Mu Koh Similan Marine National Park

A group of nine islands set in the Andaman Sea north-west of Phuket, the Similans are renowned for their beauty, both on land and in the surrounding underwater world. Distinctive in their smooth granite rock formations, the islands are studded with inviting sandy beaches; otherwise, there is little to explore on land and the destination is most popular with scuba enthusiasts, the waters here boasting some of the world's best dive sites.

Similan is a Yawi or Malay word, which means nine or a group of nine islands. This is located in Tambon Ko Phra Thong, Amphoe Khura Buri, occupying an area of 32,000 acres.

It was declared a national park on 1st September 1982. Similan is a small group of islands comprising nine islands stretching from north to south, respectively, namely: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang (two adjoining islands), Ko Payan, Ko Payang, and Ko Huyong. The National Parks office is located on Ko Miang. Similan is highly praised for its beautiful scenery, both onshore and underwater. It is situated 70 kilometres from Phang-nga town. Best time to visit is between November and April.

In addition to remarkable visibility, scuba divers can expect a fascinatingly varied underwater scene, with coral reefs, huge sea fans and barrel sponges, swim-throughs, cliffs, and stone piles, as well as an abundance of marine life.

Interesting in Similan

Koh Similan (or known as Koh Paet) is the largest island in this island group. There is a distinctive horseshoe-shaped bay on this island. The average depth of the water is 60 feet. The underwater world of this island is filled by rock forms and coral reefs in various shape and formations: deer, leaf, brain, and mushroom.

The next one is the most unspoiled coral found in the country. Its soft sandy beach is very wonderful and diving around here lets you see a lot of marine animal and coral. On the north, there is a striking large rock formations with astonishing shapes: boot and Donald Ducks head. The upper part of the beach is an ideal view point where tourist can perceive a rock of a sailing boat shape.

Koh Ba-ngu is the ninth island of the Similan island group. A strange feature is here. Looking from one point, the shape of a skull can be seen. Underwater is as graceful as a valley full of coral reefs, deep gorge, and various sizes of fish.

Koh Huyong, the island is where the whitest and longest beach of all the nine islands is situated. During turtles ’egg laying season, from November to February, there would be clues which is made by turtles that come onshore to lay eggs, resembling centipede tracks on the beach.

Koh Miang is the second largest island among 9 islands after Similan Island. The office of the National Park is located here. The island is the location of a scenic beach which is suitable for camping.

Diving Spots there are various diving spots that suit both snorkelling and scuba diving. The famous scuba diving spots including rock formations that lie to the west of Koh Tachai where people can see whale sharks, Koh Bon, Christmas Point rock formation, Fantasy rock formation, and Ao Kwang En (on the east of Koh Paet), etc.

Snorkelling spots are scattered around this island group. The sailing boat rock, Ao Kwang En, and behind Miang Island are interesting.

Getting There

Thap Lamu Pier, which is located 70 kilometrrs north away from Phang-nga at Amphoe Thai Mueang, is the nearest point to Similan. A boat trip takes approximately 2 hours. There is no regular boat service for travellers to the island. Boats leaving from Thap Lamu are suitable for group tours and the boat rentals range from 30,000-40,000 THB, depending on several factors.

Accommodation in Phang-Nga

For more information contact Mu Ko Similan National Park, Mu 1, Thap Lamu, Tambon Lam Kaen, Amphoe Thai Mueang, Phang-nga 82120, tel. +66 7642 1365 or +66 7659 5045

Back to Phang Nga Guide

Photos of this page are from Internet