Just 60 miles northwest of Phuket, lie the Similan Islands.
The word 'Similan' comes from the Malaysian word 'sembilan' (which means the number 'nine'). The Similan National Park is without doubt the most prestigious marine park in Thailand. Running from south to north and numbered accordingly, lie these truly unspoilt granite islands. With crystal clear seas and stunning coral formations, no wonder Jacques Cousteau believed it to be, one of the best diving destinations in the world.

The islands, best experienced on Thailand liveaboards, are densely covered with tropical vegetation, offering short and easy adventure trekking through the rainforest jungles. Due to the raging south west monsoon, the exposed south, west and north sides of each island, offer stunning underwater scenery. What you see above is what you get below. Rising from depths of more than 50 metres, the sea consists of large granite boulders that lay strewn together, overgrown with hard and soft corals. This provides some magnificent Similan Islands diving, with many interesting swim throughs, canyons, archways and caves.

Protected from the raging monsoons on the east side of each island, you will find untouched, powdery white sandy beaches. Underwater, you will be able to witness, sand slopes with beautiful fringing reefs. Teeming with a large diversity of marine life, these reefs are perfect for drift diving.

Being part of the Indian Ocean network, the Similan Islands can boast more than 250 species of soft and hard corals and more than 800 species of fishes. And when the plankton blooms, you have the opportunity to see the largest of them all, creatures such as manta rays and whale sharks visit the area regularly. If you are a diver and are planning a liveaboard trip to Thailand, make sure you visit the area and try diving in the Similan Islands.