Similan Islands Liveaboard Diving
Hallelujah
ThailandUS$1,117 from
Explore the Similan Islands aboard the MV Hallelujah liveaboard. She is one of the most comfortable & largest dive liveaboards cruising the Andaman Sea from November - April. She has 13 en-suite cabins to cater to 25 guests
Thailand Aggressor
ThailandUS$3,290 from
Explore the Andaman Sea aboard the world class Thailand Aggressor liveaboard. With up to 5 dives a day you are sure to see the best of Thailand & Burma in comfort with exceptional Aggressor service
Diva Andaman
Thailand and IndiaUS$2,836 from
The beautiful S/Y Diva Andaman Liveaboard is a stunning classic sailing yacht offering fantastic journeys diving the Similan Islands with 7 luxury AC, en-suite cabins she delivers personal attention
Diva AndamanWhat To Expect On a Similan Islands Liveaboard
Liveaboards in Similan Islands will take divers to the most well known dive areas in the amazing dive destination of Thailand. The Similan Islands are ranked as one of the top dive destinations in the world. Made up of 9 granite islands, located 100 km Northwest of Phuket and 65km offshore from Phang Nga Province in the Andaman Sea, the Similan Islands were declared a National Park in 1982 and offer scuba divers exceptional diving adventures. Similan Island liveaboards will visit dive sites that feature varied landscapes and vibrant marine life. Massive boulders, caves, reefs and passages are home to over 500 species of hard and soft corals and astonishing pelagic life. The East Coast boasts exceptional visibility and weak to moderate currents while the West Coast waters are deeper with stronger currents. With such varied dive sites, the best way to enjoy the Similan Islands is on a premier dive liveaboard.
Similan Islands Underwater
The landscape of the Similan Islands are a feast for the eyes both above and underwater. From the tropical white sandy beaches and clear blue waters to the granite boulders on land and underwater, it is a paradise difficult to surpass and understandably one of the most popular dive locations in the world. It is becoming ever more popular to take a dive safari on a liveaboard due to easy access to these remote islands. An abundant marine life roams the subterranean landscape of these islands. It is common to see leopard sharks, guitar rays, whitetip sharks, blue spotted stingrays, clown triggerfish, rabbit fish, scorpion fish, snappers, emperor fish, giant trevally and angelfish. Turtles and giant bumphead parrotfish make their appearances and the sharp eyed diver may find tiny ghost pipefish, mantis shrimps, porcelain crabs or cleaner shrimp. To dive amongst the boulder formations and see their impressive size underwater is truly wondrous.
Dive Sites Of Similan Islands
Similan Liveaboard itineraries may vary but some popular dive sites include:
Anita's Reef on the east coast, just off Similan Island No.4 boasts impressive coral formations, boulders this subterranean landscape provides a sanctuary for a very diverse marine life. From hunting Bluefin trevally, yellowfin goatfish, blue damsels to the very common shrimp gobies, the easy currents allow for a great first dive option for most dive trips.
West of Eden, also known as West of Six for its location to the north-west corner of Island number 6, enjoys a healthy hard coral reef and massive granite boulders. Batfish, Turtles and Octopus are common residents to the reef. Through the rocky channels, frogfish, ribbon eels, giant morays and barracudas can also be seen. Keep an eye out in the blue for passing larger pelagics.
Elephant Head Rock, named after a rock that jets out of the water visible from the surface, this is the biggest pinnacle in the Similans and has some fantastic swim-throughs. A more challenging dive site due to strong currents, you may see white tip reef sharks, batfish, trevally and barracuda can often be seen on the perimeter of the boulders and the avid macro photographer can look out for smashing mantis shrimp, fire gobies, porcelain crabs and cleaner shrimps.
Donald Duck Bay, is a popular night dive spot on the north-west corner of Island no.8. Named after a rock resembling the cartoon character, this site is great for macro lovers. The boulders are home to emperor shrimps, red round crabs, decorator crabs, triton shells and cone shells, bull crabs, red octopus and cuttlefish and green turtles
Boulder City, is a large submerged granite outcropping, about 1km off the east coast of island no.3 with jumbles of boulders scattered around a flat sandy bottom. A slightly more advanced dive site, the current can sometimes bring the whale sharks and manta rays.
Shark Fin Reef - As is prevalent in the Similans, this dive site consists of another series of granite boulders covered in gorgonians and hard corals with a great diversity of marine life including the Napoleon wrasse, turtles, boxfish, clown triggerfish, schools of batfish, yellow goatfish, palette surgeonfish, blue-faced angelfish and bannerfish amongst others.
Honeymoon Bay lies to the northwest of Island 5. Its sheltered location, it is a popular place for boats to moor and include a night dive. This is when the Reef crabs, shrimps, lobsters, cuttlefish and nurse sharks all come out, leaving their crevices looking for food. With an average depth of 15-20 meters, the reef is decorated with hard corals, keep an eye out for shy garden eels on the sandy bottom.
Christmas Point, true to its name, is one of the most colourful, scenic dives in the islands on the far west side of Similan Island 9. This outcropping is home to several giant archways which provide superb topography and forms some of the best swim-throughs in the Similans.
Other dive sites include: Three Trees, Beacon Point, Breakfast Bend, Chinese Wall, Coral Reef, Deep Six, Hideaway, Deep six, North Point and Stonehenge.
Top Tips For Divers
Thailand liveaboard trips to the Similan Islands run from November through to May. The Islands are closed for the rest of the year. The end of February often sees an increase in currents attracting the larger marine creatures like whale sharks and manta rays. Visibility ranges from 25-40m during this period and water temperatures range between 26-29c. You may not need more than a 3mm neoprene shorty or full body wetsuit bearing in mind after a 3 or more dives a day, you may get cold. If you are bringing your own equipment, consider bringing a DIN adapter (if you have DIN regulators) as Thailand uses the standard yoke system.
Getting To Similan Islands
Please check your individual liveaboard itinerary carefully and be aware of different departure ports depending on your liveaboard chosen. Liveaboard cruises may depart from Chalong Pier in Phuket, Thap Lamu Pier in Khao Lak, Phang-Nga Province. Transfers to the port are provided from Phuket International Airport or your hotel. Please notice some liveaboards may even depart from one port and return to another, i.e depart from Phuket and return to Khao Lak. Some International flights fly directly to Phuket or you can get a connecting flight from Bangkok.
Similan Islands Diving Reviews
The soft and hard corals are beautiful. Can find fishes of different species, the size might not be big but most are interesting and beautiful. Diving there is relax and enjoyable.
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Manta Queen 7great visibility, saw: White Tip Reef Shark Indian Cownose Ray Dogtooth tunas Garden Eels, Bluefin Trevally, Clown Triggerfish, Oriental Sweetlips,Giant Morays, Giant Trevally, Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
Diving Similan Islands in February on the PawaraExcellente, très bonne visibilité, vie marine variée avec parfois la bonne surprise d'un requin baleine, d'une raie manta....
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Dolphin QueenGreat, we saw a lot of different underwater environments, many different species, wreck and tunnels.
Diving Similan Islands in December on the Similan ExplorerRough water but visibility good and lots of fantastic things to see including a whale shark.
Diving Similan Islands in December on the HallelujahMuy bueno,mucha vida,no para animales muy grandes. Visibilidad no mas del 10m. Sin corriente en la mayoria de los buceos
Diving Similan Islands in December on the Manta Queen 7Amazing visibility, diverse dive sites
Diving Similan Islands in October on the HallelujahAwesome. So.e current with the chilly green monster thermoclines. All-in-all surreal.
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Similan ExplorerFantastic, like a Nat Geographic film.
Diving Similan Islands in April on the Similan ExplorerThe Similan islands was a prestige dive site that was an amazing place to visit and wake up to on our first morning. So much to see and so many new things found and photographed.
Diving Similan Islands in April on the Sawasdee FasaiThe best dive trip that we have taken to date!
Diving Similan Islands in April on the Similan ExplorerWonderful, not too far from the mainland but far enough to deter day trips, very nice little islands, beautiful reefs and beaches.
Diving Similan Islands in March on the Deep Andaman QueenAmazing topography, granite rocks, really diverse dive sites. Lots of fish to see. Saw sharks, turtles and stingrays
Diving Similan Islands in March on the Similan ExplorerGreat place to dive, lucky to see sharks, turtles and a lot more
Diving Similan Islands in March on the Similan ExplorerBeautiful intro dive. We saw a sea turtle, clownfish, tons of other fish, feather sea stars, gorgonian coral fans. This was a shallower dive that allowed us to get our feet wet since it had been awhile since either of us had been diving. There were a couple of swim throughs. We did a night dive here and saw an octopus.
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Manta Queen 1Great visibility, saw Mantas, sting rays, beautiul corals, - all in all wonderful dives.
Diving Similan Islands in March on the Dolphin QueenKorallenwachstum und Fischreichtum sind top. Sichtweiten waren sehr gut
Diving Similan Islands in March on the Sawasdee FasaiGreat + very good visibility
Diving Similan Islands in March on the Manta Queen 1Plenty of life to see both day and night diving
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Sawasdee Fasai LiveaboardPerfekt für den Anfang, Geringer Schwierigkeitsgrad und doch beeindruckende Tierwelt
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Similan ExplorerClear view, amazing big size of aquatic life
Diving Similan Islands in February on the The JunkCheck dive in chanel between 5 and 6 - not much to see on that one - except perhaps underwater sculptures which are entirely missable. Turtle Rock (Similan 8) was fun - finding passage ways among boulders. Outside Similan 9 (Three trees) was good
Diving Similan Islands in February on the The JunkAmazing, got over 30 mt visibility and almost no currents exept 2 dives, got to aee big mantas.
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Similan ExplorerExcellent! 1 first/check dive at The Channel 1 dive at Elephant Head Rock 1 dive at Three trees 1 visit at Donald Duck Bay 1 night dive at Bommies 1 dive at Christmas point
Diving Similan Islands in February on the The JunkGreat visibility and plenty of marine life. Visit to two fantastic beaches.
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Hallelujah LiveaboardNice dives, a bit too much current sometimes ( Tachai pinnacle) My favorite were Elephant head rock and I like Boonsoon wreck also.
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Dolphin QueenOne word, to be done again
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Manta Queen 6Good, not the best I've ever had. No whale shark but that's just nature. Did encounter a big female Manta ray thought!
Diving Similan Islands in January on the Diva AndamanPretty good - better than most other dive sites I've done in Koh Chang and Koh Lipe.
Diving Similan Islands in February on the HallelujahGood, no large fishes, but plenty of marine life. Beach visits were a good addition.
Diving Similan Islands in January on the Similan ExplorerGreat, so many fish. We even saw whales!!! And manta
Diving Similan Islands in January on the Similan Explorer看到了很多种鱼类，以及豹纹鳗，🐙，乌贼<□:≡，傻傻的泰坦扳机鱼等，不过现在环境恶化很厉害，死珊瑚太多了，让人💔，呼吁潜水员不要用防晒霜下水，努力保护我们共同的家园。
Diving Similan Islands in January on the Manta Queen 1Pretty beautiful corol. Large amount of fishs. But there was no big fish to see.
Diving Similan Islands in January on the Manta Queen 5Great deep dives, good visibility
Diving Similan Islands in January on the Manta Queen 3Wonderful. One of my best diving experiences.
Diving Similan Islands in January on the Manta Queen 5One of the best dives sites to date. Warm water, great vis, lost of life. None of the big stuff on this trip, but the macro stuff was really beautiful and interesting.
Diving Similan Islands in January on the MV DiveRACE Class Egorgeous~ nice people nice guiding nice food everything was perfect!!!
Diving Similan Islands in December on the Manta Queen 3Wonderful combination of beauty both above and under the surface
Diving Similan Islands in December on the Thailand AggressorIt was spectacular. Every dive site had something different.
Diving Similan Islands in December on the Manta Queen 3Amazing, could see so many fish and awesome coral.
Diving Similan Islands in December on the Dolphin Queennice places with nice coral almost no current
Diving Similan Islands in November on the Deep Andaman QueenGreat, although some places coral was damaged, wonderful waters to dive!
Diving Similan Islands in November on the Deep Andaman QueenVisibilities were not super good, but a nice variety of animals.
Diving Similan Islands in November on the MV Similan ExplorerVisibillity was ok most of the time and sometimes even very good. I think we only had one dive which had bad visibillity.
Diving Similan Islands in May on the MV PawaraVery peaceful in low season
Diving Similan Islands in May on the The JunkSome strong Currents on some Spots, but a really nice Entrée to the Rest of the Week. Good Occasion to get back into the Feeling.
Diving Similan Islands in April on the The JunkSimilan has good dive sites but also less good ones. The choice of the dive sites is sometimes hard to understand
Diving Similan Islands in March on the The JunkGood, visibility was decent, current was a bit hektik
Diving Similan Islands in March on the MV DiveRACE Class EBeyond all of my expectations!!
Diving Similan Islands in February on the Deep Andaman QueenGood, but visibility could have been better. Saw a couple of manta rays which was very cool.
Diving Similan Islands in December on the MV DiveRACE Class Egood but very poor visibility
Diving Similan Islands in December on the Diva AndamanNice, easy diving. Only thing I'm not a fan of is the way all the liveaboards drive over the dive sites to drop off, creating a huge noise underwater.
Diving Similan Islands in December on the Deep Andaman QueenKoh Bon pinnacle was fantastic. Rest was very good.
Diving Similan Islands in November on the Giamani