Not Long Now till the Similan islands Opens for a Great New Season.

Well hasn't time flown by here on Phuket Thailand. It only seems like a couple of weeks ago that I was writing about all the things that were seen by everyone in the Similan islands and that was already 6 months since the last people left. This year if you are planning on diving in phuket between 16th of October and the 15th of may then you really should take a serious look at an over night or a 3 day 2 night trip to the Similans or even up to the world famous Richelieu rock. I can promise you will be talking about it for years to come. Many divers come to Thailand so they can have a day diving Richelieu Rock. This is one of the top 10 sites in the world. A stunning horseshoe shape series of pinnacles rising 60 meters from the sea floor, covered in purple coral. Manta Rays soaring over them like huge eagles silhouetted against the tropical sky. Whale sharks drifting by feeding on the plankton created by the pinnacles. Thousands of species of fish and marine creatures cover the dive site as it is a huge dive site alone in the blue.

However good a dive review is in a book or how famous always listen to the locals. The location all the local guides and those of us who live here for some time all have their best spots. Koh Bon, Richelieu Rock, Koh Tachai or any of the other hundred divesites. Just by going on a Similan liveaboard is a great adventure in itself. A few days just out on the calm blue ocean with some of the best diving in the world and all you need to do is jump in the water four times a day and let the boat crew do the rest. The best dive sites also vary as the seasons change and the guides on the boat know from week to week what the best spots are or just on what ares are diving well at the moment. Some months one area will be great and then the month after may be a different area will be good. Scuba diving in Phuket has so many great locations that there is always some great diving. Similan diving is diving at its best.

Tachai Reef is again a great dive from 20 meters in depth up to 5 meters. Great corals both hard and soft, more leopard sharks, sting rays, Barracuda, Bat fish, hawks bill turtles and yes we can get the Manta and Whale shark here too. This is located on the from the south west corner up to the north east end of the island. Koh Tachai lies alone some 20 kms north of Koh Bon and a similar distance south of the Surin islands.

So what to do in Phuket to get on to a Similan liveaboard? There are many Similan islands liveaboards These trips are open to anyone with open water license or above. There are several boats and cruises that can cater for almost every date and budget. We have trips departing every day so you can go overnight or stay a month. You can go on a set cruise or we can take you out by speed boat the day you choose and then you can stay for as many nights as you choose and bring you back by speed boat on the day you wish. We even have a Super Yacht for private charters. A la Carte chef, hostess, state rooms, captain, and staff all ready to take you where you want when you want. You will be the envy of everyone. Again one day or 10 days the choice is yours. Diving in Thailand does not get better than a three day trip to the Similans and Richelieu rock.

So next time you are in Phuket scuba diving or even thinking about scuba diving in phuket then take a peek at the similan islands. You will not regret it. Your only regret will be that you never went sooner, could not stay longer and did not have a good enough camera. But not to worry the Similan islands national park is open till mid May so plenty of time to plan your trip to Phuket Thailand or even have an early taster now then return to the similan island liveaboard later in the year for a longer trip. Dont be jealous, join us. Now it is even possible to get your PADI Open Water certification on a Similan liveaboard trip. Getting there can not be easier. Just pop in to and good Phuket dive shop like Thailand Divers that has ben around for many years as they will have the best selection to suit your needs both for dates and length or trip. Just ask about their Phuket liveaboard trips and they should be able to get you on one departing almost every day of the season. The Similan islands national park opens on the 15th of October and closes again on the 15th of May. So any date between these is perfect to experience Thailand diving at its best. Welcome to the Similan islands.