Similan Islands (Phinisi, day 10)

The captain motored the boat down to a rounded granite pinnical called Elephant Head Rock, just south of Koh Similan, for our morning dive. Soon a couple other live-aboard vessels joined us. Our tour leader wasn't worried about a congested site as apparently he's familiar with the other tour operators' short dive duration; 35 minutes, as opposed to our 50+ minutes 😍. We get our tank's worth!

During our pre-dive brief it was mentioned that this site was considered somewhat difficult due to the multidirectional currents that flow because of the crevasses between the boulders below. We entered at the southwest area, and worked our way counter clockwise through the canyons and a couple passages. The currents were as expected, but intermittent. We were able spot both blue and yellow Ribbon eels and an Octopus, along with a variety schooling reef fish. The octopus put on a fabulous display. When it swam it was dark brown, and twice it landed on some coral, blending itself with both texture and beige with dark spots 🐙

Our second dive wasn't too far away, just south along the coastline of Koh Ba-Ya, Similan Island #7 (of nine). The site was called West of Eden, and had a wonderful undulating Reef were we spotted another octopus, and were mesmerized by the larger schools of Trevally and Wrasse chasing the smaller schools of reef fish.

Our final dive of the whole trip took place in the channel between islands five and six; a shallow dive along the fine white sand beach of Koh Hok. There are multiple monuments underwater as a tribute to the deadly tsunami of 2004☠️. It wasn't our favourite dive. Lots of noise from all the boat traffic, and the corals were few and far between; more of a leasurely under water swim 😔 One of the other groups were lucky to see a Zebra Shark just hanging out on the sand bottom posing happily for photographs 🦈😏

Before long were were motoring back to the mainland to anchor near Thap Lamu Pier for the night in preparation for our morning departure. It's surprising how fast a 10 day trip zips by 🐇Read more