Raja Laut

Reminicent of the Seychelles, but only 30 miles northwest of Phuket are the Similan and Surin islands. Like the Seychelles, the Similan and Surin offer not just a yacht charter paradise but also a diver's paradise, and above water the beautiful landscapes harbour a balanced and untouched tropical ecosystem.

In the Similan islands whale sharks, manta rays and leopard sharks are common sightings in a dramatic boulder-covered underwater world. The undeveloped, unspoiled island and the extensive surrounding coral gardens beneath the waves houses numerous species of fish, crustaceans, and other forms of sea-life.

Only a few miles north of the Similans, Surin is a beautiful group of islands, made up of five islets (Koh Surin Neua, Koh Surin Tai, Koh Ri, Koh Kai and Koh Klang) and was declared a national park on July 9, 1981. The main attractions within the national park are Surin Islands and the Sea Gypsies. Mu Koh Surin is the closest marine boundary between Myanmar and Thailand.

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Similan Islands

A group of 9 small islands which have a deserved reputation for having the best scuba diving in Thailand. From north to south in order the islands are: Koh Bon, Koh Ba Ngu, Koh Similan, Koh Pahyoo, Koh Miang (two islands), Koh Pahyan, Koh Payahng and Koh Hu Yong.

The largest island in the Similan archipelago is Koh Similan Island. It has a horseshoe large granite outcrop shaped over viewing the Andaman and surrounding islands. For hikers and snorklers, Koh Similan is an excellent location. Its long curving bay with powdery sand beaches and underwater scenery are just beautiful. From sea fans, plume worms and spiny lobsters in rock crevices can be seen beneath the clear shallow water. Furthermore, Christmas point is one of the most dramatic sites in the Similans.

Christmas Point is a dive site with impressive and unique topography. It is dominated by the enormous granite boulders, arches and swim-through that make diving here unlike anywhere else. Using the walls as substrate, huge sea fans and soft corals proliferate and act as the backdrop to the passing jacks, sharks and fusiliers.

Another Similan dive site where the stunning topography is the Elephant Head Rock. Around this inspiring underwater scene, you can check out all the resident sea-life including groupers, turtles, trevallies and reef sharks.

Surin Islands

Scuba diving in Surin is mainly on hard coral fringe reefs, similar to the east side of the Similans. The coral reefs of the South Surin Island is only 100 to 200 metres wide, but they have more diversity than those of the North Surin Island.

Ao Phakkat is one of the best diving sites. Angelfish is often found and there is no less than seven species. The area has a rich diversity of corals, especially foliose corals. The rocks in the shallower waters host hermit crabs, urchins and cleaner shrimps, and are rich with colourful featherstars. This is one of the few locations in Thai waters where large numbers of bumphead parrotfish are still frequently seen.

The famous Richelieu Rock is a limestone pinnacle carpeted with a thick covering pink and purple coral. Richelieu is one of the only sites in the world where the whale sharks are encountered regularly. Richelieu is a wall around a main outcrop, which is surrounded by smaller pinnacles whose peaks range in height from 3m to 10m below the surface.