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Similan Island Journal
(Keith)
The Similan Islands are a string of islands off the coast of southern Thailand
in the Andaman Sea. They are world renowned for their excellent diving and
crystal waters. Tourism is very limited to these islands; there are no
hotels, no casinos, no flash . . . the only way to stay there overnight is with
a permit and in designated camping areas.
We started our journey out to the islands on a rainy night in Patong. Upon awakening 8 hours later, I looked out the port hole from our berth and saw the most beautiful water and tropical islands that I have ever seen. I could only imagine what lay beneath the ocean.
As we awoke the next morning we met topside on our live aboard dive boat for the first dive briefing. Hugo was our group's divemaster and he quickly orientated us to the dive spot. Luckily we had a very small group: Lea, myself, Hugo, and Neal (another year long RTW traveler). Over the next couple of days we would follow this routine: one deep dive (30 meters) before breakfast, breakfast, one medium dive (27 meters) before lunch, lunch, one medium dive (25 meters) after lunch, one night dive before dinner. In between the dives, we went spent time talking with other divers and the divemasters.
The diving was the best we've ever seen. Each dive got progressively harder and more technical; we dove through large rock and coral formations that were mountains under the water; we dove with and against fast running currents; we dove at night. Although each dive pushed our dive skills to the edge, Scandinavian Dive always placed safety first as our boat was fully equipped with three divemasters, life saving equipment, and satellite phone to Phuket for helicopter evacuation.
The undersea life was breathtaking; we saw Clown Trigger fish, a Great Barracuda (~2 meters!), numerous Lobster, several Lion Fish, and much, much more. Huge Brain Coral and Fan Coral lined the undersea terrain as we swam through the turquoise water.
Topside life was great; the boat provided us a great opportunity for camaraderie with our fellow divers. Most of whom were European, but spoke English well enough for some good conversation. As I mentioned earlier, we met Neal from South Africa; he too is undertaking an Around the World trip and was starting in Thailand. To complement the fine people, our Thai crew prepared OUTSTANDING meals. As any other diver knows, you are famished after a dive . . . the cooks also knew this and prepared outstanding Thai snacks and meals. One of our dinners in included 5 Thai dishes with Singha beer. After we thought the meal was complete, the cook brought out a large platter of fresh crabs. Apparently one of the Thai crew, had a friend on a nearby fishing boat and the boat provided a basket of fresh crabs.
For anyone loving the water, the people, and diving I would highly recommend a trip to the Similan Islands.
(Lea)
I waved my hands and light flashed through the darkness...just like my favorite
literary character Harry Potter! This was on my very first night dive, a turning
point in my diving. After this dive, I gained the confidence I needed to truly
enjoy and love diving. Now I can't wait to go back.
To start, Keith and I left Bang Tao to meet up with Scandinavian Divers to go on our live aboard dive trip to the Similan Islands. I had set this up months back. When we got to the dive shop, I can say I was quite nervous - I thought everyone else on the dive trip would have tons more experience (they did), I thought we might be the only Americans (we were) and that we would be expected to complete more "complex" dives than in the past (we did.) And it was all true, but it turned out to be one of the best excursions of my life.
On the first day ( two days and two nights) we actually went ashore on one of the nine Similan islands. Our dinghy took us out there and we climbed to the top of the island's rocks (without shoes the climb was not too easy, but the view was worth it). After that some swimming in the crystal clear, warm water. (I can feel it now) The Similan Islands are all part of Thailand's national parks and only two can be visited on land. Hopefully, the vigilance to keep them from being too touristy continues - I already saw trash in some areas where people were camping. And these were the most beautiful islands I have ever seen.
In between diving and sunning, I was able to talk with our very international and interesting crew and dive group - Brazilain, Thai, Swedish, South African, German...and all knew English. I learned the Swedish woman were just going for the trip, and not to dive, but by the time we left (they were on the 5 day/5 night trip) they had decided to take the plunge and learn. We discovered Neal was traveling about as long as we plan to and his next stop is also Vietnam. I talked with Thomas, Danish, who is traveling around Thailand for more than a year. He makes his living filming dives and that was why he was on our trip (what a great job!). Everyone had great stories to tell about diving and their lives.
Aside from enjoying the island and the views, the outstanding food, and great conversation we also managed to complete six fabulous dives. Hugo, our divemaster, was fantastic and started us slow, but by the last dive we were going through swim throughs, currents and doing deep dives. After the first three, I gained the confidence in my skills to know I could go on the night dive - and did. As I said, that was a turning point for me. Two sights I hope to always remember - during the night dive an ice blue parrotfish peeking our from coral and during the second day, looking over and feeling like I was diving between mountains (which is what my new poem is based on). What I saw was amazing and turned me into a dive lover.
To see more pictures of Similan Islands dive trip check out the Similan Island Photos.