| The Similan Islands in Thailand are commonly rated as | | | | boulders, sea fans can grow to some three metres |
| one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world. | | | | across, and in such numbers that you cannot possibly |
| Comprising of nine granite islands covered in a tropical | | | | swim through. The contrast between the east and |
| jungle, washed by a clear blue tropical ocean the | | | | west coasts and the variety of underwater |
| Similan Islands (also referred to simply as the Similans) | | | | topography is one of the reasons the Similan Islands |
| provide some of the most beautiful and diverse dive | | | | are so popular - every dive offers you something |
| destinations in Thailand. The Similans lie in a 25 km | | | | different. |
| long north-south chain of islands, 65 km offshore | | | | For underwater photographers and lovers of marine |
| from Phang Nga Province in the Andaman Sea, about | | | | life, then diving in the Similan Islands is difficult to |
| 100km from Thailand's main tourist city, Phuket. | | | | surpass for variety and abundance of tropical fish. |
| The eastern fringes of the Similans feature pretty | | | | Leopard sharks make appearances on a regular basis |
| hard coral gardens in the shallows and sloping reef | | | | and you'll also see white-tip reef sharks. It's not a 'big |
| banks down to thirty metres. At some dive sites | | | | fish' paradise, but it's consistently great for sheer |
| such as East of Eden, large bommies (coral heads) | | | | diversity of marine life. You may find anything from |
| rise from the sea bed and are blanketed with soft | | | | tiny ghost pipefish to turtles and giant bumphead |
| corals, fan corals, and swarms of smaller tropical fish. | | | | parrotfish. |
| East coast Similan Islands diving is relatively | | | | Although the tsunami of 2004 did affect a few of |
| easy-going, allowing you plenty of time to explore | | | | the reefs here, most are in excellent condition and |
| the sites at your own leisurely pace. | | | | many divers in the last seasons have commented to |
| The western side of the Similans along with the north | | | | us that they could not see any reef damage. |
| and south points can offer more exciting diving as | | | | Liveaboards leaving from Phuket are typically 4 day |
| currents swirl around huge sunken granite boulders, | | | | tours, and visit both the Similans and Surin Islands |
| which form a series of arches, tunnels and | | | | including Koh Bon, Koh Tachai and Richelieu Rock. |
| swim-throughs at sites such as Christmas Point and | | | | Some shorter tours (2 or 3 day) visit the Similan |
| Elephant Head Rock. Growing on, and between, | | | | Islands only. Day trips for diving and snorkeling are |
| these enormous rocks you find a tapestry of | | | | now becoming more common from Phuket. |
| colourful soft corals. In the channels between the | | | | |