Discover the picturesque beauty of the Similan Islands

Discover the picturesque beauty of the Similan Islands

Due to the amazing golden temples, interesting festivals and delicious dishes, Thailand is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. Besides that, this country is home to numerous stunning islands that attract a lot of tourists from all over the world. If you get the chance to take a package Asia tour, do not miss Similan islands – the most beautiful diving spots in Thailand.

An overview of the Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are a group of islands in the Andaman Sea off the coast and be a part of Phang Nga Province in southern Thailand. It consists of 9 islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Payang and Ko Huyong. There are also two islands near there: Ko Bin and Ko Tachai. All are surrounded by tropical forests and white sandy beaches.

Discover the picturesque beauty of the Similan Islands

The beauty of Similan Islands

Each island has its own special characters, but these have created a mysterious beauty waiting for you to explore. Speaking of Similan, people will think about the land with rich fauna and flora. Immersing yourself in the cool blue water, you can admire the stunning scenery and fishing swimming in the water. 

This group of nine islands was named “The Similan Marine National Park” in 1982. The beautiful coral reef here have been devastated by landmine/UXO hunting, but today, it is an absolutely protected area. Forest rangers are the only ones living on the island, who play an important role in preventing pollution and acts of vandalism. Therefore, during the rainy season, the national park will be closed and boats will be checked regularly.

The paradise for diving

Unlike impressive sedimentary rocks on the coasts of Thailand, the Similan Islands give you a much flatter feel. The breathtaking scenery of huge granite blocks and dense forests will make you surprised. It is also home to the finest white sandy beaches and the clearest water, compared to the beaches and islands around Phuket.

Discover the picturesque beauty of the Similan Islands

The marine life under Similan

The clear water and colorful coral reefs in many strange shapes make this place a very ideal destination for divers. The underwater world is indeed an invaluable gift that nature offers. In Similan island, there are more than 200 species of coral and a lot of fish such as salmon, sea turtles, mackerel, sharks, shrimp and tuna, of which some you can hardly find anywhere else in Thailand. If you are lucky enough, you can see the whale shark. The most famous diving spot here is the Elephant Head.

How to explore Similan in one day

Your first stop will be Koh Ba Ngu – an ideal place for snorkeling. Coming here, you have the opportunity to see the carved coral called “Breakfast Bend” covered with sea fans and staghorns. This is also the place where the sun shines first in the morning. 

Next, you will head to Koh Similan – the largest island there which is shaped like a horseshoe. The most popular activity here is to climb the trail to Sailing Boat Rock – a symbol of Koh Similan for a panoramic view of the island. In the north, there are 3-4 mountain ridges rising up over the water. 

The next stop is Koh Payu which is home to many beautiful coral reefs. The Deep Six located in the north of the island is considered the second beautiful diving site after Christmas Point.

The unique pebbles in the sea make up the roads, canyons and tunnels for you to swim through. There is also a coral garden with the largest surviving gorgonian sea fans or giant barrel sponges. 

The last stop is Ko Miang Island. It is the second largest island after Koh Similan and also the office of the national park. This place is well-equipped with electricity, air conditioning, wooden bungalows with sea view, camping tents and even the Royal Thai Navy guard station. Northern beaches of Koh Miang are always crowded. If you want to enjoy peaceful space, you can follow the trail behind the naval station (only take 15 minutes) and climb a rickety ladder. From here, you can view and capture the beautiful panorama of the island. When snorkeling here, you can see many rare marine creatures such as rays, whale sharks and barracudas.

Discover the picturesque beauty of the Similan Islands

Similan Islands

Where to stay in Similan

Simila Island has no inhabitants, just only the staff of the National Park. To provide accommodation on the island, the park rents tents and bungalows on Ko Miang and Ko Similan. Therefore, you should book inadvance when coming here. 

If there is no accommodation available, you can stay overnight on the boat. The third way is to stay in Khao Lak and take the boat to the island every day.

How to get there

Similan Island is still pristine partly because of the shortage in getting there. The park is completely closed during the rainy season, it means you can only travel there from November to May.  There is no public transportation to the island, so the only way is to book a tour.

Such a gorgeous destination for your next holiday, right? There are also a lot of interesting things awaiting you in Asia tours. Visit our website to get further information. Hope that this article is useful for you. Have a nice trip!