The Similan And Surin Islands

The Similan And Surin Islands

A Liveaboard In Thailand Is A Not To Be Missed Experience

Similan Island National Park Dive Site Map

Undoubtedly the best liveaboard diving in Thailand, the Similan and Surin Island National Parks should be on every divers wish list. It's hard to describe such a wonderful place so I'll let the words of the great Jacques Cousteau do it for us...

”The waters of the Similan islands are crystalline and pure; they are teeming with invertebrates. The blue and white affection of these unspoiled beaches, washed by a clear sea, is reminiscent of the skies painted by baroque masters” - Jacques Cousteau

Similan Island Dive Site Turtle Rock

Turtle Rock

Most of the Similan Island liveaboards steer away from night dives in favour of sunset dives that are usually far better. However on the first night on the boat you may well jump in at Turtle Rock. It will probably be your one and only night dive of the trip. The shallow, protected bay usually has very easy conditions and clear water. The dive site got its name from the turtle shaped rock that sits out of the water on the west side of the [...]

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honeycomb morays seem to be everywhere

Boonsung Wreck – Khao Lak

The Boonsung wreck was formerly one of many vessels that were used in Thailand's former booming tin mining trade. Allegedly it sank due to a faulty toilet and came to rest on the sandy bottom at 18m. It's located just outside the port at Tablamu near Khao Lak. Originally it was a hazard to shipping and the Thai navy dropped a couple of bombs to level it out a bit. Add that to the damage created by the 2004 tsunami and we're left with somethin [...]

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chevron barracuda at west of eden

West Of Eden

After the coral bleaching in 2010 that devastated the wonderful East Of Eden this rocky dive site became more popular. Most sites on the western side of the Similan Islands are comprised of granite boulders and hard corals so they are a little more resilient to temperature change. Depending on the current the dive will begin around the mooring line in the small bay to the south of the dive site. It's worth spending some time in this area. [...]

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Similan Island Dive Site Anita's Reef

Anitas Reef

Anitas Reef is a super easy dive site with great visibility. For these reasons it's used by many liveaboards as the first dive of the trip so all the divers have a nice easy start and get their weighting correct for the rest of the trip. The dive will certainly start in the calm shallows and you'll slowly work your way towards deeper water. Your guide will check your weighting is OK and that divers are nice and relaxed. The dive site very [...]

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Similan Island Dive Site Three Trees

Three Trees AKA Breakfast Bend

Three trees is one of the longest dive sites in the Similan Islands National Park. There's not many that allow for a decent drift dive. This gently sloping reef is perfect for all levels of divers. Beginners can stick to the reef in the shallows and the more experienced divers can explore the colourful bommies at depth. The dive site comprises of three main sections. Breakfast Bend in the south, Three Trees in the middle and the if the c [...]

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Phuket Diving Site Elephant Head Rock

Elephant Head Rock

Elephant Head Rock is a large rocky pinnacle that nestles between Similan Islands seven and eight. The strong current that runs between the two islands has smoothed the granite boulders on Elephant Head Rock and created lots of really nice swim-throughs. Although strong currents are frequently prevalent. The large size of the pinnacle ensures there is always a sheltered and safe area to dive. It's often the first dive of the day to allow d [...]

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hunting packs of predators at richelieu rock

Richelieu Rock – Thailand’s Great All Rounder

Very few dive sites can match Richelieu Rock for variety. So much so that it can be a bit of a nightmare for photographers choosing which lens to take. On its day regarded as one of the top ten dive sites in the world and is certainly the best in Thailand. Allegedly 'discovered' by Jacques Cousteau with the help of local fisherman. There is much debate on how Richelieu Rock got its name so it's nice to think that the great man had some involv [...]

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Surin Island Dive Site Koh Tachai

Koh Tachai Pinnacle

Koh Tachai is a picture postcard tropical island with lush greenery and white sand beaches. Situated 20km north of Koh Bon and the Similan Island National Park. Underwater it's even more spectacular, huge granite boulders, healthy corals and tonnes of fish. A couple of mooring buoys is all you will see above the surface. The top of the dome shaped pinnacle is at 12m and falls away to 45m on the deepest side. The site is usually exposed to [...]

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The West Ridge Of Phuket Diving Site Koh Bon

Koh Bon Diving – Phuket’s Manta Magnet

A two hour sail northwest from Similan Island #9 will bring you to the granite island of Koh Bon. Although a fair distance away it's still considered part of the Similan Island National Park. Easily recognisable by a circular opening in the granite wall. The majority of dives here will incorporate the west ridge. A thin granite spine of rock that starts above the surface and continues underwater to a depth of 40m. Along the ridge you'll fi [...]

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Local Guides, Local Knowledge, Local Experiences

Don't trust your diving to amateurs or freshly minted dive guides, dive with local experienced experts from Local Dive Thailand. Our Scuba Diving Phuket Tours will take you to see the rarest of the rare critters, you will be amazed by the macro life our guides can find, in the secret places only they know. To put it in perspective, if you were going to climb Mount Everest you would certainly hire a local sherpa to lead the way & keep you safe. Diving is similar because there is absolutely no substitute for local experience & local knowledge, Local Dive Thailand's guides are Phuket's Sherpa's of the Andaman Sea!

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Scuba Diving Phuket, Phi Phi & Thailand

When talking about Scuba Diving in Phuket, you should believe the hype, many seasons we have had Whale Sharks grace us on our regular and easy to reach dive sites and on a good day you can add Sea Horses, Sea Moths, Snake Eels, Frog Fish & Octopus to what you can see on any given dive and so much more. If we are heading to Phi Phi Island for the day, you can possibly see Hawksbill Sea Turtles and Black Tip Reef Sharks, also don't forget the King Cruiser, 84 meters of beautiful wreck and the most amazing reef nursery for fish and nudibranch. Local Dive Thailand day trip tours to these locations are not to be missed when you are scuba diving Phuket, get in touch with us and book an 'awesome' day of diving.

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