Similan Diving Safaris PADI 5* Dive Center

Similan Diving Safaris is a specialist liveaboard operator with more than 25 years of experience navigating the waters of the Andaman Sea. Based in Khao Lak, they focus on providing structured, professional expeditions to some of the most iconic marine environments in Southeast Asia, including the Similan and Surin Islands.

The centre is managed by a joint Western and Thai team, ensuring a professional standard of service that is recognised by PADI Asia Pacific. Their operations are centred around dedicated liveaboard trips, allowing you to reach remote sites like Richelieu Rock and Koh Tachai that are often inaccessible from day-trip boats.

As a PADI 5 Star Dive Centre, the team operates with a high level of professional oversight. They maintain a strict diver-to-guide ratio, with one instructor or guide for every four divers, ensuring close supervision and personalised attention on every dive.

The team provides instruction and guidance in both English and Thai. Their commitment to the environment is reflected in their operational choices, such as the use of biodegradable soaps, shampoos, and sunscreens, alongside a plastic-free approach to bottled water on board.

The centre offers a range of PADI training programmes suitable for different experience levels. You can begin your journey with the Open Water Diver course or progress through more advanced training such as the Advanced Open Water course.

For divers looking to expand their technical skills or dive profiles, they also offer the Adventure Deep Dive programme. These courses are designed to build confidence and competence in the specific underwater topographies found in the Andaman Sea.

The M/V Dolphin Queen is the centre's dedicated liveaboard vessel, designed to accommodate up to 20 divers. This allows for a social yet intimate atmosphere during multi-day safaris, which typically run for either 3 days and 3 nights (10 dives) or 5 days and 5 nights (18 dives).

On board, you will find private air-conditioned cabins with opening windows for natural ventilation. The vessel is set up for extended stays at sea, providing the necessary facilities for a comfortable expedition while exploring the national parks.

For those looking to hire kit, the centre stocks a wide range of equipment from reputable brands including Aqualung, Suunto, Scubapro, and Cressi. This includes everything required for reef and deep diving, from regulators to BCDs and fins.

While the primary focus is on liveaboard expeditions, the centre is located in Khao Lak and can assist with transfers from Phuket Airport to help coordinate your arrival and equipment needs.

The marine life in this region is defined by the presence of large pelagics. You can regularly encounter Manta Rays, Eagle rays, and Leopard sharks across the various reefs and pinnacles. Whale sharks and Giant Oceanic Manta Rays are the most sought-after seasonal visitors to these waters.

On the reef walls and pinnacles, you will find a high diversity of fish, including Barracudas, Giant trevallies, Snappers, and Fusiliers. White tip reef sharks and Black tip reef sharks are also frequently observed patrolling the sites.

The macro life is exceptionally diverse for those who know where to look. You can find various species of Nudibranchs, Harlequin shrimp, and Ghost-pipe fish, alongside several types of seahorses, including Thorny Seahorses and Tiger-tail Seahorses.

The best time to dive in this region is from mid-October to mid-May. During this period, visibility is typically excellent, ranging from 15 to 50 metres depending on the specific site and recent weather.

It is important to note that the national parks are closed from mid-May to mid-October during the monsoon season, so planning your trip within the established window is essential for accessing these specific dive sites.