Dive Happy

Similan Islands Liveaboard 21 – 25 February 2024

Underwater pictures from a Similan Islands diving liveaboard trip 21 – 25 February 2024 on the Blue Dolphin liveaboard

Huge school of rainbow runners, jacks and trevally circling the top of Richelieu Rock
Huge school of rainbow runners, jacks and trevally circling the top of Richelieu Rock © chris@divehappy.com

One week after a somewhat murky Similans trip, the next one was a total contrast – spectacular visibility, sun-drenched dive sites and Richelieu Rock absolutely on fire with the hundreds of fish constantly racing across the dive site.

Last trip the barracuda had dominated the site at Richelieu. This trip the jacks, rainbow runners, giant trevally and emperorfish took centre stage, with hundreds-strong schools making repeated runs across and over the rock – like being in the middle of a fish stampede and silently praying you won’t get bitch slapped by a giant trevally. Those guys are chonky.

Here’s some highlights from some of the dives:

West Of Eden

Fan corals, West Of Eden
Fan corals, West Of Eden © chris@divehappy.com

Fusiliers running, West Of Eden
Fusiliers running, West Of Eden © chris@divehappy.com

Elephant’s Head Pinnacle

Lionfish and fans, Elephant's Head Pinnacle
Lionfish and fans, Elephant’s Head Pinnacle” © chris@divehappy.com

Three Trees

Running fusiliers, Three Trees
Running fusiliers, Three Trees © chris@divehappy.com

Soft corals, Three Trees
Soft corals, Three Trees © chris@divehappy.com

The chonky barrel sponge, Three Trees
The chonky barrel sponge, Three Trees © chris@divehappy.com

Recommended Similan Liveaboards October 2024 to May 2025

Blue Dolphin Liveaboard

Blue Dolphin Liveaboard A mid-range liveaboard with 7 cabins for 16 people. Check availability and pricing

The Phinisi Liveaboard

The Phinisi Liveaboard A Similan mid-range liveaboard with 7 cabins for 18 people.Check availability and pricing

Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard

Smiling Seahorse Liveaboard A mid-range liveaboard with 8 cabins for 16 people. Check availability and pricing

The Junk Liveaboard

The Junk Liveaboard A mid-range liveaboard with 6 cabins for 18 people. Check availability and pricing
 

Christmas Point

Fan and curved rock, Christmas Point
Fan and curved rock, Christmas Point © chris@divehappy.com

Barracuda circling, Christmas Point
Barracuda circling, Christmas Point © chris@divehappy.com

Koh Tachai

Humpback snapper, Koh Tachai
Humpback snapper, Koh Tachai © chris@divehappy.com

Line of batfish, Koh Tachai
Line of batfish, Koh Tachai © chris@divehappy.com

School of sturgeonfish, Koh Tachai
School of sturgeonfish, Koh Tachai © chris@divehappy.com

Aow Suthep

Staghorn sphere, Aow Suthep, Surin Islands
Staghorn sphere, Aow Suthep, Surin Islands © chris@divehappy.com

Staghorn and anthias, Aow Suthep, Surin Islands
Staghorn and anthias, Aow Suthep, Surin Islands © chris@divehappy.com

Sunlight over the reef, Aow Suthep, Surin Islands
Sunlight over the reef, Aow Suthep, Surin Islands © chris@divehappy.com

If you're interested in doing a Similan liveboard yourself, see Diving The Similan Islands: A Quick Guide for a breakdown of how a liveaboard trip works and why the Similans are so special for diving.

Richelieu Rock

Anenomes and glassfish at the top of Richelieu Rock
Anenomes and glassfish at the top of Richelieu Rock © chris@divehappy.com

In the school of jacks and rainbow runners
In the school of jacks and rainbow runners © chris@divehappy.com

Emperor Fishbomb
Emperor Fishbomb © chris@divehappy.com

Batfish school, Richelieu Rock
Batfish school, Richelieu Rock © chris@divehappy.com

Glassfish curve over the soft corals of Richelieu Rock
Glassfish curve over the soft corals of Richelieu Rock © chris@divehappy.com

Glassfish around the fan corals
Glassfish around the fan corals © chris@divehappy.com

Big school of jacks and rainbow runners running across Richelieu Rock
Big school of jacks and rainbow runners running across Richelieu Rock © chris@divehappy.com

Emperorfish running down the side of Richelieu Rock
Emperorfish running down the side of Richelieu Rock © chris@divehappy.com

Jacks and travally circling over Richelieu Rock
Jacks and travally circling over Richelieu Rock © chris@divehappy.com

Emperorfish and jacks over the glassfish and soft corals, Richelieu Rock
Emperorfish and jacks over the glassfish and soft corals, Richelieu Rock © chris@divehappy.com

Glassfish swirling over the anenomes, Richelieu Rock
Glassfish swirling over the anenomes, Richelieu Rock © chris@divehappy.com

Rabbitfish at the surface, Richelieu Rock
Rabbitfish at the surface, Richelieu Rock © chris@divehappy.com

Another epic trip on the Blue Dolphin liveaboard – thanks to all the crew for making it happen.

Similan Liveaboards Overview

Upcoming Similan Liveaboard Availability and Pricing

Check availability and pricing for all Similan Islands liveaboards departing in

(The Similan National Park is closed from mid May to mid October each year)

Similan Liveaboards Trip Reports

Photos from each of the Similan liveaboard trips I've been on over the years.



Diving And Travel Insurance

Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities including scuba diving, as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.

Start Planning Your Thailand Dive Trip Now!

:: Check the availability and pricing of liveaboards in Thailand and book online.


:: Find the cheapest flights to Thailand - Phuket (airport code: HKT) is the nearest airport for diving the Similan Islands. You can get direct international flights to Phuket or go via one of Bangkok's two airports - Suvarnabhumi (BKK), the main airport, or Don Mueang (DMK), the low cost carrier terminal.


:: Make sure you don't forget to bring any of the essentials for your scuba diving trip with our comprehensive Liveaboard Packing List


:: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world.


:: Find available places to stay in Phuket for before and after your liveaboard on Booking.com - usually you can reserve a room with no upfront payment. Pay when you check out. Free cancellations too.


:: Need inspiration? See our Best Places To Dive In Thailand for ideas of where to go and what to do.


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