South
Thailand / Similan Islands
The Similan
Islands are a group of nine virtually uninhabited tropic islands
approximately 80 kilometers (50mi) northwest of Phuket. The group
was declared a Marine National Park and increasing efforts
are being made to keep them in their present pristine condition.
The islands encompass some of the best dive venues in Thailand.
The dive possibilities
range from viewing coral gardens to adventurous drift
diving in strong currents. In the judgement of Asia Magazine
(issue of October 18 to 20, 1991: "Every diver has particular
favorites, but few would dispute that the Similans... are one
of the best. The visibility tops 100 feet between the November-April
peak season, revealing a wonder world among the giant granite
coral-coated boulders stacked one atop the other to depths of
90 feet and more."
Ko Huyong,
the southernmost island of the Similan group offers a magnificent
coral garden in 7-14m (23-46ft) depth. The garden consists of
many varieties of soft and hard corals and abounds with small
colorful coral fish. This site frequently has over 30m
(98ft) visibility, only slight currents and is considered a very
safe site.
An extensive
reef runs off another of the southern islands and provides
at least 4 different dive sites. One bottoms out at 25m (82ft)
and has many large rocks which provide a most interesting contour;
many large schools of fish inhabit the area. Another part
of the reef has an excellent 20m (65ft) dive, with a lot of small
lava type rocks which provide a home for colorful anemones,
hydroids and soft coral as well as moray eels and red grouper.
The visibility is seldom less than 30m (98ft) and frequently more.
There is often a strong current here, a good site for drift dives.
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The central
island of the group, Ko Miang, is the only island which
is inhabited. There is also a number of excellent dive sites around
this and the small adjoining island including one which features
huge boulders leaning together forming many interesting
tunnels and small caverns. This dive often has a strong surge
which attracts a large variety of marine life. Small white tip
sharks, rays, snapper and turtles are just a few of the species
of marine life at this site.
An excellent
night dive site is just around the corner and close to
a safe overnight anchorage and a beautiful white sand beach. This
dive site is a coral drop-off and depths range from 10m-20m
(33-66ft). The almost complete absence of currents is what makes
it ideal for night dives. Lobster and large red crabs
are usually seen here.
Hin Pousar
or Elephant Rock is one of the best known dive locations
of the area; it has at least 3 more excellent sites. There are
again many big holes and caverns created by the unusual rock formations.
Anemones and coral provide a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows,
blues and browns. Frequently large rays, tuna or barracuda can
be seen.
Further to
the north lies an off-shore reef which comes up to within
8m (26ft) of the surface and drops off to over 35m (114ft). More
tunnels, hollows and chimneys provide a site that never fails
to impress even the most experienced diver. Two large sea cod
and a huge resident moray eel add to the many interests
of this site. Seldom is the visibility less than 25m (82ft) and
usually much more.
These are
only a few of the many dive sites available in the Similan
archipelago. Each island provides its own special sites and
there is something to be found to interest both the novice diver
and the much traveled diver.
Similar conditions
can be found at Surin islands and Tarutao Marine National
Park though no regular trips to these island groupings are
yet available.
Tours to the
Similans generally last five days, though some are much
longer in order to explore other nearby islands including the
Surin group, some 30km (19mi) to the north. For accommodation,
divers have the choice of tents, dormitory bungalows and on-board
berths. During the trip all meals are provided and at least nine
individual dives are organized.
Photo: View from Ko Miang, Similan Islands
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We ship standard orders of 1 cubic meter of chipped tongkat ali root anywhere in the world. The 1 cubic meter contains 19 cardboard boxes with a content of 9 kg each.
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http://www.asiatour.com/thailand/e-06sout/et-so114.htm
Jan Garanoz
869/116 Thanon Pemavipat,
Chiang Rai, 57000 Thailand
Created: September 1, 1995
Last updated: January 29, 2010