Top 10 Liveaboards in the Similan Islands in 2023

The Similan Islands have long been a top destination for divers — if not the number one entry on their bucket list. Situated in the Andaman Sea off the coast of Thailand, these nine granite islands in a national marine park are surrounded by clear blue waters full of lush marine life.

Many dive centers in Phuket and Khao Lak offer day trips to some of the closer dive sites in the Similans. But, with more than 25 sites to choose from that are spread out over a huge area, experiencing the best diving this region has to offer is not possible with day trips. Liveaboards are the only way to dive the best sites in the far-flung Similan Islands.

Your Guide to Liveaboard Diving in the Similans

Day trips are great, especially if you’re short on time. But with dive sites scattered across such a vast area in the Similans, the only way to truly experience the beauty and wonder of this region is on a liveaboard.

About the Similan Islands

The Similan Islands is a Thai archipelago located 40 miles (65 km) off the Phang Nga province of Southern Thailand and 60 miles northwest of Phuket. The area was established as a protected marine park in 1982 and covers an area of over 32,000 acres.

Similan is derived from the Yawi (a Malay language of Southern Thailand) word for nine, representing the nine islands that make up the archipelago. In 1998, the national park was extended to include two additional islands: Koh Bon and Koh Tachai, both of which are visited by the majority of Similan liveaboards. Although each island has a name, each is also designated a number for easier identification.

As a protected area, very few people actually live on the Similans. In fact, the only permanent inhabitants are the park rangers situated on the two main islands of Koh Miang and Koh Similan (islands number four and eight).

Over the years, as the Similans became increasingly popular with tourists, the national park became one of the most overcrowded in the whole of Thailand. Island 11, Koh Tachai, was so badly affected that it has been completely closed to tourists since 2016. In 2018, as part of a plan to slow environmental destruction from over-tourism, the Thai government introduced a daily cap of 3,325 visitors allowed into the park and no one is allowed to stay on any of the islands overnight.

These small granite islands are covered in thick tropical jungle and edged with pristine white sand beaches. One of their most striking features are the huge boulders and rocks scattered around the southern and western shores of many of the islands. Over millions of years, the wind and waves have sculpted these huge rock formations into dramatic shapes to create a stunning topography.

And the topography is not just restricted to the surface. Below the water, these boulders continue to spread down to the depths, becoming home to a diverse abundance of sea life and creating an adventure playground for divers with crevices, caves, canyons, and passageways.

Getting to the Similans

The only access to the Similan Islands is by boat via mainland Thailand, namely Phuket and Khao Lak. Luckily, Bangkok is the travel hub of Asia for many of the world’s airlines. Once in the country, the easiest way to get to Phuket is a 1 hour 25 minute flight with one of the national carriers, such as Thai Smile, Nok Air, or Thai AirAsia. Khao Lak is around a three hour drive from either Phuket or Krabi airport.

Always check current visa regulations before traveling to Thailand. Some nationalities don’t require one at all, whereas others need to apply for a tourist visa prior to arrival. And, with travel regulations changing all the time in this era of Covid-19, check with your airline for current guidelines. Although visitors were required to quarantine after arriving, The Tourism Authority of Thailand has announced that vaccinated foreign visitors will be welcome in Phuket from July 1, 2021 without the need to quarantine. Hopefully, other destinations in the country will follow.

Life on Land

With the Similan Islands being closed to overnight visitors, many divers choose to stay on mainland Thailand for a few days before and after their liveaboard. Many safaris depart from either Phuket or Khao Lak, both of which offer a variety of hotels, guest houses, and hostels to suit all budgets.

Life Underwater

The Similan Islands are often rated among the top 10 dive destinations in the world for a good reason. No other region in Thailand — or possibly even the whole of Asia — offers such biodiversity and abundance of marine wildlife.

The warm waters and clarity of the Andaman Sea is ideal for coral growth, and more than 500 species of hard and soft coral have been identified in the region. Table and staghorn corals form a carpet on steep slopes while bright, colorful soft corals and huge gorgonian fans cover the massive underwater granite boulders.

These well-established reefs are a magnet for creatures, large and small, and pulsate with life. The Similans bring together most of the marine species found in other parts of Southeast Asia. From hawksbill and leatherback turtles, mantas, groupers, and reef sharks to guitarfish, morays, frogfish, and ghost pipefish, there’s something amazing to be found around every corner and in every nook and cranny.

Underwater photographers will find the Similans difficult to beat for the sheer number and variety of species. Whether you’re looking to snap big creatures passing by or small critters among the corals, you will not be disappointed.

Reef Dives for Days

Each of the Similan Islands are similar, with the diving on the eastern side being very different from elsewhere around the island. On the eastern edges, divers can expect weaker currents, excellent visibility, and healthy reefs. The diving is gentle and easy-going, allowing you to go at a leisurely pace and relax while taking in the sights.

Off the western edge and the northern and southern points, the currents get stronger, drawing in the larger pelagics. Deeper waters are home to steep drop-offs, gorges, tunnels, arches, and swim throughs created by massive sunken boulders. And interspersed throughout the dive sites and among the rocks are a cacophony of colorful soft corals and huge sea fans.

OW or AOW?

Many operators welcome snorkelers and non-divers on board and don’t specify a minimum level to join their safaris. However, to really get the most out of a Similan liveaboard and have the confidence to deal with the region’s strong currents, it’s advisable for divers to be at least Advanced Open Water.

Luckily, some liveaboards give divers the opportunity to do AOW training as part of the excursion, and the majority offer speciality courses, such as nitrox, deep, and photography. Non-divers can sign up for an Open Water course on a few of the liveaboards. But, who really wants to be worrying about buoyancy and buddy breathing when you’re trying to enjoy some of the best diving in the world?

Water Temperatures

Water temperatures around the Similans remain pretty steady throughout the year, ranging between 79 and 84 degrees Fahrenheit (26 and 29 degrees Celsius).

For hardened divers, the warm waters may allow them to get away with wearing just a rash guard and shorts. However, the majority may find it more comfortable with a 3 mm wetsuit — or even a 5 mm if they feel the cold easily.

Best Time To Go on a Similan Islands Liveaboard

Diving in the Similan Islands is seasonal and practically all liveaboards only operate between mid-October and mid-May. Between May and October, the region is hit with monsoon winds, rain, and surface swell which makes for unpredictable diving conditions.

The end of February brings stronger currents and the larger marine creatures. March and April are possibly your best chance of spotting mantas rays, sharks, and even whale sharks.

6 Must-Dive Sites in the Similans

There are more than 25 dive sites in and around the Similan Islands, and liveaboard guides should ensure you dive the best of the best. Although sites on the western edges of the islands are trickier, each of the dive sites offer something to suit all levels of diver.

From coral-encrusted walls to gently sweeping currents, add these Similan dive sites to your bucket list.

The Best Dive Sites in the World

Elephant Head Rock

Elephant Head Rock is undoubtedly the most popular site in the Similan Islands. Giant boulders covered in a tapestry of soft coral form a labyrinth of tunnels and gorges creating swim throughs where divers can have fun. Nurse sharks and snapper rest below the overhangs while blue-ringed angelfish, cuttlefish, mantis shrimp, and Andaman sweetlips dart among the reef.

Anita’s Reef

Due to its shallowness, Anita’s Reef is great for all levels of diver and is always a favorite with photographers. It’s also considered a competitor for the best dive site in the Similans. Soft tree, table, and staghorn corals blanket stunning bommies and create a hiding place for glassfish, longnose hawkfish and juveniles of all kinds. Look out in the sand for Kuhl’s stingrays and spotted garden eels and, if you’re lucky, you may even get a glimpse of the majestic 6.5 feet (2 m) long fantail stingrays.

Christmas Point

Submerged boulders scattered across a wide area make up Christmas Point and the site sometimes requires more than one dive to truly appreciate all it has to offer. Coral gardens have formed in the crevices and are home to frogfish, ribbon eels, and nudibranchs. While testing out your buoyancy on a number of swim throughs, keep an eye out for napoleon wrasse, barracuda, tuna, and black-tip reef sharks who have taken a liking to Christmas Point.

East of Eden

East of Eden is often described as aquarium diving due to the density of marine life. Once closed to divers due to coral bleaching, the reef is now a beautiful mixture of both soft and hard corals, most notably large clusters of staghorn coral. But the highlight is the large bommie known as Gluay-Mai, The Orchid Garden. Hot pink anemones and purple and blue soft corals cover the body while green sea fans dot the lower portion. If you’re into macro-photography, this is definitely a dive not to miss.

Donald Duck Bay

Fans of night diving should include Donald Duck Bay on their list. It’s a relatively easy dive with a flat sand bottom at around 65 feet (20 m) covered in rocks and boulders. The swim-throughs are especially fun at night and the boulders and the gaps between them are home to a plethora of night-loving sea creatures who choose the hours of darkness to come out and play. Expect to see crustaceans, squid, cuttlefish, moray eels, octopuses, cephalopods, and painted rock lobsters.

Beacon Point

Large patches of hard coral and rock formations dropping down to 130 feet (40 m) make Beacon Point a great dive at all depths. Gorgonian fans, brain coral, and wire coral create a home for nudibranchs and colorful reef fish, including surgeonfish, wrasse, and chromis. The chance of spotting eagle rays, mantas, leopard sharks, and reef sharks is also pretty high at Beacon Point.

Grab Your Fins!

There’s no doubt about it, diving in the Similan Islands is special. And going on a Similan liveaboard is hands-down the best way to experience the region and get in some epic dives. We hope this guide to liveaboard diving in the Similan has whet your appetite for dive adventures and you’re ready to grab your fins and get going.

Have you been diving in the Similans? Which sites did you like best and do you have any tips for divers heading to the archipelago? Drop us a comment below, we’d love to hear your thoughts!

And if you still have questions about diving in the Similan Islands, check out the FAQs below: