The Andaman Sea is without doubt the best diving in Thailand. We offer a number of first class dive sites….Many large ocean travellers, like Whale Sharks, Manta Rays and Pilot Whales are frequent visitors to this area….

We listed a few of the most common dive sites around phuket:

• Phuket dive sites

• The similan island dive sites

The Similan islands dive sites

Map of the dive sites

The World famous Similan Islands. Join our amazing MV. Queen Scuba liveaboard for an unforgettable trip to this Paradise, The Similan Islands consist of nine islands and is ranked among the best dive sites in the entire world.
This is a great opportunity to see some of the larger pelagics of the sea and amazing coral reefs, with no doubt the best variety ever seen in Thai waters.

visit the Queen Scuba Live-aboard (Similan Islands)

ANITA'S REEF

Running from the southern tip of island no. 5 to the western side of island no. 6, Anita’s Reef is a perfect introduction to diving at the Similan Islands.

The reef consists of a mixture of hard and soft coral pinnacles, white sand areas and in the southern, deeper section, massive granite boulders. When currents are present here they are usually very mild, ideal for taking a closer look at some of the coral pinnacles which start at around 5m and are dotted over the white sand to a depth of around 24m. They consist mostly of large Pore, Table and Compact corals and a mixture of beautiful red and pink soft corals and huge sea fans.

Fish life is in abundance, the highlights of this reef being the shimmering schools of glassfish, patrolling Bluefin Trevally and Goatfish, many Clownfish and Anemonefish and in the sand between and beyond the corals some of the largest fields of Spotted Garden Eels to be seen anywhere at the Similans.

At the southern end the huge granite boulders, adorned in green Tree corals fall to depths of 30m or more where Leopard Sharks and Stingrays can sometimes be seen lying in the sand gullies.

SHARK FIN REEF

Situated roughly 1km south-east of island no. 3, Shark Fin Reef is a 900m long slab of Granite, the top of which can be seen at low tide in the form of three small pointed rocks which give the divesite it's name.

Running in a south-east to north-west direction the site is usually sheltered from strong currents and consists of enormous granite boulders tumbling from the surface all the way down to 35m on the southern side and 25-30m on the northern side, with smaller rocks and boulders scattered inbetween over the main slab itself. In the shallow north-west area some of the boulders look almost man-made with near-perfect right-angled faces.

Leopard Shark can sometimes be seen and in the deeper southern area Blacktip Reef Shark have also been seen. Look in the holes and cracks for Giant Moray Eels, and in the sandy patches for Kuhl's Stingrays and Red Fire Gobies. In the north-western section large adult Cube Boxfish are everywhere and enormous schools of Fusiliers travel in and over the top of the reef to stop and quickly be cleaned by the Striped Cleaner Wrasse which wait at the top of the reef.

This is one of the few sites where Napoleon Wrasse can be seen, and if you are very lucky, one or two huge Humphead Parrotfish. On the northern side the green Tree corals give way to many small colourful seafans and more hard and soft corals where one or two Hawksbill Turtles reside, one of them more than happy to pose for a photograph !

BOULDER CITY

As the name suggests, Boulder City is a large area of enormous underwater boulders. Situated close to the southern end of Shark Fin Reef, Boulder City ( or Hin Phae in Thai ) is completely submerged, the rocks starting at 12-14m and falling to depths of over 40m at the outer edges. This site is deep and in open ocean so it can be subject to strong currents at times but if conditions allow it is ideal for the first or second dive of the day and never fails to impress.

Heading down either the southern or northern mooring line, the boulders are visible from the surface and loom up at you as you get closer. Very often an enormous school of Chevron Barracuda can be seen slowly swimming by or circling around or above you, truly a breathtaking sight. Using the clusters of boulders as shelter from the current you will swim over gardens of Staghorns and other hard and soft corals and past layers of enormous Gorgonians firmly rooted into the large grey boulders, a true contrast in colour.

It is very common to see at least a few Leopard Sharks lying in the sand at around 25m, as well as Kuhl's Stingrays and occasionally larger Rays swimming by, even sometimes Manta Rays circling in the current around the outer edges of the deeper boulders. Large shoals of brightly coloured Surgeonfish are usually found feeding in the coral gardens, along with Angelfish, Lionfish and other colourful species.

EAST OF EDEN

No visit to the Similan Islands would be complete without a dive along perhaps the most famous of all the islands' divesites. Running for roughly 250m around the southeastern corner of island no. 7, East Of Eden is one of the most colourful and vibrant fringeing reefs in Thailand.

Starting in the shallows at 6m the reef falls quite steeply in the northern section to depths of 35m or more where the sand bottom then levels out. Usually this reef is dived from north-east to south-west and it is here at the start if you head down to the deeper coral pinnacles you will find a few pairs of beautiful Purple Fire Gobies ; move slowly but take your photographs quickly before they disappear into the sand ! Heading along towards the shallower parts of the reef you will swim over enormous orange and red Gorgonians, beautiful Barrel Sponges as well as Staghorns, Table corals and Pore corals, home to many colourful Christmas Tree Worms. Along the entire reef you will find all the usual reef fish going about their daily business, a myriad of shapes, sizes and colours. Hawksbill and Green Turtles are very often seen at the top of the reef plateau.

At the southern end of the reef is an enormous coral pinnacle starting at 24m and rising to 10m, definitely worth swimming around slowly at least once. This pinnacle is home to many different large and small Sea fans, enormous Table corals, endless differently coloured Feather Star Worms and beautiful soft corals and Anemones. So many fish are attracted to this pinnacle, but also look for the smaller species such as Nudibranchs, Cowries and at the right time of year the elusive Ornate Ghostpipefish. This pinnacle is truly an ecosystem in itself.

HONEYMOON BAY

A picturesque bay on the western side of Island no.4, with a long white sand beach and crystal clear blue water, ideal for swimming or snorkelling, and because of it's sheltered location, perfect for a very gentle afternoon, sunset or night dive.

Looking down from the surface the areas of sand are interspersed with small hard coral pinnacles and patches of Staghorns. As the reef starts to slope away to a maximum depth of 25m it becomes home to different Moray Eels, Scorpionfish, different Lionfish as well as the more colourful Angelfish and Butterflyfish.

As the sun begins to set the reef takes on a different appearance, and you are likely to find many different crabs and shrimp starting to appear : the large red Giant Reef Crab, for the keen-eyed the Decorater Crab and also the Banded Boxer Shrimp among others. Different species of snail are often found slowly moving along the soft flat sand such as Tiger Cowries and Tun Shells. Turtles can sometimes be seen at any time of day looking for a snack or a place to sleep for the night and also small Tawny Nurse Sharks have been seen during night dives, as well as from the diveboat as they swim around under the decklights.

ELEPHANT HEAD ROCK

Approximately half way between island nos. 7 & 8 and one of the most famous of the Similan divesites, Elephant Head Rock is an enormous pinnacle consisting of some of the largest boulders to be found in the area. Three of the boulders can be seen above the surface, one of them giving the divesite it's name, if you use your imagination !

Underwater the boulders are truly breathtaking, with some of them as big as houses. The boulders are tumbled on top of each other and fall to depths greater than 40m. This divesite is quite exposed and due to the different size and shape of the rocks the water movement here can be quite challenging as the current finds it's way past, through and around the boulders, but it is always extremely interesting and great fun.

The highlight of Elephant Head Rock is without doubt the many swimthroughs which are mostly clustered together at around 24m. Tunnels and caverns lead off in all different directions and are home to many large Sweetlips and Groupers which move aside to let you through. Emerging from the swimthrough you are faced with perhaps another one if you wish or a different panoramic view of more gigantic boulders decorated with soft corals and Sea fans.

Looking out into the blue at the southern end of the site Giant Trevally are almost always seen coming in quite close and also around here large groups of Oriental Sweetlips hover over the smaller boulders. On the rock faces at the southern and eastern side it is always possible to find beautiful purple Nudibranchs and sometimes Pipefish. Whitetip Reef Sharks are very often seen here too.

NORTH POINT

The most northerly divesite of the nine Similan Islands, on the north-east tip of island no. 9, North Point has been described as an Adventure Playground. The site consists of large submerged granite boulders decorated with soft corals, Gorgonians, Barrel Sponges and Whip corals in the deeper northern section and a large hard coral reef in the shallower southern section.

Currents can be quite strong here at times but the boulders which step down to 40m always offer shelter as you work your way around the many enjoyable gullies and corridors.

Resting in the sand between the boulders it is very common to see Kuhl's Stingrays, Leopard Sharks and sometimes Whitetip Reef Sharks. Swimming above the boulders are sometimes huge Tuna, Trevallies and occasionally Napoleon Wrasse. There are two swimthroughs to be found at 20m & 24m and where the rocks meet the reef two huge granite boulders have formed a canyon 20m long, rising from 15m to 5m ! Banded Boxer Shrimp wait at one end of this canyon for Giant Moray Eels to come and be cleaned, also around this area inside the small cracks and holes it is possible to find different species of Pipefish.

Leaving the canyon and heading to the hard coral reef you can find Clown Triggerfish and many different Parrotfish feeding. In the shallows towards the end of the dive it is not uncommon to see a large school of Chevron Barracuda or Longfin Batfish above you, and on most occasions at least one of the resident Hawksbill Turtles is scouring the reef for food.

KOH BON

Koh Bon is an uninhabited limestone island approximately 15km north-east of the Similan Islands but still part of the Similan National Marine Park.

The main attraction here is the West Ridge where the cliff descends at a shallow angle into the sea and continues all the way down to 40m where it meets the sand. Around this ridge divers have the best chance to see giant Manta Rays, particularly in the months of January to April. Here there are often strong currents and thermoclines bringing in nutrient-rich water and the Mantas will often circle around the ridge all day long, oblivious to divers or sometimes playing in the bubbles ! The Mantas also head to the northern reef at Koh Bon to be cleaned and divers can swim with them there in more gentle conditions.

Even if the Mantas are not around, the ridge and reef have plenty to offer : the limestone is a very obvious change to the granite of the Similan Islands and the small cracks and holes are home to many shrimp, nudibranchs, Moray Eels and small Octopus.

The darker rock means that the water here is also a much deeper colour blue compared to the Similan Islands and the visibility is often 30m or more, stunning ! Out in this deep blue, pelagic fish are always seen such as Giant Trevallies, Rainbow Runners and Dogtooth Tuna heading in to feed on the millions of Glassfish which sometimes make the whole ridge seem as if it is moving. The ridge is covered in very small colourful soft corals all the way along the very jagged edges to the deeper area where it is very common to see large Leopard Sharks sleeping below and sometimes magnificent Spotted Eagle Rays scouring the sand. Heading back to the shallow hard coral reef there is a good chance to spot Whitetip and Blacktip Reef Sharks and also Pharoah Cuttlefish changing colour among the many fallen rocks.

KOH TACHAI

20km north of Koh Bon lies Koh Tachai, the northernmost island of the Similan National Marine Park. Formed from granite, this island has much to offer : a very long powder-white sand beach with a huge bay for swimming or snorkelling, several sheltered bays for a calm night's sleep and some great diving.

Just off the southern tip of the island is Tachai Pinnacle or Twin Peaks as it is also known, an enormous submerged dome of granite covered in large and small boulders and hard and soft corals, starting at 9m and dropping down to more than 45m in some areas, and a smaller pinnacle 30m north of the dome starting at 14m.

Currents at these pinnacles can be extremely strong and it can be quite a challenging dive, especially first thing in the morning but it is worth the work to see the amount and variety of fish around. If you can see through the thousands of Fusiliers teeming in from the west you might spot Moray Eels swimming between the boulders or coral pinnacles, every type of Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Grouper, Lionfish, Anemonefish, huge shoals of Rabbitfish hanging in the water away from the rocks, Teira Batfish everywhere, Barracuda, Trevally, Tuna, often even Manta Rays coming in from the blue. There are also Shrimps, Lobsters, Nudibranchs and Pipefish. Several Leopard Sharks and Kuhl's Stingrays can be seen as you swim along the deeper boulders and sand patches, especially on the southern and eastern sections, and large Marble Rays and Jenkins Whiprays have been seen. The coral garden on the top of the dome is one of the most colourful in the entire area. Always a very rewarding dive.

If the current is just too strong to dive at the pinnacle, then nice alternatives are the very south-eastern or north-eastern reefs of the island, gently sloping hard coral reefs with a good mixture of coral pinnacles, rubble, rocks and sand patches and usually several Leopard Sharks and in the evening maybe even a Nurse Shark.

KOH SURIN ISLANDS

Situated approximately 50km west of the mainland and very close to the border with Myanmar the Surin Islands consist of 5 virtually uninhabited limestone islands and several rocky islets which are part of the Thai National Marine Park. These islands are stunningly beautiful, the topside scenery consisting of a multitude of small sheltered bays, steep cliffs and carpets of lush tropical jungle.
Living in this wilderness paradise are small communities of Chao Lay Sea Gypsies or ‘Morgans’ as they are also known. Most of them have constructed small yet sturdy huts on bamboo stilts close to the water’s edge where they live day to day fishing and tending to their wooden boats, their traditional ways and values mostly unchanged and uninfluenced by the modern world. Although quite shy and private people, they have been known to welcome curious visitors to their home and, if the chance arises, a respectful hour or two spent with them is a memorable glimpse into a unique way of life.
Below the surface at Surin, divers and snorkellers alike are treated to vibrant healthy reefs consisting predominantly of hard coral fields, sloping down gently to meet the sand beds at quite shallow depths of generally no more than 25m. Some of the more interesting dive sites are found at the southern end of the islands, around Koh Surin Tai and Koh Turinla, where it is not uncommon to see several Hawksbill Turtles on a single dive or within an hour in the water snorkelling. Other species commonly seen here and not at many other places are several Humphead Parrotfish, Whitetip and Blacktip Reef Sharks and also juvenile Pinnate Batfish, a very striking and unusual fish. Amongst the hard corals there is some growth of soft corals including sea fans and whips.
The remote location and few other divers mean that the reefs are untouched and at their best and due to the sheltered locations the bays and reefs provide some of the best sunset and night diving in the area.

RICHELIEU ROCK

Arguably the best and certainly the most famous divesite in Thailand, this one has it all !

Situated roughly 30km from the mainland, 20km from the Surin Islands and near the border with Myanmar, Richelieu Rock is a series of limestone pinnacles in a horseshoe shape, sitting on a flat sand bed at around 30m with one pinnacle just breaking the surface at low tide .

This is the only food source in the area for a great many fish and corals . It is very exposed, meaning strong currents bring in food and nutrients and it is vibrant and healthy almost beyond words . The first thing that greets the diver on the way down the mooring line is the vast number of differently coloured Anemones over the tops of all the pinnacles, then as you descend deeper the soft corals are bigger, more colourful and more plentiful than anywhere else and there is hardly a patch of rock left bare . If not hard and soft corals then it's fish of all kinds, every species of Moray Eel, all the Cleaner Shrimps, all the Anemone and Clownfish . If you know where to look, which we do, there are Harlequin Shrimps, Tigertail Seahorses, Ornate Ghostpipefish, Giant Frogfish, Juvenile Emperor Angelfish, a Tiger-Egg Cowrie, a macro heaven .

The larger fish include schools of Yellow and Five-line Snapper, Bigeye Trevally, Goatfish, a large school of Chevron Barracuda almost every time, perhaps a Cuttlefish, an Octopus, a Turtle or a Stingray, so many Angelfish, Groupers, Butterflyfish, also smaller Gobies and Blennies .

Along with Hin Daeng and Hin Muang, Richelieu Rock is also renowned for being able to see the biggest fish in the world, the magnificent Whale Shark . Sadly in recent years the sightings have numbered less and less, but still every year they are seen, a very moving and unforgettable experience if you are there at the right time, let's hope you are .

So many people who dive Richelieu Rock have dived it before, and so many will come to dive it again, a beautiful divesite certainly not to be missed .

BOONSUNG WRECK

Lying roughly 7km from the mainland and 10km from Tapla Mu pier is this small tin dredger wreck which sank around 20 years ago . It’s shallow location mean it is an ideal dive for all levels of experience . The wreck is lying on a flat sandy bottom with a maximum depth of 20m and the top starts at 12m . Overall length is 30m and width roughly 10m .
The structure of the wreck is still quite intact and offers some impressive views through the various small holds and frameworks . The dredging boom is still attached to the stern and various cogs, wheels arms and damaged panels provide lots of jagged edges for the many clams and sponges to take hold .
Despite the small size of the wreck it attracts a very impressive amount of fish life . Schools of Yellow and Five-Line Snapper are always seen, as are Bigeye Trevally and usually Longfin Batfish, a common resident of our smaller wrecks . Leopard Sharks and different Stingrays are often seen in the sand around the wreck .
Looking into the cracks and crevices divers can usually find large Masked Porcupinefish, several Bearded Scorpionfish and also the very well-camouflaged Stonefish has been found here . Macro life on the wreck is in abundance with at least 10 different species of nudibranch and also Cleaner Shrimp which are there to service the Moray Eels, of which Giant Morays and White-Eyed Morays are the most common, but the striking Honeycomb Moray is also resident here .
Soft corals are quite sparse but if you happen upon an anemone of any kind take a closer look for tiny Squat Shrimps and Commensal Shrimps hiding amongst the fronds .
Lastly, from the tiny to the gigantic, the magnificent Whale Shark has been seen here unexpectedly on several occasions .