Similan Islands
The
Similan archipelago consists of nine small granite islands located 92 km. (56 n. miles)
northwest of Phuket island, is a Marine National Park under the care of the Royal
Forestry Department.
The
Similans is claimed to be one of Asia's top dive destinations, with an underwater terrain
highlighted by thriving reefs, abundant soft corals and the tremendous diversity of marine life.
The
dive sites:-
No.
1 - Koh Huyong: Around
this island, are dive sites with depths averaging between 5 m. to 18 m. The sea-scape comprises
of coral gardens teeming with a large variety of marine life, dominated by reef fishes. On the
deeper eastern section, there are chances to catch a glimpse large underwater creatures like
Manta Rays, large schools of Great Barracuda and Whale Sharks. ytterdører
No.
3 - Koh Payun: Around this island, are dive sites with depths averaging between
16 m. to 20 m. Featuring sloping reef, sheer drop offs, enormous submerged granite boulders. It
offers a diverse range of marine life like the schools of batfish, surgeonfish, Moorish idols,
banner fish, lionfish, blue spotted groupers, red coral trout and even barracudas. наручные часы женские фото
No.
4 - Koh Miang: This island is the only inhibited island in the Similans
and around this island, are dives sites with depths averaging between 18 m. to 30 m. This
offers deep dive and its best features being below 25m consisting of large towering rocks with
alleyways, large granite boulders offering large sea fans, barrel sponges with the presence of
reef fish, lionfish, bearded scorpion fish, large angelfish, tuna, barracuda, trevally and also
leopard sharks. Женская куртка BILLABONG
No.
5 & No. 6 islands: This two islands offers similar dive sites environment
similar to No. 4 - Koh Miang, with the exception that here, it provides for adventurous
drift diving.
No.
7 - Koh Payu: Around
this island, are dive sites with depths averaging between 18 m. to 23 m. The dive sites off Koh
Payu, is where schools of snappers, fusiliers, turtles and leopard sharks can be found.
No.
8 - Koh Similans: Around this island, are dive sites and with depths
averaging between 8 m. to 25 m. The dive sites off here offers one of the most colorful
underwater sights of marine flora and fauna collection.
No.
9 - Koh Bangu: Around the north-western tip of this
island offers a depth of between 8 m. to 15 m of adventure diving with swim through amongst the
rock formations. The enormous whale shark can occasionally be seen swimming close to the
underwater drop offs.
Bon
Island
Bon Island located
about 46 km. (25 n.miles) northeast of the Similans islands is a good site for manta rays and
sometimes whale sharks. This is a good site for large pelagic. Huge sponges can also be found
in depths of 30-40 m.
Tachai
Island
Tachai Island
located about 40 km. (22 n.miles) south of Surin islands, provides 3 multi level reefs at this
site to venture in. The average depth is between 12 m. to 24 m. Soft and hard corals, sea fans,
sea anemones and a variety of coral fishes can be found here.
Surin islands
located 88 km. (48 n.miles) due west of Ranong province, consist of five granite islands and it
is also a marine national park. This site offers fringing reefs which slope gently to the sea
bed and an abundance of coral and marine life.
Richelieu
Rock
Lying just
southeast of Surin island is Richelieu rock , as the rock is in open sea, the pinnacles are
visible only at low tide. One of Thailand's best dive sites, this is a wall dive around the
main outcrop and is listed as a top location for whale sharks, sea - horses, manta rays and
leopard sharks. The average depth is between 15 m to 25 m.
