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Similan Islands Liveaboard 21-25 November 2024 Trip Report

The 2024 – 2025 Similan Islands dive season has now begun. Here’s a Similan liveaboard trip report from 21-25 November 2024

Divers exploring Tuna Wreck
Divers exploring Tuna Wreck , Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

My first trip of the Similan dive season since the Similan National Park re-opened in mid-October 2024. Here’s some photos and a quick rundown of some of what we saw.

For a general outline of what to expect from diving in the Similan Islands and what to expect from being on a Similan liveaboard, see my Diving The Similan Islands: A Quick Guide. I was on the MV Blue Dolphin liveaboard – here’s my detailed review of what it’s like on the boat.

West of Eden

Soft corals and big fan corals, West Of Eden, Similan Islands
Soft corals and big fan corals, West Of Eden, Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

A great start to the trip with superb visibility and gentle currents. An undemanding stroll through the canyon, past the massive fan corals on the wall, over to the ledge overflowing with soft corals and a quick peer out into the deep blue before shallowing back up under the early morning sun pouring through the surface above us. Nice. (More info on West Of Eden).

Tuna Wreck and Hideaway Bay

Stern of the Tuna Wreck, Similan Islands, November 2024
Stern of the Tuna Wreck, Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

A pleasant surprise on this dive as this time I got to see the whole wreck. Usually we get to descend to 30 metres and then check out the front of the wreck before heading to the steep sloping reef of Hideaway Bay. This time the current let us drop in behind the wreck and drift onto its stern, passing along the whole length of the ship before heading on to the Hideaway Bay reef.

Spiny lobster amongst the corals, Hideaway Bay, Similan Islands, November 2024
Spiny lobster amongst the corals, Hideaway Bay, Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

There was an impressively chunky spiny lobster within the hard corals of Hideaway Bay’s reef – always great to see them when they’ve got to a big size. (More info on Tuna Wreck and Hideaway Bay).

Three Trees

Boots and the giant barrel sponge, Three Trees
Boots and the giant barrel sponge, Three Trees , Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

Great viz at Three Trees let me get a couple of shots of the giant barrel sponge in the channel before we drifted back over into the shallows. (More info on Three Trees).

North Point

Fan corals on big boulders, North Point, Similan Islands, November 2024
Fan corals on big boulders, Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

First visit to North Point in a long time. This is one of the Similans’ big boulder sites, and the more sedate sibling to the rowdy Christmas Point just around the corner. Lucky again with the viz, it was a pleasant early morning reacquaintance with the North Point’s big rocks and canyons. (More info on North Point).

Koh Tachai

Barracuda Ball, Koh Tachai
Barracuda Ball, Koh Tachai , Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

Koh Tachai was epic on this trip – I generally find this dive site very capricious with the conditions and the current, but this time it delivered. We had an epic barracuda encounter at 5 metres, a big ball of some 30 fish or so who were simply indifferent to divers getting near to them.

Fusilier storm, Koh Tachai
Fusilier storm, Koh Tachai , Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

There was also some spectular storms of fusiliers racing through the site, thousands of them charging through, sweeping around the top of the pinnacle and then off out into the blue.

Fan corals and glassfish, Koh Tachai
Fan corals and glassfish, Koh Tachai , Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

The viz was good enough to get some decent shots of some of Koh Tachai’s signature fan corals, around which glassfish love to congregate.

Richelieu Rock

Glassfish over soft corals, Richelieu Rock
Glassfish over soft corals, Richelieu Rock , Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

Richelieu Rock was not being very cooperative on this trip – the water was green and murky, reducing visibility considerably. That didn’t make any difference to the fish life – Richelieu was still as frenetic as ever.

Fish stampede, Richelieu Rock
Fish stampede, Richelieu Rock , Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

We had several fish stampedes of trevally, rainbow runners and emperor fish running together over the rock – just awesome to watch. While Richelieu was far from its best on this trip, it still delivered in terms of action and activity. (More info on Richelieu Rock).

Koh Bon Pinnacle

Hundreds of batfish, Koh Bon Pinnacle
Hundreds of batfish, Koh Bon Pinnacle , Similan Islands, November 2024 © chris@divehappy.com

One of my favourite sites in the Similans, Koh Bon Pinnacle was beautiful on this trip. Calm and clear with stunning viz, the whole rock was laid out below us and we got to see a hundreds-strong school of batfish pass by in the blue. A superb way to end the trip.

Recommended Similan Liveaboards October 2025 to May 2026

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
 

2025 Thailand Last Minute Liveaboard Deals

  • Thailand Aggressor - 30 Aug 2025 - from €2,260.00 - South Andaman Sea (Chalong - Chalong) - Travel the World Special! (25% OFF)

Similan Liveaboards Overview

  • Luxury Similan Island Liveaboards
  • Mid Range Similan Island Liveaboards
  • Budget Similan Island Liveaboards
  • Last Minute Liveaboard Deals
  • Diving The Similan Islands 2025: A Quick Guide
  • Similan Islands Dive Sites
  • Diving Thailand Guide

Upcoming Similan Liveaboard Availability and Pricing

Check availability and pricing for all Similan Islands liveaboards departing in

    October 2025 | November 2025 | December 2025 | January 2026 | February 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026

(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.

  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report 9-13 February 2025
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report 21-25 November 2024
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report May 2024
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report 21 - 25 February 2024
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report 15 - 19 February 2024
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report December 2023
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report October 2023
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report April 2023
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report February 2023
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report December 2022
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report February 2020
  • Similan Islands and Myanmar Trip Report March 2015


Diving And Travel Insurance

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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


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:: 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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Last Minute Liveaboard Deals

  • Last Minute Liveaboard Deals May 2025

All Similan Liveaboards

  • Budget Similan Islands Liveaboards 2025
  • Mid-Range Similan Islands Liveaboards 2025
  • Luxury Similan Islands Liveaboards 2025

Similan Liveaboard Reports 2025

  • Diving The Similan Islands 2025: A Quick Guide
  • Similan Liveaboard Trip Report 9-13 February 2025
  • Barracuda Tornado, Koh Tachai, Similan Islands February 2025
  • Manta Ray at Koh Bon, Similan Islands, February 2025
  • Jacks Tornado, Richelieu Rock, February 2025

Similan Liveaboard Reports 2024

  • Barracuda Tornado, Three Threes, Similan Islands, Thailand
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard 21-25 November 2024 Trip Report
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard 6 – 10 May 2024 Trip Report
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard 21 – 25 February 2024
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard 15-19 February 2024

Similan Liveaboard Reports 2023

  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report December 2023
  • Similan Liveaboard Trip Report October 2023
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard April 2023 Trip Report
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report February 2023

Similan Liveaboard Reports 2022

  • Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report December 2022
  • Similan Islands Liveaboard February 2020
  • Myanmar And Similan Islands Liveaboard Trip Report March 2015

Similan Islands DIve Sites

  • Similan Islands Dive Sites Overview
  • West Of Eden
  • Shark’s Fin Reef
  • Boulder City
  • Three Trees
  • Christmas Point
  • North Point
  • Hideaway Bay and Tuna Wreck
  • Koh Bon
  • Koh Bon Pinnacle
  • Ao Suthep, Surin Islands
  • Richelieu Rock

More Thailand Diving Stories

  • Thailand Aggressor Relaunches November 2024
  • Blue Dolphin Liveaboard Review
  • Diving Stonehenge, Koh Lipe, April 2022
  • Whale Shark At Hin Daeng April 2021
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  • Thailand’s Best Dive Sites
  • Where To See Manta Rays In Thailand
  • Whale Sharks In Thailand: Where To See Them
  • Are There Great White Sharks In Thailand?
  • Koh Lanta Diving
  • Koh Tao: An Introduction
  • Diving The USS Lagarto Submarine – Richie Kohler interview
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My Recent Dive Trips

  • November 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • October 2024: Forgotten Islands and Banda Sea liveaboard, Indonesia
  • August 2024: Komodo and Saleh Bay liveaboard, Indonesia
  • May 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • April 2024: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • February 2024: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • January 2024:Gangga Island Resort, Indonesia
  • December 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • Mejangan Island, Bali
  • October 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • June 2023: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • April 2023: Maldives liveaboard
  • April 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • February 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2022: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • December 2022: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2022: Komodo liveaboard, Indonesia
  • June 2022: USAT Liberty shipwreck, Bali, Indonesia
  • April 2022: Stonehenge, Koh Lipe, Thailand
  • March 2022: Manta Rays at Koh Bon, Thailand
  • January 2022: Richelieu Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • March 2021: HTMS Chang and Alahambra Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • February 2020: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2019: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2019: Malapascua, Philippines
  • June 2019: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • April 2019: Tulamben, Bali
  • December 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • December 2018: Anilao, Philippines
  • October 2018: Moalboal, Philippines
  • October 2018: Malapascua, Philippines
  • July 2018: Tulamben, Bali
  • May 2018: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • April 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines

My Less Recent Dive Trips

  • May 2017: Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
  • April 2017: Tubbataha Reef, Philippines
  • April 2017: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • March 2017: Triton Bay, Indonesia
  • March 2017: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • September 2016: Tulamben, Bali at Alba Dive Resort
  • August 2016: Cenderawasih Bay on Damai 1
  • April 2016: Sogod Bay at Sogod Bay Scuba Resort
  • February 2016: Raja Ampat and Banda Islands on Damai 1
  • April 2015: Anilao at Crystal Dive Resort
  • March 2015: Myanmar and Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • May 2013: Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • April 2013: Tubbataha Reef on Discovery Palawan
  • January 2013: Komodo, Indonesia on MSY Damai
  • August 2012: Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
  • April 2012: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • January 2012: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2011: Hanifaru, Maldives
  • June 2011: Tubbataha Liveaboard Hans Christian Andersen
  • April 2011: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • April 2011: Carpe Vita Liveaboard, Maldives
  • March 2011: Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
  • December 2010: Menjangan, Bali
  • July 2010: Tofo, Mozambique
  • July 2010: Sardine Run, South Africa
  • May 2010: Sangalaki / Derawan, Tambora
  • March 2010: MV Flying Seahorse, Similan Islands
  • March 2010: MV Orion, Southern Maldives
  • January 2010: Big Blue Explorer, Palau
  • November 2009: MSY Damai, Banda Sea Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MSY Damai, Komodo Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MV Orion, Maldives Liveaboard
  • September 2009: MV Scubanet, Koh Losin, Thailand
  • May 2009: MSY Seahorse, Banda Sea liveaboard, Indonesia
  • March 2009: Sachika Liveaboard, Maldives
  • February 2009: Daytrips, Koh Lanta, Thailand
  • January 2009: MV Jazz, Burma (Myanmar) Liveaboard

Back In The Day Bragging Rights Dive Trips

  • November 2008: Borneo Explorer, Visayas Liveaboard
  • September 2008: S/Y Siren, Komodo Liveaboard
  • August 2008: Ocean Rover, Sulawesi Liveaboard
  • August 2008: NAD Lembeh Resort, Indonesia
  • June 2008: Koh Tao
  • March 2008: Maldives, Bandos Island
  • February 2008: MSY Seahorse, Raja Ampat Liveaboard
  • January 2008: MV Jazz, Burma Liveaboard
  • October 2007: Bali Dive Safari
  • September 2007: Davao, Philippines
  • July 2007: Great White Sharks, Rodney Fox Liveaboard
  • June 2007: Big Blue, Palau Liveaboard
  • May 2007: Whale Sharks at Exmouth, Australia
  • April 2007: Borneo Explorer, Tubbataha Reef Liveaboard
  • December 2006: Komodo Dancer, Komodo Liveaboard

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  • Diving The Similan Islands 2025: A Quick Guide
  • Similan Liveaboard Trip Report 9-13 February 2025
  • Barracuda Tornado, Koh Tachai, Similan Islands February 2025
  • Manta Ray at Koh Bon, Similan Islands, February 2025
  • Jacks Tornado, Richelieu Rock, February 2025