Khao Lak
The Ultimate Guide For Diving The Similan And Surin Islands
THAILAND – Khao Lak
Khao Lak is a small beach side town just 1.5 hours north of Phuket. It is the gateway to the world famous Similan Islands and Surin Islands featuring world class dive dives like Richelieu Rock.
Why Choose Khao Lak & Similan Island?
The area is considered to be in the Top 10 Dive Destinations in the world with insanely diverse dive sites that includes sunken granite boulders, vibrant coral gardens, and clear waters that feature an abundance of marine life including whale sharks and flappy flappy (that’s the scientific term for manta rays, obviously.)
SIMILANS & KHAO LAK ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS
Similans Diving Day Trip
Have a certificate and want to visit the best Similans dive sites?
Beginner Diving
Get your Open Water Certification and explore the Similans.
Advanced Courses
Upgrade your certification and see more and go deeper.
Nitrox Specialty Course
Learn how to use the magic gas and stay at depth longer.
Special Trips & More
We're not just about diving, special day trips, adventures, & more!
Group Snorkel Trips
Prefer to stay near the surface? Check out our day trips to Similans.
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CREDIT CARDS/CASH
Cash is king but more establishments are accepting credit cards. Be prepared to pay a surchage.
TRANSPORT
The popular option is to rent a scooter if you are comfortable driving one. Taxi’s are also readily available.
PLUGS
220V plugs that fit either two flat connectors or the round ones. You’ll need an adapter for UK or AUS plugs.
LANGUAGE & MONEY
The native language spoken is Thai and the money is the Thai Baht. ATMS are readily available everywhere.
COMMON PHRASES
All phrases end in Khrap if you’re male and Ka if you are female.
Hello
Sawasdee (Khrap/Ka)
Thank You
Khop Khun (Khrap/Ka)
Yes/No
Chai/Mai Chai (Khrap/Ka)
Scuba Diving
Gaan Dam Naam Leuk
SIMILANS CONDITIONS
The wet seasons run from May to October which is peak tourism time (what a coincidence.) Now, obviously with all the horrible things we are doing the world, the weather can be anything at anytime (don’t look at me, I recycle).
Diving is limited to November to April as it’s a protected national park.
Check our our free travel guides
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SPECIAL PROGRAMS
Activities you’ll only find here
Have Questions or Ready To Book?
FAQs
If you’ve got a question, we’ve probably got an answer! But don’t be sad if your question isn’t here, we are available to help out or if you just want to write to us and tell us how funny we are.
What's so special about Similan & Surin Islands?
They are often seem as the Top 10 Dive Sites in the world and definitely the top sites in Thailand. You have varied aged topography with serious conditions that enable vibrant biodiversity to be found.Ā
What are the months in which Similans can be visited?
The beautiful Similans national park is only open from November to April of every year.Ā
What is the closest place to stay?
You can stay at the top of Phuket but Khao Lak is the best launching point for all trips related to Simillans. A little beach side town that has everything from 5-Start luxury beach front properties to basic homestays.Ā
Can you get to Similans from Phuket?
Similans launch point is from Khao Lak as it’s the closest distance which enables you do to do day trips to see the top sites if you don’t have time or the budget for a liveaboard.
Can you do good diving as a day trip?
You can with our amazing partners! What an amazing coincidence, I know. Our Khao Lak diving partner will take you the top sites on a weekly rotating schedule so that you can see spots like Richelieu Rock with only a 2 hour boat ride.Ā
How far away are the dive sites?
Generally about 2 hours away by speedboat. Liveaboards are an even better option so that you sleep or lounge while we take you there.Ā
My question isn't here! I'm sad!
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How to get to Khao Lak from Phuket?
Super simple drive from Phuket if you are near the airport which will take you less than 1.5 hours.Ā
How to get to Khao Lak from Krabi?
You can drive or take schedule coach buses. The journey is roughly 2-3 hours.Ā
What is the nearest airport to fly into?
Phuket is the easiest and fastest way. 1.5 hour drive from Khao Lak.
What kind of marine life to expect?
The dive sites around the Similans contain so much diversity. You’ll often see cuttlefish, moray eels, clownfish, trumpetfish and much much more. Macro lovers will love exploring in-between the topography to find seahorses, nudi branch’s, anemone crabs, and other small wonders. And of course hopefully some flappy flappy (that’s the scientific term for manta rays, obviously.)
Is it a good place to do courses?
Similans and Khao Lak is a great place to do scuba diving courses because it will train you to become a stronger diver. You will experience wall diving, drift diving, slopping reefs and learning to deal with currents.
Learning to dive in a boring chill spot is all fine and nice until one day you dive with heavy currents and don’t know what to do. Might as well learn how to be strong from day 1.
Can you see Manta's or Whale Sharks?
The Similans are famous for these giants. Of course, nothing is guaranteed but there are plenty of sightings when the conditions are right.Ā
Can I go diving if I'v never tried it before?
You probably already know the answer: YES. You can do your first level of diving which is the Open Water Diver Course and become certified.
What's the difference between the agencies? PADI/SSI/RAID
Simple answer: they are all the same.
Longer answer: the agencies are just the ones who set the course structure and schedule and limitations but all the agencies have the exact same standards.
So at the end of the day it doesn’t matter which agency the dive center is with because your certificate will work worldwide.
Everyone usually calls it getting your PADI but this really doesn’t mean much and is just because PADI is one of the oldest agencies in the world so they did some really good marketing. Just because it’s older, doesn’t mean it’s better. š
How far in advance should I book?
We get it, commitment is hard. Normally we will do everything we can to get your booking in with one of our partners but to avoid disappointment it’s always better to get sorted before hand.
My question isn't here! I'm sad!
Please donāt be sad. I was pretty tired when I wrote all this so maybe I missed it. OR itās more likely that your question is so brilliant and amazing that I could never think of it. Chat with us!
Similan Islands & Surin Islands DIVE SITES
SIMILANS DIVE SITES
The dive sites around the Similans and Surin Islands contain so much diversity. You’ll often see cuttlefish, moray eels, clownfish, trumpetfish and much much more. Macro lovers will love exploring in-between the topography to find seahorses, nudi branch’s, anemone crabs, and other small wonders. And of course a manta-ray or whale shark passing by if you’re lucky!
Have Questions or Ready To Book?
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Hear what some of our fans are saying about us:
Can't say enough great things about the team. Everyone who has helped me on the chats has always been so quick and kind. Felt like messaging a friend to make our booking. We will definitely be using GoDiving again in the future for any more diving trips we have planned. Can't wait for it.
Matilda
Sweden
It was surprising how easy the process was! Everything is so well automated but if you have questions, the crew seems to just always be online ready to help! We booked a diving course as well as some private tours with them and have been so happy with all of it. Communication was quick and helpful, online payment were easy!
Frank
Hong Kong
Amazing experience from start to finish. Took less than 10 minutes to get a response and make our dive package booking. Love the handy confirmation page they give you which has all the information for the reservation in one place.
Martin
Denmark
The team at GoDiving was so helpful when answering any questions we had. We were a bit nervous after having a bad experience but they helped create a plan to help us build our confidence and we became certified divers and love our new hobby so much!
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Singapore
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AWESOMENESS
I'm pretty confident that's a word? Because it's how we want to make you feel. We only promote trips or activities that we have taken and know well. So if anything goes wrong, we are here to fix it!
PRICE
You'll never pay extra! Our partners pay us in pizza and beers (yes, that's why we do this) And we know, travel plans can change so we have flexible cancellation or rescheduling so that there isn't a risk.
SUPPORT
The team is available via WhatsApp, email, Facebook or fax 20 hours a day (yes we take 4 hours off for beauty rest) Happy to answer questions, give advice or just agree with you on random topics.