If you’re searching for one of the best scuba diving spots in Thailand, look no further than the Similan Islands! These diving spots will offer a diving experience that will exceed your wildest dreams. You will be surrounded by fish, turtles and, if you’re lucky manta’s and whale sharks. Prepare to be enchanted as you immerse yourself in a realm teeming with vibrant coral reefs, majestic marine life, and an abundance of colors that will leave you awe-struck.
Khao Lak to Similan Islands
To embark on your Similan Islands diving liveaboard, you have the option of booking trips from either Khao Lak or Phuket. If you choose to depart from Khao Lak, your journey will begin with a convenient hotel pickup, followed by a drive to the pier. From there, a speedboat will transport you to the larger diving vessel.
The bigger vessel from which you’ll have your diving trips, remains stationed in the Similan Islands. Our guide shared the secret to avoid seasickness to us on the way. You could either look up at the horizon the whole time or take a nap. With a travel time of approximately one and a half hours, you’ll have the opportunity to put this advice to the test.
Costs of a Similan Islands diving liveaboard
The costs of diving in the Similan Islands vary depending on the duration of your stay. The Similan Islands is a relatively more expensive region to dive in, as there is a daily entrance fee to access the the National Park. However, the unparalleled beauty and uniqueness of this diving spot make it a worthwhile investment. We went with the very professional diving company Kao Lak Explorer and paid 380 euros/ person for an all inclusive 2D/1N diving liveaboard around the Similan Islands.
Scuba diving in the Similan Islands
The islands of Koh Tao and Koh Samui are known to be one of the best spots to get your Padi Open Water certification. It’s worth noting that diving in the Similan Islands requires a bit more experience due to the potentially strong currents. The water temperature remains a comfortable 26-29 degrees Celsius throughout the year, providing an ideal environment for diving enthusiasts.
Best time for a diving liveaboard in the Similan Islands
The marine park is closed from mid May until the 15th of October due to the likelihood of extreme weather conditions. The optimal months for planning your diving liveaboard trip are early December through April. During this period, visibility in the water is excellent, and the skies are clear. If you’re eager to swim alongside magnificent marine creatures such as mantas and whale sharks, your best chances are from February onwards, particularly in the deeper waters around 30 meters. Are you convinced to take that Padi Advanced Course now and dive deeper into the underwater world?
Diving spots in the Similan Islands
All dive sites within the Similan Islands, are associated with an island number. There are 11 islands that make perfect diving spots. While the first three islands are part of a conservation protected area and inaccessible to divers, the remaining islands offer exceptional diving spots:
- Ko Miang
- Ko Ha
- Ko Payu
- Ko Hin Pousar
- Ko Similan
- Ko Bangu
- Ko Bon
- Ko Tachai
The reason why liveaboards will mention Ko Bon and Ko Tachai separately from the Similan islands, is because these two were added to the island numbers later on.
Your liveaboard will most likely include Ko Similan, Ko Bon and Ko Tachai and extra spots will be added if you have more time. It’s also possible to dive at Thailand’s best diving spot: Rock Richelieu. The Richelieu Rock is part of the Surin National Marine Park and is the most challenging diving spot, certainly not accessible for beginners. However, the rewards are immeasurable, as you’re more likely to encounter magnificent creatures like whale sharks and mantas around the feeding stations.
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2D/1N Similan Islands diving liveaboard
During our two-day adventure on a diving liveaboard, with the diving company Kao Lak Explorer, we were treated to an unforgettable experience. After a speedboat ride of one and a half hours, we arrived at the main vessel where our diving gear was already prepared for us. We set off on our diving expedition after a comprehensive briefing. To ensure safety, each diving guide accompanied a maximum of four individuals. The selection of diving spots varied according to weather conditions, offering us a diverse and captivating underwater journey.
Among the remarkable diving spots we explored in the Similan Islands were:
- Three Trees
- Beacon Reef
- Old Man Bay
- West of Ridge
- North Koh Bon
- Koh Bon Bay
Our 6 dives exposed us to an ashtonishing array of marine life, ranging from turtles and colorful parrotfish to elusive moray eels and mesmerizing cattle fish. During the dive, our guide used hand signals in order to point out all the cool fish we saw, enriching our diving experience even more. After each dive, we gathered for a recap, sharing our underwater encounters and revisiting the highlights of the expedition.
The food aboard was really good during our whole diving trip and offered vegi and non-vegi options. As the day tourists returned to shore after the second dive, the evening dives truly captured our hearts. We were completely alone in an Island Paradise, surrounded by the coolest diving spots.
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It was our first diving liveaboard ever, and… it tastes like more!
→ Short after, we did a diving liveaboard in Indonesia in the Komodo Islands, which totally blew us away!
