MV Marco Polo

The Similan Islands are located 100km Northwest of Phuket and are best dived by joining a liveaboard out of Phuket. With snow-white beaches set against picturesque granite outcrops above the water and spectacular dive sites in often crystal clear water below, it is not surprising that the Similan Islands are ranked as one of the finest dive destinations in the world.

Declared a National Park in 1982, the Similans are comprised of nine islands, which run roughly North to South, and numerous smaller rock outcroppings. Please note that the islands are a seasonal destination and are only available to dive between November and April each year.

Similan Island Itinerary Dive Sites

Nearly all of the nine islands that 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 East 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 sharks, guitar rays and manta rays.

Koh Bon is an island located 18km Northeast of the Similan islands. Surrounded by reefs, the west tip of Koh Bon has established a reputation for its manta rays that may breed off the island. Whale sharks are also occasionally seen off Koh Bon. Diving down the west ridge divers may encounter big schools of trevallies and tunas as well as marble rays and leopard sharks. On the way back to the shallows schools of yellow snappers and oriental sweet lips make Koh Bon one of the best dive sites in Thailand.

Koh Tachai is located north of Koh Bon. The dive site is surrounded by granite boulders, which support big gorgonian fans and barrel sponges. Divers regularly encounter sleeping leopard sharks and rays in the reefs sand base, whilst the top of the reef supports an incredible variety of hard and soft corals.

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 worlds finest dive sites. There are schools of barracudas, big-eye trevallies and batfish clouding the pinnacle. Sergeant majors, long nose emperors, snappers, rainbow runners and cobias provide extra colour to the dive. Big potato cod, marble rays and schools of over two hundred blue spotted stingrays are 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.

Flight information

Flights to Phuket are available with a wide range of airlines including Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Emirates and Qatar Airways.

Flight time: Approximately 16 hours. Stopovers city stays can be arranged in Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Currency

The currency in Thailand is Thai Baht. Euros and USD are widely accepted and easily exchanged. Visa and MasterCard accepted in hotels and restaurants. ATMs available at airports and widely throughout Phuket and Krabi.

Visas

Entry requirements vary from country to country, and it’s important to check the latest visa information well before you travel. Some destinations may allow visa-free entry for a limited period, while others require an eVisa or a visa obtained in advance. To ensure you have the correct documentation for your trip, we recommend checking the official advice from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) or contacting the relevant country’s embassy or consulate. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

Passports

Before you travel, make sure your passport is valid for the full duration of your trip and meets the entry requirements of your destination. Many countries require at least six months’ validity beyond your planned return date, while others may have different rules. For the most reliable and up-to-date information, visit the UK Government’s passport guidance or the official travel advice pages for your destination. Other nationalities should check with their own consulate/embassy.

If you’re planning to travel to or via an EU country (with certain exceptions) your UK passport must meet two key requirements, it must be less than 10 years old on the day you enter the country and it must be valid for at least three months after your planned departure date.

Vaccinations & Health Advice

Health and vaccination requirements differ depending on where you're travelling. Some destinations may require proof of specific vaccinations or recommend certain precautions to protect your wellbeing.

We’re not qualified to provide you with specific advice on vaccinations and strongly recommend that you contact your healthcare professional before you travel to discuss the inoculations you may need to consider.

For trusted guidance on health and vaccination advice, refer to the NHS Travel Vaccination Advice, Masta Travel Health or Travel Health Pro websites.