Similan Liveaboard – 3 good reasons to join

If you never thought that staying on a boat with 12 strangers for a whole week, far away from civilization and nothing else to do except diving, exploring uninhabited islands, eating and sleeping would be a great and exciting experience…then read on!

Your very first day on the Similan Liveaboard will immediately change your perspective about living aboard – meeting the crew and staff, the slow cruise across the Andaman Sea and the incredible ocean along the way!

Plenty Of Diving! Plenty of time to explore the islands!

With time underwater throughout the day – as well as the opportunity to snorkel, visit the beaches and relax under the skies of the Andaman sea…this is why you would want to be here? You will certainly enjoy every minute, every second in and on the ocean. You will even enjoy the time in bed too!

Everything and everyone is relaxed

Imagine waking-up with the sunrise, listening to the sound of the waves and knowing that Manta Rays could just be right under you – isn’t that a great nature wake-up call? Walk out of your cabin to see the sun rising over the mountains of Thailand, look to your left and see uninhabited islands and long winding reefs and look to the west and knwo the next piece of land is India! Even if you are not the typical morning person – this is a great way wake up!

And during the day you don’t have to care about anything except remembering all the incredible creatures you have seen under water to fill up your logbook or look for the names in one of the encyclopedias on board. The staff takes care of the rest.

The good thing about Great Similan Liveaboards – time to relax and enjoy. 3 different Sundecks, cabin space and the galley to snack in. Lots of room to ponder life and think about fish

People – just like you!

It is a real pleasure to find new friends while on a an expedition! People who are interested in enjoying life, experiencing Thailand and the Islands like no one else and of course – love diving!

Watching the sun set over the Indian ocean while the waves gently lap at the side of the boat. 12 other people relaxing with you…chatting about the incredible marine life and beaches you all saw that day.

Yes…Life can be good…

Similan Diving

What to expect on a Similan Islands Liveaboard

Similan Liveaboard Boats

In planning your next SCUBA diving holiday to Thailand and you’re not sure where to go or what to do, then consider going on a Similan Liveaboard diving trip. What is a Liveaboard diving trip? Well, it doesn’t matter if you have 10 or 500 dives under your weight belt; anyone that loves to dive and relax will absolutely love to relax on board of a Dive vessel.
Liveaboard diving trips are quickly becoming the most popular ways of comfortably experiencing diving in locations around the Similan Islands. Liveaboard vessels are exactly that, live on board and you’re eating and breathing diving. Everything is focused on diving, snorkeling or relaxing. You eat, sleep, dive three to four times a day, and you’ll travel from dive site to dive site, seeing the most beautiful places in the region. Similan Islands Liveaboards can offer dive sites usually hard to reach by daily diving boats, making it interesting to visit remote islands or reefs. Liveaboards dive vessels give you a wider range of destinations than day trips and more dives per day. Similan Liveaboard vessels typically range from 18m/60ft to 40m/120 ft in length or larger and offer the ability to cover a wide and extended diving range as opposed to a day charter, which returns to dock each night. If you’re into large crowds or you like solitude and tranquility, you don’t have to worry. There is a vessel for everyone’s needs.
Trip lengths of Similan liveaboard vacation typically range from three to 6 or more days. Most vessels depart the dock in the afternoon or evening, as the distances involved usually require overnight travel. When you awake in the morning, you’re on that breathtaking location and diving commences. While there are 50+ named divvy sites in the Similan Islands – a trip of 3-5 days will usually visit the main sites.
Most liveaboard boats are designed to serve all of your diving needs, as well to provide you a high level of comfort while on board. Similan Diving Liveaboard vacations cater to their customers by providing excellent meals and snacks (who doesn’t love Thai food!); clean and comfortable sleeping quarters; plenty of hot water showers; many boats have photo/video stations for equipment and editing; tanks with air or Nitrox and weights for every dive; and plenty of professional crew members to guarantee your comfort. Live aboard diving trips are about diving and there is no shortage of that. Typically, depending on where you’re diving, you can get up to 5 dives a day if you’re up to it. The average is 3-4 dives per day. For safety reasons, it’s best to make 4 your maximum number of dives.

Liveaboard dive trips are about relaxing as well. Many vessels have lounging decks to work on your suntan, read, or simply catch up on your sleep if you are escaping a stressful job. Whether you want to make only two dives per day, eat heartily, and relax, or make six or more dives a day and pass out in your cabin from exhaustion and get up the next day and do it again, Liveaboard trips can accommodate. A few boats make an effort to visit the beaches and visit the local fauna.

Similan Liveaboard captains and crew are intimately knowledgeable, professional and educated in safety, diving and the area, so each diving opportunity is guaranteed to be spectacular and most of the time just about you and your fellow passengers. You don’t spend time sharing, searching and hunting for a dive spot or waste time trying to find out where you need to go for a good dive. The only thing you need to worry about is getting there as quick as you can, suiting up for the next dive and making sure your camera is ready to go.
No, Liveaboard vacations are nothing like cruise vessels, going into a different port every day or night for sightseeing. They are not meant for a casual visit. If you want to see the Similan (and Surin) Islands – then these trips are for you! As mentioned, Similan Liveaboards are about diving and relaxing on the vessel. Every person on that vessel has the same interest as you! DIVING!. If you’re interested in visiting the islands or area where your Liveaboard is taking place, schedule time either before or after to take in the sights and enjoy the local culture. Best is after so you have enough time between your dives and your flight.
If you think Similan Liveaboards are only for the rich and luxurious – you can wrong! Some boats cater to a wealthy clientele and their prices reflect that. But the Similan Islands are home to many boats ranging form Luxury to simple boats catering to backpackers. Great deals can be had, but always check on basic safety features – like liferafts, satellite phones, radar. If they don’t have these…the boats are a little too budget!!!

Similan Diving

Why join a Similan Liveaboard?

If you never thought that staying on a boat with 12 strangers for a whole week, far away from civilization and nothing else to do except diving, exploring uninhabited islands, eating and sleeping would be a great and exciting experience…then read on!

Your very first day on the Similan Liveaboard will immediately change your perspective about living aboard – meeting the crew and staff, the slow cruise across the Andaman Sea and the incredible ocean along the way!

Plenty Of Diving! Plenty of time to explore the islands!

With time underwater throughout the day – as well as the opportunity to snorkel, visit the beaches and relax under the skies of the Andaman sea…this is why you would want to be here? You will certainly enjoy every minute, every second in and on the ocean. You will even enjoy the time in bed too!

Everything and everyone is relaxed

Imagine waking-up with the sunrise, listening to the sound of the waves and knowing that Manta Rays could just be right under you – isn’t that a great nature wake-up call? Walk out of your cabin to see the sun rising over the mountains of Thailand, look to your left and see uninhabited islands and long winding reefs and look to the west and knwo the next piece of land is India! Even if you are not the typical morning person – this is a great way wake up!

And during the day you don’t have to care about anything except remembering all the incredible creatures you have seen under water to fill up your logbook or look for the names in one of the encyclopedias on board. The staff takes care of the rest.

The good thing about Great Similan Liveaboards – time to relax and enjoy. 3 different Sundecks, cabin space and the galley to snack in. Lots of room to ponder life and think about fish

People – just like you!

It is a real pleasure to find new friends while on a an expedition! People who are interested in enjoying life, experiencing Thailand and the Islands like no one else and of course – love diving!

Watching the sun set over the Indian ocean while the waves gently lap at the side of the boat. 12 other people relaxing with you…chatting about the incredible marine life and beaches you all saw that day.

Yes…Life can be good…

Similan Diving

Choose the right dive center for the Similan Islands

Ever wonder what it would be like to jump into the water and look around 40m below the surface? The underwater world is mysterious and yet inviting, the experience of diving it provides and addictive sense of zen. There’s no better place to have your first dive experience than the Similan Islands, Thailand – with good conditions year round.

While there are a few dive centers based in Phuekt that still offer trips to the Similan Islands – they drive people 2-3 hours north to Khao Lak and then depart from there. Khao Lak is the real center of Similan Diving operations.

Most dive shops in Khao Lak offer SSI or PADI certifications. Many schools prefer SSI because it offers greater safety and flexibility, while others choose PADI. Beginners may choose to do some training in the swimming pool or in the sea. Also you can join a Similan liveaboard or simply do daytrips.

More advanced divers and those beginners who are confident in their abilities will also consider the local wrecks! Plenty of great marine life as well as incredible scenery. There is also some seriously awesome muck-diving.

Khao Lak offers an excellent choice of dive shops and also has a good range of accommodation to suit most tastes. It is also the closest jumping off point to the Similan Islands.

The Similan Islands, technically located in Phang Nga province, provide some of the best dive sites in the world. Protected within a marine national park, the nine islands are still pristine and rich with wildlife above and below the water. Most dive operators will take you ashore at one of the islands, where you can enjoy the powder-white beaches and see exotic birds and monkeys.

Under the waves, the colourful reefs and boulder formations are teeming with coral and a variety of marine life. Sometimes whale sharks are even spotted in the waters, as well as rays and other sharks. Visibility is good, varying from 30-50m. The best way to see the Similan Islands is by liveaboard, and most dive operators will allow you to do your Open Water dives from the boat if you’ve completed the paper and pool work ashore beforehand.

Not all dive instructors are the same, and some are downright scary. Likewise, equipment standards can vary, and you’ll want to make sure any shop you choose has quality equipment and maintains it properly and hygienically. You should also check into the insurance policy of the dive shop and enquire as to if you should purchase your own dive insurance for the hyperbaric chamber if you have an accident. Also see if there equipment is serviced by certified techinicians (they should be able to provide detailed information on this) and if their boats are insured.

Most the dive operations in Thailand are run by foreigners, which is just as well since Thais have a rather different approach to safety and responsibility, but you’ll find yourself diving with plenty of Thai staff who are their usual friendly easy-going selves.

-Similan Diving

Similan Scuba Diving Dive Sites: Koh Tachai

Koh Tachai

The Main site is located just off the Southern tip of Koh Tachai. located withing the boundaries of the Similan Islands National Park, but geologically separate.

As there are can be cold currents from the ocean tides that are quite strong here -  divers are recommended to wear a proper wetsuit when diving in this spot.

This site features rock corals and sea fans with plenty of huge marine life cruising around.

Diving here requires the use of the guide rope connected to the buoys (there are two), as a strong current might sweep divers out of the intended target. This also means making sure you only dive with boats and staff that are safe and aware of diving conditions – please avoid untrained and inexperienced liveaboards.

Leopard Sharks, Manta Rays and even Whale Sharks are among the visitors to this site.

Always choose a dive center that has staff speaking your language, have insurance and are certified.

Similan Scuba Diving

Similan Scuba Diving Advice

Here is a blurb from the every helpful – Similan Islands – a resource for all information on the Similan Islands. This is the Scuba Diving section

“Listed as one of the Ten best Dive sites on earth, the Similan Islands are the best diving Thailand has to offer. With Huge rocky drop-offs on the Western side, long coral reefs on the East side, and the transition zones in between. More than the just a simple reef – the Similan Islands also have the Greatest marine diversity in the country.

Nearby are the Surin Islands (and Richelieu Rock), Khao Lak, just North are the Burma Banks. South of the Similan Islands are the SCUBA diving centers of Phuket, Phi Phi and Hin Daeng and Hin Muang. Right in the middle are the Similan Islands. Please check here for our list of Similan Dive Centers.”

If you need help or advice for the Similan Islands – this is the place to go!

Similan Scuba Diving Sites – Koh Bon

Koh Bon

Located just between Mu Koh Similan National Park and Mu Koh Surin National Park, Bon is a small island that features underwater sharp rock walls. Technically it is part of the Similan Islands National Park – but it is geologically separate.

The Wall on the inside of Koh Bon Bon is  covered with soft corals that are shorter in size but more colorful than normal, which is their uniqueness at this site. Great place for seeing small critters.

Turn around and look into the deep and look for  Manta Rays and Whale Sharks. They can Occasionally be found here at around 25 to 30 meters deep.

Always choose a dive center that has staff speaking your language, have insurance and are certified.

Similan Scuba Diving