over the past few years and happily, this has even improved the environmental quality. While other areas of the world deteriorate due to thoughtless exploitation, the diving in the Similans just gets better and better.

Getting there

The Similan Archipelago is off limits during the southwest monsoon, between May 15 and November 15. Originally, the national park does not allow speed boats to enter the Similan archipelago, but lately this has been relaxed - not to the benefit of the environment, unfortunately. To reach Similan from Phuket, it is encouraged that you take a trip to Khao Lak. From there, get a tour package from the port of Thap Lamu to Similan.

Accommodation is available on Island No. 4. Advance booking of at least a month ahead is encouraged. Contact number: 0-7642-1356. Air-con rooms are available for 2000 baht per night, fan rooms for 1000 baht while 2-person tents are available for 570 baht (small tent) and 840 baht (big tent). From Island No. 4, you can use the tour boats operated by the national park. The park also operates half-day snorkelling excursions at 200 baht, with mask and snorkel going for an additional 100 baht each.