Similan Diving

Coral Reef

Located on the north side of the tiny Koh Ha, Similan Island number 5; Coral Reef is a pleasant dive site for all abilities and a maximum depth of 30m. Your dive will most likely start at the deepest point and get progressively shallower with much of the marine life between 8m to 15m deep. This is also a great site for snorkelers.

At the deepest point you're likely to disturb one or two blue spotted Kuhl's stingrays buried in the sand. They are expertly camouflaged with only their eyes protruding until they sense intruders and suddenly swim away at surprising speed. As you start to make your way from the edge of the reef you may well see patrolling black tip reef sharks. Groups of garden eels sway gently in the current before diving into their holes to hide from divers.

As you progress steadily shallower the white whip coral beds give way to healthy table corals, lobed pore corals and yellow pore corals. Here you'll find plenty of blue and orange Christmas tree worms. There is mainly hard staghorn coral here but other varieties co-exist such as brain coral, fire coral and lettuce coral. The common fish here include black and white snapper, yellowhead snapper, fusiliers, surgeonfish and sweetlips.

Schooling bannerfish hang in congregations along with smaller numbers of moorish idols. The inquisitive longfin batfish also hang out in small schools. Out in the blue the occasional great barracuda can be spotted too.

Giant moray eels make their home in small holes and tunnels on the reef. Although their teeth and length can make them look menacing, these eels are usually harmless. In the Similans they are mostly yellow, green or brown in colour and can reach 3 metres in length, Sea snakes can also be seen here and although they are very venomous they are completely docile and their jaws are not big enough to bite a human limb.

The reef is shallow enough to spend your safety stop searching for critters and marine life hiding in the cracks and crevices of the ledges - you never know what you might find!

Although not as exciting as some of the other Similan diving sites, Coral Reef offers a pleasant and interesting dive experience.

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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