Similan Islands Scuba Diving

Breakfast Bend

The unusual name of Breakfast Bend comes from the gorgeous dawn light that you can experience here in the early mornings. This dive site is located on the east side of Koh Bangu, Similan Island number 9.

The reef life here is prolific and, although the southern part of this island suffered some damage from the 2004 tsunami, the coral in deeper water here is still in pretty good condition. The reef is mostly hard coral. Staghorn coral is a dominant species with cabbage coral, brain coral and particularly table coral found here as well. On the steep reef slope there are larger but a less dense amount of corals, particularly plate corals.

This is an easy going dive site, suitable for all levels of diver and is often used as a check-out dive at the beginning of your Similan Islands scuba diving trip. It's also a great site for snorkelers especially as there are plenty of sergeant major fish, busying about the corals. The reef starts at 5m from the surface and descends down to 18 metres then steep banks drop to 34 metres. Much of the dive will be spent between 10m and 20m where angelfish, bannerfish, triggerfish, grouper and parrotfish are just some of the many fish you'll find.

In the shallower water you may encounter a nocturnal leopard shark dozing on the sandy bottom as well as Kuhl's stingrays. Octopus can also be seen here and in the deeper water, black-spot garden eels.

At the south tip of the dive site the reef is replaced by large boulder formations that lie in deeper water. The rocks are arranged in such a way that they provide several swim-throughs and small channels where you might even encounter white-tip reef sharks. This area lacks corals but the stronger currents bring in cobia, large tuna fish and schools of chevron barracuda. These fish frequent the more exposed areas of the Similans in search of food so there's a good chance of a sighting.

Breakfast Bend Reef Basics: Fringing reef with sand patches
Depth: 5 - 26m
Visibility: 20 - 40m
Currents: Easy
Surface conditions: Can be rough
Water temperature: 27 - 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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