Diving the Similan Islands on a Liveaboard with Khao Lak Explorer Dive Center

Growing up I was an avid traveler and diver and I have been extremely fortunate to travel to some of the most exotic and difficult to reach locations on the planet. However, there are few places that have fascinated me to the extent in which the Similan Islands in Thailand enthralled me. These islands are famous for their waters with crystal clear water, superb coral and a marvelously diverse marine life. After getting to know about the Similan liveaboard diving option available at Khao Lak Explorer Dive Center, I had to take the trip.

The detailed account of diving onboard Similan Islands liveaboard is here, along with an explanation of why this is one of the best dives you can do.

Why the Similan Islands?

The Similan Islands that are situated in the Andaman Sea in Thailand is one of the finest and popular diving sites in world. There are nine islands in the archipelago and each island has certain dive topographies, which include vertical rock face drop offs, walls, coral bommies, coral reefs, coral atolls, sand flats, all full of life. The islands are situated in a national park and therefore the underwater environment is semi natural and provides some of the best and unspoilt diving that can be found.

Still, one cannot help but notice that one of the most important attractions for divers is the biological variety. Visitors to the reefs have a chance to see a rich choice of fish, such as barracudas, trevallies, and, indeed, whale sharks. The formations of corals are no less striking: there is the soft coral flowing and swaying in the waves, and the hard coral formations where numerous works can be observed sheltering numerous creatures. There are swim-throughs, caves, and drop-offs and every time you dive, it is an unique experience from the previous time.

Choosing Khao Lak Explorer Dive Center

It was not a difficult decision when it came time to picking a dive operator for my liveaboard with Khao Lak Explorer Dive Center for the following reasons. First, safety and professionalism are some of the most outstanding features of this company. As somebody to whom the aspects of the dive are important both in terms of thrill and safety, this was a big advantage. It has been established that the company has been in the area for over 10 years and that its divemasters and instructors are professional and enthusiasts.

The second segment was concerns the available types of liveaboard they provide. Khao Lak Explorer dive shop offers the possibility to join trips from a 2 days / 1 nights to 7 days / 6 nights liveaboard for divers of different experience level. I chose a four days and four nights liveaboard tour, which was a good package to describe the islands and not feel compelled to rush.

The Liveaboard Experience

As soon as I arrived at the liveaboard, I was assured that I was going to have the best time in the water. The boat itself was roomy and was fitted with a main deck with a large dining area, a galley for cooking and preparing meals, comfortable cabins, a lounge and plenty of outdoor deck space where divers could either rest or enjoy the scenery between dives. The crew was very friendly and the two dive guides took time to explain what we would be subjected to for the next few days.

The divers also enjoy the on board fellowship as this is one of the advantages of a liveaboard trip. The joy of sitting at the table with a cup of tea, talking to one another, and the miracle of the underwater world makes the trip rather fascinating, when those moments are spent together. The meals served in the boat were beautifully cooked Thai and international delights which ensured the divers continued with their energy to dive the following exploration.
Each day the divers would do three to four dives, early morning, mid-day and a night dive. The dive sites were selected by the guides and special attention was paid both to the state of the water and the objectives of the dive. No matter if it was the first in the morning and we drove parallel to the coral that surrounded the reef (“drift dive”), or in the afternoon, during which we dived along a submerged peak filled with fish, every dive was different.

Diving Highlights

Being a liveaboard diver, it is impossible to single out a number of distinctive samples as most moments are brilliant. However it is possible to note certain lonely bright streaks on the plane of my memory.

Koh Bon: The nickname of this dive site is ‘Atolls of manta rays,’ and it just did not fail to impress at all. On our way down along the ridge, a huge manta ray started swimming parallel to the surface, its fantastic wings being more than 3 meters wide. It was rather humbling to watch this friendly and caring giant fish glide in the water like a torpedo within water.

Koh Tachai: Characterized by powerful currents and considerable big oceanic creatures, Koh Tachai is an off-shore site that combines powerful and wonderful arresting points. At depth on our dive here we came across a school of trevallies hunting in the blue and the silvery blue of their bodies glistening in the strobe light. The coral gardens below was equally as breath taking; with purple, pink and yellow soft corals swaying in the current.

Richelieu Rock: Richelieu Rock is one of the most celebrated diving sites in Thailand but one could quickly understand why that is so. This submerged pinnacle attracts a great deal of marine wildlife, and as it would be expected in our dive, we came across a whale shark. This truly is the ‘smorgasbord of the oceans’ as the water teems with schools of fish too numerous to count. Every single surface of the rock I covered in those vivid soft corals and the amount of different types of fish that I saw was breath-taking.

Night Dives: The night dives are a completely different plunge they gave me a feel of the night life in the reef. My favorite part of the show was when the reef organized and creatures like the octopuses, the moray eels, and the lionfish moved out from their morning slumber. This glowed the water every time one moved adding a magical feel to these dives.

Why Choose a Liveaboard?

Of course, it is, and while diving the Similan Islands can be done on day boat trips, a live aboard has its benefits that many divers prefer. First, it allows one to dive at sites that are farther away and cannot be visited in a single day by the boats. This means that divers can visit destinations that are not too crowded thus witness and interact with more unspoiled under water terrains.

Second and conversely, the schedule of a liveaboard lets you get as involved as is possible with the dive experience. It is possible to do several dives a day, which divers do, and visit different places or take a look at different conditions, which only makes it better. The surface interval between dives is also an excellent opportunity to have a rest, discuss the diving and look through the pictures made during the dives.

At last, with a liveaboard, one can feel the pulse of the sea. To wake up with the sound of the sea, to see the sunset over the Andaman Sea are mild suggestions that call into mind the significance of marine environment and its magnanimity.

Final Thoughts

Said in a more lighter veins – scuba diving the Similan Islands with Khao Lak Dive Center was somewhat of a trip of a life time. The beauty of the diving locations, comfort and organization of the related live aboard with friendly and enthusiastic crew and fellow divers made it really unique.

All in all, if you are a diver who is interested in the next diving experience, I would like to personally invite you to this trip. If you are interested in meeting manta rays or whale sharks, or if you wish to swim in some of the most stunning coral gardens of the world, then the Similan Islands are for you. And for Khao Lak Explorer you will be in the most capable hands to get the most out of this underwater trip.