South Andaman covers the area from mainland throughout the bay between Phuket, Krabi and Satun. provinces, all the way to the clusters of offshore islands; Hin Daeng group, Tarutao, Adang and Rawi groups near the Thai/Malaysian border. The areas are under the jurisdiction of three marine national parks; Hat Noppharat Thara, Mu Koh Lanta and Tarutao National Park.
Hat Noppharat Thara-Mu Koh Phi Phi National Park
Hat Noppharat Thara is composed of mainland and adjacent islands. They include Koh Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Lae, Koh Pai, Koh Yoong, Koh Bida Nok and Bida Nai. The Phi Phi islands are world famous for its beaches and limestone pinnacles. The dive sites around Phi Phi islands are plentiful in terms of soft colourful coral and marine life variety.
Mu Koh Lanta National Park
Mu Koh Lanta National park consists of 25 islands that are divided into clusters. The Koh Rok cluster has Koh Rok Nok and Koh Rok Nai islands. The Koh Haa and Hin Daeng cluster sits between Phi Phi and Rok Islands. Near shore clusters are Koh Ngai, Koh Ma, Koh Mook etc.. and the last cluster is a group of 16 islands surrounding Koh Lanta
There are still many divesites here that are relatively unknown and the exceptional ones are Koh Haa and the Hin Daeng cluster.
Due to the monsoon weather the Mu Koh Lanta National Park is open between:
16th November - 15th May every year
There are still many divesites here that are relatively unknown and the exceptional ones are Koh Haa and the Hin Daeng cluster.
Due to the monsoon weather the Mu Koh Lanta National Park is open between:
16th November - 15th May every year
Tarutao National Park
There are 51 islands in the Tarutao National Park, these are off the extreme southwest coast of peninsular Thailand. The Tarutao island has local historical significance where a prison was built to house political prisoners during world war 2, after which the prison was isolated and the wardens and inmates became pirates to survive.
Most of the islands are surrounded by clear water and superb coral reefs. Still in near pristine conditions the reefs here are full of soft coral and giant gorgonian sea fans.
Due to the monsoon weather the Tarutao National Park is open between:
16th November - 15th May every year
Most of the islands are surrounded by clear water and superb coral reefs. Still in near pristine conditions the reefs here are full of soft coral and giant gorgonian sea fans.
Due to the monsoon weather the Tarutao National Park is open between:
16th November - 15th May every year
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What you can expect
Due to the proximity of the Indo-Malay straights, this area has an extremely high level of marine diversity. There are more than 400 fish species and some 160 coral species, it may arguably be the richest marine diversity site within Thailand.
The further south you go the less known the areas are, except for Koh Phi Phi and maybe for Koh Lanta. Towards the Tarutao cluster there are less tourists and less trips as the islands are still relatively unknown amongst foreign travellers.
The further south you go the less known the areas are, except for Koh Phi Phi and maybe for Koh Lanta. Towards the Tarutao cluster there are less tourists and less trips as the islands are still relatively unknown amongst foreign travellers.
How it works
Most of the Southern Andaman trips start in Phuket with live-aboard trips, there are some day trips and live-aboard that start from Phi Phi Don. There are still relatively less live-aboard options towards the Southern Andaman sites compared to the Northern Andaman trips, the further south you go the less trips from Phuket or Phi Phi are available. Especially the islands close to the Malay border. The sites are far enough to warrant going off the mainland rather than traveling by dive boat, although a ferry is possible from Phuket.
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