Similans Diving on MV Scuba Adventure

The Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are commonly rated as one of the top 10 dive destinations in the world. The islands are located 100 km (sixty miles) Northwest of Phuket and have been a Marine National Park since 1982. The Similans are comprised of 9 granite islands running North to South with numerous small rock outcroppings, white sand beaches and tropical jungle. Spectacular dive sites in warm, clear waters make this a diving paradise. The Similans provide a huge variety of diving topography and boast the richest variety and abundance of reef fish in Thailand.


Seas are calm and dives are at moderate depths, suitable for all levels of divers. The shallow bays and magnificent coral gardens provide for amazing snorkeling experiences as well.

In general, the east coast dive sites are hard coral reef dives, with some soft corals and a huge variety and abundance of marine life. The diving is fairly relaxed, with weak currents and 30m visibility. These sites feature lush coral gardens with sea anemones and a host of colorful reef fish. Seas are calm and dives are at moderate depths, suitable for all levels of divers and also for snorkellers.


Western dive sites feature enormous granite boulders, descending down to 60 meters with swim throughs and tunnels, making the diving more challenging. Stronger currents provide nutrients for a colorful variety of soft corals and seafans.


During southern Thailand's hot season in February, March and April, the rising sea temperature causes a boom in plankton levels. This in turn attracts whale sharks and manta rays to be drawn to the Similan Islands to feed.


All this has made Similan Islands dive sites like "Elephant Head", "East of Eden" and "Christmas Point" justly famous. A world of giant underwater boulders, caves, canyons, narrow passages, some 500 species of hard and soft corals and an amazing variety of marine life including leopard sharks, guitar rays, whale sharks, manta rays and turtles is waiting to be explored.

Photographers take note that the Similan Islands are also well known for such photogenic critters as ghost pipefish, sea moths, frogfish, ribbon eels and nudibranchs. Whatever your pleasure, the Similans will satisfy your desires and give you the diving trip of a lifetime.

Here is some information on some of Similans more popular divesites.

Koh Surin Marine National Park

The Koh Surin Marine National Park is located 85 km north of the Similan Islands and 80 km west of Ranong. The Surin Islands themselves are not too impressive for diving, but the two islands between Similan and Surin, called Koh Bon & Koh Tachai are absolutely fantastic dive sites offering just about everything divers can wish for.


Southern Islands Diving on MV Scuba Adventure

MV Scuba Adventure runs liveaboard trips to the Hin Daeng and Phi Phi island areas, please refer to the schedule for more information. This is a 3 day and night trip that can be a stand alone trip or combined with the Northern trip to give 7 days and nights of diving in both the North and south Andaman.


Phi Phi Island scuba diving offers a wide range of marine life and everything from wall diving and caverns to wreck diving. The variety of diving includes wall dives, leopard sharks, sheltered lagoons and the amazing scenery of the Phi Phi Islands. Located about 45 kilometers east of Phuket, the Phi Phi Island group-precisely part of Krabi province-is composed of the islands Ko Phi Phi Don, Ko Phi Phi Lae (Phi Phi of the sea), Ko Yung (Mosquito Island), and Ko Mai Pai (Bamboo Island).

Other sites that can be visited in the Andaman Sea are:


Although the scuba diving is generally not considered to be at the world-class level-depending on your definition-Ko Phi Phi offers the keen diver a wide range of diving possibilities and occasionally some absolutely fantastic diving.What sets Ko Phi Phi apart from other dive destinations in Thailand is two features: The first is the amazing limestone cliffs rising dramatically out of the sea and plunging equally dramatically straight down underwater. The second is the remarkable variety of dive sites that are concentrated in such a small area.


Nature has created the limestone rock formations and islands which are Ko Phi Phi that have become known the world over as one of the most stunning settings in Southeast Asia. These cliffs soar over 500 meters in some areas and beautiful green trees and bushes grow on the tops and sides of these cliffs. Swimming in a protected little cove at the base of one of these steep cliffs conjures up visions of an unearthly paradise, and no matter how popular Ko Phi Phi becomes the stunning scenery will always create the feeling that no one has been here before you.


Underwater, these towers shape a rugged, interesting environment for scuba divers, and over time the elements have created caves, overhangs, and swim-throughs in this soft rock. Some caves penetrate the rock as much as 100 meters or more which make for exciting dives-if they are well planned and carried out under the supervision of a professional diver


Other types of environments include vertical walls that plunge from the surface to over 25 meters. On these walls grow a profusion of soft corals, large orange-colored fans, black coral and long stringy sea whips. Several types of unusual coral trees grow in the waters surrounding Ko Phi Phi, including a white coral bush that looks like a frocked Christmas tree-covered with ornament-like growth in the form of oysters and colorful crinoids.


In many places, the islands are fringed with hard-coral gardens, home to a wide assortment of resplendent tropical creatures. Most of the coral is healthy, although in the more popular shallow areas coral damage has occurred due to unscrupulous boat operators dropping anchor. However, in most areas coral growth and fish life is plentiful and most, but not all of the same fish species that live in the Similans can be found around Ko Phi Phi as well.


Schedule for the Southern Islands


Day 1

We get underway late afternoon for the south cruising about 6 hours over night.


Day 2 - 4 Dives

Start with a light first breakfast. Dive #1, #2 and #3 give you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the wonders of Phi Phi and Koh Ha. Stunning scenary with varied marine life are on offer for all the dives.

Koh Bida Nok and Koh Bida Nai at Phi Phi for 2 dives featuring leopard sharks, bamboo sharks, ornate ghost pipe fish, turtles...

Koh Ha for sea horse, great chimneys and swimthroughs. - "Twin Cathedrals" of Koh Ha - a safe but awesome open cavern dive with limestone stalactites. Outside this spot is nudibranch city - you can't fail to spot rare and interesting macro delights here. The day usually ends with a night dive in Koh Ha’s lagoon, alive with colour, decorator crabs, shrimps, spiny lobster, red whip corals plus more.


Day 3 - 4 Dives

Special treats today!

Dive #1, #2 and #3 give you plenty of opportunity to enjoy the wonders of Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Famous for stunning purple soft corals and one of the best places for the chance to spot whale sharks. Mantas spend hours on the cleaning stations here as do divers! Couple this with a "fish soup" of rainbow runners, yellow tail and chevron barracuda, fusiliers and millions of reef fish and you have one awesome dive location! You may dive at Koh Ha or Phi Phi for the final dive this day.


Day 4

Three dives for the last day starting at Phi Phi and moving back towards Chalong via the shark point area. You return to shore early afternoon for the transfer back to your hotel.


TOTAL DIVES for HIN DAENG/PHI PHI - 11


Included in the price is:

  • Hotel Transfers
  • Freshly cooked buffet meals
  • Snacks
  • Fruits
  • Coffee, Tea, Water
  • Tanks
  • Weights
  • Divemaster service
  • Dive torch