Similan Islands
Similan Islands, or “The Nine Islands”, is located about 100km northwest of Phuket and is by far the most beautiful group of dive sites in Thailand. Being a national park, fishing is not allowed within the area and therefore fishes and other marine life thrive under the circumstances, making it one of the world’s best dive sites. Without any land based resorts, divers and tourists visiting the islands can choose to stay in liveaboards. Marine life to expect would be the tropical fishes like lionfishes or anemone fishes. Occasionally you may chance upon a leopard shark or two, or if you’re lucky enough, maybe a whale shark!
Diving Seasons
The best period for Similan would be during October to May, although diving is still available all year round. Visibility is best during those eight months but overall it remains at least 15m most of the time, which is still pretty good!Reef Basics
Great for:
Highlights:
Cow tail rays, leopard sharks, whale sharks, tropical fish
Depth:
5 – >40m
Visibility:
20 – 30m
Currents:
Can be strong
Surface conditions:
Calm
Water temperature:
26 – 29°C
Number of dive sites:
>15
Experience level:
Recommended Length of stay:
3-5days
Dive Sites
There are approximately 18 dive sites diveable Similan. They are:- Coral Garden
- Boulder City
- Shark Fin Reef
- Bird Rock
- Stonehenge
- Hideaway Bay
- East of Eden
- Deep Six
- Beacon Beach
- Beacon Point
- Fantasy Reef
- Turtle Rock
- North Point
- Batfish Bend
- Breakfast Bend
- Snapper Alley
- Christmas Point
- Donald Duck Bay
Getting There
- 2 hours from Singapore to Phuket, Thailand, by plane
- 2 hours 30 min from Phuket to Similan, by speedboat
Everyday:
SIN-HKT TR152 Depart 08.15 – Arrive 09.55
SIN-HKT TR154 Depart 13.50 – Arrive 15.35
HKT-SIN TR153 Depart 10.30 = Arrive 12.10
HKT-SIN TR155 Depart 16.05 – Arrive 17.45
All times are in Singapore GMT +8 hours
Liveaboards
With a range of liveaboards to choose from, Gill Divers chooses to dive with:
