Discover Scuba Diving In The Similan Islands
The Similan Islands are one of the top scuba diving destinations in Thailand. They’re home to pristine waters teeming with marine life, vibrant coral reefs, and dramatic rock formations. With Giant Stride, planning a diving tour to The Similan Islands is easy! We connect you with the best tour operators, ensuring your dream dive adventure becomes a reality. Ready to explore?
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Scuba Diving in Similan
Renowned for its world-class diving, the Similan Islands offer an array of underwater experiences for scuba enthusiasts of all levels. Dive into crystal-clear waters brimming with vibrant coral reefs and encounter playful reef fish, majestic manta rays, and even whale sharks if you’re lucky! Gentle slopes filled with colorful fish are an excellent start for beginner divers, while dramatic deep-sea drop-offs challenge seasoned divers. The Similans boast over 25 dive sites, including the legendary Richelieu Rock.
With expert-led tours from numerous dive centers available on Giant Stride, get ready to explore and truly immerse yourself in this magical underwater world. Join us as we discuss the top dive sites, incredible marine encounters, and the perfect conditions that make the Similan Islands a diver’s dream destination.
Diving Season in Similan
The optimal diving season in The Similan Islands runs from November to April, coinciding with the region's dry season. This period offers the best diving conditions, with calm seas and sunny weather enhancing the underwater experience. Water temperatures remain a comfortable 27°C to 30°C (81°F to 86°F), making for pleasant dives. During these months, divers have full access to the islands' renowned dive sites, where visibility can exceed 30 meters (100 feet), allowing for spectacular views of the underwater wonders.
Top Dive Sites in Similan
The Similan Islands, located off the west coast of Thailand, are a cluster of nine islands that have been designated as a national park. Let’s explore some of the top diving sites.
Christmas Point
Christmas Point is celebrated for its unique underwater rock formations and swim-throughs that resemble giant Christmas trees. This site is ideal for advanced divers, offering thrilling dives among large gorgonians and a chance to see pelagic fish. The vibrant marine life and intricate landscapes make it a memorable dive.
Elephant Head Rock
Elephant Head Rock is one of The Similan Islands' most iconic dive sites. It features massive boulders that create dramatic swim-throughs and underwater caverns. Due to its depth and currents, Elephant Head Rock is challenging and attracts advanced divers eager to navigate its complex terrain. It is also home to a wide variety of marine species.
East Of Eden
East of Eden offers a spectacular diving experience with its richly populated coral garden that extends along the eastern side of The Similan Islands. Suitable for divers of all levels, the site is a haven for underwater photographers, boasting clear waters, abundant fish life, and stunning coral formations.
Richelieu Rock
Already highlighted as a jewel of Phang Nga, Richelieu Rock is one of the most popular spots in The Similan diving scene because of its breathtaking beauty, dense marine life, and frequent whale shark sightings. This horseshoe-shaped reef remains a top pick for advanced divers.
Tachai Reef
Tachai Reef, located near Tachai Island, is known for its pristine conditions and diverse underwater ecosystems. This site caters to both novice and experienced divers, offering clear visibility and a chance to swim amidst schools of barracuda, batfish, and the occasional manta ray.
Shark Fin Reef
Shark Fin Reef, stretching south of The Similan Islands, features an extensive coral reef system with a variety of topographies, from deep drop-offs to shallow coral gardens. Divers of all levels can enjoy the vibrant marine biodiversity, including reef sharks, making it a compelling site for those interested in shark encounters.
Similan Diverse Marine Life
Whale shark
Manta ray
Leopard shark
Guitar shark
Blacktip reef shark
Eagle ray
Frogfish
Anemone fish
Box fish
Seahorse
Nudibranch
Octopus
Shrimp
Sea anemone
Soft Coral
Hard Coral
Dolphins
Turtle
Barracuda
Butterflyfish
Lionfish
Napoleon fish
Parrot fish
Similan Marine Life Sighting Calendar
HHigh chance
MMedium chance
LLow chance
-No sighting
 Whale shark | M | M | M | L | L | - | - | - | - | - | L | M |
 Manta ray | M | M | M | L | L | - | - | - | - | - | L | M |
 Leopard shark | M | M | M | L | L | - | - | - | - | - | L | L |
 Guitar shark | L | L | L | L | L | - | - | - | - | - | L | L |
 Eagle ray | L | L | L | L | L | - | - | - | - | - | L | L |
 Blacktip reef shark | M | M | M | L | L | - | - | - | - | - | L | M |
 Seahorse | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L | L |
 Turtle | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M | M |
The marine biodiversity in The Similan Islands is exceptional, with divers frequently encountering large pelagics such as manta rays and whale sharks. The coral reefs are bustling with life, home to schools of colorful fish, sea turtles, and an impressive array of macro species like nudibranchs and ghost pipefish. The clear waters also provide opportunities to spot reef sharks and the elusive leopard shark, adding a thrill to every dive.
Check out our calendar for the optimal times to spot the exciting marine life in The Similan Islands.
Similan Diving Conditions
Recommended scuba diving level
Open water diver
Water temperature27°C - 30°C
Underwater visibility20M - 30M
Underwater currentModerate - Strong
Depth10M - 40M
WeatherTemperature: 28°C - 35°C
Monsoon season: Jun - Sep
Underwater hazardDown Current
Poisonous Fish
Warm & Clear: Dive in comfort with water temperatures averaging 27°C to 30°C (81°F to 86°F) and exceptional visibility exceeding 30 meters (100 feet). Dive Your Way: Explore shallow coral reefs teeming with life or venture deeper for advanced challenges. The Similan Islands cater to divers of all experience levels. Currents & Critters: Be aware of varying currents at different dive sites, some ideal for drift diving. Encounter a diverse range of marine life while maintaining safe interactions. Prime Season: The dry season offers the best diving conditions, with calm seas and minimal rain.
Explore Which Experience Is Best For You
Discover your perfect Similan Islands scuba diving trip with Giant Stride! We offer a variety of options and price ranges to fit your budget and diving style. Browse our collection of dive center vendors to find your ideal experience.
Ready To Book Your Adventure With Giant Stride?
Giant Stride is your one-stop shop for booking and comparing scuba diving tours and prices in The Similan Islands and across Thailand. Explore our platform to find the perfect experience for you, from beginner dives to advanced expeditions.