The Similan Islands are a group of small islands located in the northern part of the Andaman Sea, opposite the coast of Khao Lak.

The distance from Khao Lak to the Similan Islands is approximately 60 km, the distance between the Similans and Phuket Island is just over 100 km. (in a straight line), the size of the archipelago is approximately 20 km. (from North to South).

The archipelago consists of 9 islands stretched in a line parallel to the coastline of the mainland. The names of the islands, from the southernmost to the northernmost, are: Ko Huyong, Ko Payang, Ko Payan, Ko Miang, Ko Ha, Ko Hok, Ko Payu, Ko Similan and Ko Bangu.

The size of the largest, and at the same time, the most visited island of the archipelago, the island of Ko Similan (Ko Similan), sometimes called the island number 8, is 4.3 x 1.4 km. The size of the second largest and most popular island, the island of Koh Miang (Ko Miang, island number 4) is 2.2 km. x 650 m. The use of numbers after (or instead of) the name of the islands may come as a surprise, but this is a generally accepted tradition for this archipelago.

The Similan Islands are one of the most beautiful places in southern Thailand. Monumental granite rocks, snow-white coral beaches, dense tropical forest and clear blue water – all this leaves an unforgettable and incomparable impression. The underwater world of the archipelago is no less impressive and the diving and snorkeling in the Similan Islands is by all accounts one of the best, if not the best, in all of Thailand.

In English, the name of the Similan Islands is usually written as Similan Islands or as Mu Ko Similan. The same name (Mu Ko Similan) has the national park of the same name, on the territory of which the Similan Islands are located. In Russian, the abbreviated name of these islands (Similans) is also quite often used.

When is the best time to go
The tourist season lasts from November to April, during this period they are open to tourists. At this time, the islands have sunny warm weather, which allows you to soak up the beaches with white sand, go diving and snorkeling.
Rainy season from May to October. Getting to the islands is difficult due to frequent storms and strong winds. Therefore, from mid-May to mid-November, the archipelago is closed for the safety of tourists, moreover, this measure contributes to its natural restoration.

How to get there
Similans are part of the national park, and for this reason you can get there only during the excursion: ordinary ferries and boats do not run to the island. From the nearest resorts (Phuket, Khao Lak, Ranong) excursions for one or two days depart; you can find a trip for 3-4 days. Some companies offer to spend the night on a boat, others – in bungalows and tents directly on the Similan Islands (accommodation is sometimes paid separately).
Entrance to the national park is paid. If you plan to go diving, you need to pay an additional fee.

Underwater
The variety of underwater relief and marine life is greater here than anywhere else on the planet. There is almost everything here: coral walls (in the Ko Bon area, to the north, but still part of the Similan Islands), large rocks, huge sea sponges and fans, caves, arches and tunnels – just a paradise for divers. The depth near the islands reaches 30-45 m, and between the islands it reaches 70-80 m, but the beauty of coral gardens can be seen already at a depth of 6-7 meters.
The warm waters of the Andaman Sea are teeming with marine life. There are also colorful tropical fish, sharks, eels, turtles. If you’re lucky, you can even see a huge whale shark.

Giant sea turtles, reaching one meter in size, are one of the most colorful creatures that live in southern Thailand and, in particular, on the Similan Islands.
It is generally accepted that turtles are phlegmatic and unhurried, however, this is not entirely true. Being marine inhabitants, turtles swim well and fairly quickly, and they do it very gracefully, refuting the conventional wisdom about their own clumsiness.
The phlegm of turtles also belongs more to the realm of prejudice. In fact, they are simply confident in the strength of their armor and can afford to be calm even in the presence of such an overall predator as homo sapiens. At the same time, turtles are curious, moderately playful and not devoid of addictions. In particular, they are partial to bananas, and if you take a few with you, you will have a great opportunity to feed a 50-kilogram turtle right from your hands.
It should be noted that 50 kg. – not at all the limit for a turtle, this is the characteristic weight for an adult 60 – 80 cm long. More large specimens, with a length of about 1 m and a weight of more than 100 kg, are also not particularly rare.

One might wonder, what are the chances of seeing a large sea turtle in the Similan Islands? It is clear that not 100%, but this probability is quite high, including due to the fact that one of the Similan Islands, island # 1 (Ko Huyong) is completely given over to nesting turtles. And, finally, it can be noted that the Similans, along with Koh Tao Island, located in the Gulf of Thailand, are one of the two places in Thailand where a meeting with large turtles is really possible for a mass tourist.

Diving Rules
Similan National Park has an entrance fee and daily diving in its territory. For Thai citizens, the fee is 80 baht per adult and 40 baht per child, for foreigners – 400 baht per adult and 200 baht per child. For diving, the daily fee is 200 baht per person, regardless of nationality and age.
The rules of the National Park must be strictly followed, but in addition, divers must obey the instructions of the ship’s dive leader: entry and exit techniques, use of safety equipment, dive signals, etc.
In order to ensure the safety of divers, their property and the environment, there are instructions that must be followed. The instructions below may differ from other rules in other diving areas.

– Divers are not allowed to touch anything underwater
– Divers are not allowed to surface without signaling devices (emergency, signal buoy, etc.)
– Divers are prohibited from climbing near any floating object, except for devices designed to climb
– Divers can surface near a cliff or close to an island without any alarm devices
– Divers are prohibited from throwing anything into the water, including organics
– Divers are not allowed to feed any marine life

Preparation for diving
When preparing for a trip, you should separate travel bags from diving bags. Extra items should be left at the hotel or dive center, as space on the boat is limited, soft bags are preferred. Divers are advised to take more than one bathing suit (optimally – 3). For convenience, it is advisable for women to take separate swimsuits (bikini or tankini).
You need to have a small amount of pocket money with you – park fees, drinks, tips. Some dive operators include these costs in the price, others do not. Check this information with your dive operators.

Tips for underwater photo and video shooting
Some dive operators provide computers and DVD burners on board. Please check with your dive center in advance to prepare a suitable storage device.