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Listed below are specific details of all of the snorkeling sites / islands that are visited during our snorkeling schedule.
Please click on the map below or the island / reef name for further details.

 
 

About Similans Snorkeling

 

Family Day Special

Overnight Special

The Beach Tour

Similan Islands National Marine Park

The Similan Islands are situated along the western coastline of the Andaman Sea. The Similans are some the world's most beautiful and unspoiled islands together with the splendor of the rich and varied marine life, stunning coral reefs and the crystal clear blue water offer a world class underwater paradise for divers!

The islands had never been inhabited. For many generations, the only human visitors were the so-called Sea Gypsies who came to fish on the teeming reefs.
The Similan Islands were formed some 100-150 million years ago. There present formation is derived from cracked granite rock which has been sculpted from the winds and waves.
They lie approximately 52 miles (90 Km) North-West from the Island of Phuket, and are 19 Km from South to North.
The word "Similan" is derived from the Malaysian word "sembilan" which means "Nine".
The Nine Islands in the similan group are: (running from North to South) Koh Bangu (No.9), Koh Similan (No.8), Koh Pabu (No.7), Koh Payu (No.6), Koh Ha (No.5), Koh Miang (No.4), Koh Payan (No.3), Koh Payang (No.2) and Koh Huyong (No.1).

The Similans were designated as a National Park in 1982. The National Marine Park take great pride in the conservation of the islands and have closed islands No.1-3. Island No.1 is turtle inhabitation. The National Park covers an area of 80,000 radius and Skin Diving Magazine rated them among the ten loveliest places on Earth. Jack Costeau has rated the Similans as one of the top 10 dive sites in the world!

The reefs are home to a multitude of tropical fish of all sizes, shapes and colours, with frequent sightings of turtles, rays and sharks. Ironwood and gum trees are among the larger trees found here. Check out the trees for langurs, squirrels, bats, lizards and a good variety of birds. The most striking feature of these islands, at first glance, are the huge boulders that litter the western and southern shores on several of the islands. Truly magnificent.

The visibility averages around 30m to a maximum of 50m+. The sea temperature is 27/29°C.
Back onshore, take a short walk through the rainforest to visit the National Park headquarters on Koh Miang (No.4). This is one of the locations where the Royal Forestry Department (Similan Rangers) reside.

But most of all the Similans has it all for snorkelers from pure white sandy beaches to crystal clear aquamarine waters.

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Island No.4, Koh Miang - Go to Snorkeling Schedule

Honeymoon Bay (east side) / Princess Bay (west side)

Location: Similan Island No.4 - Koh Miang / West Side
Site Visibility: 5 - 30 meters
   

This absolutely spectacular island is just simply amazing. At first glance you will recognize it from being from postcard. All of the islands in the Similans National Marine Park are relatively small this is one of two of the islands were bungalows / tents are located with the park headquarters to the east. The island has a luscious green vegetation consisting of rainforests inhabited by squirrels and bats. With the flourishing hard and soft corals on both side of the island, this makes for excellent snorkeling. Alternatively just relax on the heavenly white power soft beaches or under the many palm trees.

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Local Snorkeling in the Andaman Sea

The Andaman Sea is plankton rich, attracting a multitude of reef fish.
We visit the best local snorkeling sites in the area. To the South of Phuket lies Coral Island and Racha Yai. They are both habitated and now have been developed on with a handful of small bungalows, both boasting picture perfect white sandy beaches.

To the east of Phuket experience the coloured reefs of the well know Phi Phi Islands. Here you can find peaceful and romantic beaches with exotic rock formations making up the two islands.

To the north / north east of Phuket you can experience the wonderful Krabi Archipelago and the amazing rock formations of Phang Nga Bay. The reefs here are home to a multitude of tropical fish of all sizes, shapes and colours, with frequent sightings of parrotfish, butterfly fish, seastars, giant sea clams, turtles, leopard sharks and even black tip reef sharks.

The visibility averages around 20m to a maximum of 30m+ in the high season (November - April). However the sea temperature is a very warm 29/30°C all year round.
Snorkeling in the green season, (May - October) is also great. The islands are relatively quite making this a truly relaxing experience.

We can offer you a great variation of specialised snorkeling tours that will add another dimension to your holiday spent on Phuket all, available right on the "doorstep" just a short boat ride away.

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Coral Island - Go to Snorkeling Schedule

Location: Approximately 7 km east from Chalong Bay, Phuket
Site Visibility: 5 - 30 meters
   

This wonderful tropical island is located on the doorstep of the port of Ao Chalong. This makes this an excellent choice for those who do not wish to travel far or who are not found of boats. Not only is the island near but it boast a multitude of tropical marine life right on the doorstep. It's relatively small power soft sandy beaches are a haven for of host of maine life from coral bombies (hence the name) to parrot fish, butterfly fish, Moorish idols, sea stars and the occasional nudibranchs. Coral Island in the past has had some unexpected visitors by the name of whale sharks! You never know what you might just see.

 

Phi Phi Islands - Go to Snorkeling Schedule

Maya Bay

Location: South East from Phuket - Located on Phi Phi Don
Site Visibility: 5 - 30 meters
 

Maya Bay is located on the west side of Phi Phi Ley. This is one of Phi Phi Islands “Jewel” beaches predominately made famous as he filming location of one of Hollywood's top movies, “The Beach”. This bay is absolutely spectacular with a hidden pure white sandy beach, and amazing coral. It is enclosed by sheer limestone cliffs and crystal clear waters. A beach certainly not to be missed!
This tropical paradise bay is home to the enclosed shelved reef with the occasional sections of wall. Here you can see an array of hard and soft corals with many various species of anemones. Check out form the schools of Moorish idols, butterfly fish, angle fish, seahorses, trumpet fish, turtle and rock painted lobster.

 

Racha Yai - Go to Snorkeling Schedule

Bungalow Bay

Location: 20km (10 n.mile's) South of Phuket
Site Visibility: 10 - 30 meters
   

The exotic island of Racha Yai lies approximately ten miles south of Phuket Island. “Racha” being the Thai word for King and “Yai” meaning big. This beautiful bay consisting of a pure white sandy beach boasts good diving for beginners and all levels. The rocky formations of this bay are viable both from the surface and underwater. Here you can find, surgeon fish, Moorish idols, parrotfish, butterfly fish, rare nudibranchs and an excess of blue spotted rays. The coral found here is mainly hard, but is very interesting with octopus hiding between the rocks and cuttlefish.

 

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The Beach Tour - Go to Snorkeling Schedule

Island / Reef No 1 - Phi Phi Islands - Maya Bay

Location: South East from Phuket - Located on Phi Phi Don
Site Visibility: 5 - 30 meters
   

Maya Bay is located on the west side of Phi Phi Ley. This is one of Phi Phi Islands “Jewel” beaches predominately made famous as he filming location of one of Hollywood's top movies, “The Beach”. This bay is absolutely spectacular with a hidden pure white sandy beach, and amazing coral. It is enclosed by sheer limestone cliffs and crystal clear waters. A beach certainly not to be missed!
This tropical paradise bay is home to the enclosed shelved reef with the occasional sections of wall. Here you can see an array of hard and soft corals with many various species of anemones. Check out form the schools of Moorish idols, butterfly fish, angle fish, seahorses, trumpet fish, turtle and rock painted lobster.

Island / Reef No 2 - Koh Mai Phai - Bamboo Island

Location: East of Phuket Island, part of the Krabi Archipelago
Site Visibility: 10 - 30 meters
   

To the North of Phi Phi Don lies Mai Phai, (Bamboo) Island. The reefs that surround this island are thought to be some of the most remarkable in Thailand. Any in water activities are a must here. Here you will find fringing coral reefs rich in colour and teeming with marine life. Larger animals and fish such as Turtles, Spanish mackerel, jack fish and barracuda are often found in these waters.

Island / Reef No 3 - Railay Beach - Krabi Archipelago

Location: East of Phuket Island, part of the Krabi Archipelago
Site Visibility: 10 - 30 meters
   

A beautiful idyllic beach situated on the mainland of Krabi. The reef can easily be seen in the clear waters making it a magnet for snorkelers which extends into the bay at the southern end of the beach. It has spectacular stacks of rock forming headlands to the north and south. In the shade the coconut palms fringe the soft sandy beach. Walk along the beach at low tide and check out the several caves and fissures. Once of the beautiful and most relaxing beaches on Krabi. Excellent for snorkeling.

Island / Reef No 4 - Koh Ping Kan - James Bond Island

Location: North east of Phuket Island, part of Phang Nga Bay Archipelago
   

Located at the top of Phang Nga Bay and probably one of the most famous landmarks of Thailand. Koh Ping Kan was made famous by the filming of the James Bond film, “The Man With the Golden Gun”. While Koh Ping Kan is quite small in size it is dominated by some unique rock formations. This includes a gigantic stone slab which leans over to form an natural cave and entrance to a network of tunnels heading towards back into the island. Two small beaches can access the only way for tour boats. The island is uninhabited by humans but is home to the Majestic Sea Eagles, great for bird watching.

Island / Reef No 5 - Phang Nga Bay Archipelago

Location: East side of Phuket Island
   

There is 220 square miles of breathtaking scenery with many karsts limestone formations rising vertically from the water up to 350M (1150 feet) into the sky. They readily conjure images from the past from there formation, which is a mystery to even the locals! Some say that this vast formation of islands was once submerged and formed coral reefs. The layer upon layer effect has now turned each stratum to limestone rock. The rocks are amazing to look at, don’t forget your camera to amaze your friends at home!

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Last Updated : - Kon Tiki Diving