Similan Islands, Phang Nga Province, Thailand

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Similan Islands is one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand, and holds some of the best dive sites in the world. In few other places can divers enjoy such a diverse topography is so small an area.

The name Similan originated from the Malay sea gypsies, who called it Sembilan, meaning Nine in Malay, for the nine islands in the Similan archipelago. However, when the Similan Marine National Park was established in 1982, it covered an area of 128 square kilometers. In 1998, two northern islands were included into the national park, expanding the area covered by the national park to 140 square kilometers.

Visitor admiring the view from the viewpoint at Similan Islands.
© Timothy Tye using this photo

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 National Park Authority maintains their presence on two of the islands: Koh Similan (Island 8), which is also the largest island, and Koh Mieng (Island 4).

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 Mieng, 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.

Chooi Yoke and Tim at Similan Islands.
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Participants from AsiaExplorers having a great time at Similan Islands.
© Timothy Tye using this photo

The Main Island (Island 8) with its landmark viewpoint rock.