Diving in Similans

Coral Reef

Coral Reef is located on the north side of this small Similan island, and lies in an east - west direction. Your dive will start at a point furthest north, away from the island in deeper water. Descend to the bottom at 29 metres and you're sure to disturb a particularly well camouflaged Kuhl's stingray or two, resting and half buried in the sandy flats.

Winding your way slowly south via several coral patches and white whip coral beds, you've a great chance to see black-tip sharks that frequent the Similans and the reef's outer edges. Also here are small schools of ever-inquisitive longfin batfish.

As you work shallower the reef becomes more established with fine examples of solid table corals, lobed pore corals and yellow pore corals, covered in hundreds of blue and orange christmas tree worms. Fish common here include black and white snapper, yellowhead snapper, longnose emporer and occasionally a stalking and sleek great barracuda.

Safety stops at Coral Reef can be eventful too, as the reef is shallow enough for you to pass the time searching under ledges for the numerous and sometimes very large giant moray eels. These mean-looking but mainly harmless creatures, often yellow or green and brown at the Similans, can grow up to almost 3 metres long. Altogether, Coral Reef is a welcome contribution to any Similan diving safari.

Coral Reef Reef Basics: Fringing reef with sand patches
Depth: 7 - 29m
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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