Diving in Similan Islands
Why dive here
Similan Islands offers some of Thailand's richest diving, with 173+ marine species recorded in the area - including blacktip reef sharks, eagle rays, giant moray eels, whale sharks and clownfish. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest April, May, June.
The Similans, for us, are all about the sheer scale of the place. Those huge granite boulders, smoothed over millennia, create incredible swim-throughs and gulleys. You’ll feel tiny next to them, especially at sites like Elephant Head Rock, where the light plays off the formations in a truly dramatic way. We love watching the blue-fin trevally hunt through schools of fusiliers so thick they almost block the sun, particularly in the channels between islands. Visibility here is often phenomenal, 20 to 30 meters on a good day, letting you really appreciate the hard corals - lots of staghorn and honeycomb. Keep an eye out for blennies popping their heads from the coral, particularly the Lubbock's combtooth. While the Similans are often touted for manta rays, especially between December and April, we’ve had more consistent luck spotting them at Koh Bon or Koh Tachai, just a little further north. Richelieu Rock, while technically outside the Similans, is often combined in liveaboard trips and that’s where you’ll have your best chance for a whale shark encounter, typically late in the season. Current can pick up, so be ready for some exhilarating drifts, particularly around the pinnacles.
Similan Islands Dive Site Map
Dive sites and dive centres in Similan Islands
Similan Islands Dive Sites
250 dive sites in Similan Islands
8 mile rock
8 mile rock offers diving in Similan Islands, Thailand.
Andaman Scuba
Andaman Scuba, found in the Similan Islands, offers a decent enough dive, particularly if you’re looking for a relaxed exploration. We’ve found the currents here are generally mild, making it a good spot for easing back into things or for newer divers getting their fins wet. You’ll drift past large formations of table and staghorn corals, with patches of seagrass where you might spot a few Indian Scad. It’s not the most dramatic reef in the Similans, but it’s a pleasant way to spend an hour underwater. We’d suggest it for a calm morning dive.
Anemone Reef
Anemone Reef in the Similans isn't just about the anemones, though there are plenty and they’re gorgeous. We love dropping in on the north side, letting the current carry us gently along the shallow reef top. That’s where the light plays beautifully, picking out all the tiny critters. Keep your eyes peeled for those blennies peeking out of every crevice, especially the Spotty Blennies – they have so much character. The real show, though, is the sheer density of fish. Schools of cardinalfish shimmer, and if you look closely into the anemones, you’ll often find cleaner mimics darting amongst the tentacles. Down deeper, around the base of the pinnacle, watch for the larger rock cods lurking. It's a busy site, yes, but for good reason. We’d suggest going early if you can manage it; the morning light really makes the colours pop and you beat the rush. It’s an easy, colourful dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just loves to drift and absorb the sheer vibrancy of a healthy reef.
Anita s reef
Anita’s Reef, near Koh Similan, offers a gentle drift over a sloping coral reef. It’s a comfortable dive, usually with mild currents, making it a good choice for newer divers or those looking for a relaxed exploration. We often spot leopard sharks resting in the sand channels here, alongside schools of snapper and fusiliers weaving through the bommies. Keep an eye out for octopus tucked into the coral at shallower depths.
Anita's Reef
Anita's Reef, tucked away on the eastern side of Similan Island No. 5, is a site we often suggest for a relaxed dive. The gentle sandy slope makes for easy navigation, and it's punctuated by some seriously impressive coral bommies. You'll find a nice mix of table and staghorn corals, and we’ve often spotted lionfish lurking, plus those striking Oriental sweetlips. Keep an eye out for the clown triggerfish; they’re a bit shyer but truly gorgeous when they make an appearance. The soft tree corals and sea fans on the bommies are great for finding longnose hawkfish. This spot is generally pretty mellow, good for an easy-going morning dive when you just want to cruise and watch the reef wake up.
Anti gravity Divers
Anti gravity Divers is a gentle site on the eastern side of the Similans. It’s mostly sand and small coral patches, a good spot for spotting Hardwick's Sea Stars and Horseshoe Crabs. If you're lucky, a Whale Shark might cruise by, but that’s a rare treat. This is a nice, relaxed dive, ideal for less experienced divers or those looking for a quiet second dive.
Ao Kon Ka Re
Ao Kon Ka Re is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon in the Similans, especially if you’re looking to take it easy. The bay on the east side of Koh Similan, also known as Donald Duck Bay, is a great spot to anchor up for lunch, and the diving here is just as relaxed. We love the hard coral garden closer to the shore. It’s shallower, around 5-10 meters, and on a sunny day, the light plays beautifully through the staghorn coral formations. You’ll find plenty of imposter fangblennies darting in and out, and we’ve spotted freckled anglerfish camouflaged perfectly among the branches more than once. Keep an eye out for spinysnout pipefish too, they’re tricky to spot but often hovering near the coral. Further out, the reef slopes gently, reaching about 20 meters. Here, you get more of those iconic Similan granite boulders, providing shelter for yellowfin emperors and blotchfin scorpionfish. The visibility here is usually pretty dependable, making it a good choice for newer divers or for a chilled-out second dive of the day. It’s not a drift, it’s a leisurely exploration.
Ao Nui
Ao Nui sits in a sheltered bay on Similan Island number nine, a perfect spot for newer divers to ease into the water. We usually find it calm here, with a sandy bottom sloping gently to 17 meters. Look closely among the small boulders and you'll often spot juvenile reef sharks or stingrays tucked away, and the occasional turtle glides past the reef edge. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, ideal for check-out dives or just stretching your fins.
Ao Sane
Ao Sane, on the eastern side of Similan Island number nine, offers a straightforward dive. We usually find large granite boulders scattered across a sandy bottom here, creating interesting swim-throughs and overhangs. It's a relaxed spot, great for new divers looking to get comfortable or for photographers who want to take their time exploring the crevices for macro life. Look for resident ribbon eels and a variety of shrimp.
Ayara Bay
Ayara Bay, on the eastern side of the Similans, is a gentle spot. The reef here, topping out at 17 metres, offers a relaxed dive, perfect for newer divers or those looking for a long, slow exploration. You’ll find plenty of small reef fish darting amongst the hard corals, and it’s a good place to spot moray eels tucked into crevices. It's a peaceful alternative to some of the busier Similan sites.
Banana Bay
Banana Bay, tucked into the Similans, often gets overlooked for some of its flashier neighbours, but we think that’s a mistake. This is our quiet favourite, especially for those days when you just want a relaxed, easy dive after a bit of a current-filled morning elsewhere. The bay itself is a gentle slope, mostly sand, but don't let that fool you. Spend some time really looking, and you’ll be rewarded. We love it for the macro and the sheer chill factor. Think blackspotted sea cucumbers inching along, little striped triplefins perched on coral rubble, and those tiny bicolor blennies popping their heads out of holes. It’s a fantastic spot for photographers who want to slow down and really compose a shot. We’ve often seen big garrupa cruising through the sandy patches, and giant morays peeking from under the scattered coral heads. Our tip: go early or late in the day. The light is softer, and the five-lined snapper schools seem to move more deliberately, making for some lovely silhouettes against the sun. It’s perfect for newer divers building confidence, or anyone who just wants an hour of pure, unhurried underwater observation.
Barracuda Rock
Barracuda Rock, at a maximum depth of 20 metres, offers a good intermediate dive in the Similans. It’s a rocky site, as the name suggests, where we often spot schools of chevron barracuda circling the main pinnacle. Look out for reef sharks patrolling the deeper sections. This site is best for divers comfortable with moderate currents.
Similan Islands Dive Centres
119 dive shops and operators in Similan Islands
ABC Phuket Diving
Activity and diving centre
Adang Sea Divers
All 4 Dive
All4Diving® Phuket
Amazing Phuket adventures
American Divers of Phuket
Amity Diving Club
Ocean Wildlife in Similan Islands
173 species recorded in Similan Islands
Similan Islands Daylight & Sunrise/Sunset
Sunrise and sunset times for Similan Islands, calculated from coordinates
Today - Monday 24 August
Sunrise
06:20
Sunset
18:40
Daylight
12h 20m
Golden Hour
18:12
First light (dawn) at 05:59 · Last light (dusk) at 19:01
Monthly Averages
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 06:45 | 18:28 | 11h 42m |
| Feb | 06:46 | 18:38 | 11h 52m |
| Mar | 06:35 | 18:39 | 12h 4m |
| Apr | 06:19 | 18:36 | 12h 18m |
| May | 06:09 | 18:38 | 12h 29m |
| JunLongest | 06:10 | 18:46 | 12h 35m |
| Jul | 06:17 | 18:50 | 12h 33m |
| AugNow | 06:21 | 18:44 | 12h 23m |
| Sep | 06:18 | 18:28 | 12h 10m |
| Oct | 06:15 | 18:12 | 11h 57m |
| Nov | 06:19 | 18:05 | 11h 46m |
| DecShortest | 06:33 | 18:12 | 11h 39m |
Times are approximate local times based on longitude. Actual times may vary slightly depending on the exact timezone observed in Similan Islands.
Where to Stay near Similan Islands
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Marine Protected Areas near Similan Islands
27 protected areas near Similan Islands - please respect local regulations when diving
Phuket Environmental Protected Area
Krabi Environmental Protected Area
Marine and Coastal of Trang Province
Phang-nga Environmental Protected Area
Mu ko Phetra
Ko Racha Marine and Coastal Resources Protected Area
กำหนดพื้นที่เกาะราชาใหญ่ เกาะราชาน้อย ตำบลราไวย์ อำเภอเมืองภูเก็ต จังหวัดภูเก็ต
Hat Chao Mai Marine National Park - Ta Libong Island Non-Hunting Area - Trang River Estuaries
Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu ko Phi Phi
Pang Nga Bay Marine National Park
Ao Phang-nga
Laem Son
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Getting to Similan Islands
Phuket
Krabi
Na Thon (Ko Samui Island)
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