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The best of Thailand below the waves
Destinations
North Andaman
The Similan National Park
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Established as a national park in 1982, Similan Islands are an archipelago of 11 islands in the Andaman Sea, 70 km off the coast in Phang Nga Province. The park covers an area of 140 km² of which 26 km² is land.
With a rich marine life consisting of hard and soft coral reefs, crystal clear waters and white beaches, Similan Islands are considered to be one of the best diving sites in the world. The main characteristics of the islands are the rock formations which consist of huge boulders, shallow waters and dense tropical forests.
Unfortunately, the islands are suffering from too many tourists. One of the worst effected islands, Ko Tachai has been permanently closed since 2016, as of 2020, still closed. Back in 2018 the problem with overcrowded visitors became so big that the park authorities limited the number of tourists to Similan Islands to 3,850 people a day, later further down to 3,325 people a day. Before the limitation, the islands were getting up to 7,000 visitors a day.
During these corona times a very few boats operating to the islands. It is perhaps once a lifetime opportunity for the local tourists and expats to enjoy the empty islands.
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The nearest popular town on the mainland are Khao Lak and Phuket, the nearest pier is Thap Lamu Pier south of Khao Lak.
The rainy season is from May to October with the most rainfall in June to September. The rest of the year is quite dry, very little rain December to March.
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Islands
"Similan" is a Yawi (a Malayan dialect) word, means nine. The park
had originally nine islands numbered 1 to 9 but expanded to include
two more remote islands back in 1998 ; Ko Tachai and Ko Bon.
Although each island has a name they can be referred with
numbers. The islands are;
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#1, Ko Hu Yong
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#2, Ko Payang
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#3, Ko Payan
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#4, Ko Miang
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#5, Ko Ha
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#6, Ko Payu
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#7, Ko Hin Pousar
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#8, Ko Similan
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#9, Ko Bangu
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#10, Ko Bon, also known as Ko Talu
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#11, Ko Tachai
The two main islands are Ko Miang and Ko Similan
Divesites
Anita's Reef
Boonsung Wreck
Boulder City
Christmas Point
Deep Six
Donald Duck Bay
Eagle Rock
East of Eden
Elephant Head Rock
Hide Away Bay
Koh Bon North Ridge
Koh Bon Pinnacle / Hin Luang
Koh Bon West Ridge
Koh Tachai Reef
Koh Tachai Pinnacle / The Dome
Mooring Bay
North Point
Sharkfin Reef
Three Trees
Turtle Rock
West of Eden
Surin National Park
Popular for its coral gardens and white beaches, Surin Islands are one of the most famous diving and marine life viewing sites in the world, no doubt the best in Thailand. The islands are within Mu Ko Surin National Park.
Surin Islands are an archipelago of five islands within Mu Ko Surin National Park, in Phang Nga Province. The islands are 55 km off the coast, 100 km north from Similan Islands in the Andaman Sea and just 18 km from the marine border of Burma. The national park is covering an area of 135 km² of which 76% is sea.
The main islands are Ko Surin Nuea and Ko Surin Tai which are only 200 meters apart, the corridor between both islands is shallow and a popular place for snorkelling. The other three small islands are Ko Ri, Ko Khai and Ko Klang.
The islands are one of the very few untouched places in Thailand. Other than a small Moken village and park premises, there are no other buildings on the islands.
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Activities
Diving and snorkelling are the main activities in the islands. The best time for diving is around December to April when the wind is minimal and the average water temperature is around 29 °C. Although sighting is rare, February to April is the more ideal time to spot large pelagic species like manta rays and whale sharks.
It is possible to camp at one of the two campsites or rent one of the few bungalows in the islands, right next to the white beaches.
The islands are perhaps not a popular birding destination, but there are few migratory birds visiting the islands, not found elsewhere in the country.
Divesites
Ao Phakkat
Hin Goong
Hin Kong
Hin Rap
Koh Chum Ba
Koh Sato
Marshall Reef
Moken Bay
Richelieu Rock
Torinla Pinnacle
Torinla Reef
Tranquil Bay
Turtle Ledge
South Andaman
The Phi Phi islands are some of the loveliest in Southeast Asia. Just a 45-minute speedboat trip or a 90-minute ferryboat ride from either Phuket or Krabi, these picture postcard islands offer the ultimate tropical getaway. Featuring classic tropical beaches, stunning rock formations and vivid turquoise waters teeming with colourful marine life, it is paradise perfected.
Phi Phi is a group of six islands. The two main islands are Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Leh. The larger and inhabited Phi Phi Don attracts hundreds of visitors to stay on its lovely shores while the smaller uninhabited Phi Phi Leh hosts stunningly beautiful bays and beaches, including the world-famous Maya Bay, which was the set where The Beach (with Leonardo Di Caprio) was filmed.
Phi Phi Islands
Divesites
Bida Nai
Bida Nok
Hin Bida
Hin Dot
Karen Heng
Kled Gaeow
Lo Samah
Maya Corner
Nai Bay
Palong
Phi Ley Wall
Whaleshark Wall
Phuket
Phuket province is located in southern Thailand. It is the biggest Island of Thailand and sits on the Andaman sea. The nearest province to the north is Phang-nga and the nearest provinces to the east are Phang-nga and Krabi.
Phuket has a large Chinese influence, so you will see many Chinese shrines and Chinese Restaurants around the city. A Chinese Vegetarian Festival is held there every year. While the Chinese community is quite big, there are many other ethnicities bringing all their traditions and festivals from all over the world to Phuket.
Being a big island, Phuket is surrounded by many magnificent Beaches such as Rawai, Patong, Karon, Kamala, Kata Yai, Kata Noi, and Mai Khao. Laem Phromthep viewpoint is said to feature the most beautiful sunsets in Thailand.
It isn’t all just beaches though, there is also fantastic classical architecture such as the Goom Restaurant. That and the very welcome atmosphere and the famous Phuket NIGHTLIFE, you can see why the island is a hotspot for tourists in Thailand.
Visiting Phuket is easy as there are many travel options.
Key Tips
ï‚· The beaches of the south coast are typically crowded, while the north is far more tranquil.
ï‚· All the major beaches (such as Patong beach, Kata beach, Karon Beach, Nai Han beach, Mai Khao beach, Nai Yang beach) offer instruction and equipment for diving, Snorkelling, windsurfing and sailing. Don't forget to notice the red flag! before swim.
Divesites
Anemone Reef
Bangtoa Beach
Kata Beach
King Cruiser
Koh Doc Mai
Marla's Mystery
Paradise Beach
Racha Noi
Racha Yai
Sharkpoint
Ya Nui Beach
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