Barracuda (Sphyraena) Photo by Henry and TersiaHideaway is also known by some divers as Barracuda Point. There is just one dive site, but at least two names. The location is off the south of Island 5 (Koh Ha). It is an interesting dive site in that it combines the two distinctly-different Similan topographies: it has both large granite boulders and coral reef. It is suitable for all levels of diver, due to weak currents.
- Not too challenging
- Stingrays and Garden Eels
- Home to the Tuna Wreck
This dive site is often confused by its several names and close proximity to Anita's Reef. Islands 5 & 6 (Koh Ha & Koh Hok) are very small and almost touching, and there are several dive sites in the area. Hideaway is on the southern tip of Island 5 and around to the west, leading to the Tuna Wreck, which was sunk by the Thai authorities in 2003. It was a deliberate sinking, in order to provide more and varied diving opportunities at The Similan Islands. Most regular divers won't venture down to the wreck, as it sits on the bottom at 40 metres and its shallowest point is approximately 28 metres, thus being quite deep. However, depending on the needs and experience of the divers in the group, some dive centres will lead one dive at the wreck first, then a shallower dive around Hideaway later in the day.
Moray (Gymnothorax) and diver Photo by Ola WelinGetting back to Hideaway, it is a nice dive site that offers good coral reef structures and large rocks and boulders, too. The coral reef is in shallower depths and consists of mainly hard and some soft corals, interspersed with Gorgonian Sea Fans and coral bommies of various sizes. Currents are rarely a problem in this area, because it is protected from the west by Island 4 (Koh Miang) and to the northeast by Islands 5 & 6. The favourable conditions and number of good dive sites make this part of The Similan Islands very popular and therefore quite busy. Divers should be able to recognize their own boat when surfacing. Entry is usually a little way from the island to the south, enabling divers to descend in the deeper part of the site. They can then enjoy exploring the granite boulders before ascending slowly to check out the bommies and corals.
There's lots and lots to see here, from the Blue-Spotted Stingrays (Neotrygon kuhlii) and Spotted Garden Eels (Heteroconger hassi) on the sandy bottom, to vast numbers of fish and invertebrates hiding or hunting in nooks and crannies all over. Giant Moray Eels (Gymnothorax javanicus) are the more-sighted of the morays, but there are some more colourful species to be found as well. Clown Triggerfish (Balistoides conspicillum) swim around, often in circles. Batfish (Platax orbicularis) swim in small to medium-size groups in open water, and Lionfish (Pterois) hang around near the reef, usually alone. The site is known as Barracuda point by some, obviously due to the species being found here. However, there aren't as many as there were in the past. The three main species found here, and around other Similan Islands diving sites, are the Yellowtail (Sphyraena flavicuda), Chevron (Sphyraena putnamiae), and Great (Sphyraena barracuda) Barracudas. Here we have only scratched the surface of what marine life is to be seen at Hideaway. The corals are healthy and haven't suffered too much from either the tsunami or the 2010 temperature change and bleaching. It is a nice and popular dive site and suitable for most levels of PADI scuba diver.
To visit Hideaway, divers need to come by either liveaboard cruise or speedboat day trip, both of which can be booked here. We take bookings for every type of trip and offer excellent prices. We can find a trip to the Similans to perfectly suit your budget, timeframe, and adapt to any special requirements. Let us do all the work for you, or just use our interactive website page to locate the best dive centre for your trip.
