Similan Islands

The Similan Islands are located about 60 miles north-west of the southern tip of Phuket and thirty-three miles west of the Thai mainland. In Yawi language the name of the archipelago means "nine" by the number of islands. Similan National Park was established in 1982, and in 1998 the Bon and Thachai Islands were added to the National Park. Visiting the islands is strictly regulated and is possible only from November to May. Specific dates are specified each year. The waters of the Similan Islands are patrolled by National Park rangers who are charged a fee of 20 baht per boat and 50 baht per person per day. Yachts can have anchorage or pich up mooting buoys at the islands. During high season it is quite difficult to fined available buoy becouse they are occupied by diving and tourist vessels. Any fishing and underwater hunting within the 5-mile zone is prohibited and punishable by huge fines.

Similan Archipelago is known primarily as one of the best spots for diving not only in Thailand but in the whole world. Smooth low granite rocks, snow-white coral beaches and clear blue sea can be attributed to the characteristic features of the archipelago Similan.

The underwater world of the archipelago is very diverse - there are giant sea turtles and giant rays, leopard sharks and unicorn fish, lion fish and clown fish, a variety of mollusks and a huge variety of corals. The islands are home to 16 species of bats, and foxes are abundant. nearly forty species of birds, including the nicobar and the two-colored fruit pigeon.live here.