The Similan Islands

similan signThe Similan Islands are a 24 kilometre long chain of nine islands and several rocks, located 70 kilometres off the Andaman coast in western Thailand’s Phang-Nga province. Together with the two solitary islands of Koh Bon and Koh Tachai they form the Mu Ko Similan National Park, established in 1982 as Thailand’s 43rd National Park. The surrounding sea is regarded as one of the best areas in the world for diving and snorkelling.

Fringed with pure white beaches, and home to Thailands least spoiled and most spectacular diving sites, the Similan Islands are a beautiful place to spend a beach holiday or to swim in the tropical sunshine. From the underwater boulders of Christmas Point, the marine life around Elephant Rock and the breathtaking East of Eden, the Similans also boast a high diversity of dive sites.

Current Announcement:

similan weather june 2015

The Similans are now closed and will open again 15th October 2016

As every year the Similan Islands close at 15th May due to unsafe weather and sea conditions and this year is no exception. The National Park will open on 15th October 2016. All tour operators stopped their boats for maintenance, accessing the park is now illegal and punishable by law. If you come across offers …

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News:

royal thai navy at similans

Parts of Similans closed due to Royal Visit between 23rd and 30th December 2015

Every year around end of December / beginning of January members of the Thai Royal Family pay a visit to the Similan Islands. During the royal visit parts of the islands are closed for the public for security reasons. The Royal Thai Navy is already present with one warship and several frigates to secure the …

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Dive into the Details of the Similans

similan islands satellite map
Similan Islands satellite map

The islands are open for visitors for seven months of the year, the tropical climate requires the park to close between May and November, when storms are frequent. Between November and May, when the National Park is open, and the dive sites are fully staffed, the weather is generally ideal for sun lovers, although every now and then the evenings bring rain showers.

The word “Similan” means “nine” in Yawi, a language of the Malayan, which is only spoken and understood around the Thai-Malaysian border region, indicating that the first fishermen to regularly visit these islands came from this more densly populated area rather than from the nearby Thai mainland coast. All the Islands have distinctive Thai names, but usually they are referred to by their number counting the islands from south to north.

Ko Similan

(Thai: เกาะสิมิลัน) is the biggest of the islands, which is often referred to as Ko Paed (เกาะแปด) meaning “island eight”. Ko Similan covers an area of 5 square kilometres, it has the highest mountain, several beautiful bays and beaches and is roughly 5 kilometres long and 1.7 km wide. On the northern tip of this island the famous landmark “Sail Rock” is located which can be reached by a steep path and serves as a popular viewpoint with a stunning panorama over the Ao Kueak (อ่าวเกือก) or “Donald Duck Bay”. A National Park facility, some bungalows and some tents for visitors can be found here right next to the breathtaking rock formations.

Ko Miang

(Thai: เกาะเมียง) or „Island Four“ (Ko Sii, เกาะสี่) is another important island housing the National Park headquarters, a souvenir shop, a restaurant, more tents and bungalows as well as two beaches accessible for visitors. Together with Islands five and six (Ko Haa – Thai: เกาะห้า) it forms a huge bay called Hideaway Bay, which is protected from three directions making it the safest anchor place in the entire National Park and the only safe haven in case of major storms or high waves. A Royal Thai Navy outpost can be found on the southern Honeymoon Beach which also functions as the local coast guard, medical rescue and first aid centre.

Off Limits: Islands One, Two and Three

The islands one and two are rather small, they have no special features, but are home to some of the less interesting dive sites off their eastern coasts, namely Boulder City. They are closed for visitors due to conservational reasons.

Island One (Ko Nueng, เกาะหนึ่ง or Ko Huyong, เกาะหูยง), is also off limits for visitors and has the longest beach of all the Similan Islands. National park rangers operate a small station where they take care of the breading grounds and eggs of the endangered green sea turtle. This island will likely remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future as the green sea turtle is under massive threat and the Thai authorities take the conservation of it very seriously.

Weather & Climate

The islands have three seasons and can only be visited during two of them.
The Similan Islands are open from November to April.
The National Park is closed from 1st May to 15th October every year.

Winter

In the wintertime between November and February temperatures are pleasantly cool ranging from 24° to 28° C. Precipitation and cloud coverage drops to almost zero in mid-January. Steady northerly winds can occur during December and at the beginning of January – creating waves of about 1.5 meters. Water temperatures range from 26°-28°C.

Summer

From mid-February to May temperatures rise up to 34° and there is hardly any rain or clouds in the sky. The temperature of the sea water ranges between 28°-31°C; below the depth of 15 meters thermoclines with temperatures down to 25°C are also common during this time of the year.

Southwest Monsoon

May – October
During the rainy seasons the southwesterly monsoon brings high amounts of rain, harsh winds, regular storms and waves of up to 3.5 meters. During this time it is dangerous to visit the islands, hence the National Park is closed and no visitor boats are allowed to access the Similans.

Geology & Reefs

similan geologyThe Islands are made of granite boulders formed by lava in the tertiary period around 65 million years ago. Glaciers and the forces of the sea moulded the granite boulders into their spectacular shape and arrangements, which we can see today. The inner parts of the bigger islands take the shape of steep mountains with the highest one ranging up to 244 metres. The seafloor between the islands slopes down to approximately 70 meters. The western parts of the islands are mostly steep and rocky dropping directly into the ocean. The eastern side slopes down gently, above and below sea level; this is where most of the stunning beaches and snorkel sites can be found.




Accommodation on the Similans

Bungalows and Tents

Lunch Area & TentsBecause they are contained within a National Park, the Similan Islands have escaped most of intense tourist development seen in other parts of Thailand. Most people who visit to enjoy diving and snorkeling come for a short period, taking the speed boat from the mainland and heading back in the evening. But there are places to stay for those who really want to experience the beauty of the Similans. The best option is to choose one of the bungalows on Similan Number 4, which are all air conditioned, with en suite bathrooms. Reservations are recommended, as there are not a huge amount of rooms available to meet demand.

Liveaboards and Safari Boats

similan liveaboardFor those who are planning to focus on diving, a liveaboard stay is a great idea. Boat captains will furnish berths for divers and storage space, as well as food and expert advice on which sites to explore. This is a fantastic way to see the park’s world-class reefs, and weave through the boulder strewn seafloor, experiencing the most diverse marine wildlife in Thailand. Take a course and hone those Scuba skills, or lazily snorkel in the clear waters by the beach. At the Similan Islands, the beauty of the tropical sea can be savoured without the distractions and destruction of mass tourism.

 


2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami Impact

Due to their shape underwater and their position, the impact of the 2004 Tsunami on the Similan Islands was much lower than expected. With a few exceptions, hardly any sediment was washed away so there was nearly no change in the coastline to be identified, plus only a third of the corals were heavily damaged. Since 2005 the coral reefs of the Similans are under investigation by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre of the United Nations. Many corals regenerated since this time, that was until the 2010 coral bleaching event hit the region.


Similan Islands Viewpoint

Further Resources:

Dnp_sThai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants Conservation
webpage about the Similan Islands:
http://www.dnp.go.th/parkreserve/asp/style1/default.asp?npid=212&lg=2

All details about weather, accomodation, National Park fees and how to get there
can be found on the Travel Information page.