Koh Tachai, Ao Lek - Similan Islands
Koh Tachai’s Ao Lek offers a gentle introduction to the Similans, a welcome change from some of its more intense neighbours. Dropping to a comfortable 17 metres, it’s a spot we often suggest for newer divers or those wanting a relaxed second dive. You’ll drift along slopes dotted with hard corals, keeping an eye out for schools of snapper hugging the reef. We’ve had some lovely encounters here with turtles grazing, unbothered, and it’s a great place to spot anemonefish tending their homes. It’s not about big pelagics, but rather a chance to slow down and appreciate the smaller details.
- Location
- Similan Islands, Thailand, Southeast Asia
- Coordinates
- 9.077000, 97.807700
- Maximum Depth
- 17m
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Marine Protected Area: Mu Ko Similan
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
- 8 mile rock
- Andaman Scuba
- Anemone Reef (reef)
- Anita s reef - 5-20m (reef)
- Anita's Reef - 10-25m (reef)
- Anti gravity Divers
- Ao Kon Ka Re
- Ao Nui - 17m
- Ao Sane - 5-18m (reef)
- Ayara Bay - 17m (reef)
- Banana Bay - 5-20m (reef)
- Barracuda Rock - 20m (pinnacle)
- Batfish Bend - 10-28m (drift)
- Bay 1 / Ao Ter (reef)
- Beacon Beach
Nearest Dive Centres to Koh Tachai, Ao Lek
- ABC Phuket Diving
- Activity and diving centre
- Adang Sea Divers - SSI
- All 4 Dive - PADI
- All4Diving® Phuket - ["PADI"]
- Amazing Phuket adventures - SSI
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
- Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus) - Sharks & Rays
- Staghorn coral (Acropora kosurini) - Hard Corals
- sorrah shark (Carcharhinus sorrah) - Sharks & Rays
- Staghorn coral (Acropora indonesia) - Hard Corals
- seagrass (Halophila ovalis) - Seagrass & Algae
- Dusky Parrotfish (Scarus niger) - Reef Fish
- Bicolor Blenny (Ecsenius bicolor) - Reef Fish
- Moluccan cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus moluccensis) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora secale) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora valida) - Hard Corals
- Staghorn coral (Acropora hoeksemai) - Hard Corals
- cymodocea (Cymodocea rotundata) - Seagrass & Algae
- Herringbone butterflyfish (Chaetodon triangulum) - Reef Fish
- Dollfus's octopus (Amphioctopus aegina) - Octopus & Squid
- Clown Tang (Naso lituratus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora solitaryensis) - Hard Corals
- Species code: Ea (Enhalus acoroides) - Seagrass & Algae
- Blue-scaled wrasse (Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura) - Reef Fish
- Argus Grouper (Cephalopholis argus) - Reef Fish
- Staghorn coral (Acropora austera) - Hard Corals
Recommended Packing List for Koh Tachai, Ao Lek
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