The Similan Islands (หมู่เกาะสิมิลัน) are consistently ranked as one of the top ten dive destinations in the world . With their rich coral reefs and diverse marine life, the Similans are a dream destination for both scuba divers and snorkelers seeking to experience the wonders of the Andaman Sea.
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Scuba Diving vs. Snorkeling in the Similans
The Similan Islands National Park consists of nine main islands (though only some are currently open for landing) and features numerous famous dive sites, each with unique characteristics suited to different types of diving.
| Diving Type | Approximate Depth Range | Key Sightings | Popular Dive Sites |
| Snorkeling | Surface to 5 meters | Hard corals, small reef fish, sea turtles | Donald Duck Bay (Koh 8), Ao Kring (Koh 8), East of Eden (Koh 7) |
| Scuba Diving | 5 – 40 meters | Soft corals, sea fans, large marine life (Whale Sharks, Manta Rays), rare macro life (Frogfish, Nudibranchs) | Elephant Head Rock, Christmas Point, West of Eden, Richelieu Rock |
The Underwater World: Marine Life You Will Encounter
The thrill of diving in the Similans is the opportunity to encounter rare and large marine animals (Big Fish) that are the highlight of the Andaman Sea.
The Big Stuff
•Whale Shark: The Similans offer a high chance of spotting Whale Sharks, especially during the peak season (November to April). Frequent sighting spots include Richelieu Rock and Koh Bon .
•Manta Ray: Often found at Koh Bon and Richelieu Rock, they swim in current-rich areas to feed on plankton.
•Sea Turtle: Both Green Turtles and Hawksbill Turtles are commonly seen in shallow and deep coral reefs, particularly at Ao Nam Chai (Koh 9) and around Islands 5 and 6 .
Mid-sized and Macro Life (The Reef Life)
•Clownfish: Also known as “Nemo,” these can be found among the Sea Anemones throughout the shallow coral reefs.
•Garden Eel: Found in large colonies on sandy bottoms, especially at the dive site Eel Garden (Hin Muan Diaw) at Koh 5 .
•Frogfish: A master of camouflage, often found among soft corals and sea fans at deeper dive sites like West of Eden .
•Moray Eel: Various species, such as the Spotted Moray Eel, are often seen hiding in crevices and coral formations.
Popular Scuba Diving Hotspots
1.Elephant Head Rock (Hin Hua Chang): An underwater rock formation resembling an elephant’s head. It is a challenging deep dive site due to strong currents but offers excellent opportunities to see sharks and large marine life at depths of 20-50 meters .
2.Christmas Point: A dive site at Koh 9 (Koh Ba Ngu) famous for its large soft corals and sea fans. There is a chance to spot large fish like Groupers and Sweetlips .
3.West of Eden: A vibrant dive site at Koh 7 (Koh Payu) filled with colorful soft corals and diverse nudibranchs. Deeper areas offer the chance to see Blacktip and Whitetip Reef Sharks .
Must-Visit Snorkeling Spots
1.Donald Duck Bay (Ao Kuek Ma) – Koh 8: The most famous bay in the Similans, featuring the iconic Sail Rock (Hin Ruea Bai) and beautiful shallow coral reefs, perfect for viewing fish and sea turtles .
2.Ao Kring (Ao Kuek) – Koh 8: Features abundant hard coral reefs and large schools of fish, ideal for snorkeling and relaxing on the beach .
3.East of Eden (Ruen Kluay Mai) – Koh 7: A sloping reef from 5 to 35 meters, making it suitable for both snorkeling and diving. Snorkelers can enjoy the high diversity of marine life in the shallow waters .