Introduction

Thailand's west coast is a major destination for scuba diving. These include the Similan Islands (90 km from Phuket), Koh Bon and Richelieu (in the Surin archipelago). Some of these islands can be reached in a day from Phuket, but the best way to discover them is on a diving cruise - many operators offer short stays of just a few days. Because of the popularity of these sites, it's not uncommon to find a dozen boats on the same spot, so they're certainly not wilderness sites.

As with the Mergui archipelago in Myanmar, the Similan and Richelieu islands are associated with the presence of sharks - an association that we not only haven't be able to verify, but which no longer seems to correspond to reality.

The Similan islands are particularly different depending on whether you dive on the west or east coast.

Travel facts

Diving type

Destination

easily accessible

bargain destination

Diving level & type

for beginners

for advanced divers

shore diving

liveaboard

Diving Characteristics

pelagics

lots of fish

lots of corals

interesting underwater scenery

Other activities

attractive natural spots

gastronomy

night life

beach

snorkeling

Infrastructures

• liveaboard
  

  Mermaid I
  Mermaid I (liveaboard)
  telephone : 66 76 341 853

  fax : 66 76 341 853

  address : 3 Sawatdirak Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket, Thailand 83150

  email : info@mermaid-liveaboards.com

  internet : www.mermaid-liveaboards.com
  rating : 3 / 4 stars

  comments :

  The Mermaid I, a 28-meter vessel powered by two engines, is thoughtfully designed to accommodate 15 passengers on journeys from Phuket to the Similan Islands and Myanmar. Notably, it's one of the few boats that venture to Myanmar, offering a unique experience. The onboard service is exceptional, with a diverse menu that includes Thai, Chinese, and international cuisine, always featuring fish or seafood in buffet-style meals. The staff goes above and beyond to assist divers, ensuring a smooth experience both in and out of the water. The cabins, except for two on the lower deck, come with windows, and all have private toilets and showers. Nitrox is available onboard. However, one drawback is that some divemasters may lack enthusiasm as guides, prioritizing their interests over guiding divers. While they may excel in macro-fauna exploration, they sometimes neglect their role as guides during dives. On a dive cruise, divemasters should primarily focus on guiding and ensuring diver safety.

  
  

Diving Sites

• 

  Richelieu Rock

  rating : 4.0

  depth : 30 m
  description :
  
  One of the most stunning dive sites in Thailand is Richelieu Rock, named by Jacques Cousteau for its resemblance to a cardinal's scarlet robe. It's an isolated pinnacle located 14 km east of Koh Surin. Shaped like a horseshoe, it rises to just one meter during low tide and reaches a depth of 35 meters. Diving cruises, spanning two or three days, depart from Phuket, resulting in multiple boats converging at the site. To fully enjoy it, it's advisable to start your dive early, before the influx of other divers. During our dive, we spotted a seahorse measuring around ten centimeters, an abundance of anemones surrounded by multicolored corals, and the usual reef fauna. On a second dive at the site, we also observed four damselfish, a few small moray eels, and several large boxfish.
  
  
• 

  Sharkfin Reef
  
     [(Similan, Island No 3)] 

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 30 m
  description :
  
  Located one kilometer southeast of Kompayan (islet no. 3), this formation of large granite boulders is partially covered with hard coral. The southeast side is steeper but less rich in corals than the north side. Near the islet, three small rocks emerge from the water. The rocks descend to approximately 40 meters. Our encounter included a leopard shark resting in the sand near the rocks, a large barracuda, a dozen stingrays, and sightings of lionfish and porcupinefish.
  
  
• 

  Anita's Reef
  
     [(Similan, Island No 5)] 

  rating : 2.5

  depth : 30 m
  description :
  
  Two adjacent rocky islets are surrounded by a multitude of smaller rocks, all resting on a sandy base. The maximum depth here is 35 meters.
  
  
• 

  East of Eden
  
     [(Similan, Island No 7)] 

  rating : 2.0

  depth : 30 m
  description :
  
  Situated east of Pa-Yu (island no. 7), this islet is part of the 9 islands in the national park, numbered from one to nine. Ideal for reef diving, depths range from 5 to 40 meters, offering an abundance of soft corals and gorgonians. While considered one of the best sites in the Similans, our experience was somewhat limited due to the strong current, preventing us from fully appreciating the site. During our dive, we spotted a large hump-backed parrot, as well as shoals of luthians, squirrels, and fusiliers.
  
  
• 

  Koh Bon Pinnacle
  
     [(Koh Bon)] 

  rating : 2.0

  depth : 30 m
  description :
  
  Located 800 meters northwest of Koh Bon island, a submerged "pinnacle" awaits at 18 meters. Its location is marked by a buoy. There's typically a fairly strong current near the pinnacle, and its base lies 45 meters below the surface. The entire area is covered with abundant yellow soft corals and large gorgonians. The marine fauna is diverse and plentiful. This site is known as a cleaning station for manta rays, though we didn't have the fortune of spotting any. Similarly, various species of sharks that are said to inhabit this site eluded us. Due to the strong current on that particular day around the "pinnacle" and the depth (45 meters), this site demands careful exploration, with particular attention to dive computers. It's recommended to begin the dive by descending over the site, and the return to the reef takes approximately 15 minutes, done in open water.
  
  
• 

  West Ridge
  
     [(Koh Bon)] 

  rating : 2.0

  depth : 30 m
  description :
  
  This is a small, isolated granite island to the northwest of the Similan Islands, which is part of the national park. The underwater topography primarily features hard coral formations with a few varieties of soft coral. The reef reaches a maximum depth of 40 meters and is teeming with a rich diversity of fish, including schools of fusiliers, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, and squirrelfish. During our dive, we even spotted several sea snakes.