A Similan Island is where you want to go if you want to dive inThailand. The Similan Islandchain is a group of nine islands that are located off the Southern coast of Thailand and are known for being the best placesfor deep sea diving in Asia. 



The Similan Island chain is actually now a national park that wasestablished in Thailandin 1982.  If you want to got to any of these nine islands, you can visitby boat.  There are many boat rides available to the islands from Phuket Islandas well as the mainland of Thailand. 

Although the area is known for the many diving sites wherediving enthusiasts visit each year, it also boasts some of the most beautifultropical foliage in Thailandand is the home for much wildlife that is native to this area.  Many ofthe people who visit the Similan Island go for the scenerysuch as waterfalls, tropical gardens and rare bird life. 

The largest island of the Similan Islandchain is Ko Similan.  Ko Similan has some of the most beautiful underwaterrocks and coral reefs in the world.  In addition to diving, people visitthis island for snorkeling as there are sites to be seen under the water thatcannot be viewed anywhere else in the world. 

Those who want to lounge on the beach can do so at Ko Huyong whichhas the largest beach in the Similan Island chain.  Thisbeach is known for that where the giant sea turtles migrate each year to laytheir eggs.  The eggs are protected by the park officials, but visitorscan view these eggs if they visit in the fall. 

There are two different types of deep sea diving practiced atthe Similan Island National Park. They consist of East side diving which gives you a view of coral reefs and Westside diving that has large underwater rocks and swim through tunnels.  Themost famous East side dive site in the Similan Islandchain is East of Eden which is located just off of the seventh island.

While two of the larger islands are named, most of the islandsjust go by numbers.  The natives know them as ?island seven? or ?islandfour.?

The most famous West side dive site in the island chain isElephant Head Rock.  Elephant Head Rock is also the name of one of theoldest diving shops that is located in Phuket Island.   To actually see whale sharks while diving, you will have to go to RichelieuRock which is also part of the Similan Island chain.  Manypeople feel that this is the ultimate deep sea diving spot in the world as, inaddition to the whale sharks, other underwater life is abundant in thisarea. 

You do not have to be a diving enthusiasts, however, toappreciate the Similan Island chain.  Whenon holiday in Thailand, makesure that you a day to explore this beautiful chain of islands located off thesouthern tip of Thailand. 

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