The North Andaman has a lot to offer located on the west coast of South Thailand, the area is governed mainly by two Marine National Parks. The parks are closed to the public during the monsoon season which starts around May and ends in October however there are some areas that are closed until further notice for recovery purposes. Due to the remoteness of these islands they are best visited on live-aboard boats.
Mu Koh Similan Marine National Park
The Similans Islands is a group of nine small granitic islands 90km northwest of Phuket. Most of the islands' eastern coastline feature sandy beaches and sheltered bays. However the western coast are subject to the monsoon weather and have rugged shorelines and large granite boulders. The islands have names derived from Malay (the name Similan is derived from sembilan, which means "nine" in Yawi), but are also given numerical numbers starting from the south with Island No. 1. These nine islands have the reputation for being one of the best sites in the world, partly due to the variety they offer.
Mu Koh Surin Marine National Park
Is an archipelago of five rocky islands, sitting about 60 km from the coast of Phang Nga and just a few kilometers south of the border with Myanmar. Two larger islands Surin North and Surin South plus three smaller surrounding islands; Koh She, Koh Klang and Koh Khai. This group boasts some of the best coral reefs in Thailand.
One of the most renowned dive sites in this national park is Richelieu Rock, it is a group of emerged rocks(during low tide), that provides great shelter for pelagic fishes and macro-fauna, it is frequently visited by larger marine life such as Whale Sharks.
One of the most renowned dive sites in this national park is Richelieu Rock, it is a group of emerged rocks(during low tide), that provides great shelter for pelagic fishes and macro-fauna, it is frequently visited by larger marine life such as Whale Sharks.
Koh Bon and Koh Tachai
Koh Bon and Tachai sits between the Similans and Surin Islands. They are almost always divided as part of live-aboard cruises from Phuket.
Koh Tachai is 25 miles north north-east from the Similans, on clear days you can see Koh Bon to the south and the Surins to the north. Koh Tachai can be divided into 3 main reefs, the most notable is Tachai Pinnacle located south of the island.
Koh Bon is a small island, 13 miles northeast of the Similan Islands. The island is favored for rich marine life on the south western ridge.
Koh Tachai is 25 miles north north-east from the Similans, on clear days you can see Koh Bon to the south and the Surins to the north. Koh Tachai can be divided into 3 main reefs, the most notable is Tachai Pinnacle located south of the island.
Koh Bon is a small island, 13 miles northeast of the Similan Islands. The island is favored for rich marine life on the south western ridge.
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What you can expect
Great visibility, average depths of 20m+, larger pelagic fishes. Stunning islands with beautiful beaches and very extravagant terrains, some are very iconic, such as the boulder on the park entrance.
The main activities around the Similans and the Northern Islands are snorkeling and SCUBA diving, therefore you can expect a lot of boats to head over to the Similans during the peak seasons. Recently the Thai government have introduced a maximum quota of tourists per day within the national park. The system is a non-refundable named ticket, so therefore you can expect a waiting list should you be booking at the last minute.
The main activities around the Similans and the Northern Islands are snorkeling and SCUBA diving, therefore you can expect a lot of boats to head over to the Similans during the peak seasons. Recently the Thai government have introduced a maximum quota of tourists per day within the national park. The system is a non-refundable named ticket, so therefore you can expect a waiting list should you be booking at the last minute.
How it works
Getting to the North Andaman Sites can be done in a number of different ways:
1. On a dedicated live-aboard from Phuket, usually leaving from Chalong Pier
2. Minivan to Thap Lamu and then speedboat to the live-aboard
3. From Khao-Lak, should you be staying there
We recommend that should you wish to visit the Similans from Phuket, you take a live-aboard and do not go for a day-trip. With the current roadworks in Phuket it may be an overall time of 8-9 hours traveling with a minivan and a speed boat for 2 dives on a day-trip.
Should you have the time the best way to enjoy the North Andaman Islands is to go further north, Richelieu and the Mu Koh Surin National Park will be less crowded with some amazing diving.
1. On a dedicated live-aboard from Phuket, usually leaving from Chalong Pier
2. Minivan to Thap Lamu and then speedboat to the live-aboard
3. From Khao-Lak, should you be staying there
We recommend that should you wish to visit the Similans from Phuket, you take a live-aboard and do not go for a day-trip. With the current roadworks in Phuket it may be an overall time of 8-9 hours traveling with a minivan and a speed boat for 2 dives on a day-trip.
Should you have the time the best way to enjoy the North Andaman Islands is to go further north, Richelieu and the Mu Koh Surin National Park will be less crowded with some amazing diving.
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