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Note:
In some publications Similan is written Simillan,
Similian Similand, Simillian, Similin, Siliman, Silmilan, Similun,
Similion, Simmilian, Simmillian or Simian.
The correct spelling is SIMILAN
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Similan Island scuba diving
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 The Similan Islands are the "base camp" of your Similan
Island scuba diving live aboard scuba diving Thailand vacations. The nine islands of the Similans run roughly
North to South. The islands' tropical rainforest consists mainly of large
rubber trees, several species of palm, bamboo and vines. Seafaring
gypsies used to live on the Similan islands, but they are now uninhabited
except for the park rangers' office and the beautiful occasional
residence of the Thai Royal family on Similan island number 4.
Beneath the waves the Similan Islands offer best scuba dive Thailand conditions and an outstanding range of marine
life including some 500 species of hard and soft corals. The visibility
in the Similan Islands is 20 to 40 meters and your eyes are greeted by a
kaleidoscope of colour on every Similan Island dive during your Thailand
scuba diving vacation.
 East
of Eden - Similan island No.7 - is a favourite on every scuba diving
Thailand MV Discovery dive Similan Islands liveaboard scuba diving
vacation trip, and often Santana's site of choice as we head north on
dive Burma liveaboards. This dive Similan Island site enjoys a huge
variety of reef fish, soft and hard corals. The sandy bottom is alive
with stingrays, and the occasional shark.
 In contrast a
scuba diving Thailand dive site such as Boulder City - Similan island
No.3 - offers a classic scuba dive Similan island underwater landscape.
Leopard sharks and white tip sharks weave amongst the enormous boulders.
At Elephant Head - close to Similan island No.8 - the boulders are heaped
together and on top of each other creating a myriad of gullies and scuba
diving swim-throughs.
 Head
down to the scuba dive depths at Deep Six - Similan Island No.6 - to hang
out with the sharks swimming above the gently sloping seabed or get face
to face with green turtles at Christmas Corner - Similan island No.9.
Santana's scuba Similan Islands liveaboard dive guides have an
unparalleled experience of these waters at the Similan islands and will
adapt each scuba Similan Islands liveaboard MV Discovery dive cruise
according to the season and conditions in order to give you the best
chance of the highest quality Similan island scuba diving during your
scuba Similan Islands scuba diving vacation.
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Koh Bon - Dive Similan Islands and beyond
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 An hour or two north-east of the Similans your dive
Similan Islands liveaboard scuba diving vacations trip reaches its next
stop, the uninhabited island of Koh Bon. Both above and below the surface
the waves surge through holes that they have cut right through the
island. Nearby is an underwater cave where large nurse sharks
sleep.
The breathtaking scuba dive underwater terrain of the south point makes a
perfect feeding ground for manta rays, and Koh Bon's dive site gives you
your best chance of seeing and diving with them in the whole of the
Andaman Sea.
Just west of the soth point dive site at Koh Bon one passes over a
pristine field of staghorn coral populated by trumpetfish enjoying their
favourite habitat. Of course there is plenty more to see here during your
Similan islands suba dive live aboard such as octopus, barracuda,
whitetip sharks to name but a few.
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Koh Tachai - Similan Island scuba live aboard dive
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 Further north
still your scuba Similan Islands live aboard dive vacations safari trip
reaches the island of Koh Tachai, a diver's paradise.
 A deep
dive here amongst the granite boulders can be rewarding for those in
search of sharks and rays. Finish your scuba dive on the coral-covered
plateau in 12m which is simply teeming with life. Colorful fauna is
everywhere and the water is thick with schools of trevally, emperor,
surgeonfish and roaming leopard sharks.
As at Koh Bon, manta rays are very common here, and whale sharks visit
occasionally.Expect to
spend your scuba diving safety stop in the close company of a large
school of batfish.
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Richelieu Rock - Scuba Diving Similan Islands live aboard dive
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 Welcome to World-famous Richelieu Rock, so named because of its
uncountable purple soft corals. Without doubt this is one of the
highlights of your liveaboard charter Similans scuba diving vacations
safari trip. The rock itself appears only at low tide through the warm
surface of the Andaman Sea, and is often completely submerged. How it
hasn't created any shipwrecks is a mystery.
 As
the only pinnacle for miles around, Richelieu Rock attracts a huge
variety of marine life. Regular treats include octopus, huge
brown-marbled groupers, occasional turtles, many species of moray eels,
families of as many as 10 lionfish, and pretty schools of fusiliers.
Manta ray are frequent visitors, and we have also seen guitar sharks
here.
As always keep an eye towards the surface or out "into the blue" of the
warm Andaman Sea because there you can see schools of bigeye trevally and
barracuda usually hanging away from the rocks. And last but not least,
here you have probably the best chance in the World of seeing whale
sharks during your scuba diving Similans liveaboard charter.
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Similan Islands
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