There’s so much information to get through, that we understand anyone getting tired or confused. Different boat itineraries and prices; How to get from a certain place to where the boats leave from; and Who is able to dive in certain situations or locations? are all questions which we hope to answer here. This section is never complete, but we try our best to keep it up to date. At almost any given time something is a little different to the true facts, but we do what we can to give as much honest information as possible.
Thap Lamu Pier Similan Islands liveaboard diving main pier is located near Khao Lak, and more than one hour from Phuket. It is not at all exciting or attractive, but its location means it is the best harbour for most Similan Islands diving and snorkelling boats to depart from & return to. It is gradually developing, and now has a few convenience stores, but it is still not somewhere people spend more time than necessary at.
The most-common potential injury from scuba diving is Decompression Sickness (The Bends), which is caused by excess nitrogen in the body. It is usually caused by unsafe diving profiles, or flying in a plane too soon after scuba diving. Scuba diving immediately after flying is ok, but not flying after diving. This page explains the safety parameter guidelines, plus general advice to avoid any potential health issues caused by scuba diving.
Even before the 2003 Pixar movie, Finding Nemo, the Clown Fish was already a diver’s favourite. They are colourful, active, easy to spot, and very photogenic. Clown Fish are among the most-popular fish at The Similans and there are actually several similar species, and divided opinion about which species Nemo is based on. There are also several other ‘facts’ about these fish which haven’t been confirmed by science yet.
This article was written and published before the local authorities changed the regulations. From October 2018 it is no longer possible to learn to dive in the Similan National Marine Park, and all of our guests must be certified before joining a trip.
Divers around the world have their own opinion and experience of where is the best place to learn to scuba dive, often referred to as ‘Do your PADI.’ While some believe the better dive sites should be enjoyed after some experience, others disagree. The Similan Islands in Thailand are among the Top 10 dive locations in the world, and easily the best in Thailand. However, learning to dive at the Similan Islands is not as easy as it used to be, and unless you commit to joining a liveaboard diving cruise, the cost is much higher than other places in Thailand. To do your PADI Similan Islands learn to scuba dive in Thailand this page has some helpful information that may enable potential divers to better plan their vacation.
Recreational scuba diving is very a safe activity for people of nearly all ages. However, there are a few risks which mean that safe scuba diving practice is important to prevent incidents. Some people may presume that running out of air or being attacked by a shark are common risks, but these are extremely unlikely. DCS (Decompression Sickness), the most common serious diving injury, is often called The Bends. This is an injury that is caused by practising unsafe scuba diving, regarding the depth, time spent at depth, and at what speed you ascend to the surface. It’s absolutely avoidable, and avoiding DCS dictates the planning of every scuba dive.
With scuba diving increasing in popularity around the world, many divers like to dive as much as possible over a few days. The best way to achieve this is on a diving liveaboard cruise, also known as a diving safari. For a scuba diving liveaboard Thailand is among the best places in the world for several reasons. Of course, the diving is great, but costs are reasonable, including getting to the nearest airport or harbour town. Also, there’s great diving for all levels of scuba diver. Diving at the Similan Islands is the best enjoyed on a liveaboard.
The largest fleet of Similan diving liveaboards is without doubt the Manta Queen fleet. With seven boats offering 3-5 night diving safaris to the best spots in Thailand, there’s always a trip, cabin choice, and departure date to suit everyone. Every boat has air-conditioned cabins, free Wi-Fi and Nitrox available. Equipment rental fees are the lowest, too.
Divers have varied ideas of what they regard as an interesting species to encounter underwater. Some like the big stuff, and others like tiny macro creatures. But most divers will stop and say hello to a Moray Eel, even for just a moment. The Giant Moray Eel is just one of many species of Moray Eel. Other species include smaller, more colourful and rarer ones than the Giant Moray. Nearly all are quite special in their own way.
Getting to Similans is becoming easier and cheaper, and this includes from inside and outside of Thailand from all directions. There are various ways of getting to the Similan Islands, none of which include train travel, but all of which include a boat. Whether you’re coming from the north, south or centre of Thailand, or from abroad, it’s quite easy to reach the Similan Islands
Among our 40+ Similan liveaboard boats, there is a lot of competition among those offering budget Similan liveaboard diving trips. At this end of the market, no frills doesn’t have to mean a compromise. There are several budget Similan liveaboards to choose from, ranging from very basic. What a particular Similan Island liveaboard ideal for you depends on what you’re after. Dolphin Queen is just one of our range of budget liveaboards.
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