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Similan Islands

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Liveaboard traffic in Donald Duck Bay
Liveaboard traffic in Donald Duck Bay

The national park of the Similan Islands [1] (เกาะสิมิลัน) is in southern Thailand, 50 kilometers west of Khao Lak. It is considered the best place in Thailand for divers.

[edit] Understand

The park covers 140 square kilometers in total, 14 of those being land in the shape of an archipelago consisting of nine islands. They are Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang (two adjoining islands), Ko Payan, Ko Payang, and Ko Huyong. For simplicity they are often referred to by their number instead - 1 through 9 starting from the south. Recently, the park was expanded to include the two remote islands Ko Bon and Ko Tachai, but since "Sembilan" is Malay for "nine" this doesn't seem to stick in people's minds and those are not visited as often as the original nine.

[edit] History

The islands were created by upwellings of hot magma during the Tertiary-Cretaceous period some 65 million years ago, then smoothed by glacial ice and the erosion by the sea. The coral reefs are about 5000 years old and hence the oldest in Thailand. In 1982, the national park was established and now it is scheduled to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The 2004 tsunami left the islands and the underwater landscape almost unharmed, since the waters are very deep around the islands.

[edit] Landscape

The nine granite islands are postcard perfect images of paradise, covered in tropical jungle and equipped with beaches of chalk-white sand. As if this was not enough, the views under the water surface are even more impressive - this is the best dive site in Thailand. Skin-Diver Magazine has acclaimed the Similans to be one of the ten most beautiful places in the world.

[edit] Flora and fauna

There is an enormous diversity in species - both in fish and corals. The visibility is the best you will find in Thailand. You will see plenty of colorful fish such as lionfish and clownfish (Nemo), and if you're lucky you may spot a bigger one like a manta or even a whale shark.

On Ko Huyong Thai Marines run a turtle breeding facility, but access to the island is limited.

[edit] Climate

High season in the Similans is from December until April, when the monsoon stays far away. The best period to visit is March, when the winds are calm and the water clear. The national park is closed from May 16 to November 15.

[edit] Get in

There are several dive trips going to the Similans from Phuket and some from Khao Lak. Both day trips and live aboard cruises are available. Dedicated cruises where your boat picks your group up from your destination and cruises around usually start at 4 days and 4 nights in length. Many shorter trips are available, often with operators who have a large vessel on the islands over summer and who do regular transfers using smaller speed boats.

Note that there is a national park entry fee of 400 baht per traveller and a further daily usage fee of 200 baht per diver per day. Most boats do not include this in their quoted price. It is paid to your dive operator before the trip.

[edit] From Phuket

Some diving liveaboard trips depart from Chalong or Patong. Most departures actually leave from Tap Lamu near Khao Lak but focus on the Phuket area, with offices in Phuket and pickups from major beaches:

Diving liveaboards:

  • Jonathan Cruiser, 43/63 Moo 5, Viset Rd., T. Rawai A. Muang, Phuket, ☎ +66 76 281 529 (, fax: +66 76 281 530), [2]. Jonathan Cruiser offers 4 day/5 night and 5 day/6 night liveaboard diving trips. 25000 baht for 4d/5n plus park fees and rental.  edit
  • White Manta Liveaboards, 18 Sin Ming Walk, #02-03, Singapore, ☎ +65 9677 8894 (, fax: +65 6452 5496), [3]. White Manta is a Singaporean operator which has two vessels doing liveaboards in the Similans: the MV White Manta and the MV Black Manta. White Manta liveaboards are fairly high end, with the option of staying in luxury master suites with en suite bathrooms. 4d/3n trips start at approximately 28000 baht.  edit
  • Scuba Cat Diving, 94 Thaweewong Rd, Patong Beach, Phuket, ☎ +66 76 293 120 (, fax: +66 76 293 122), [4]. Scuba Cat Diving has several liveaboard options. There are three cruise vessels which do longer trips (4 days/4 nights and up) to the Similan Islands among other destinations. There is also a vessel, the MV Scuba Cat, moored on the Similans throughout the high season with transfers by speedboat on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and you can vary your length of stay from 2 days/1 night and upwards accordingly. The lack of daily transfers has its upside: there won't be the bustle of divers arriving and leaving every single day. From 12000 baht for 2d/1n.  edit
  • South Siam Divers, 459/1 The Best Villa, Patak Rd, Karon, Muang, Phuket, ☎ +66 76-286-016 (, fax: +66 76-286-020), [5]. South Siam Divers has two boats moored on the Similan Islands, one with daily transfers and one with transfers 5 days a week (excluding Wednesday and Sunday). You can do daytrips through to living onboard for a week or more. The boat sleeps 28 and day trips are also possible, so during peak season there can be as many as 60 people on board for lunch between the arrival and departure of the speedboat. Divers are allowed 4 dives a day of 50 minutes each and must follow a guide. From 11000 baht for 2d/1n.  edit
  • Peterpan Andaman Diving Co.,Ltd., 8/62-3 Moo 3 Kwang Rd. Tambon Vichit, Amphur Muang Phuket 83000 Thailand, ☎ Mobile : +66 (0) 84 638 6668 Tel : +66 (0) 76 521 948 or +66 (0) 76 521 949 (, fax: +66 (0) 76 521 949), [6]. Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Trip, Richelieu Rock Daily Trip, Surin Island Daily Trip, Liveaboard Trip, Burma (Myanma) Liveaboard Trip,Richelieu Rock – Burma (Myanma Liveaboard) Trip, Similan Islands – Surin Islands – Richelieu Rock Liveaboard Trip,Surin Island - Richelieu Rock Liveaboard Trip, Similan Island Liveaboard Trip, Private Cruise Charter, Wedding Cruise Charter,Corporate Event & Party Charter, PADI Course, Package Tours, Dive Equipment Rental and more with Dive in Thailand. ..  edit

[edit] From Khao Lak

Diving liveaboards:

  • Similan Diving Safaris, 13/19 Moo 7, Khaolak, Kukkak, Takuapa, Phang-Nga, ☎ +66 76 485 470 (, fax: +66 76 485 471), [8]. From 17800 baht (bunk in a 4 person room) for 4d/4n.  edit
  • Manta Point Dive Center, 91 Moo 6, Khao Lak, Khuk Kak, Takuapa, Phangnga 82190, ☎ +66 (0) 76 485 624 (), [10]. Dive with Khao Lak's finest live-aboards. Departures daily, stay as long as you want. Enjoy personal service in small groups while we show you the beauties and sights of Thailand, esp. under water.  edit
  • '''*****2009 ECO Winners''' - Khaolak Scuba Adventures Club, 13/47 Moo 7, Khuk-Khak, Takuapa, Phang Nga 82190, Thailand, ☎ +66 76 485 602 (, fax: +66 76 485 607), [11]. From 2700 baht.  edit

Overnight Diving Tours:

  • Similan Overnight Tours, 4/37 Moo 7 Khuk Khak, Takuapa, Phangnga, ☎ +66 76 486 868 (), [12]. Wicked Diving offers unique 3 day/2 night diving adventures. Nights are spent on the the islands, days are spent at various dive sites. Trips depart Monday and Friday 15,900 baht.  edit

Snorkeling only liveaboards:

  • Similan Tour, 1/6 Khao Lak, Lam Kaen, Thai Muang, Phangnga, ☎ +66 76 443 258 (), [13]. Similan Tour have a snorkeling-only liveaboard for 3 days and 2 nights, departing Tuesdays and Fridays. 7400 baht.  edit

Day trips:

  • Similan Scuba Adventures, 4/56 Moo 7, Tambon Khuk Kak, Amphur Takua Pa, Phang Nga, ☎ +66 76 485 610 (fax: +66 76 485 610), [15]. Similan Scuba Adventures have a day trip where divers and snorkelers go to different sites to get the most out of the experience. They also have liveaboards. The day trip is 52 Euro for snorkelers and 76 Euro for divers (2 dives)..  edit
  • Similan Diving - Wicked, 4/37 Moo 7 Khuk Khak, Takuapa, Phangnga, ☎ +66 76 485 868 (), [16]. Wicked Diving Offers one day trips to the Similan Islands with safe, secure guides. Guides speak English, Swedish, Norwegian, German and Italian. 5000 Baht.  edit
  • Manta Point Dive Center, 91 Moo 6, Khao Lak, Khuk Kak, Takuapa, Phangnga 82190, ☎ +66 (0) 76 485 624 (), [17]. Manta Excursions to Koh Bon, Day trips to Similan Islands and Richelieu Rock. Enjoy personal service in small groups while we show you the beauties and sights of Thailand, esp. under water.  edit

[edit] From Ko Lanta

Diving liveaboards:

  • Lanta Diving Safaris, 289 Moo 1, Ban Saladan, Ko Lanta, ☎ +66 75 68 49 04, [18]. Lanta Diving Safaris, Ko Lanta's only liveaboard, does periodic (about 1 per month) 7 day/7 night trips that include a day's diving in the Similans. 7d/7n trips approx 30000 baht plus fees.  edit
  • Dive Safari Asia, 10/1 Moo 7 Khuk Khak, Takuapa, Phang-Nga, ☎ +66 0805 269 521 (), [19]. Fully inclusive dive tours featuring Similan and Koh Lanta National Parks, all transfers included prices starting at 15,000 Baht.  edit

[edit] Fees/Permits

The National Park fee is 400 baht/day (children 100 baht). For Thai citizens the fee is 40 baht, children 20 baht.

Diving fee is an additional 200 baht/day regardless of passport.

[edit] Get around

There are tours leaving from Khao Lak that offer diving and snorkeling tours. In addition, once on the islands there is the option of using the Marine Park boats for transit between the islands. This is not totally reliable, but is a less expensive alternative.

[edit][add listing] See

Incredible marine life, great scenery, white sand beaches.

[edit][add listing] Do

The Similan Islands are home to some of the best diving sites in the world. They are also home to great snorkeling, bird watching and sunbathing.

[edit] Suggested Itinerary

Day tour & overnight stay

  • Full day tour - Pickup by operator at hotel in Phuket or Khao Lak by minivan. Depart from Khao Lak Thap Lamu pier or Pakarang Beach by speedboat to Similan archipelago. Snorkelling in area of the beautiful fishes and coral on Island no. 4. - relax on the beach until buffet lunch is set up on the beach. Continuing to Island no. 7 and do snorkelling from the boat. Landing on Island no. 8 to do more swimming and climb the landmark of the islands "The Sail Rock". Last stop at the strait between Island no.8 and 9 called "Snapper Alley" for snorkelling. Returning to Khao Lak or Phuket at the end of the day.

+++

  • Overnight stay - requires that you join in on a operators vessel or charter your own boat. Recommend 1 or 2 nights stay. There are no public transportation to Similan Marine National Park. Only Island no. 4 has bungalows / Island no. 4 and 8 has tent camps and restaurants. All accommodations is run by the Similan Marine National Park. Transfer to ongoing destinations can be arranged.

+++

Tour & activity operators

  • Wild Kingdom Tours Co. Ltd. [20] (บริษัท ไวลด์ คิงดัม ทัวร์) Tel: +66(0)76 296 231

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Lodging

There are both tents and bungalows available for rent. As of November, 2009 the Bungalows are being renovated. The National Park claims they will be available for habitation on December 20, 2009.

[edit] Camping

Tents are available for rent. In addition, on Island #8 you can rent space and put up your own tent.

[edit] Stay safe

See the Stay safe section of the Scuba diving article for diving safety tips.

[edit] Get out

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