Similan Island, Thai paradises

Talking about tourism, Thailand is one of the most ideal destinations in the world. As for diving, it´s not far behind as you can practice the activity throughout the country.

It´s difficult to make a decision while choosing your destination, but if you want the best diving in Thailand, without a doubt you should explore Similan Islands.

Similan Islands (Mu Koh Similan) is the most important National Marine Park in the country, located in the Andaman Sea. It has been classified by the "National Geographic Society" as one of the 10 best diving destinations in the world. It consists of eleven islands, the main group of nine, plus Koh Bon and Koh Tachai a little further away. If we continue to the north, we enter Surin Islands National Park (Mu Koh Surin). Despite being outside the park´s boarders, Richelieu Rock is part of it.

Dive Site Map

The best time to visit these islands is during their dry season. During monsoon season, between mid-May and mid-October, the government closes the National Park to preserve the islands from mass tourism.

Some restrictive measures remain throughout the year, like not being able to visit some islands, even diving. This is the case for the first three Similan Islands, a sanctuary for turtles which choose those beaches for nesting.

With all these restrictions, we still have lots of places to visit both inside and outside the water. The landscapes that characterize the Similan Islands are formed by large granite boulders. This makes the morphology of dives peculiar, finding swim-throughs between rocks and diving among huge gorgonians.

The beaches around these islands can boast being some of the most beautiful in the world. In the following photo we see why:

The most popular way to get to the Similan Islands is from Khao Lak. You can book a day trip, or the most common option is to visit them from a liveaboard, which reaches the islands in 3 or 5 days. If you are thinking of visiting the islands, get in touch with "KhaoLak Scuba Adventures", and board the "Manta Queen Fleet", the most recognized liveaboard company in Thailand.

Manta Queen 7

If you´re looking for a diving vacation, these islands are a good option. You will add a significant number of dives in your DiveLog in a short time here and also love what its waters hide.

See you in the blue