Scuba diving in the Similan Islands is often rated as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world. The 9 islands of the Similan chain lie about 100 km NW of Phuket and are visited by liveaboards and day trips. Above water, you find white sandy beaches and jungle, below water are spectacular dive sites featuring beautiful coral reefs and giant rocky landscapes. Click on the links above for liveaboard boat information, or visit our Liveaboard Comparison page.
The scuba diving in the Similan Islands varies from gently sloping hard coral reefs to deep rocky gorges and dizzying landscapes. In general, the East coast sites are hard coral reef dives, with a few soft corals and a huge variety and abundance of marine life. The dives at these sites are fairly relaxed, currents are minimal and visibility averages 30m (100 feet).
The West coast sites are slightly more challenging and exciting due to their variable depths and currents. Here you find the most incredible submarine rock formations, with huge boulders, swimthroughs and giant fan corals. This unique mixture of sites makes the Similan Islands something special. Every dive is different and you never know what to expect.
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Over the last few years, names like "Elephant Head", "East of Eden" and "Fantasea Rock" have become well known in diving circles. A world of giant underwater boulders, caves, narrow passages, some 500 species of hard and soft corals and an amazing variety of marine life including leopard sharks, guitar rays, whale sharks, turtles and manta rays is waiting to be explored.
Similan Islands Dive Sites
Photographers should take note that Similan is also well known for such oddities as ghost pipefish, sea moths, frogfish, ribbon eels, and nudibranchs. Whatever your pleasure, the Similan Islands will satisfy your desires and give you the diving trip of a lifetime.
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Contact Sunrise Divers for more details about diving and snorkeling tours
