Similan Islands Diving

Beacon Beach

This dive site has always had some nice reef, perfect for a check dive, but has recently became a local favourite due the sinking of Atlantis X, a local Similan liveaboard dive boat, in August 2002.

The Similan Islands have always lacked wrecks to dive, so when the captain of Atlantis X noticed the boat was taking on excessive amounts of water and decided to try to ram the boat onto the safety of the beach, divers found they had a new option to choose for the PADI Advanced Open Water Course - wreck diving in Thailand! The boat breached on the hard coral, and gradually sank backwards so that the bow lies in 16m of water, and the stern in 30m, perpendicular to the shore.

Atlantis X was a 27 metre twin-engine mono hull cruiser, offering a wide range meals and beverages. Unfortunately, all the beers have now been removed from the wreckage. The wreck has now had a little time for some coral growth, the hull is still in good shape and now it is possible to see the engines and propellers. Batfish have made the wreck their home and many of them cruise around divers during the exploration. Lionfish, nudibranchs, hundreds of juvenile fishes, and a black-blotched stingray can also be found here.

After exploring the Atlantis X you can continue your dive on the northern section of Beacon Reef. The white sand here makes this site perfect for sunset diving. Enjoy your safety stop on the shallow part of the reef where you can find lobsters, snakes, octopus and stone fishes. Beacon Beach is located just to the north of Beacon Reef on the east coast of Island 8 (Koh Similan), the largest of the Similan Islands.

Beacon Beach Reef Basics: Wreck dive on a fringing reef
Depth: 5 - 30m
Visibility: 20 - 40m
Currents: Easy
Surface conditions: Calm
Water temperature: 26 - 29°C
Experience level: Beginner - intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: October to May
Distance: ~90 km northwest of Phuket, 65 km west of Khao Lak
Access: Liveaboards and daytrips

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