Similan & Surin Island Dive Sites
The Similan Islands lay claim to some of the finest dive sites in Thailand. Thriving reefs with abundant hard and soft corals highlight the dramatic terrain. The islands' east and west coasts provide contrasting styles of diving within a relatively small area. Nearly all of the nine islands the make up the Similans are defined on their western sides by huge underwater rock formations, eroded over the millennia by the action of the sea. These stone giants are home to an amazing variety of marine life and provide divers with swim through passages, caves and gorges. The eastern side of the Similan Islands support thriving reefs with some 500 species of hard and soft corals and an amazing variety of marine life that includes leopard shark, turtle and manta ray.
Koh Bon is an island located 18km northeast of the main Similan Islands group. Surrounded by reefs, the western tip of Koh Bon has established a reputation for its manta ray sightings. Whale shark are also occasionally seen off Koh Bon. Diving down the west ridge divers may encounter big schools of trevally and tuna as well as marble ray and, occasionally, leopard shark. On the way back to the shallows, schools of yellow snapper and oriental sweetlip make Koh Bon one of the best dive sites in Thailand.
Farther north again is Koh Tachai. The dive site is surrounded by granite boulders, which support big gorgonian fans and barrel sponges. Divers regularly encounter sleeping leopard shark and stingray in the reefs sand base, whilst the top of the reef supports an incredible variety of hard and soft corals.
Heading north again, Richelieu Rock is a submerged pinnacle located 12km east of the Surin islands. Only one metre of the rock appears above sea level at low tides. Below sea level the dive site opens up in to one of the regions’ finest dive sites. There are schools of barracuda, big-eye trevally and batfish clouding the pinnacle. Sergeant major, long nose emperorfish, snapper, rainbow runner and cobia provide extra colour to the dive. Big potato cod, marble ray and blue spotted stingrays are also regularly seen. Rare white spotted shovelnose rays and whale sharks are the highlight for many divers on Richelieu Rock. The latter are typically seen from February to April, but can be seen outside of these months too.
What to see when
Much of the marine life of this region can be seen consistently throughout the diving season, including both green and hawksbill turtle.
While not an area where manta ray and whale shark are seen very consistently, they are well known to these waters. Many posit that February to April are the best months for a chance of an encounter with one of these larger visitors, with manta ray sometimes seen in numbers at the beginning of the diving season in November.
Itineraries
Please note that liveaboard itineraries can change without notice. The itinerary will depend on several factors including, but not limited to, weather, diving ability of guests & the number of other boats already present at the various dive sites. All dive sites visited are subject to weather conditions and are at the discretion of your dive guides and vessel captain.
Twin-centre holidays
A liveaboard in Thailand also combines well with some of Thailand’s beautiful islands or topside treasures for those looking for a mix of experiences on their holiday.
