Sub Aqua - Similan Islands

Sub Aqua feels like one of those sites you only really appreciate once you’ve done a few Similan trips. It’s not flashy, no dramatic swim-throughs or huge pelagics, but we think it’s consistently rewarding, especially for macro lovers. We often drift along the sloping reef, which is really more of a gentle incline, covered in these big, healthy tables of staghorn coral. Look closely among the branches; we’ve had excellent luck spotting Spinysnout Pipefish here, often swaying in the gentle surge. The real draw here, for us anyway, is the sheer variety of smaller stuff. You’ll see loads of Bandcheek wrasse flitting about, and the resident Pufferfish are always good for a chuckle. We’d suggest taking your time, really scrutinizing the coral heads for Spotty Blennies or even a curious Mangrove Flathead Goby tucked away. It’s a very relaxed dive, generally mild current, so it’s perfect for new divers getting comfortable or experienced photographers who want to linger. We love it as a second dive of the day, a nice contrast to some of the Similans' more energetic sites.

Location
Similan Islands, Thailand, Southeast Asia
Coordinates
7.837768, 98.295070

Marine Protected Area: Phuket Environmental Protected Area

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 Sub Aqua

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 Sub Aqua

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