Ao Kon Ka Re - Similan Islands

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.

Location
Similan Islands, Thailand, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
7.600180, 98.374435

Marine Protected Area: กำหนดพื้นที่เกาะราชาใหญ่ เกาะราชาน้อย ตำบลราไวย์ อำเภอเมืองภูเก็ต จังหวัดภูเก็ต

Best Time to Dive in Similan Islands

The warmest water temperatures in Similan Islands occur in May, averaging 30.8°C. The coolest conditions are in January at 28.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.6°C
  • February: 29.0°C
  • March: 29.6°C
  • April: 30.6°C
  • May: 30.8°C
  • June: 29.9°C
  • July: 29.6°C
  • August: 29.3°C
  • September: 29.0°C
  • October: 29.0°C
  • November: 29.2°C
  • December: 28.7°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Similan Islands

Nearest Dive Centres to Ao Kon Ka Re

Marine Life in Similan Islands

Home to 183 recorded species including 127 reef fish, 38 hard corals, 9 seagrass & algae, 4 sharks & rays, 2 other, 1 octopus & squid.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Ao Kon Ka Re

Based on average water temperature of 29.4°C, currents 7 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories