Big Blue Tech: Similan Islands
For some, the thrill of diving remains the marine life. Many have seen wrecks over and over and have never found the draw for their style of diving. For those who get a thrill from the best diving in the world combined with technical diving the similan islands is for you.
At time of publishing this content we are the only technical diving operator in thailand to have an office in Khao Lak and a liveaboard with technical diving facilities. We also have a speed boat for day trips.
These trips can be included with your technical training course.
Similan Islands in Brief
Great for: Small animals, underwater photography, snorkeling, visibility, dive value-for-money, advanced divers, technical diving
Not so Great for: Non-diving activities
Depth: 5 - 100m
Visibility: 20 - 40m
Currents: Moderate
Surface Conditions: Calm
Water Temperature: 26 - 29°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: 25+
Distance:65 km west of Khao Lak (3 hours, or 1½ hours by speed boat)
Access: Similan islands diving liveaboards and day trips from Khao Lak
Recommended length of stay: 4 - 6 days
Similan Islands Diving Season
Scuba day trips and overnight trips run from October through to May, with the very best conditions existing from November to April. Outside of these months, surface swells can adversely affect conditions. From May to August, the weather is often better in the Gulf of Thailand, so you might consider day trip diving in Koh Tao.
The Similan Island liveaboard season runs from early October to mid May, but there are a limited number of cruises all year round.
King Cruiser Wreck
"Sunken car ferry wreck"
Depth: 12 - 32m
Visibility: 5 - 20m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Intermediate
Number of dive sites: 2
Diving Season: All year round
Distance: ~27 km east of Phuket (1¾ hours), 18 km west of Phi Phi (2 hours), 40 km southwest of Krabi (3 hours)
Access: Phi Phi Islands, Krabi and Phuket scuba diving day tours
Racha Noi
"Fringing coral island with drop-offs"
Depth: 5 - 60m
Visibility: 15 - 40m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Calm, but can be rough at North and South Point
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: South Point - Advanced divers only, all other sites - intermediate
Number of dive sites: 8
Diving Season: All year round
Distance: ~32 km south of Phuket (2 hours)
Access: Phuket liveaboard cruises and day trips
Deep Six
"Boulder Ridges"
Depth: 5 - 80m
Visibility: 25 - 30m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 26 - 29°C
Experience Level: Intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving Season: October to May
Distance: ~90 km northwest of Phuket, 65 km west of Khao Lak
Access: Diving Similan liveaboard and day trips departing from Phuket
Christmas Point Reef
"Arches and swim-through's"
Depth: 5 - 80m
Visibility: 20 - 40m
Currents: Moderate
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 26 - 29°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving Season: October to May
Distance: ~90 km northwest of Phuket, 65 km west of Khao Lak
Access: Similan liveaboard diving safaris and day trips departing from Phuket
Stonehenge
"Boulders and alleys"
Depth: 10 - 60m
Visibility: 20 - 40m
Currents: Easy to moderate
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 26 - 29°C
Experience Level: Intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving Season: October to May
Distance: ~90 km northwest of Phuket, 65 km west of Khao Lak
Access: Liveaboards and diving day tours from Phuket
Richelieu Rock
"Top 10 in the world"
Depth: 5 - 35m
Visibility: 15 - 35m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 26 - 29°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: 2
Diving Season: November to April
Distance: ~200 km north of Phuket (10 hours), 80 km northwest of Khao Lak (4 hours, or 2 hours by speed boat)
Access: Thailand liveaboards and Khao Lak diving day trips
Recommended length of stay: 2 days
Hin Deng - Hin Muang
"Tekkie Dream"
Depth: 5 - >40m
Visibility: 15 - 40m
Currents: Can be strong
Surface Conditions: Can be rough
Water Temperature: 27 - 30°C
Experience Level: Intermediate - advanced
Number of dive sites: 2
Diving Season: November to April
Distance: ~100 km southeast of Phuket (5 hours), 90 km south of Phi Phi (2½ hours)
Access: Diving Thailand liveaboards from Phuket, and day trips from Phi Phi
Recommended length of stay: 1 - 2 days
