The Similan Islands
Ko Similan is by far the most beautiful group of dive sites that
we have in Thailand and one of the best areas for diving in the
entire world. Many people comment that the most fantastic thing
about the Similans is that we have two radically different types
of environments all rolled together into one destination. Nowhere
else in the world will a diver find such diverse topography
in such a small area.
The Similan Islands, located about one hundred kilometers northwest
of Phuket, are composed of nine granite islands covered in tropical
jungle, washed by a clear blue tropical ocean and blessed with
some of the world's finest beaches. Similan comes from Malay fisherman
who named it "The Nine Islands" (Sembilan is "nine"
in Malay) and now the islands are identified by a name–in Thai–and
a number; for example, Ko Huyong (Island #1), located at the southern
end of the chain or Ko Miang (Island #4) located in the middle. The islands have achieved national park status
and thus are fully protected under Thai law. The National Park
Authority maintains their presence on two of the islands: Ko Similan
(Island #8) the largest, and Ko Miang (Island #4). Recently, the
islands have come to the special attention of the Thai Royal Family
which further protects them from possible abuse. Currently there is limited accommodation available on the island, but hopefully soon this will be stopped as the island doesn't have the resources to support land-based tourism. There are no resorts on any of the islands and hopefully it will stay this way.
By drawing an imaginary line from north to south, we divide the
area into our two separate types of environments. The East Coast
with its powdery beaches features hard coral gardens which slope
dramatically from the surface down to approximately 30-40 meters,
where sand takes over as the water depth increases. On this side,
the most popular activity is drift diving along healthy coral
gardens while watching the reef inhabitants go about their business.
In several sites, large coral bommies rise from the bottom and
are covered with soft corals, sea fans, and an enormous amount
of critters and unusual fish. Here the diving is easy and navigation
simple, allowing each buddy pair to explore at his or her own
pace.
The West Coast, just a short boat ride away, can offer faster
paced, more exhilarating diving as currents swirl around the huge
granite boulders-some larger than the largest of houses. These
smooth, rounded boulders make dramatic formations, holes, and
overhangs ("swim-throughs") underwater where divers
can enjoy swimming with the current through the openings. The
drama of just looking up through the clear water at these huge
rocks is satisfaction enough for some divers, as there are very
few places like this on earth. Growing on these boulders are some
of the most colorful soft corals imaginable, in many places so
thick that the rock is no longer visible. In the larger passages
or channels between the boulders, the fans grow to a size sometimes
three meters across, and are often so tightly bunched together
that it makes it impossible to swim through the passages. Most
of the dive sites on the West Coast are best seen with a guide,
since navigation can be tricky.
If you enjoy watching and photographing small fish, the Similans
are hard to beat for the sheer numbers and varieties of tropicals especially lionfish and anemone fish (clown fish, among others).
Large fish, however, are a different story and the Similans are
not well known for consistent big fish action-stories about which
fill all the popular diving magazines. For this kind of diving,
you must travel further to the Mergui Archipelago in Burma (Myanmar). Luckily, we often
do get an occasional whale shark, while large cow tail rays are
fairly common. And, of course the most famous aquatic resident
of Thailand–the leopard shark–makes his appearance on a regular
basis. We'll also see white tip and black tip sharks once in awhile,
and a few times over the years we've seen schools of pseudo orcas
or false killer whales. The point is, like all diving areas, enjoy
the Similans for what they are famous for; wild, unspoiled beaches,
magnificent coral growth, prolific fish life, crystalline blue
water and sensational underwater rock formations.
Trip lengths vary from three to five days; often longer if the
boat is including the Similans as just one stop on the itinerary.
One day trips are possible at certain times of the year but in
general are not recommended as it is impossible to fully appreciate
the beauty of the islands without spending a few days diving around
them. Also, two-stroke outboard engines are extremely polluting, and most of the boats offering one-day trips still use this type of engine. Trip prices vary dramatically depending on where you go and how
comfortable you want to be.
High season in the Similans is from October until May, but diving
is possible all year-round. The water tends to be clearest in
the summer and in the fall, but then again, the visibility is
almost always good in the Similans, averaging approximately 18-25
meters and at times exceeding 40 meters! There are well over 30
charted dive sites in the Similan chain, and the following short
descriptions of a few of our favorites should give you an idea
of what to expect.
Christmas Point, Island #9, Ko Bangu:
One of the most dramatic dives in the Similans, this dive begins
with a series of large arches at a depth of about 24 meters.
The soft coral growth and sea fans are as large as they are
anywhere, and the fish action is fast here. We often encounter
small schools of blue fin trevally feeding on schools of fry.
End your dive near the island for the best swim-throughs in
the Similans and keep your eyes open for surprisingly large
jacks that hide in these passageways.
Breakfast Bend, Island #9, Ko Bangu:
A typical East Coast dive, this is my favorite way to begin
a trip. The light is beautiful early in the morning hence its
name, and the coral is in great shape. Down deeper in the sand,
there has been a large increase of garden eels over the past
few years. In the shallows, leopard sharks are often seen resting
in the sand. Recently we've spotted a napoleon wrasse, which
is a rare fish in the Similans.
Fantasy Reef, Island #8, Ko Similan:
One of the most popular dive spots in the Similans, these underwater
rock formations cover a huge area. The friendliest fish in the
Similans hangout here, including clown trigger fish, normally
a difficult fish to approach. Depths range from 15 meters down
to past 40 meters, and this is one of the best dives for enjoying
the grandness of huge boulders. One of the best dives I've had
here was a couple of years ago were we viewed at least 10 cow
tail rays over the sand-some animals exceeding 3 meters in overall
length-participating in a frantic mating ritual.
Beacon Reef (south), Island #8, Ko Similan
One of my favorite dives, probably because this is where I
saw my first whale shark, this reef features a steep drop-off
with striking diversity of hard corals from 35 meters of depth
almost all the way to the surface. This dive probably has the
largest variety of healthy hard corals in the Similans, probably
exceeding 300 species. I enjoy poking around the coral heads
looking for nudibranchs and the nervous fire fish (Nemateleotris
magnifica), one of the most beautiful fish in the tropical
sea. One of the ugliest residents of this reef are the big eye
fish that slowly cruise the reef flats. These fish have an amazing
ability to change from a deep red color to a contrasting vivid
silver. It almost appears as if they are changing their color
to fit their mood.
Elephant Head, Island #8, Ko Similan:
Probably the most famous dive in the group, the site is named
after an unusually shaped rock that juts out of the water just
southwest of Ko Similan. The three rocks that form Elephant
Head also create a natural amphitheater that feels like you
are diving in a huge aquarium. Yellow goat fish and snappers
always hang around at the deepest level of the bowl, as well
as several species of lion fish, coral trout, and the occasional
hawks bill or ridleys turtle. The swim-throughs at deeper depths
are dazzling.
East of Eden, Island #7, Ko Payu:
A typical East Coast dive, this particular site has one of
the most incredible underwater bommies in the Similans. Beginning
at about 21 meters and continuing up to about 12 meters, the
concentration of marine life is unequaled in the Similans. For
a period last summer, we had the opportunity to photograph a
cute pink frog fish repeatedly, as he stayed in the same spot
on the same reef for over two months. These are rare fish in
the Similans anyway, but he was especially fun as he was so
regally positioned on top of his throne of coral.
A Final Word
The Similan Islands are unique for another reason as well.
Mooring projects and other environmentally protective measures
have been introduced over the past few years and happily, the
diving has actually improved. While we hear that other
areas of the world deteriorate due to thoughtless management,
the diving in the Similans just gets better and better. One
thing is for sure, the Similan Islands will give all that you
ask of it-and more.
|
