Similan Island - Phangnga - Thailand

Koh Similan islands national park was established in 1982, covering an area of 128 square kilometers on Andaman sea. In 1998 Koh Tachi (the northernmost island in the group) was added making the total area 140 square kilometers. It is in Khura Buri district of Phang Nga province. "Similan" in Malay language means number 9. It is the number of islands in the group. After including another two more islands in the north the marine park now contains 11 islands. A group of 9 small islands 50 kms. off the west coast of Phang-Nga in the Andaman Sea. The National Park covers an area of 80,000 rai. Skin Diving Magazine rated them among the ten loveliest places on Earth, because of the great natural beauty found on the islands themselves and also because of the extensive surrounding coral gardens beneath the waves. The islands are undeveloped and unspoiled; numerous species of fish, crustaceans, and other forms of sea-life abound; water clarity and diving are excellent. Similan is corrupted from the Malay Sembilan and means nine. From north to south in order the islands are: Koh Bon, Koh Ba Ngu, Koh Similan, Koh Pahyoo, Koh Miang (two islands), Koh Pahyan, Koh Payahng and Koh Hu Yong. The Similan Islands are consistently ranked as one of the top ten dive sites in the world, and there is good reason to believe they will remain that way for future generations. The Thai Government can be justly proud of their efforts to preserve and protect this group of pristine islands. In one effort the Fishing Dept placed mooring buoys in the most popular anchorage's allowing visiting boats to tie up rather then dropping an anchor and risk damaging the fragile reef. It is easy to applaud all efforts to preserve the wild, unspoiled beaches, magnificent coral reefs, and the turquoise blue water of this special area. Koh Similan islands are rich in flora and fauna. The islands are the combination of several forest types, and the convergence of evergreen forest and coral reef. The bio diversity ranges from the world's largest whale shark to rare birds such as Nicobar Pigeon and Pied Imperial Pigeon, as well as 27 species of mammals, 22 species of reptiles, and at least 4 species of amphibians. These animals have been living in these nature long before the first human came.