The nine islands of the Mu
Koh Similan Marine National Park, located 52 miles
northeast of Phuket, are a diver's dream, offering
superb visibility and a huge variety of underwater
scenery. They are also reputed to be among the world's
top ten dive sites. |
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The exposed western sites are the more dramatic ones, with
huge boulders, swim-throughs, overhanging rocks and exotic soft
coral gardens. The eastern side is more sheltered and here you
find gently sloping reefs and a myriad of colourful reef fish.
Above sea level, the islands, which are covered in lush rain
forest. are equally impressive. You also will have ample
opportunity to visit secluded beaches, go snorkeling and take
walks among the rocks and into the jungle, looking for animals
such as iguanas and fish eagles. More...
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The Mu Koh Surin Marine National
Park is located 80 km (42 n. miles) due west off Ranong
province on the west coast of Thailand. Its five granite islands sit in 135 sq.km (80 sq. miles) of
water.
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The largest, Koh Surin Nua, has an area of 19 sq.km
(11 sq. miles) and its highest point
is 240 m (800 ft) above sea level. More...
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A
few hours north from the Similan Islands we arrive at one of
Thailand’s greatest undersea treasures, an isolated rocky pinnacle
where currents meet and large pelagic visitors are common. An
encounter with a whale shark is an experience that will stay
with you for the rest of your life... |
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Divers at Richelieu Rock are
rarely disappointed - the variety of life here is spectacular and every dive is an adventure. Huge schools of batfish,
trevallies and barracuda cruise around the rock, and don’t
forget to look up - manta rays are also frequent visitors!
On the way back from Richelieu
Rock to the Similans we stop at one or both of these isolated
islands. Koh Tachai is another gathering point for large
pelagics and manta rays are commonly sighted.
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The underwater scenery is
breathtaking, with huge boulders surrounding a plateau covered
with beautiful hard coral gardens. Our captain is sure to
keep in radio contact with other boats to keep us advised of
recent manta activity at either of these two
sites.
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On our 2 day southern trip (which
can be combined with the 4 day Similan trip), you will
experience some of the most beautiful and dramatic dives in
Thailand.
| One side
of Hin Daeng drops steeply to a depth of more than 40 metres, while the other
features gently sloping soft coral gardens. Hin Muang drops
even deeper and huge schools of pelagics are found here. The
variety of life at these sites is very similar to Richelieu Rock,
including sightings of whale sharks and mantas. |
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Koh Ha, a collection of five tiny islands, offers a secluded
mooring place for our night dive, a beautiful shallow lagoon and
beach, and a pair of spectacular caverns known as the "Twin
Cathedrals". |
The Thai
government
has been helping to maintain and protect these dive sites.
We would like to thank
the Marine Police, the Navy and the Tourism Authorithy of Thailand.
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