Bay 1 / Ao Ter - Similan Islands

Bay 1, or Ao Ter, on Similan Island No. 1 is one of our favourite spots for a truly relaxed dive. Forget big pelagics and raging currents; this is a place to slow down, settle into the sand, and let the reef come to you. We often drop in and drift gently along the sloping reef, which rarely dips below 20 metres, making it ideal for longer bottom times. The hard corals, particularly the large table and staghorn formations, are a real draw here. We've spent entire dives just hovering over a single coral head, watching the tiny Redfin Triplefins dart about, or trying to spot the ridiculously camouflaged Freckled Anglerfish. They're masters of disguise, so a keen eye and some patience are rewarded. The Ostrich Gobies are abundant, often sharing their burrows with tiny shrimp, and we’ve consistently found groups of Yellowstriped Cardinalfish hovering under ledges. It’s a site that rewards macro enthusiasts and new divers alike – calm conditions and plenty to see without having to fight a current. Our best dives here have been in the morning, right after sunrise; the light catches the reef beautifully and the smaller critters are often more active before the day boats arrive.

Location
Similan Islands, Thailand, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
7.607231, 98.377830
Type
reef

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 Bay 1 / Ao Ter

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 Bay 1 / Ao Ter

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